Adult Dog Training in Chicago
Chicago Dog Trainer is the home of Marc Goldberg, a professional dog trainer of over 30 years and someone that literally wrote the book(s) on dog training.
The Pack Leader Program is Chicago Dog Trainer’s private, one-on-one dog training program for adult dogs, built around a simple idea: training works best when the owner learns the techniques alongside the dog, not just the dog on its own. It’s the most requested option for Chicago-area dog owners dealing with everyday behavior problems, from pulling on the leash to jumping on guests to ignoring basic commands.
Sessions take place with you and your dog together, working directly with Marc Goldberg or a member of his team, so the training doesn’t stop once the session ends. You leave with the skills to keep reinforcing what your dog learned, not just a dog that behaves differently for someone else. If you’re ready to get started, reach out today.
What’s Included in a Pack Leader Session
Each Pack Leader session is private, working with your dog specifically rather than in a group class setting, at Chicago Dog Trainer’s Little Dog Farm location near Chicago or through live video sessions for owners outside the immediate Chicago area. A slip lead and collar are provided as part of the program, along with direct, hands-on instruction and written notes you can reference at home once the session is over.
That written follow-up makes a real difference. Training that only happens during a session tends to fade once you’re back home managing a dog on your own, so having a clear, specific reference to work from is often the difference between progress that sticks and progress that slips within a few weeks.
Common Behaviors the Pack Leader Program Addresses
Adult dogs enrolled in the Pack Leader Program are typically working through one or more specific, everyday behavior issues, including:
- Pulling on the Leash — Dogs learn to walk calmly instead of dragging an owner down the block.
- Jumping on People — Dogs learn to greet guests and family members without jumping up.
- Counter Surfing — Dogs learn to stay away from food left on counters or tables.
- Ignoring Basic Commands — Dogs learn to reliably respond to sit, stay, come, and other foundational commands.
- Reactivity to Other Dogs — Dogs learn to stay calm instead of barking, lunging, or overexcitement when passing other dogs on a walk.
Most of these behaviors respond well to consistent, private training, which is exactly what the Pack Leader Program is built around.
Matching the Program to the Problem
The Pack Leader Program is built for the behavior problems that show up in most households: leash manners, jumping, basic obedience, and general day-to-day training. For dogs working through aggression, severe anxiety, or a level of behavioral difficulty that needs more than a private session can address, Chicago Dog Trainer’s boarding school and bootcamp programs provide a more intensive option, with the dog staying at Little Dog Farm for a longer, structured training period.
Matching the right program to the actual problem tends to produce better results than starting with the most intensive option by default. For the everyday behaviors most adult dogs and their owners are working through, Pack Leader is typically the right starting point.
About Chicago Dog Trainer
Chicago Dog Trainer is run by Marc Goldberg, co-author of three published books on dog training and behavior, including Let Dogs Be Dogs, The Art of Training Your Dog, and The Joy of Playing With Your Dog. His approach to training centers on communication and leadership between dog and owner rather than punishment or force, an approach that shapes every session in the Pack Leader Program.
Marc and his team have trained dogs throughout the greater Chicago area for years, working out of Little Dog Farm and, more recently, offering sessions by video for owners further away. Every Pack Leader session is built around the same goal Marc’s books are written around: a dog and family that genuinely understand each other.
If you’re dealing with everyday behavior problems with your adult dog anywhere in the Chicago area, the Pack Leader Program is a good place to start. Call to schedule a session at Little Dog Farm, or ask about video sessions if you’re located outside the immediate area.