Smart Dogs Training & Lodging
Ranked #1 in Downers Grove and #14 in Illinois
Service area: Smart Dogs Training & Lodging’s home base is in Downers Grove, IL, just west of Chicago. They offer in-home dog training in Chicago and Chicago Suburbs, Naples, FL, and Kansas City, KS. They also state they can come to you anywhere in the world for in-home training. Their luxury dog boarding resort is located in Downers Grove, Illinois.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Therapy Dog
- Competition / Agility
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Biting / Nipping
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Fearfulness
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- In-Home
- Board and Train
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Intensive Program
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Equipment:
- ✓ Obstacle Courses
Smart Dogs Training & Lodging offers two main types of programs: In-Home/Private Training and Board and Train (Dog Training Camp). In-home training provides one-on-one attention in the client’s home environment, suitable for preventing or resolving specific behavior issues. They offer various session packages. The Board and Train program is an immersive experience where dogs stay in the trainers’ home environment, receiving mental and physical stimulation, training sessions, walks, and socialization. This program focuses on top training priorities and aims for quick behavior improvement. They also offer “Puppy Prep School” as a Board and Train option specifically for puppies, covering commands, greetings, manners, obedience, and potty training.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
For in-home training, they offer one-time sessions or packages of 3, 6, 10, 20, or unlimited sessions. Their Board and Train program offers express options for 5 or 8 days, as well as 10, 15, or 30-day programs. Specific pricing details are not provided.
Testimonials
“OMG Look no further if you want your dogs REALLY trained!!! These people know what they are doing!!! Too bad I didn’t find them 5 dogs ago!!! lol lol”
– Sherry Lee Boettcher Fret
“WOW!!! Highly recommend Smart Dogs to everyone out there! They took our crazy bratty biting puppy, and shaped him into a well behaved and trained puppy in just a few days! We just completed the express training program, and will tell everyone we know about these awesome people and awesome training that they provide! Thank you!!”
– Teresa Skow Koster
“Best decision we’ve made!! We got a new dog and before she got big we made the hard decision to do the lodge training with Smart Dogs. Although she was deeply missed it was the best decision we made!! She listens so well at only 14 weeks, she sits, stays, walks on treadmill, on a bike etc already. They even got our other two year old dog to walk on a leash in 30 seconds and she would pull your arm off!! Their house is set up amazing too! She also went from nipping my boys to not at all. The investment is worth as they are now basically an on call dog trainer and respond very quickly. So glad we did this before she became too big to control. Although cute as puppies dogs can easily become uncontrollable and with kids it’s even more important. Wish I had done this with all my previous dogs!”
– Jessie Fulton Baransky
About the Trainer
Smart Dogs Training & Lodging offers comprehensive dog training and luxury boarding services. They specialize in helping dog owners resolve behavior problems and train their companions to be well-behaved family and community members. The business provides both in-home private training and an immersive “Board and Train” program, also known as “Dog Training Camp.”
Their facility, located just west of Chicago in Downers Grove, Illinois, boasts extensive amenities for boarding and training. These include 5 acres of private woodland and prairie paths, a 6500 sq/ft outdoor play area with pet-safe grass turf, an agility course, private courtyards, a zero-depth pool, and a waterfall. Indoor amenities feature a 1500 sq/ft training room with heated floors, treadmills, and plenty of toys. For lodging, they offer luxury themed suites with private TVs, courtyards, deluxe beds, heated floors, and concierge services, including spa baths and nail clips.
Smart Dogs Training & Lodging emphasizes training the entire family, including kids, spouses, and other dogs, at no extra charge during in-home sessions. They also offer puppy-specific training, including a “Puppy Prep School” board and train option, focusing on developing good habits from the start. Additionally, they provide dog training products and tips through their blog and email newsletter. Kristy and Ian are the trainers who provide personalized attention, taking only 3-4 dogs at a time for their Board & Train program to ensure maximum quality time and effective results.
Accomplishments
The training is provided by Kristy and Ian, who are described by clients as caring, loving, and educated trainers. One testimonial highlights Ian as “gifted.”
How to Get Started!
To get started, clients are encouraged to call for a FREE phone consultation. During this consultation, Smart Dogs will evaluate the situation to help address stresses and struggles and bring peace to the home.
Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- wheelchair accessible entrance
- wheelchair accessible parking
Other Services Offered
- Pet boarding service
- Pet supply store