Downtown Dogs Chicago has changed our and our dog's life forever. They are worth every penny and more ! Our bulldog was reactive to other dogs and had fear aggression. We did private behavioral classes with A trainer at another facility and group ones which did not correct any of the issues. He was kicked out of day care and we were sad and desperate. A friend recommended Downtown Dogs and our lives turned for the better. Henry went through the training and the dog we got back was A completely different animal. 2 years later we still go to group classes once in A while and have kept up with everything we were taught. Thank you to all the trainers , Ari and Aliya read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Henry - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

The training program at Downtown Dogs was transformative for our family. Our 15-month old rescue pup pulled on walks and most importantly, was showing signs of anxiety that looked like aggression over our fence with our neighbors. He attended the "sleep away camp" for 3-weeks of training and finished with more confidence and great listening skills : ) We enjoy our walks with him and do not have the anxiety of having new people over to our house as he knows to "climb" and stay on his bed. Since the initial training, he has gone back twice for boarding. He wags his tail and is always excited to enter the space. We have peace of mind knowing the trainers and knowing their consistency with the training protocols we learned from them. read more

I can't recommend DDC enough! We brought our 10 month old Sheepadoodle here. She suffered from SEVERE separation anxiety (like pooping if not in the room with you severe). Not only have I been able to kennel her twice with no accidents since picking her up this week, she listens! She's walks nicely on the leash without any distractions and is no longer overruling my house. read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Trained dog - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

We took our pit-lab mix ruby here for the board and train. Ari and the staff did a great job. The results are there- you just have to stick with it. Now when we go on trips, we only go to Downtown Dogs. Thanks Ari and the staff! read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Downtown Dogs was the best experience we could have asked for! We got our 2 year old pit from a rescue in November and instantly knew we needed some support with her. She was overstimulated on walks, making it almost impossible to walk her. She was also a velcro dog with confinement issues. We sent her to the 3 week board and train and she came back an entirely different dog but with the same personality! Ari and Aliya were helpful before, during and after the process. Any troubleshooting that I need, they call me back right away. Unlike other board and trains, they continue supporting you after your dog leaves and that has made a huge difference. We continue group classes almost weekly and love the community there. Thanks to the entire staff! read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Downtown Dogs is easily the best investment we've ever made. Our dog, Lloyd, was having behavioral issues that ranged from inconvenient (ie leash pulling and jumping) to more severe incidents with other dogs. We tried multiple training programs at other places and were getting stressed that we weren't seeing any behavioral progress with him. We decided to give Downtown Dogs a shot and are SO glad we did. Ari, Aliya, and the whole team clearly know what they're doing and truly care about dogs. Within just a few weeks of training (and following the instructions they gave us at home) we saw all the important behavioral changes we were hoping for. Although Lloyds behavior improved drastically, his sweet and playful personality was unchanged, which is exactly what we were hoping for. We board Lloyd at DTDs regularly and he's always so excited to go there. There's no where else we'd trust with our boy! read more

