Your Dog’s Guru, Inc

Your Dog’s Guru offers various programs including 1-on-1 Training, Board & Train, Playschool, and Puppy-specific services. Training focuses on real-time application and educating both the dog and owner with customized plans.

1-on-1 Training can be conducted onsite at their facility or at your home, available Monday through Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Virtual sessions via FaceTime or Zoom are also an option. The Board & Train program has a three-week minimum, addressing up to five main concerns, and includes weekly one-hour 1-on-1 sessions with the client, trainer, and dog to ensure handling skills are transferred.

Playschool is designed to elevate traditional doggie daycare by providing structured playtime, group socialization, agility training for mental stimulation and confidence building, and basic obedience. Activities include socialization, general obedience, leash manners, and agility obstacles. Dogs learn to behave on leash, play well with other dogs, enter the yard nicely, and greet their owner properly. Reservations are required, and a dog’s first Playschool session must be a half day in the afternoon.

For puppies, they offer Pre-Puppy Appointments, which are 1-on-1 sessions with lead trainer Michael before a new puppy arrives, covering crate training, house-breaking, and basic obedience. Puppy Socialization is available through Playschool sessions to help puppies learn to interact with other dogs and people. For all services, age-appropriate shots and a clean fecal test are required.

Pricing Summary

Regular boarding is $95 per night, holiday boarding is $105 per night, and puppy boarding (for dogs 6 months and under) is $120 per night. Board & Train is $150 per night, totaling $3,150 for a three-week minimum program.

Playschool sessions cost $70 for a full day (over 5 hours) and $40 for a half day (up to 5 hours). Puppy Gurooming for dogs 16 weeks and younger is a one-time $35 groom. General gurooming pricing varies based on breed, coat-type, temperament, and size; clients are advised to contact for a baseline estimate. A fee is incurred for 1-on-1 training sessions if the location is over 15 miles away from their facility.

Policies

For inquiries submitted via their contact form, Your Dog’s Guru requests clients allow 48 hours for a response. Specific cancellation or rescheduling policies for services are not detailed.

Your Dog’s Guru is a dog training business located in Northbrook, IL, offering boarding, playschool, training, and gurooming services. Founded by husband and wife Michael Jayko and Annie Challenger, the company focuses on real-time dog training with an emphasis on educating both the dog and the owner.

They are companionship-focused dog behaviorists who believe that any issue can be overcome by building understanding and strengthening the dog-owner relationship. They provide customized training plans tailored to clients’ needs that can be implemented in daily life.

In addition to services, Your Dog’s Guru also sells “The Guru’s Leash,” a patented, adjustable leather leash designed for both dog and human.

Accomplishments

The team at Your Dog’s Guru has over 30 years of combined experience. Michael Jayko, owner and “The Dog Guru,” has 30 years of experience, including working as a trainer at Guide Dogs for the Blind. Annie Challenger, owner and Head of Operations, has 16 years of experience as a trainer.

Several team members are pursuing or have completed training certifications. Madison M, General Manager & Trainer, has an Animal Behavioral College Training certification. Maddy C, Facilities Manager, and Andrew C, Playschool Manager & Trainer, are both pursuing training certifications with Animal Behavioral College. Maggie L, a Guroomer, graduated from the Academy of Dog Grooming Arts in 2015 and has over 10 years of experience in the dog industry.

How to Get Started!

New clients are encouraged to register their dog. For boarding, a playschool session must be scheduled before a dog can stay overnight. For Playschool, a dog’s first visit is required to be a half day in the afternoon. Pre-Puppy Appointments and Puppy Socialization also require registration. All services require age-appropriate shots and a clean fecal test.