Canine Therapy Corps

Dog Training Program

Whether you just want a well-behaved pet or have ambitions to become a therapy dog team – CTCorps now has you covered with comprehensive dog training classes!

If you’ve been thinking about training for your pup, now is the time! Habits become more ingrained as your dog repeats them. Canine Therapy Corps’ positive reinforcement training can teach you how to shape your pooch into a well-behaved and well-rounded dog.

Whatever your goals, Canine Therapy Corps can help! Invest in training today; it will enrich your relationship with your dog and pay dividends for the rest of your dog’s life. Having a confident, well-trained dog can make life more enjoyable as it opens up Chicago’s many pet-friendly offerings – sidewalk cafes, breweries, bars, and home improvement stores.

Canine Therapy Corps is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that trains, assesses, and places therapy dog teams on volunteer assignments at Chicago area health and human service organizations. When you train at Canine Therapy Corps, your class fees help support our therapy dog programs.

 

Group Training Classes

Group Class Reminders:

  • Ensure you submit the following records for your dog registered for class prior to the start date: Current rabies vaccination, current parvovirus, distemper, and Bordetella vaccinations or current titers, current negative fecal test (within past 12 months), and City of Chicago dog license (if you are a Chicago resident)

  • Please bring your dog to class on a 4’ or 6’ non-retractable leash, and wearing the collar or harness that you normally use. We will be using food in training, so bring plenty of tasty treats. Our facility allows flat buckle, martingale collars, harnesses or gentle leaders - please no e-collars in class

  • We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing, and either bring a treat bag or wear clothing with pockets. Please wait for your class outside of CTCorps (on Fullerton Ave.) or be mindful of your space if waiting inside the building. Please do not allow dogs to interact with each other. Use any extra time to potty your dog; every dog should have an opportunity to eliminate before class begins. 

Requirements for puppies include: Up-to-date vaccinations as recommended by your veterinarian based on dog’s age, first deworming treatment, and City of Chicago dog license (if you are a Chicago resident)

Classes Available

First Steps Puppy Training (For puppies 5 months and under)

Good habits are as hard to break as bad habits. A dog’s first 6 months play a major role in shaping their personalities, likes and dislikes, and future behavior. This class will start you and your pup on the right foot! First Steps introduces basic obedience commands as well as a variety of sights, sounds, and textures to get your dog used to common stimuli. You will also learn how to help your puppy settle down so that you can foster a calm home environment.  Put your pup on the right path by starting the training process today!

Dates and Times:

  • Saturdays @ 9:00am with lead trainer, Joe Saltarelli | Next session starts mid September

  • For puppies 5 months and under

  • 6 - one hour group classes: $225.00

Foundations (beginner)

This beginner class is perfect for dogs who are early in their training journey. Our trainers will help you learn how to start becoming your dog's favorite trainer. Foundations introduces an ambitious number of obedience skills - sit, down, stand, loose-leash walking, recall, and leave-it - as well as important "off button" skills like place and settle that will lead to better understanding between you and your dog. Learn about the science behind dog training, the formula to teach your dog new behaviors, and how your behavior influences your dog's. Create a solid foundation with your dog and set the stage for happy cohabitation.

  • Dates and Times:

    • Saturdays @ 10:15am with lead trainer, Joe Saltarelli | Next session starts mid September

    • Sundays @ 9:00am with lead trainer, Laurel Meng | Next session starts July 28

  • For dogs 5 months and up

  • 6 - one hour group classes: $225.00

Teen Etiquette and Manners

This is a 4- week course intended to support young dogs who have completed foundation training but need more time or practice to grasp the basics. Even with basic training, young dogs may have trouble with impulse control and focus during distracting situations. This class will focus on polite greeting of other dogs, polite greeting of people, increased focus and impulse control through the use of pattern games, a strong recall and continued socialization. It is a perfect stand-alone class and provides additional practice for young dogs in need of support during this formative time.