Could not be more grateful for downtown dogs. Ari and the staff are true dog professionals who really listen to the issues you have with your pooch and work to create a customized approach to addressing such issues. I adopted a 130 pound english Mastiff Brutus and am a relatively petite woman who weighs less than him. Mild in nature and extremely loving to people he grows accustomed to I was so happy to adopt Brutus and rescue him from a kill shelter. The issue I began experiencing after Brutus settled into life with me was extreme reactivity to women on the street. Brutus would bark and lunge at women and come off as pretty aggressive. Although he never attacked anyone or bit anyone the lunging was enough to scare both me and people on the street. With him being an extremely large and strong dog he was very hard to control and this issue started to impact our daily lives. I had so much fear walking my dog that each time we had to go out for walks, I was ridden with anxiety that he would lunge at passerby's and did my best to control the situation and avoid people and dogs at all costs, which living in the city is nearly impossible. As a consequence, Brutus was not getting the walks and exercise he deserved, was isolated and I was constantly on edge. Walks were not a pleasurable bond between us but an anxiety ridden task every day. As a rescue, Brutus was extremely sweet and it was breaking my heart that we couldn't have an easier day to day life. I had hired two dog trainers perviously and had spent a ton of money with little results. The issue was most trainers were not conducive to city life - training a dog isolated on a farm vs. the city environment we lived in had little to no impact on our lives when we returned because it did not address being around other dogs and people which is our environment. We had reached a point where I had a dog appointment at a vet, and Brutus was extremely reactive and would not let any vet technicians near him. The vet had recommended I get rid of Brutus for a better quality of life and I was heartbroken. I didn't see my dog as aggressive - every day it was a wagging tail and snuggles on the couch with. I picked up on fear reactivity to people approaching him. I understand the tasks that come with rescuing dogs and discovering underlying issues we will never know the source of and besides this major issue he was great - house trained, responsive, smart, gentle. A friend recommended me to Downtown dogs where I met with Ari and his staff along with Brutus and we discussed his issues. We designed a 3-week customized plan where I put Brutus in board and train and they often texted and sent daily updates. I told Ari about my experience a the vet and he actually called them to express his dismay at how the vet handled the experience. After getting Brutus back, our lives are night and day. Brutus has commands that he listens to very well which as a result has allowed us to have daily walks, more control and respect for one another and such a deeper bond. Brutus worked directly with Aliya - who is the same type of person he would normally have reactions too to help him over come his fear anxiety. She was wonderful and communicative throughout the duration of Brutus's training as well as post with follow up sessions. They are true professionals that understand dogs and would highly recommend them to anyone. They have changed our lives and I continue to work with Brutus and them in group trainings and private sessions to remain consistent with Brutus. I have noticed my dog is so much happier, less concerned with distractions on the street and my anxiety is gone! I cannot thank them enough for believing in Brutus and working with my own issues I had to overcome with trusting Brutus. Every dog deserves a chance and with proper training we can work not on eliminating issues but controlling them. I am so grateful for the entire staff at Dog Training now and will always send referrals to them. read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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This is the best dog trainer in Chicago. I have a big boy named Duke who's the most lovable great blue dane there ever was. My goodness he's strong and was out of my control. We had to wait until he was 2 for training due to covid, I searched for the best training since my dog is 140lbs. I can now walk him without any pulling, he listens, and more importantly I am in control when walking him. Best trainer ever. Ari is the man! Take your dog here for training you will not regret it. read more

After researching several training programs in Chicago, we took our dog to Downtown Dogs Chicago shortly after adopting him from a local shelter and have been incredibly pleased with the results. Jackson is better behaved than we ever could have hoped for and we highly recommend checking into training at Downtown Dog Chicago. Aliya and Ari have also been very helpful to work with and make the entire process smooth. read more

I've been bringing my dog here since January of 2021 and every interaction I've had has been wonderful. We did a month long training, boarding, and follow up training sessions and each and every experience and trainer has been so wonderful. They're very consistent in what they expect of the dogs and my dog genuinely seems to enjoy going (and comes back exhausted so that's a plus!) read more

These guys are truly amazing! My dog Addie is a rescue who had so many issues and bringing her to train with Downtown Dogs was the best decision I could possibly have made. I will be bringing every dog I ever have here because they are truly the best!!! read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I highly recommend Downtown Dogs! I adopted a two year old pittie, Lucy, from the shelter who only knew the command sit. She was leash reactive and pulled so hard that walking her felt impossible. It was so bad that I received complaints from others in my high rise condo building. After completing the board and train program and her follow up lessons, Lucy is a completely different dog. She heels well, no longer has any reactivity, and knows a number of commands. We frequently receive compliments on her obedience during our walks throughout the city. Ari, Aliya, and the team work wonders! The program is worth the investment and has made Lucy's life so much better. read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

My Dutch Shepherd Stevie (1.5yr female) was very challenging when I rescued her. She was extremely leash/dog reactive to the point where I was fearful to walk her in my neighborhood (especially being a large shepherd). I was so stressed that I considered bringing her back to the shelter, something I swore I would never do... After meeting with Ari, I decided to send Stevie to a 3-week board and train. It was worth every penny. Stevie still isn't perfect, as she was in pretty rough shape... but Ari basically hit the "reset" button and laid the foundation for a very well-trained dog. We can go on walks freely and are continuing training with group lessons at the Downtown Dogs facility. The training is expensive but life-changing. To me it's a ~10-year investment to provide my dog with the best life possible, which is why I got a dog in the first place. read more

