The Positive Pup
Ranked #10 in Chicago and #31 in Illinois
Service area: Chicago, with training walks available in West Loop only.
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Leash Pulling
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Jumping on People
- Barking Excessively
- Potty Training
- Resource Guarding
- Fearfulness
- Stealing Food
- Biting / Nipping
- Recall
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- In-Home
- Board and Train
- Video Calls
Program Formats
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
Age of Dogs Trained
- Puppy (<1 year)
- Adolescent (1-2 years)
- Adult (2-8 years)
- Senior (8+ years)
Dog Training Methodology
Methods:
- ✓ Positive Reinforcement Only
Equipment:
- ✓ Clickers
- ✓ Food Rewards
The Positive Pup offers private lessons for basic obedience and good manners, covering cues like eye contact, “watch me”, “sit”, “down”, “stay”, “touch”, “come”, and “leave it”, along with addressing common puppy concerns such as socialization, potty training, and nipping. Problem-solving and behavior modification lessons are available for specific issues like leash reactivity, resource guarding, and fearfulness.
A Private 6 Week Basic Obedience and Good Manners Course is also offered. Training walks focus on on-leash manners, loose leash walking, polite greetings, and preventing/resolving leash reactivity, with owners joining one walk per week. Relief and Exercise Walks are also available. Boarding provides a quiet, private environment at “Chateau LaMere”. Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing is offered, and group classes are taught at PupStars Pet Care through Anything is Pawzible.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
Private Basic Obedience and Good Manners Lessons are $100. Problem Solving and Behavior Modification Lessons are $125. A Private 6 Week Basic Obedience and Good Manners Course is $550.
Relief and Exercise Walks are $40 for 60 minutes and $25 for 30 minutes, with an additional $25 (60 min) or $15 (30 min) per additional dog in multi-dog homes (limit 3 dogs). A 3-hour test run is required before booking boarding services.
Testimonials
“Rachel is a miracle worker! She helped us train our new puppy with patience and expertise that produced quick results. After six weeks of training, our puppy is receiving compliments on his behavior everywhere we go! Rachel was incredibly easy to work with, very responsive, and worked with us both inside our home and out on walks. She also sent instructive videos and readings to compliment our training sessions. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for support with training.”
– Anthony F.
“Rachel has been WONDERFUL – I can’t say that enough. We first met with her for a 6-week, once-a-week, program at our home when first got our puppy and it was a huge help. He absolutely loved her, but most importantly – Rachel helped us learn how to keep that training going when she wasn’t around. I thought I knew the basics about training a puppy but *NEWS FLASH* definitely not haha Rachel is so positive, easy to talk to and answered all our questions (even the silly ones.) Double bonus – we had an issue pop up several months after we first met; I messaged Rachel and she was very helpful. She even followed up a couple weeks later to be sure everything was ok. Three cheers!”
– Lauren S.
“For the past 5 years, since the first week we adopted our puppy, Rachel has been her trainer, walker, and literally the only person we have ever left our dog (and two cats)with to go away. I can’t recommend her enough.”
– Julie B.
About the Trainer
Rachel LaMere, founder of The Positive Pup Chicago, offers compassionate, effective, and fun positive reinforcement and force-free dog training for dogs and their humans. She provides private lessons for basic obedience, good manners, and behavior modification, addressing issues like leash reactivity, resource guarding, and fearfulness.
The business also offers training walks and relief/exercise walks in the West Loop, as well as private boarding at “Chateau LaMere” for dogs who prefer a quieter environment. Rachel is also an AKC CGC evaluator and teaches group classes through a partner facility. Her philosophy centers on understanding that dogs do what works, and training involves clear communication, setting boundaries, and strengthening the bond and trust between dogs and their owners.
Accomplishments
Rachel LaMere, founder of The Positive Pup Chicago, completed the dog trainer certification program through Animal Behavior College in 2012. She is a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT-KA), a certified Fear Free ® trainer, and an AKC CGC evaluator. Rachel is also insured through PetCare Insurance.
How to Get Started!
To inquire about CGC testing, clients are asked to contact Rachel. For boarding, a 3-hour test run is required before booking to ensure the dog can safely and happily cohabitate with the resident chihuahua and cat. For group classes, clients are directed to the Anything is Pawzible website.
Contact Information
Certifications
- CPDT-KA
- CTC
- Credentialed
Associations
- AKC
- Accredited
Languages
- English
Misc Features
- Women-owned
- onsite services
- LGBTQ-friendly
- transgender safespace
Other Services Offered
- Dog walker
- Pet boarding service