Copilot Dog Training

Copilot Dog Training Positive Reinforcement Training for the Urban Pup

A few things we recommend all the time for dogs living in the city:White noise machine — if your dog barks at hallway no...
09/02/2026

A few things we recommend all the time for dogs living in the city:

White noise machine — if your dog barks at hallway noises, doors closing, neighbors coming home, or every mysterious sound outside your apartment.

Frosted window film — for window barking, staring/fixating at people or dogs outside, or dogs who spend a little too much of their day on neighborhood watch.

The Snoop — for dogs who need more to do at home, especially on days when walks are shorter. Bonus: it won’t sound like you dropped a bowling ball every time your dog plays with it.

Long leash — for dogs who want to sniff, wander, and explore but can’t safely be off leash. More freedom without breaking Chicago leash laws.

Leash with a traffic handle — for crowded sidewalks, tight spaces, passing other dogs, or those moments when you need your dog close quickly.

Treat pouch — for reactivity, pulling, scavenging, surprise triggers, or just rewarding your dog for making good choices out in the world. Even if you’re “just going out to pee,” bring the treats.

None of these fix a behavior on their own, but good management can make a huge difference while you’re working on the actual training.

08/19/2026

My mom used to tell us that one of her parenting strategies was to let her kids get into a little bit of trouble so they wouldn’t end up doing hard drugs.

She applied a similar philosophy to our childhood beagle, Hamlet. Hamlet had a habit of expressing his displeasure by knocking over the garbage can. He didn’t eat the garbage, he was usually making a statement about us eating dinner without him.

So here I am, years later, as a professional dog trainer, occasionally recommending that you let your dog get into trouble.

Sometimes you have to pick your battles. Letting your dog get away with the occasional harmless naughty behavior gives them opportunities to make choices without us constantly interrupting or directing them. It gives us more insight into their needs. And it can improve your relationship. If you ask your dog to leave every single thing they look at on a walk, that cue will lose meaning quickly. You may be better off letting your dog pick up a few sticks and save your “leave it” for the dead rat carcass. Do I let Artie steal and run around with my shoes sometimes? Yep. It’s harmless, he’s often using it as a displacement behavior to manage big feelings, and it’s kind of cute too.

Note: I never did hard drugs.

Kinda chic ✨
08/11/2026

Kinda chic ✨

Two very special people got married last night.I met Susy and Cailin early on in my training career, and I feel incredib...
08/10/2026

Two very special people got married last night.

I met Susy and Cailin early on in my training career, and I feel incredibly lucky that over the years they’ve become not only wonderful colleagues, but also friends.

These two bring out the best in each other (and each other’s dogs). They go together like a chihuahua and a heated blanket or a golden retriever and a tennis ball.

Please join me in wishing the newlyweds a huge congratulations when you see them! And if you signed up in time, you’ll get to see them in action together in Reactivity 2. Love you both ❤️

One of the biggest mindset shifts in dog training is realizing that dogs don’t learn language the way we do.We use words...
07/26/2026

One of the biggest mindset shifts in dog training is realizing that dogs don’t learn language the way we do.

We use words to explain. Dogs learn by making connections.

When the same word consistently predicts the same action and the same outcome, they start to understand what that word means.

But when we start filling the silence…

“Sit”

“Cmon, sit”

“I know you know this, you just don’t want to do it”

“SIT!”

…the cue becomes less clear. Your dog isn’t sorting through your explanation looking for the important word. They’re taking in your tone, your body language, the environment, and trying to figure out what predicts success.

That’s why professional trainers spend so much time thinking about timing and consistency. A cue (“command”) is simply information. The clearer and more predictable that information is, the easier it is for your dog to understand.

So the next time you’re tempted to repeat yourself, try this instead:

• Say the cue once.

• Pause for a second or two and let your dog process.

• If they don’t respond, don’t keep repeating the cue. Instead, make the exercise easier or help them succeed.

Dogs aren’t ignoring us because they need a better explanation or out of spite. Most of the time, they need clearer information.

