Taproot Dog Training, LLC

Taproot offers three progressive group class levels: City Dog 1 teaches foundational skills like attention, crate training, potty training, and impulse control; City Dog 2 builds on basics with cues like Stay and Wait, addressing jumping and greetings; City Dog 3 is an advanced, partly outdoor class focusing on real-world scenarios. Classes are 5 weeks long, 60 minutes each, with small groups of 5–6 dogs. Homework is assigned weekly, and owners are encouraged to attend at least 4 of 5 sessions. All classes require prior vaccination records and dog-friendly behavior.

Pricing Summary

Group classes cost $140–$150 for a 5-week session (60 minutes per class). City Dog 1 and City Dog 2 are $140; City Dog 3 is $150. Payment is due upfront and covers the full session. Checks are payable to Taproot Dog Training. No make-up classes are offered, but credits may be issued for cancellations made 6+ days in advance.

Policies

Cancellations made 6 full days before class start date receive a credit for a future class. Cancellations within 6 days require full payment. No make-up classes are offered. Dogs must be current on vaccinations and flea/tick prevention. Dogs with aggression, excessive barking, or vocalization issues are not permitted in group classes. Aversion collars (choke, shock, spray, vibration) are strictly prohibited.

Taproot Dog Training, LLC is a dog training business based in Madison, WI, founded by Laura Strimpel, an internationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA). The business offers group training classes at North Paw, LLC, a dedicated facility with rubber flooring and clean, dog-friendly spaces. Classes are structured in 5-week sessions, each lasting 60 minutes, and focus on positive reinforcement methods with no use of aversive tools like choke, shock, or spray collars. Taproot provides three progressive levels: City Dog 1 for beginners, City Dog 2 for dogs with foundational skills, and City Dog 3 for advanced, partly outdoor training. Laura emphasizes efficient, cost-effective training tailored to each dog’s breed, history, and individual needs, and actively partners with local veterinarians and dog-related businesses. The business also offers small breed dog and cat boarding through its partner facility, North Paw, which requires dogs to be regular daycare clients. Laura is on-site daily and teaches weekend classes, creating a supportive, small-class environment where owners learn not just how to train their dogs, but how to understand them better.

Taproot’s training philosophy centers on partnership with pet owners, focusing on strengths and real-life scenarios. Clients report significant improvements in behavior, stronger bonds with their dogs, and personalized attention from Laura, who responds promptly to concerns and provides actionable feedback. The business is known for its welcoming atmosphere, emphasis on timing and reward accuracy, and inclusive approach for all dog sizes and breeds.

In addition to group classes, Taproot collaborates with experienced trainers and vets to offer comprehensive behavioral solutions. Laura holds a Master’s in Student Affairs and a Bachelor’s in Sociology, and is an active member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers. Her personal experience raising over 100 foster kittens and owning multiple pets informs her compassionate, science-backed approach to training.

Accomplishments

Laura Strimpel is an internationally Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers. She holds a Master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education and a Bachelor’s in Sociology. She is an active member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and has raised over 100 neonate foster kittens. She owns and operates North Paw Dog Daycare, the only daycare in Wisconsin designed specifically for smaller dogs.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must email Taprootdogtraining@gmail.com to express interest in a class level and download and complete the Pet Profile form. Vaccination records must be emailed along with payment. Registration is not confirmed until all three steps are completed.