Thank you Ari, Aliya, and Connor. I brought in our 10 month old Labradoodle Rizzo for the boarding program. Our Kids love spending time with Rizzo and playing with him. The problem we had was that Rizzo is a young energetic pup who is strong enough to pull both of them when he would see other dogs, squirrels, birds, and even Rats! We also had some issues we wanted to work with him regarding biting and chewing EVERYTHING in sight (except dog toys). After spending a few days with the downtown team, we got the same playful Rizzo back, BUT one that is easier to walk, handle, and understands boundaries. Rizzo also loves hanging out in his bed or crate, which he hated before. The team is also very responsive in regards to any questions we had. They were also very accommodating to my schedule. The facility looks very conducive to training. I had walked into other places in the city for evaluations and I would be put off by the cleanliness and the noise of several dogs barking in kennels in the back. Downtown dogs has a very big and clean space where it looks like the work with only a few dogs at a time. I HIGHLY recommend Ari and his team for your dog. read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Our dog Apollo is a very handsome French bulldog with bad manners that had gotten progressively worse over the years. He was constantly jumping on our guests, pulling on the leash, lunging at strangers, lacking recall, being aggressive towards large dogs (Napoleon complex) and would not let anyone besides me and my fiancé touch him. We had tried everything from dog classes, a positive reinforcement dog trainer and YouTube videos. After tons of research, we found Downtown Dogs on google. We reached out and were instantly greeted with a helpful and hopeful response. Apollo would receive a 3 week intensive training that would teach him manners and even though he wouldn't become less introverted, he would learn to respect people's boundaries. Ari and Aliya had us come in to meet Apollo and give us some insight of what he would be expecting. They showed us some of their methods so we would thoroughly understand what Apollo would be going through. Over the course of the 3 weeks, we received weekly videos and check-ins about his progress. We were so impressed and if we had any questions, Downtown Dogs gave an immediate response. At the end of the 3 weeks, we had a two hour training session where we learned the techniques they used to ensure Apollo continued to progress and benefit from the training. In addition to the two-hour training, we also received two private sessions and two group training sessions. We really can't thank Downtown Dogs enough. Apollo is so comfortable with the whole team and they are of the few he allows to pet him. You can instantly see how great they are as trainers and the results have continued to stay with him months later. He has a "climb bed" that he can stay in for hours at a time even if there are distractions around him. He heels expertly. He can stay in sit or down for a long time until he is "freed." He ignores other dogs while walking down the street. As his owners, our stress levels have gone down significantly. Also, since Apollo has gone through their training, Downtown Dogs allows him to board there where he continues to have lessons and assist other dogs being boarded their while acting as a "distraction" so the other dogs can progress in their training. It is such a relief knowing Apollo has a place to stay where he is taken care of while we are out of town. read more

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On behalf of my girlfriend, Meghan and I, I'd like to say that we deeply appreciate all of your time and love you've dedicated to Alfie. We could not be more satisfied with the progress he's made. Before committing to Downtown Dogs Chicago, we were very apprehensive as we didn't want to fork over a significant amount of money only to come away unimpressed. I feel very comfortable saying that we are extremely satisfied with the job you've done. We always knew Alfie was very smart but we quickly realized that we were overmatched and undereducated on what to do. Fast forward three weeks, now I have a pup who wants to listen, wants to be engaged, and wants to do well. This is just the beginning for us as we will rely on your team to continue to help us work with Alfie and help him reach new heights. We see him being a frequent visitor (for class and treats) and we look forward to continuing to become better handlers and puppy parents. We're happy to say that we started out as customers and came away as friends. The next time we go out of town or need help, we know Alfie has a second home in the Second City! read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Alfie is a very happy boy at Downtown Dogs Chicago!! - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

What a wonderful experience! There is proof that an old(er) dog can learn new tricks. To be honest, I took my dog Moose 5 in to the bootcamp because I was going to be traveling and thought that maybe he'd learn a thing or two versus just being boarded somewhere. I can't emphasize how much of an improvement I saw. Ari and Aliya are a fantastic duo. They are the perfect combo of structured and stern enough without being intimidating. My dog Moose had some confidence issues, fear, leash reactivity to other dogs and loads of energy I couldn't seem to run out. I left with a perfectly trained dog--or darn close--that now has skills that are beyond helpful. The mental training I found tires him out the most! I especially love the long sit/stay on the dog bed and the "here" command for recall. I learned a lot and so did Moose. I would definitely take a new dog here in the future or use them again for a refresh (more for me than for the dog!). I say with confidence that they can handle any dog regardless of size, age or temperament. They also helped some friends of mine with their little tyrant! Aside from the training, the bed, leash and collar you leave with make it an even better value. Good people. Good decision. Go for it. You won't regret anything other than not doing it sooner! read more

