
Games Based Dog Training is now available in most of Chicagoland in person, and virtually anywhere!!
Daily Dog Walking is available exclusively within The West Loop and we always service one household at a time!
Pet Sitting Visits are available in the surrounding neighborhoods as well, please see the section below.
**PLEASE NOTE THAT DURING WEBSITE CONSTRUCTION NOT ALL PHOTOS DEPICT HOW WE TEACH AND HANDLE!**
REFRAMING DOG TRAINING!
Welcome to Chicagoland's new home for Games Based Dog Training! Now…what exactly is that!?
Games are the most enjoyable, engaging, and educational way to connect with your furry friend, simultaneously building their confidence and skills, expanding their world, and deepening your relationship…all while having the best time ever!
Each step of every training plan is completely customized to the canine in question and their people, with the understanding of each individual, and the science of brain shaping guiding the way. With the positive practices and learning games that I teach, you and yours will have more fun with your training, set your dog up for success, and transform their life and yours!!
Dogs are always doing their absolute best, with who they are, what they know, and where they’re at…just like us! Together we will meet them where they are at, discover more of who they are, increase what they know, and guide them to who, what, and where we know they can be!!!
TRAINING TRILOGIES include 3 Hour-Long Lessons focused on 3 Games Based Concepts - Life Changing Learning! $350
Every Dog Person that signs up for any lessons will also get “20 Questions” that can be answered by phone or email, so that no lessons feel rushed. In short, ask away! If I haven’t yet learned the answer, I will find out what we need to know to move your Training Journey forward. Locations more than 1 mile from The West Loop neighborhood in Chicago and/or outside of The Village of Evergreen Park may require an additional fee for in-person lessons, rate determined by distance, and consultations can be held virtually to anywhere in the world, with additional time included, and with no additional fees.
30 Minute Phone Introduction to Games Based Dog Training: FREE!!! Just get in touch to discuss how fun training can be! As well, I can provide you with links via email to access free resources on your own.
CANINE TRANSFORMATION CONSULTATION - 90 minutes - Identify Your Pup's 3 Training Concepts + Games!! $150
These in-home Consultations will provide a road map for your Training Journey and a Management Strategy for present struggles. These immersive introductions to our methods provide Games to start with, and any amount spent on them can be deducted from your first Training Trilogy, if you and yours decide to move forward with Have Leash Will Travel.
Still wondering what it’s all about? Here’s a few details: There will be some management of behaviors that are unhealthy or unwanted, and there may be some changes to our own habits that will help them along their way, but there are no Corrections or Compulsion within what I teach. These have seemed necessary for generations to achieve Obedience, Dominance, and/or Performance of behaviors. Instead of those, my goals with our own Ripley, and for those who choose to learn with me, are for more Health, Happiness, and Harmony. With what I have learned since moving away from “Balanced” Dog Training (that includes Aversive methods) anyone can teach their own dog nearly any behavior, skill, or sport. As well, absolutely anyone is welcome to get in touch and accept the free lessons and resources I offer. I completely understand that drastic changes to the handling of dogs, considering the environments they live in, especially in a large city full of other dogs and surprises, it is not always safe to suddenly set aside certain equipment or practices, that prevent unsafe behaviors or situations.
In short, get in touch today, so we can start to play! ALL ARE WELCOME!!!
DAILY DOG WALKING (WEST LOOP CHICAGO)
Please note that although we intend to continue a canine's usual routine and practices, we strive to use Force and Fear Free methods of handling. Therefore, we exclusively walk dogs with harnesses as the main point of contact for leashes, exceptions made for active Training Clients in transition. As well, for safety, we do not encourage social interaction with other dogs during our walks, and do not offer any "off leash" services.
Full Time Dog Walking (4-5 visits each week, with 1 hour Target Time Windows, 9am-5pm, Monday-Friday)
Single Dog Households - $230 / 10 Visits - 25-30 minutes each
Two Dog Households - $280 / 10 Visits - 25-35 minutes each
Puppy and Senior Dog Households - $300 / 10 Days of Visits - Two Visits / Day - 15-20 minutes each visit
5 days / week Full Time Clients (averaging over 4.5 / week) will also receive Weekend Visit and Pet Sitting Discounts!
