Welcome to the A+ Dog Training Website!

A+ Dog Training
Serving McHenry County dog owners and their dogs for 20 years!

Owner, Lindy Sander and her dogs, Gandy, Magoo and puppy Dancer.

You've seen our ad in the Northwest Herald.

Our students didn't think their dogs would EVER behave!

What do you think?

Yes, this is an actual photo and not digitally enhanced...

Your dog CAN do this!
(Can you find the dalmation?)

Lindy Sander of A Plus Dog Training has been professionally training dogs in McHenry County for 18 years.  Thousands of dogs have been trained and/or rehabilitated through A Plus Dog Training methods.  We pride ourselves in our professionalism and personal attention to our clients needs.  From 3 pound Chihuahua’s to 210 pound Mastiff’s have been trained at A Plus Dog Training in Lake in the Hills, Illinois.  Schnoodle’s, Shitzapoo’s, Laberdoodle’s, Puggle’s, Lhasapoo’s, and every mix you can think of (have you ever seen a Sheltydach?) have benefited from our training.

A Plus Dog Training philosophy is there is not only one way to train every dog and owner.  Dog training is as much training the owner as training the dog.  Our combination of positive reinforcement, positive motivation and, when necessary, correction avoidance has helped many dog owners realize their dogs potential for behaving and learning.  Ninety percent of A Plus Dog Training clients started out just wanting their dog to behave better; stop excessive barking, not pull on the leash, come when called, stop jumping on counters, stop stealing food, stop jumping on people.  It is absolutely true that the majority of clients would not believe that their dogs would EVER behave but the picture above is worth a thousand words.  Many clients continue to come to classes because they enjoy the camaraderie of other dog owners AND their dogs enjoy the training time with their owners.  Not only is training good for your dog but it is good for you.  Exercise is an important factor in our daily lives and most of us don’t have the time to devote to regular workouts and/or health club visits.  Attending regular classes is a great way to obtain good exercise for both you and your dog.  Attending agility classes takes that exercise to a whole new level.

A Plus Dog Training has worked with many rescue organizations to help rehabilitate unwanted dogs.  Some of our best trained dogs have come from rescue shelters.  (Check out Nadine and Barney and Alison and her crew on our student page.)

Several clients come from as far away as Oak Lawn and downtown Chicago.  Many breeders recommend A Plus Dog Training and attend classes.  Our clients say it best on our Student Page.  Many clients have progressed to competition levels because they found out how much fun they had working with their dogs and were excited on how well-behaved their dogs have become.  A Plus Dog Training can teach you the intricacies of dog showing.  And YES your dog can compete even if they are spayed/ neutered, not registered or a mix breed. 

A Plus Dog Training is extremely proud of our young clients.  Dog training is a great way to teach a child responsibility and patience, not to mention the FUN they will have with their dog!  Dog shows offer special events and prizes for young dog owners/ handlers.

• A Plus Dog Training will teach you WHY your dog behaves badly and HOW to change that behavior.
• A Plus Dog Training will teach you how to communicate with your dog on a level that he/she understands what is expected of them.
• A Plus Dog Training will teach you how to recognize and control aggressiveness and why a dog exhibits aggression.
• A Plus Dog Training will teach you how to control a strong/powerful dog.
• A Plus Dog Training will help build confidence in a meek/timid dog.
• A Plus Dog Training will teach you how your dog’s diet can affect their behavior.
• A Plus Dog Training can help you learn about your rights and responsibilities as a dog owner in your community.

A Plus Dog Training hopes you will join us and find out how good your dog really can be!  You are invited to visit A Plus Dog Training and observe our classes and talk to our students.  Please give us a call and make an appointment to start the journey to a better dog!

Classes Currently Available

Puppy Seminars

Puppy Kindergarten

Beginners Obedience

Advanced Obedience

Rally

Agility (All Levels)

Conformation

Behavior Modification

Tracking

Private one on one sessions or home training by appointment

SELECTING A TRAINING FACILITY/TRAINER

When you decide to purchase a puppy or obtain a dog, you have an obligation to the dog and your community to teach that dog some basic obedience.  “Basic obedience” is sit, down, come when called, how to walk on a leash without pulling your arm out of the socket, and not to be a nuisance barker.  Or maybe your goals are showing in obedience, rally, agility, tracking, conformation, or earth dog.  Much thought and research should be given to finding a qualified trainer to help you achieve your goals with your dog.  The trainer you select should be successful in the activity that you have chosen.  The trainer should have students who are attaining their goals with their dogs.  It is a good idea to observe some training classes and talk to the people there.  It is not unreasonable to request a list of references from a trainer.  A successful trainer should have no problem providing you with that information.

There are many different ways to train a dog.  You need to find the method that fits you and your dog the best and a trainer that you feel comfortable with.  So shop around and ask questions.  There are no stupid questions.  Observe classes, does the instructor explain the how’s and why’s (and why not’s).  Do the students seem comfortable in the class situation?  Does the trainer only know one method of achieving an end result?  If you see something in class you are not comfortable with or do not understand (Why does that dog have a muzzle on?) ask the trainer.  They should be willing to explain.

The best trainers are flexible, knowledgeable and willing to answer any questions and/or problems that might arise.  Some questions you might ask the trainer:

1.      How long have you been conducting classes (been in business)?

2.      What qualifications/knowledge do you have that helps you train other people’s dogs?

3.      What titles have you earned on dogs?

4.      How many different dogs (breeds) have you trained or earned titles on?

5.      Are you currently training any dogs towards titles?

6.      May I watch you work with your dogs?

7.      Have you trained any (fill in your breed)? (VERY IMPORTANT)

8.      Can I observe a class and talk to your students?

9.      What method of training do you use? Keep in mind your conversations with their students and how comfortable the students were with the methods.

10. Have you dealt with (fill in your dog’s worse behavior) in a (fill in your dogs breed)?

11. Will you give me a list of references?

A+ Dog Training hopes this information will help you make an comfortable decision when deciding on a training facility for you and your dog.