I also can't speak to their training because I only experienced a conversation on the phone. I had sent an email asking about their methods because I am uncomfortable with e-collars and have a stranger aggressive, unpredictable dog. Long story short, the phone conversation didn't go well. No thanks to Downtown Dogs. read more

If you're looking for an exceptional trainer AND/OR boarding facility for your pup, YOU FOUND IT! We have had only amazing experiences with sending Frank, our two year old Rottweiler, to stay with DTD. His initial training program was insanely helpful and now we use DTD for boarding when out of town. I can not recommend them more! read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Frankie - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I cannot say enough positive things about Aliya and Downtown Dogs, so, apologies, but this is going to be a long review. Read it anyway! We called at 8am on a Sunday, at our wits end with a brand new puppy who was determined to prove he could cry for 9 hours straight overnight, EVERY night. They told us to come on in (must have heard the desperation in our voices). We told them our only goal for the 2 week boarding program was to get him to stop crying at night. He was barely 2 months old, so our expectations were low. Instead, we found that Aliya (who took him home with her every single night) truly went above and beyond just night training. First of all, they "charge based on results, not days". So, although it is a "2 week" program, our dog actually stayed for 3 full weeks because he was still crying for a large portion of each night by day 15. No extra cost. I am still amazed thinking about Aliya's endless patience in listening to someone else's dog cry all night. Second, she didn't just get him crate trained and stop there, she worked with him on all the basic skills so that when he came home he was already doing quite well with heeling, sit, climb, and come. Third, she sent us regular progress updates with videos, photos, etc. and even let us stop by twice to see him. These updates were just nice in dealing with the emotional part of dropping your pup off at bootcamp. It's nice to see live footage and get a feel for what he's up to, and know he's taken care of. Fourth, pricing. They are very upfront about the cost. I spoke with Ari on the phone and he didn't try to avoid talking numbers before we came in, he just gave it to me straight and said happy to talk about why it's priced that way. That being said, it's an incredible deal for the value so I didn't need any further explanation. Finally, and probably best of all, this is not a one-time program where they charge you for services and send you on your way. They remain very invested in you and your dog. Not only did Aliya send us home with a detailed daily schedule and guidelines, she checked in with us regularly in the days that followed, fielding emails at all hours as we adjusted. She truly was a source of sanity for us, talking us through issues like his lack of appetite, diarrhea, crying, etc. Aliya takes the opportunity to be helpful at every possible turn - for example, when we came in a month later for a (free!) group puppy class, we mentioned off hand that we were nervous about trimming his nails and she just did it right there for us. We had had dogs before, but never a puppy, and she taught us so many things that are honestly quite hard to figure out on your own. We still have 1 private class left as part of our package and we will absolutely continue training after that. Even after our 1st class we saw what a difference it made in our dog - he is happy and engaged in training and really enjoys the mental exercise of learning new tricks. And we all have a much better understanding of how to keep a happy dynamic between dog and family. Sending him to Downtown Dogs was probably the best decision we will ever make as owners. Thank you Aliya & Ari! read more

Great place if you want your dog to listen to your commands and behave well in public. The team even trains in German upon request. I sent my 6 month old puppy pit for the three week board & train program and cannot be happier with the result. This training program is worth the money. I highly recommend Downtown Dogs. read more

I'm not sure I can adequately put into words how much Aliya and Ari have changed our lives after we did a board and train. I called Aliya after we got our second dog who had extreme anxiety and dog aggression (she came as a recommendation from my vet which was huge). I was at the point where I'd tried EVERYTHING and was thinking that I might have to get rid of him. Aliya listened to me for a long time on the phone and literally hours at our meet and greet. Needless to say we had our new dog Lincoln and 7 year old chihuahua (who I have nightmares about when we have children because he has guarding issues) to Aliya and Ari. Lincoln was there for 5 weeks and Mokey (chihuahua) for 4 weeks. We received videos and updates a few times a week which was amazing and exciting to see their progress. When we picked up the boys Aliya spent 2 hours training me and my husband on how to train our dogs. I could just tell with the way our new dog held himself that something was different. Fast forward a few months and we are still so grateful. Our dog can walk by other dogs without freaking out, he is re crate trained, we have people over and have two well behaved calm dogs. Our chihuahua with guarding issues will successfully come out of his bed on command (where before he would literally bite you). Honestly the list goes on. I would recommend Aliya and Ari to anyone and everyone. They even do group classes on Sundays to keep the training up! They were literally a godsend and I am so thankful for their work (and talent!). Our next dog will be going to downtown dogs first thing!! read more

