Smart Dogs Training and Lodging

Sorry to say, these people do not return phone calls. After advertising in Clipper all the time, they must not need/​want new clients. Don’t bother wasting your time. It’s so surprising to me that a business doesn’t contact a new potential client.

I have a female boxer that pulls me down the street and is just awful on the leash. With spring in the air I decided to finally call in a professional to help me control my dog. I did an internet search and based on some good reviews I called Smart Dog in Plainfield. What a mistake. Some lady answered the phone and before I could even tell her what I needed help with, she immediately told me I needed a lodge and learn program that would cost over $ 2000. When I told her I just wanted someone to come over and teach me and my boxer to walk on leash without pulling. she tried to make me feel guilty that I didn’t want to send her away for 15 days and spend a fortune so I could simply walk my dog. When she saw I wouldn’t buy into that idea she next suggested I try one lesson for $ 250. Yikes! Even if I was willing to spend that kind of money for one visit, I figured that if I let them in my home I’d get more high pressure selling than training. I said no and ended the call. In fairness I don’t know if they’re any good or not. That’s why I gave them two stars rather than one. But my first impression (which generally serves me well) is that this was a person who should be selling used cars instead of training dogs. I was not impressed.

How do they stay in business and not return a call or email regarding an initial consultation with a new client? I don’t know!
I was really looking forward to an introduction, as I found their ad in a clipper magazine indicating a discount for rescued dogs, but I had to move on when they never returned my communication.

We had just moved to the area and wanted to spend the day and possibly the night in Downtown Chicago. There was one little problem… our 13 year old, hard of hearing (it might have been half «selective hearing», neurotic, and separation anxiety ridden Border Collie, Reed. We are some of those strange dog owners that think of our pets as children and do not leave them with just anybody. I didn’t want her in a crate the entire time or with other strange dogs due to some socialization issues. Being new to the area and not knowing anyone we were going to cancel our plans until I found Smart Dogs!
After talking to them numerous times (read very protective mommy) and explaining all of Reed’s quirks (she could be a grouchy old lady at times) they were more than happy to have her. Ian and Kristi took her for walks, spoiled her, and put our minds at ease so we could enjoy our time.
We used them again and again and Reed was happy as she could be. Kristi even made her homemade puppy cookies!

One of my friends had a great experience with Smart Dogs where her dog was completely transformed so we called them up. My husband and I are currently fostering a dog and wanted him to be perfect when he went to his forever home.
Although we leash-​trained our dog for the most part, he would pull with me sometimes and I wanted to make sure that was nipped in the bud. Ian worked his magic and now he never pulls at all and makes sure that he’s always walking behind or right next to us. Ian also gave us very helpful advice on other things such as teaching him some of the trickier commands that we weren’t able to get to yet. I highly recommend them for any dog owner who wants to address any negative behaviors.

I have used a couple YouSwoop offers for Smart Dogs over the past few months. Before I had Ian over, taking my basset hound out for a walk was a real pain. He would just follow his nose with no regard for where I was trying to take him (the dog, not Ian). I could be a little more diligent in my training, but now my dog walks almost perfectly on a leash. No more tugging or pulling, although he can’t help but follow his nose sometimes.
They are very detailed in their explanations, and a big part of what they do is training you so you know what to do when they’re gone. Your dog isn’t going to learn everything overnight, so you need to know how to change their behavior using consistent methods over time. Definitely worth the money we’ve spent.
They are good at what they do, they are very friendly, and they come to your house or apartment for each appointment.