Client Testimonials: 5-Star Dog Trainer Reviews
Each client experience reflects a thoughtful, personalized approach to training. II’m proud to be the dog trainer Wilmette and other dog owners on the North Shore trust for creating calm, well-balanced companions and more connected relationships across the North Shore.
Inspiring Dog Trainer Reviews That Prove Real Success
Join the many happy owners both in Wilmette and the North Shore who have seen 5-star results through my specialized dog training programs. My top-rated methods build a lifetime of trust and better behavior.
“Sophie did an excellent job helping train our pup; with a consistent and a fear free approach. Being first time dog owners, and with kids at home, it was very important to us to have a trainer that understood the challenges and was there to support and structure the training process, and we couldn’t have been happier with the result. Our pup loves Sophie; and is super delighted to see her every time. Sophie was very generous with her practical advice, and we’re confident dog owners as a result.”
Gautham Sadhir
(Posie's dad), Wilmette, IL
“Sophie was wonderful to work with! Prior to beginning training, she recommended several toys/treats for our puppy and also provided us a training manual to read and refer back to for training tips. Sophie immediately connected with our 10 week old puppy and taught us how to work with him on decreasing fears and following commands such as stay and come. Our little guy got the hang of it within one session and has continued to do great! We’ve only had two sessions with Sophie and will likely do one more in the future, but we couldn’t be happier that we found her! We highly recommend Sophie!”
Whitney Kreiter
(Puck's mom), Evanston, IL
“Sophie is an amazing dog trainer. Our family suddenly became first time dog owners when my daughter brought her puppy home from New York to wait out the COVID pandemic. To say the puppy ran the household would not be an overstatement. After a few weeks we knew we needed help to break the bad habits she was developing. We found Sophie through the NextDoor app and after 2 sessions of teaching us her positive reinforcement techniques we changed her behavior. She trained us as much as the puppy! Could not recommend her more highly!”
Gisela Milani
(Oshi's grand-mom), Glencoe, IL
“Sophie is one of a kind and the first call you should make after getting a dog. Our mischievous 5 month old Aussie was selectively responsive to commands. In one visit, Sophie had him patiently waiting on a mat when the doorbell rang and guests entered. And more importantly, she trained the whole family how to be more effective with him in general. She also provided written detailed instructions so we could work on our own. In addition she was able to recommend many products that have made my pup healthier and happier. She’s a lovely, warm person who clearly takes great joy in her job. My dog absolutely loves her.”
Keryl Klemm
(Cooper's mom), Glenview, IL
“Sophie is truly a dog whisperer and her love for dogs comes through the moment you meet her. We rescued our nine month golden doodle and outside of being house broken, this puppy needed lots of training. Sophie is highly experienced, extremely patient, professional, calm and understanding. She came to our house several times and was just absolutely excellent in behavioral training. Our puppy responded VERY well to Sophie’s training. She gave us her training technique booklet that she created which has been so resourceful with excellent training instructions. I would highly recommend Sophie for dog training and she’s a really cool person as well. My dog and I love working with Sophie!!”
Lori Ruskin
(Boyd's mom), Deerfield, IL
“Sophie came to help us with our cutest, little, rescue dog. Sophie is the sweetest, most caring, lovely lady. She really strives to understand what motivates Tinkee to behave in certain ways. She has worked with Tinkee to choose calmness over anxiety and showed us ways to build up Tinkee’s confidence and optimism so that she is a happier and more relaxed dog. Since our session, she has continued to frequently check in with us and always responds swiftly to any questions we have. In addition, she has given us fantastic tips so we can keep Tinkee mentally stimulated and she often sends us extremely informative and useful articles which we love reading. David, Tinkee and I highly recommend Sophie!”
Judy Miller
(Tinkee's mom), Highland Park, IL
“We had a great experience with Sophie! Given my crazy work hours, I couldn’t commit to a regular weekly group training session – I really appreciated that Sophie could come to our home for private lessons. She is lovely to work with – kind, friendly, and efficient. After a few sessions with her, we are better equipped to provide Gus the dog with training and feedback that help him to be well behaved in our home and when out with other people and dogs. We’d happily recommend Sophie to anyone else looking for puppy training!”
Maggie & Todd Searle
(Gus' mom and dad), Winnetka, IL
“We have had the pleasure of working with Sophie over the last month and would highly recommend her. She is patient, calm, thorough and fun. We have 2 labs, a pup and an 8 year old. We first addressed my issues – pulling on the leash, going crazy when the doorbell rings, jumping up on people. I had specific things to practice between sessions, clear directions and Sophie gives you a very comprehensive booklet that covers almost everything. The dogs love working with Sophie and so do I. She has an impressive list of credentials, but I think her secret is she speaks dog. Nobody does it better.”
Cathy Kennedy
(Emma and Finn's mom), Northfield, IL
“Sophie is the absolute best! Sweetest person and amazing trainer. We have a rescue puppy who needed some help with basic training and within minutes Sophie had him on mat to learn commands and follow through. I highly recommend Sophie. She is a trainer who we will have visit our home periodically for fine tuning behavior and skills and my dog loves her just as much as we do!”
Sharyl Fishbein
(Rex's mom), Riverwoods, IL
“We (and our 2 labradoodles) love NorthShore Canine Academy! Sophie has been such a great resource to help de-code our 8 and 12 year-old dogs’ changing dynamic as the older dog’s hearing failed and the younger became aggressive around mealtimes. She helped us with training and tips to eliminate the stressors affecting the dogs’ behavior, and brought peace back to our household. Turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks!”
Carrie Hart
(Finn and Riley's mom), Kenilworth, IL
Let’s Begin Your Dog’s Training Journey
Ready to experience the same results? Whether you’re building a foundation with a new puppy or addressing more complex behavioral needs, my dog training programs Wilmette and other North Shore families trust are designed to create lasting reliability and a more harmonious life with your dog.