Definitely recommend downtown dogs! Our dog Howie is super high energy and they helped us to direct it meaningfully. We didn't think it could happen but he came out of their board and train program a new dog. But it didn't end there, Ari, Aliya and Breanna have welcomed us in for multiple private follow-up sessions to really transfer the training to us and make us feel fully confident/troubleshoot issues that continued. read more

If you wanna a Harvard like educated dog program . This is your destination . Ari is such a magical trainer who can makes most of the dogs owners' dream become to true . Me and my partner have a Frenchie who is the one of most infamously difficult House training breed. We were embarrassed that whenever she is barking to other dogs and no any discipline to behave herself . After literally 6weeks I sent her to Ari , she is the daughter We dreamed that she should have been . I truly believe the Ari's method which are rigorous and effective . Thank you Ari . Thanks again read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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We have a 2 year old cattle dog/collie mix who we needed serious help with training. We met with s couple other trainers, but Ari was by far the best fit for us and our dog. He is incredibly knowledgeable and he recommended the 3 week board and train program for Leo. He kept us updated throughout the training with photos, videos and phone calls, and we were amazed with Leo's progression and improvements! Ari is extremely hands on and truly cares about our dog and he wants us to be happy with the training - we definitely are! Ari wanted to stay updated even after Leo finished the program, which shows how much he cares. He will go the extra mile to help us with training Leo and answering any questions we may have, and we couldn't be more appreciative. We are so happy we found Ari! I'd recommend him to anyone! read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Downtown Dogs is quite honestly amazing! We trust them with our Labrador Teddy on a regular basis for boarding. They also assisted us with a three week training with Teddy and the results are nothing but a miracle :) The difference in his level of obedience is night and day. It is well worth the time and money for this great team to train and work with your dog. We trust them with our furry family member and so should you! read more

We found our dog, Jimmy Carter, as a stray over two years ago. He is leash aggressive and we had tried everything to try to get him to stop aggressively barking at all dogs while on leash. We finally decided to bring him to Downtown Dogs and we're so glad we did. While he still wants to bark at other dogs, we're now able to control him on leash and it's a much better quality of life for all of us. We were nervous he would come back a different dog but he was his same lovable self. We continue to board Jimmy at Downtown Dogs, they can do short notice and never turn us down. Plus, while he's boarded he's still with someone to continue the training which helps with any lapse. Thanks Aliya and Ari! read more

I was referred to Downtown Dogs from a close personal friend who had an amazing experience, so my expectations were high, and Ari and Aliya still found a way to exceed them. They truly care about the customer experience with your best interest in mind and treat your dog like their own. They are as passionate about their craft as any expert in any field I've encountered. Their methods are science and research based, and found a way to train and tame my 12-yr old fox terrier who (prior to Downtown Dogs) barked at everything and was aggressive around my 1 and 2 year old kids. Downtown dogs also boards dogs they've trained as an addition service, which is a great training refresher for my dog too. Ari also went out of his way to train my dog to walk down the aisle for a wedding. I can't say enough good things about how talented they are and how much they care. I highly recommend them. read more

Ari and Aliya are great. We did the 3 week board and training for our presa canario and let me just say, the results of their training is amazing. Ari does an awesome job at explaining how to continue working with your dog once you take him home. I even took my pup back to him for boarding over a weekend and I could tell my pup was very happy once we pulled up to the building. DEFINITELY WORTH EVERY PENNY. read more

These Yelp reviews are spot on. Could not be more pleased with our decision to bring our 18 mo. old Australian Labradoodle, Zuzu, to Downtown Dogs for a refresher on her manners and recall. She learned more in those 3 weeks than in the 17 months at home! Thank you to Ari and Aliya for their patience with my husband and me. Zuzu picked up commands quickly. Us, not so much ;-) We'll continue to use Downtown Dogs for boarding - to keep her training consistent- can't have too much of a good thing! read more

