Clickstart Dog Training Academy in Lake Forest

Review №1

2024-02-29 18:37:39

I wish I could give more than 5 stars. Clickstart Academy has truly been a blessing beyonds words to my pup and myself. My 1.5 year old boxer puppy, Scout, was a bundle of energy, as boxers are. I was searching for training for him for about a year. I wanted something private, but not at my home, I wanted something that would allow my pup to keep his personality, but provide the tools to train him and channel his energy in a positive way, and I didnt want to ship him off....I was so lucky to find Clickstart. Nick and Liv are amazing. Scout has been in private, weekly classes for over a month now, and I have seen a world of difference in him. It is so fun to watch him grow and learn. He loves going to school and he really loves all of the treats he gets while he is there. I highly recommend Clickstart Academy.

Review №2

2024-04-09 06:39:48

I can’t thank Cassie enough! She is the best dog trainer I’ve ever met, and I’ve met many. Three and a half years ago, I got my first dog ever - a 5-week-old German shepherd puppy. Boy, he was a handful to raise! I worked with five different trainers, all of whom were too harsh. I’m against e-collars and prong collars no matter what I couldn’t bring myself to use them on a creature that I love. One trainer even told me that I have to fight over balls with him to prove that I’m alpha(he still can’t drop the ball without another ball that I offer him instead).The biggest issue I faced with him was his reactivity - he wasnt aggressive, but he would bark at people he was afraid of, especially those wearing big hats, being too tall, or dressed in unusual clothing. Nothing seemed to work until I met Cassie. She is incredibly knowledgeable and clever, and she found a way to correct this behavior. I still can’t believe he can be petted by a STRANGER ; its truly remarkable. We even had a session with Cassie and her colleague, whom he had never met before, to practice saying hi to strangers.Another challenge we faced was when we moved, and he struggled to get used to taking stairs. However, after just two sessions with Cassie, the issue disappeared. My mom calls her a Wonder Woman! She even walked my dog, despite not usually walking dogs, when I had my human baby, simply because she wanted to help me out. I’m so grateful! I’m incredibly proud of my perfect dog, and I know we wouldn’t be where we are without Cassie!

Review №3

2024-03-20 05:54:53

When I adopted my chihuahua, Gigi Mae, a few months ago, I was instantly charmed by her sweet face and playful personality. What I did not realize was that she was also a racist anti-masker who took feminism a step too far. And, sure. I could have gotten away with it, what with Gigi being all of six pounds. People just laughed when Gigi barked with all her heart. But, as an Asian parent with two other law-abiding perfect dogs, I expected more.And so, Gigi started at Clickstart. I was not sure how the first meeting would go with her private instructor, Michael. But, his calm nature made her feel comfortable and confident right away. Michael listened to my concerns and, within the first session, we were able to address Gigi’s reactivity, replicating different scenarios that were triggering. I saw some improvement from the get go and it only continued to get better with each session. Cassie even joined in on one of the classes. She was supposed to just spend a couple minutes to create some noise that would cause Gigi to bark, but she ended up staying for the whole hour, even providing her own insights and tips that I found very helpful. In these sessions, I appreciated that I was provided with the tools to work with Gigi, as well as the explanation. I learned why it was important for Gigi to have certain skills, like sit and down, and how to use them effectively.Now, five sessions later, Gigi is quite the mature dog. She watches me for direction and she knows how to relax, even when various people or animals walk by. This whole experience has strengthened our bond and it just warms my heart seeing how happy and motivated Gigi is. She enjoys learning, prancing her way through all of her classes, and she loves all of people she’s met on campus. We plan to continue with group classes soon so that she can continue growing and living her best life. Thank you, Michael, Cassie, and the rest of the Clickstart team!

Review №4

2024-05-20 17:20:32

A Pawsitively Perfect Experience at Clickstart Dog Training!As a proud dog parent of an adorable pup named Mando, Im thrilled to share our experience at Clickstart Dog Training Academy. Mando has attended both puppy classes and elementary school at this exceptional center, and I couldnt be more pleased with the results!From the moment we stepped through the doors, we were greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The staff at Clickstart are not only knowledgeable and professional, but they also genuinely care about the well-being and development of every dog that enters their facility. Their passion for their work shines through in every interaction, making the entire experience a joy for both Mando and me.The puppy classes provided a solid foundation for Mandos training, covering essential skills like potty training, socialization and basic obedience commands. The instructors were patient and skilled in their approach, ensuring that Mando and I both felt comfortable and confident in our training journey.After completing puppy classes, we moved on to elementary school, where Mando continued to thrive. The curriculum was well-rounded and engaging, focusing on more advanced obedience commands, and problem-solving skills. Mandos progress was remarkable, and I was consistently impressed by the instructors ability to adapt their teaching methods to suit the unique needs of each dog.One of the things I appreciate most about Clickstart Dog Training is their commitment to positive reinforcement techniques. They understand that building a strong bond between dog and owner is key to successful training, and they provide the tools and guidance necessary to achieve this.In summary, I cannot recommend Clickstart Dog Training enough! Mando and I have had a fantastic experience at this center, and I am confident that any dog parent looking for top-notch training will be more than satisfied with the services provided. The staff is exceptional, the curriculum is comprehensive, and the results speak for themselves. Thank you, Clickstart, for helping Mando become the well-behaved, happy pup he is today!