  • Dates and Times:

    • Tuesdays at 7:45pm with lead trainer, Joan Harris | Next session starts August 8

  • For dogs aged 7-36 months with prerequisite of a beginner training class (Foundations or equivalent)

  • 4 - one hour group classes: $160.00

real-world applications (intermediate)

Once you’ve learned how to be your dog’s favorite trainer and your dog has been introduced to basic obedience skills, it’s time to strengthen those skills by increasing difficulty in the form of bigger distractions, longer duration, and farther distances.  Take your training to the next level by ensuring your dog knows how to comply no matter how far away you are standing, whether there are other dogs nearby, or if something else is vying for their attention! Real-World Applications also introduces important city living interactions, such as polite greetings with strangers, interactions with medical equipment, and reactions to environmental distractions. 

  • Dates and Times:

    • Saturdays @ 11:30am with lead trainer, Joe Saltarelli | Next session starts mid September

    • Sundays @ 10:15 am with lead trainer, Laurel Meng | Next session starts July 28

  • For dogs 5 months and older with prerequisite of a beginner training class (Foundations or equivalent)

  • 6 - one hour group classes: $225.00

COMPETENCE TO CONFIDENCE DOG TRAINING (advanced)

This advanced-level class is for dogs with ambitions of therapy dog certification, passing the Canine Good Citizen test, or for those who just want reliable obedience in their pet dogs. Our trainers will help you polish and finish all of the skills you’ve already learned, as well as acclimate your pup to additional stimuli, such as medical equipment. Designed to help those who will be taking their dog into new environments and situations, this course will also work on generalizing behaviors. This class may also include field trips to practice skills in novel locations.  

  • Dates and Times:

    • Sundays @ 11:30am with lead trainer, Laurel Meng | Next session starts mid September

  • For dogs 5 months and older with prerequisite of an intermediate training class (Real-World Applications or equivalent)

  • 6 - one hour group classes: $225.00

Trick Training

Teaching your dog a few tricks is fun for both human and canine! Trick training is a great way to build confidence and continue your training while having fun. In this three-week class, you and your dog will learn many tricks that can count towards the AKC Novice Trick title. Dogs of all ages and training levels are welcome, although a basic obedience foundation is helpful.

  • Dates and Times:

    • Wednesday @ 6:30pm with lead trainer, Kate Keenan | Next session starts TBD

  • For dogs of all ages and training levels (basic obedience foundation is helpful)

  • 3 - one hour group classes: $110.00

nosework I & II

This is a great class for dogs who love to explore the world through their noses. This 6-week class will teach you and your dog the foundations of Nose Work training. The class is designed to provide activity and enrichment for your dog like a game of solving puzzles. The class begins with the basics of learning to search and stay at the odor source. All ages and levels welcome.

  • Dates and Times:

    • Thursdays at 7:45pm with lead trainer, Joan Harris | Next session starts July 25

  • For dogs of all ages and training levels (basic obedience foundation is helpful)

  • 6 - one hour group classes: $225.00

Becoming a Canine Good Citizen with advanced obedience

After completing Real-World Applications or intermediate level obedience, this advanced-level class will cover all the skills needed for your dog to pass the AKC Canine Good Citizen Test. Distance cues, longer duration and increased distraction will be added to previously trained behaviors along with new skills supporting the Canine Good Citizen Test that is given during the final week of class. Be ready to challenge your dog with scenarios including greeting dogs and people, calm grooming behavior, distance sit/stay, long downs, reaction to distractions, supervised separation and much more! Your dog will graduate this class with all the skills needed to be a well-behaved companion and canine good citizen

  • Dates and Times:

    • Thursdays at 6:30pm with lead trainer, Joan Harris | Next session starts July 25

  • For dogs 5 months and older with prerequisite of an intermediate training class (Real-World Applications or equivalent)

  • 6 - one hour group classes: $225.00

REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY:

Canine Therapy Corps reserves the right to cancel a class if the minimum enrollment is not met two days before the class begins. If your class is cancelled, we will contact you by phone or email to offer enrollment in an alternate class, credit towards a future class, or a full refund. Any requests to cancel a registration must be made in writing at least 48 hours prior to the first class. No refunds will be issued after the first class. We are unable to offer make-ups for missed classes.