I can't stress enough how amazing this place and these people are! I just moved to the city from a rural town in KY, and my GSD Phoebe was very anxious and uncontrollable at first. I googled dog training and chose Downtown Dogs based on their excellent reviews. I wasn't disappointed! Everyone is very down to earth and you can see that they truly love dogs and are passionate about what they do. I left phoebe there for the 21-day training program and she is a completely different dog now. They addressed all of my concerns with her and city life is so much more comfortable for her and for me. When I dropped her off recently to be boarded for the night, she was so happy to see everyone and was completely comfortable and genuinely happy to be back. By seeing her interact with them, I can promise you that your dog will love Downtown Dogs and they will love him back. It was worth every penny! read more

Our 1-year old 50# shelter dog was driving us, our 4 kids, and our 2 cats nuts. He kept harassing us whenever we sat down, stealing food off the counter, and pulling like a maniac on walks. Ari explained his philosophy of training clearly so we were fully on board. After 3 weeks we had a long personal lesson where he focused on the REAL targets off the training - US! We got back a dog who listened, followed some commands, walked much better on a leash, and loved to train. Ari helped unlock the secrets with us of how to communicate with our Buddy so that we could continue to build on his foundation. I've gone on to teach him so much more now that I know how to train him. It's still a work in progress, but doing the board-and-train program enabled us to enjoy Buddy more and jump-started our training. Couldn't be happier with the experience! read more

Downtown Dogs Chicago - Pet Training Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Clean facility and results were amazing. Our dog is so well behaved now we are also planning to fly with him as it's really rebuilt our confidence. Highly recommend going for an assessment and trying out. We tried numerous trainers before doing the board and train program here. read more

I can't really speak to their training because we never got to experience it. I can only speak to the way they treated me on the phone/via email. After playing phone/email tag I finally spoke to Ari on the phone. He immediately suggested that I schedule a free consultation. I explained that I did not want to do that before asking a few questions about their methods, in particular their negative reinforcement because I have an especially anxious dog with submissive urination. At this point the conversation went south quickly. He asked me if I thought they abused dogs and then was super patronizing and told me that I probably did not even know what negative reinforcement was. He then proceeded to challenge me to tell him the definition. I could go on and on about how uncomfortable and unprofessional this conversation was, despite several efforts on my part to de-escalate. At one point he asked me point blank: what do you want? I responded that I wanted to know what accommodations they made in their training for anxious dogs. He mocked my question and told me that they made no accommodations for any dog. So if you want cookie cutter dog training with no individual considerations and rude customer service (why ask for consultations?!), this is your place. By the way, after hanging up on him, I emailed his colleague Aliya requesting that SHE call me back because I assume his attitude was at least partly informed by the fact that I am a woman. She didn't respond. read more

I had read so many positive reviews about Downtown Dogs and was looking forward to my dog participating in the Board and Train. Aliya was very responsive and helpful during my initial email interactions and I was excited about the impact the training could have for my pup, me and his interactions. At the intake meeting, with the other owner, I was incredulous at the lack of professionalism I experienced and have a hard time reconciling that with these rave reviews. I was actually told my dog would be dead if he went after the owner's dog during the meeting (my dog was shaking like a leaf and happy to leave, not aggressively advancing and he reiterated it to be sure I knew he meant business). Horrific - friends told me I was nuts to consider taking my pup there, but I had read so many positive reviews of the impact the training has, that I stupidly persevered, striving for clarity on what I assumed must have been an attempt at humor in very poor taste. At a follow up call, conceivably to answer my questions, it just continued to spiral downward, with judgment as to my handling of and commitment to my dog's training, and insults when I was simply seeking clarification on some key questions and concerns I had to determine whether it could be the right fit for him (didn't feel it out of line to ask to have the priority of care of and commitment to my dog's safety and well-being confirmed, when death had been threatened). Everyone is entitled to a bad day. But two consecutive negative interactions, with such a total lack of professionalism establish a pattern of behavior, vs. a bad day. My dog was terrified; I was wrong in not being as attentive as I should have been during the intake meeting, as he's had a rough go with being abandoned twice and has been plagued with stomach and respiratory issues; I was trying to ascertain whether he was that terrified or not feeling well. But I was respectful and appreciative for the time, had been very excited about the program and potential impact, and don't think expecting respect in kind for my dog and me is too much to ask. read more