Introducing Puppy Socialization Adventures! 🌇We know socialization is important—but between work, life, and the Chicago ...
07/22/2026

Introducing Puppy Socialization Adventures! 🌇

We know socialization is important—but between work, life, and the Chicago weather, it isn’t always easy to fit in all the outings your puppy needs during a critical time of their life.

That’s where we come in.

We’ll take your puppy on real-world adventures like cafés, parks, public transit, pet-friendly stores, neighborhood walks, and more. Every outing is thoughtfully planned around your puppy’s age, confidence, and comfort level.

The goal isn’t to meet as many people and dogs as possible.

It’s to help your puppy build positive associations with the world around them so they grow into a confident, adaptable adult.

Each adventure includes one-on-one time with a trainer, photos from the outing, and a recap of your puppy experienced.

If your puppy is between 12 weeks and 6 months old, we’d love to show them around Chicago.

Learn more through the link in our bio.

07/20/2026

We don’t know who keeps leaving chicken bones on Chicago sidewalks.. but we’re grateful Dave knows “leave it.

What’s the wildest thing your dog ever found on a walk?

We talk to our dogs… a lot.Not in the “Who’s the cutest dog ever?” kind of way. Keep doing that 🧡We’re talking about tra...
07/20/2026

We talk to our dogs… a lot.

Not in the “Who’s the cutest dog ever?” kind of way. Keep doing that 🧡

We’re talking about training.

When a cue doesn’t work, it’s so natural to fill the silence.

“Sit… sit… come on… sit…”

The thing is, dogs don’t learn the way people do. While they absolutely can learn verbal cues, language isn’t how they primarily make sense of the world. They’re paying attention to patterns, timing, body language, and what happens after your cue.

When we repeat cues over and over, we can accidentally teach our dogs that the first one isn’t the one that matters. Instead of responding to “sit,” they begin waiting for the second… or third… or fourth.

The next time you’re training, try this:

Say the cue once. Then pause.

Give your dog a chance to process. If they don’t respond, resist the urge to repeat yourself. Instead, ask why.

Is the environment too distracting? Does your dog need more practice? Do they need a little help to be successful?

The goal isn’t to stop talking to your dog. The goal is to make your cues meaningful.

Sometimes, saying less communicates more.

🎉🎉 I officially earned my Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) credential through the IAABC!This is one of those mil...
07/12/2026

🎉🎉 I officially earned my Certified Dog Behavior Consultant (CDBC) credential through the IAABC!

This is one of those milestones that’s hard to talk about because I have complicated feelings about certifications. I don’t want to diminish and accomplishment but want to unpack a bit more about what it means.

A certification doesn’t automatically make someone a great trainer. It doesn’t replace curiosity, compassion, or years of working with dogs and the people who love them. There are incredible trainers without certifications, and there are certified professionals who still have plenty to learn.

But I also think there is real value in showing commitment to learning. Becoming a CDBC meant documenting hundreds of hours working behavior cases, submitting detailed case studies, providing professional references, and passing a comprehensive exam. It took a lot of time, a lot of studying, and a lot of reflecting on my own work.

More than anything, this credential represents something that’s really important to me: a commitment to never stop learning.

Every dog is different. Behavior is messy, emotional, and constantly evolving. I don’t ever want to be the person who thinks they’ve “figured it all out.” I want to keep asking questions, seeking out new research, learning from colleagues, and finding better ways to help dogs and their humans.

I’m incredibly grateful to the mentors, colleagues, clients, and dogs who’ve challenged me, trusted me, and helped me grow over the years. This credential may have my name on it, but it reflects lessons learned from so many of you.

Nosework is baaack! And we’re excited to introduce a refreshed curriculum for summer ⛱️ Whether you’re brand new to nos...
07/07/2026

Nosework is baaack! And we’re excited to introduce a refreshed curriculum for summer ⛱️

Whether you’re brand new to nosework or looking for a great way to provide mental enrichment, this class helps dogs build confidence, solve problems, and tap into their natural sniffing abilities.

🗓️ Starting Thursday, July 23
⏱️ 75 min classes for 5 weeks
🔗 Link in bio!

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3266 N Elston Avenue
Chicago, IL
60618

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