Review №5

2023-06-09 22:11:57

We are so grateful to Clickstart Academy. When we brought home our sweet Loki it had been over 14 years since we had a puppy in the house. To say we werent prepared for the puppy energy would be an understatement! But, Roma quickly put our minds at ease. She worked with us, helped us manage our expectations and taught us how to raise a confident puppy through positive reinforcement. We cannot say enough wonderful things about this training academy. After every Homework/ Coaching session we are sent detailed summaries, videos and photos on what was taught and worked on for that particular session. We absolutely love their training philosophy. They let your dog be a dog, but capture and reinforce the good behaviors you want to see in them. And the best part, they show you how to do it! Roma was always available to answers questions or concerns I had even in between sessions. I watched Loki, a ball of energy and anxiety, learn to settle and be calm in most situations. Today, I can walk my 75 lbs 8 mos old without worrying about being pulled, or being reactive to various stimuli, and its all because of Roma. She listens to your concerns and works to helps provide you with the best tools! I will recommend this academy and Roma to any dog owner wanting to raise a confident self-assured puppy!

Review №6

2023-12-22 05:22:16

Cassie and Liv have created something truly special with Clickstart Training Academy. Our pup Riley has done various classes with them including Puppy Kindergarten, Basic Communication, Tricks for Clicks, and Clickstart Hikes. We also did private training with Liv when he was a baby. I credit their R+ approach to what an incredible bond I have with him. As a result he is a happy, confident and social pup. As his parent, I have also learnt skills to manage any unusual situations that we might run into out in the world. Clickstart at this point feels like an extended family for Riley. He is always thrilled to see the trainers there and I always feel like I can reach out to them if I need advice on anything as he is growing up. They become a part of your dog’s team and his cheerleaders. They now have a beautiful new location in Lake Forest with a great training space and a store with amazing products. We can’t wait to take more classes in this space.

Review №7

2024-03-07 03:37:23

We have worked with a handful of different trainers and facilities for private training and group classes over the last decade, but Clickstart Dog Training Academy stands out among them as one of the best. When we brought home our new Golden Retriever puppy, I knew I wanted to pursue getting his AKC STAR Puppy title. We struggled finding a trustworthy local facility that offered qualifying classes, so when Clickstart came highly recommended by a breeder I trust, we signed up for their Preschool and Puppy Kindergarten classes.Its a 4 hour trip one way, but let me tell you—they are WORTH IT! What a kind, welcoming, and accommodating group of individuals. The owners and trainers have been nothing but lovely and the care theyve shown our puppy and the other puppies in our classes is superior to our past experiences. You can both hear and see how much their staff genuinely cares about the students well-being (both canine and human).As someone with disabling health issues and also training my puppy with the hopes of him becoming a service dog, Ive greatly appreciated their accommodations and respect listening to my wishes and plans. If you are disabled, you can rest assured you and your pup will both be well taken care of here.I could go on and on about how much I love Clickstart and the wonderful people that make up their team. Im just so grateful to have found a versatile facility (including online classes) with an awesome support system as my puppy progresses through his training. I only wish we lived closer so we could take advantage of all the different courses they offer. ♡

Review №8

2023-08-30 23:04:30

Cassie and Roma are terrific!! We are so grateful we found Clickstart to help us raise our new Golden Retriever Dexter. They are incredibly knowledgeable and provide excellent tools that make it easy for us to train Dexter after each session and moving forward. Can’t say enough positive things about Clickstart.

Review №9

2023-01-24 15:44:24

My husband and I are so grateful for Clickstart academy. We were completely overwhelmed with our little pup Ellie but Roma helped put us at ease. From private coaching sessions to homework sessions, our pup Ellie has improved so much and we are excited! We cannot say enough great things about this training company. They send summaries of each training session and videos to go over what they work on. I would HIGHLY recommend Clickstart to anyone! Best part, Ellie looks forward to every training and homework session and loves her trainer Roma. ☺️

Review №10

2024-02-25 02:23:27

I could never say enough great things about the team here. We are so grateful to have found such a remarkable source of joy and long-lasting value in Cassie and her ability to help us be the parents our dog deserves. There is no better place to bring your animal than here.