Here they come :: The SouthtownStar :: Photo Gallery

Here they come :: The SouthtownStar :: Photo Gallery


I thought I had my work cut out for me with some of the happy puppies I train.  I can only imagine the work involved in keeping all of these guys in line!  The Budweiser Clydesdales came into town for the Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago this past weekend.  Check out the photos!

Anaaya • Victorian Bulldog @12 weeks

What could be luckier than a lady with a 12 week old female Victorian Bulldog named Anaaya that wants me to do board and train.  How about if her boyfriend has one from a different litter about a week older. He is a male named Rushbo. I had the good fortune to have each of them for 2 week board and train.  Rushbo was a little easier at first.  Anaaya was afraid to walk on the leash.  Both dogs have good food drive so it ws pretty easy to bond.  The first week we practiced foundation obedience in the Canine College.  I was eventually able to walk both dogs all around the complex.  When we worked in the lobby these puppies were magnets for attention.  I had a blast and so did they.  I brought Anaaya into the Canine College to show her to some of my private students who were about to practice on a Rally Obedience course that I had set up earlier.  I was amazed at how well she performed even with a couple of dogs in the room.  I brought her back later to film what I had witnessed.  In a familiar place she worked great.  She was a little bothered by Molly who was helping me film.

Koji: A rescue: Gold from the first time we met

I first worked Koji after she was rescued at about 5 years old. A golden and perhaps chow mix. She carries herself majestically. Nice gait and her head held high as she walks. She loved the attention and praise she received in board and train. We practiced and bonded as I taught her foundation obedience. We began in the canine college a quieter area. It was no time before we were out and working at our 7 acre facility. We perfect in real life situations. She loved to chase anything moving. It was a short time before we were walking on the island in the middle of Aptakisic Road. With guidance she truly is a delight to work with. Now she is almost 9 years old and I had the pleasure to again work with her in board and train. Mom says stays here are less stressful and she comes home calmer after spending time with me. Thanks, I'll be glad to spend time with Koji any time..........

Deer Intruder

I have had many types of requests through out my years as a dog trainer. From simply "can you help my dog to stop barking" to "I need my dog to protect the house". Protection work is not my main focus,I prefer the fun of Rally, and Obedience Training. More rewarding, for both myself and the dogs. They are just like kids they get very happy when they know they have done well and accomplished what was expected. Back to the Protection side of training. In most cases people simply want their dog to learn to be more aware of their surroundings. To be able to bark and scare an intruder off. An intruder being the human kind that is! In a recent episode of Fox News they spoke of a neighbor calling the local police department because she heard loud noise coming from her neighbor's house, her neighbors were on vacation. When the police arrived they saw the back door open, and cautiously entered the home where they saw furniture all knocked over, and things from shelves on the floor. Upon further search they came to realize the intruder causing the big scene really meant no harm he just wanted to go back home. It was a misguided deer! The officers were finally able to chase the deer out of the home and back into the forest,his real home! To everyone out there keep in mind we can teach our dogs to protect our, their, home but not in every case! Any animal in an unfamiliar place is bound to be scared and slightly agitated. In any situation where you and or your pet come into close range with a animal you are best to leave it alone. You can contact your local animal control if the animal is injured.

Well behaved dogs and social events

My clients come to see me for various reasons. Some people simply want something fun and rewarding to do with their companions so they sign up for my many different group classes. Currently I offer basic, and intermediate group training class. Soon we will be offering Rally. Other people prefer the one on one training during private training lessons, that allows us to tailor the training session to something particular. Perhaps you are going out of town and you would like for your pet to have an educational vacation while they are here boarding at
Best Friends, in that case you can sign them up for Board and Train. In any case I have many different training options available from the basic and simple to something more in depth.
For those of you who have gone through training before there are many fun social events around town you can take your well behaved dog too! One such event is coming up soon at The Goodman Theater. "Pooch on Scrooge" It takes place on Sunday November 14Th. Reservations are required you can visit the Goodman Theater's website to do so. All dogs that come will get a digital copy of their picture along with a 2010 Sutton Studios dog calendar. David Sutton himself will be doing the photos.