Ari and Aliya are pros at what they do. We did board & train with our Golden Retriever and got a well-trained dog back. We were amazed at the results their marker training could do. Not only that, but you also get trained on how to communicate with your dog. Both at home and during our walks, we often get compliments on our dog's behavior and people simply couldn't believe that this training is possible because 99% don't do it. It's a great investment! Since then, we would always go back to them for advice and they are extremely responsive. Moreover, we also left our dog at their facility when we went on vacation because our dog was already familiar with both Ari and Aliya. Thanks to both of them - I highly recommend using their facility. read more

I could not recommend downtown dogs enough. We sent our boy Hugo there for a 3 week training course, and he came back a different dog! Previously, he wouldn't walk down the block without stopping, and now he is heel trained like an angel. We use them for our boarding services as well, and they are very trustworthy and good boarders! Ari and Aliyah rock Hugo's socks. 10/10 read more

We sent our golden retriever in for a three-week board and train. He wasn't super poorly behaved at the start, but he had his issues: mostly with focus. We'd worked with positive reinforcement techniques to get hm to do the basics, like sit and down and come. But if he wanted something (like to jump on someone) we weren't able to stop him. Flash forward to the day that we picked up our pooch. We walk into the Downtown Dogs training space and he's sitting on his bed just waiting, looking at us, but not breaking his command to come see us. It was incredible. And over the next 90 minutes (plus a private training class later), Aliya taught us how to use the tools that she taught him to keep him from getting out of control in the future. Now, if someone comes over, he will stay in his place until we tell him not to; when we go on walks, he can ignore other dogs; when we're in a big open area, we can call him to us and he will just come running. And the whole time that he was in the board-and-train, Aliya sent regular pictures and videos to us to keep us up to date on his progress. The week before we dropped him off he had some sort of infection on his elbows (which we'd already administered antibiotics for) and she kept an eye on them to make sure they were getting better. Bottom line: we sent him away for three weeks and when we got him back he was healthier and better behaved. That's all I could ask for. read more

Ari and the entire downtown dogs staff are absolutely amazing. We sent our 10 month old labradoodle for the 3 week board and train and he came back the most well behaved dog I have ever owned. We have 2 small children and lots of people in and out of our house and our main concern was him jumping, nipping and barking. All of those concerns were addressed through positive reinforcement. We had an extensive take home lesson and I felt confident to continue the training that had taken place. The staff was also very responsive to all questions I had after we got home. I would send any dog here without hesitation. read more

I'll start out by saying I am a huge fan of Ari, Aliya, and Downtown Dogs Chicago (DDC) and would strongly recommend. A bit of background on what brought us to DDC: Our dog had previously completed a 4 week intensive care at another training school but still had significant challenges with recall, heal, and no jumping. A friend of ours suggested DDC and so after our in person consultation, we enrolled our pooch in the 3 week board and train - which worked out great because the training would coincide with our vacation. Ari assured us our pooch, Oli, would master the basic commands (recall, heal, sit/down maintain) by the time we picked her up. Now, Ari was very confident in setting our expectations. He didn't say, "Oli should have these skills down by the end" or "the level of mastery depends on the dog"...still, given our prior experience with our now 12 month old Oli, I couldn't help but be skeptical. I was blown away by the results! Everything exactly as he'd promised. Her recall was so solid I could take her off leash at the park and throw a ball - and she'd come back every time! But the biggest win was that he became a fully functioning member of the family and took an enormous amount of stress off of me and my wife. We will continue to look for opportunities to keep up with Oli's continuing education at DDC. And our dog LOVED the training. How do I know? Because when we took her back for an overnight board, she went absolutely wild with excitement upon seeing Aliya again (Aliya was Oli's main trainer during her stay). That's another plus: because DDC only boards dogs that have trained there, Ari will always take the dog for boarding - even if last minute. Also, one quick, and final, side story: a few days before Oli was due to start her training she came down with Giardia. As a result, we had to board her at our vets until she got a clean bill of health. When she got her clean bill of health, Ari offered to pick her up himself so we didn't have to stress about finding a pet transport to take her from point A to point B. I was very grateful because this was something I certainly didn't expect him to do. Again, for anyone looking for some serious dog training with some serious results, DDC is the place to go...no question! read more