Part Time & Occasional Dog Walking (Available 9am-11:30am and 1:30pm-5pm, Monday-Friday)
Single Dogs - 1-3 Scheduled Visits / Week - $250/ 10 Visits - 25-30 minutes each (Additional $5 / Visit for a second dog)
One Single Dog Visit, As Needed - $30 - Subject to availability and 2 Hour Target Time Windows.
Additional $5 for weekday visits prior to 9am, after 5pm, &/or requested on the day of service. Extended visits for more exercise are available, for an additional amount, based on the length of time requested. We do charge for short notice cancellations, but allow for schedule changes with only 4 hours of notice, in most cases. As well, to continue to have an agreed upon Target Time remain available for scheduled Daily Dog Walking Visits, time off / away from service is limited to one week + one day of service per three month period, and that time off can accrue indefinitely. If an extended time off for any reason is needed, or visits are cancelled in excess of the accrued "free" time off, then a "retainer" will be required to insure a Target Time remains available upon return to service.
Our service area for weekday dog walking extends from Van Buren to Washington Streets, and from Ashland to Halsted, with The Haberdasher Square Lofts and The Edge buildings included as well.
Weekend Visits (West Loop and Surrounding Neighborhoods)
Our Weekend Minimum for all Pet Care Visits is $40, we do offer lower rates for consecutive visits on the same day.
Dog Sitting (Without Overnights) include all the exercise (3 Walks) and care a canine needs for $60/day MO-TH - $70 FR-SU
**We may no longer personally provide Overnight Sitting services, but we know other great pros who do!!**
We use our Weekend rates for minor holidays (Memorial Day & Labor Day, for example). Major Holiday (Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve & Day) rates are based on the services requested, and may require advance notice, as well as non-refundable deposits.
Please note that we require a meeting in person with pet(s) and their people, a signed Service Agreement, and have the ability to enter/exit the residence without requesting access through any other party (including Building Security), in advance of the first pet care visit.
We require payment for all Visits at the time of service (as in the start timing of services), or in advance, and accept Zelle, Chase Quickpay, and Venmo transfers (Transaction Fees apply for Venmo transfers only), as well as Checks or US currency.

Cat Care and Sitting for Small-Exotic Household Pets
Weekday Cat Sitting starts at $20 for 25 minutes, for Single Cat Households, who's visit timing is flexible. We will always arrive +/-4 hours from the previous day's timing, so that no feline is left alone for much more than 24 hours. We do require at least 1 visit / day for cats in our care, to insure their well-being. Specific visit timing, extended visits, and care for multiple cats is available, for an increased rate, generally an additional $5.
We welcome any household pet in our HLWT family, from tropical fish and birds, to rodents and reptiles! Rates (and visit timing) for other animals are based on our Cat Sitting Visits, with exceptions for large tropical fish tanks and other high-maintenance pet care situations. Our services can include plant care, package and mail pickup, and light rotation for added security!
Our Weekend Minimum for all Saturday, Sunday, and Minor Holiday Services is $40 for the 1st Visit in a day. Price reductions are available for consecutive visits on the same day and/or for 7 or more consecutive days of care. Major Holidays (Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve & Day) rates are based on the type of care requested, and may require advance notice, as well as a non-refundable deposit.
Please note that we require a meeting in person with the pet(s) and their people, a signed Service Agreement, and the ability to enter a residence on our own without requesting access from any other party (including building security), prior to the first pet care visit.
We require payment for all Visits and Sitting at the time of service (as of the start time of the services), or in advance, and accept Zelle, Chase Quickpay, and Venmo transfers (Transaction Fees apply to Venmo transfers only), as well as Checks or US currency for all services.
Peace Of Mind for You and Extraordinary Care for your Pets with every visit! We are the Best Value in town!!