“We cannot recommend Steve highly enough. His ability to connect not only with dogs, but also with their owners, truly sets him apart. He takes the time to listen carefully, understand concerns without judgment, and patiently troubleshoot challenges in a way that feels manageable and encouraging.
Working with our anxious and reactive shepherd has been a journey, and Steve has been instrumental in helping us build both our dog's confidence and our own. Rather than offering quick fixes, he provided practical stepping stones that helped us make steady progress in a variety of real-life situations. His calm demeanor, knowledge, and thoughtful approach made such a difference for a dog who struggles with anxiety and reactivity.
What we appreciated most was how supported we felt throughout the process. He consistently adapted strategies to fit our dog's needs and gave us tools we could realistically use day to day. Thanks to his guidance, we've seen meaningful improvements in our shepherd's confidence, ability to cope, and overall quality of life.
If you are looking for a trainer who is compassionate, knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in both the dog and the human side of training, we wholeheartedly recommend him.”
Contact Us
Tell us about your dog and we'll take it from there.
- Phone
- (224) 219-7855
- Based in
- Burlington, IL
- Hours
-
Mon: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMTue: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMWed: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMThu: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMFri: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMSat: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PMSun: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The fastest way to reach us is the phone — you'll get Steve, and we can usually work out what your dog needs in a few minutes.
If it's easier to write it down, the form does the same job — and if we're out working with a dog when you call, leave a message and we'll get back to you. We read every message.
Call (224) 219-7855Tell us about your dog
Reviews
Dog owners who count on us.
Rated 5.0 from 39 reviews by local customers.
“Steve was absolutely great with our dogs (one reactive and other anxious)! He helped us with the basics and taught us skills that have already made a huge difference in behavior. He was extremely professional and very knowledgeable. Would 100% recommend him!”
“We had a fantastic experience with Steve the Dogman. He is professional and extremely knowledgeable about positive reinforcement techniques. Steve was patient and calm with us and our dogs. The emphasis on positive reinforcement made training sessions enjoyable for myself and our dogs. Our younger dog, Mia experienced serious separation anxiety. With Steve's help, she can now be left at home safely for an appropriate amount of time. I highly recommend Steve the Dogman for dog training needs.”
Before we start
A few useful answers.
What training methods do you use, and will you take on a nervous or reactive dog?
And yes, absolutely. Worried dogs, barky dogs, dogs who guard the food bowl or lose the plot at the end of a leash are all welcome, and nothing about your dog is going to shock me. I'm an Animal Behavior College graduate, an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluator, and I've completed the Aggression in Dogs Master Course. That work is part of private lessons and board & train rather than something separate you have to book.
How does a Board & Train program differ from Private In-Home Lessons?
Board & Train Programs are immersive stays where your dog lives and trains directly with me. I handle the heavy lifting of building fundamental behaviors and consistency, followed by comprehensive handoff sessions to transfer that control smoothly back to you.
