Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center
Ranked #6 in Chicago and #19 in Illinois
Service area: Chicago, IL
Service Overview
Types of Dog Training
- Family Dog
- Competition / Agility
- Behavior Modification
Specialty Focus Areas
- Basic Obedience
- Puppy Training
- Reactivity / Aggression
- Separation Anxiety
Training Formats Offered
- Private Lessons
- Group Classes
- Private Facility
- Board and Train
- Day Training
Program Formats
- One-Time Consultation
- Sessions Package
- Ongoing Weekly
- Intensive Program
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
Urban Pooch Training & Fitness Center offers a comprehensive range of training programs for dogs of all ages and experience levels, from puppies to adult dogs. They provide both group classes and private one-on-one sessions.
Their puppy training includes Puppy Playtime, AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy, Junior Dog, Puppy Agility, and Intro to Puppy Nose Work, focusing on socialization, obedience, and sports. For general manners and skills, they offer “SKILLS & MANNERS,” “Canine Compass Manners,” and “Back to Basics,” with the Canine Compass being a flexible membership model.
Specialized programs include Agility & Sport Classes (Agility, Rally!, Tug It, Fetch It, Drop It!, Sports & Fitness Academy, Canine Fitness Program, Agility Classes, Disc Dog Class, Treibball Classes), Nose Work Classes taught by certified instructors, and Advanced Manners and Certifications including AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) testing. They also address specific behavior issues through “Behavior Specialty Classes” like Reactive Dog, Reactive Dog 2, and Charm School, as well as “Separation Anxiety Solutions.” Private training is available for various areas of expertise.
Pricing & Policies
Pricing Summary
They offer a Canine Compass Membership, which is comparable to a gym membership, providing flexibility to attend as many or as few class sessions within a dog’s skill level.
Testimonials
“Took my new puppy to their puppy agility class and it was so fun! It helped build my puppy’s confidence even with just one session! Highly recommend this class if you’ve got a wild one on your hands.”
– Silvia Manrique
“Our pup Shay just finished the 4-week Puppy Paw Star Academy at Urban Pooch, and we couldn’t be happier with the experience. The difference in her is incredible — she’s more confident, listens better, plays nicely with other dogs, and just seems more calm and grounded overall. It honestly feels like we’re living with a whole new dog (in the best way). One of the things we really appreciated was how involved we got to be throughout the process. Every day, the trainers sent photos, videos, and a quick write-up on what Shay worked on and how she did. It gave us a clear picture of her progress and made it so much easier to reinforce the training at home. And any time we had questions or concerns — even small stuff — the team was super responsive, patient, and happy to talk things through. What really sets Urban Pooch apart is the people. Every single staff member we met was kind, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. They took the time to get to know Shay and made her feel completely comfortable and cared for. She ran through the door every morning, tail wagging, and we never had a moment of hesitation leaving her there. Urban Pooch truly became a second home for her — and honestly, we’re going to miss the daily drop-offs. If you have a new puppy and you’re even thinking about training, don’t wait. This is absolutely the place to go. We’re so glad we did.”
– Ami Kothari
“I cannot recommend Sharon Cierniak and Urban Pooch dog training facility enough! My dog, Etta, and I recently completed both the Agility and Tricks courses, and the experience has been nothing short of amazing. Sharon is an incredibly talented and patient trainer who has a true gift for working with rescue dogs. From the very first class, I could tell that she deeply understands canine behavior and has a genuine passion for teaching. She was able to tailor the training to Etta’s needs and personality, making sure we both progressed at our own pace. Her positive reinforcement approach created such a supportive and fun environment, which kept Etta motivated and eager to learn. The Agility course was an absolute blast! Sharon broke everything down into easy-to-understand steps, and Etta quickly picked up the skills, even overcoming some initial hesitations. The obstacles were exciting, and it was so rewarding to see Etta grow in confidence as we made our way through the course. Sharon’s encouragement and expert guidance made the experience feel both challenging and enjoyable. The Tricks course was equally fantastic! Sharon has a great way of keeping the classes upbeat and engaging, teaching new tricks with clarity and patience. Etta quickly learned a variety of fun and useful tricks, from simple ones like “sit” and “shake” to more advanced ones like “spin” and “bang!” The best part was seeing how proud Etta became of herself as she mastered each trick. I’ve noticed such a positive change in Etta’s behavior, confidence, and focus. The training we received from Sharon not only strengthened our bond but also gave me the tools to continue teaching and growing with Etta at home. If you’re looking for a knowledgeable, kind, and truly exceptional dog trainer, Sharon Cierniak is the one to go to!”
– Barbara Harris
About the Trainer
Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center offers a comprehensive range of services for dogs, including training, daycare, boarding, grooming, and retail. They are proud to have the city’s largest team of award-winning trainers who can address any behavior issue.
They provide classes for dogs of all ages and experience levels, with options for both group sessions and private training. A 30-minute assessment is available to help guide owners to the best solution for their dog.
The Training & Fitness Center location at 5400 N Damen Ave specializes in enrichment daycare, various training disciplines (agility, nose work), grooming & bathing, self-wash, and PlayTime Express Transportation. Their Canine Life Center at 4501 N Ravenswood Ave offers group play daycare, cage-free boarding, grooming spa & bathing, and PlayTime Express Transportation, alongside an award-winning pet retail store for dogs and cats.
Accomplishments
Urban Pooch boasts the city’s largest team of award-winning trainers. Their staff includes Professional Certified Trainers, with specific mention of Sue Sentowski and Robin Taylor as certified Nose Work instructors (CNWI) through the National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW). They also offer multiple levels of testing for Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certification through the American Kennel Club.
How to Get Started!
Clients can start with a 30-minute assessment to review their goals and receive guidance on the best training solution for their dog.

Contact Information
Availability
- Weekdays
- Weekends
- Morning
- Afternoon
- Evening
Certifications
- Credentialed
Associations
- AKC
- Accredited
Misc Features
- onsite services
Other Services Offered
- Dog day care center
- Pet boarding service
- Pet groomer
- Pet store
- Pet supply store