Your partner for happy, well-behaved pups.
Born and raised in the heart of Chicago, my life has always been shaped by the animals by my side. From an early age, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to working with dogs. That natural connection and deep understanding have driven my entire career. Over the years, I've transformed that lifelong passion into a mission: helping families build stronger relationships with their dogs through education, guidance, and proven training methods.
For the past 12 years, I've dedicated my career to the art and science of dog training, working with hundreds of dogs and the families who love them. My experience is unique — I am the proud founder of the Lilly USA Service Dog Program at Eli Lilly, and I have spent more than a decade training with some of the world's most respected service dog organizations while also helping families navigate the challenges and joys of welcoming a new dog into their homes.
This combination of experience has allowed me to specialize in advanced obedience and high-level skills, bringing the precision and reliability of service dog training into everyday family life in a practical and accessible way.
To me, your dog isn't just a project — they're a member of your family. My goal is to cut through the guesswork and unnecessary "fluff," giving you clear, professional guidance and proven strategies that set your pup up for a lifetime of success.
— Patty
Expert puppy training from the comfort of your home.
Our in-home (Chicago ONLY) training sessions cover all the essentials — from basic obedience to off leash training and everything in between. Whatever your needs are, The Pup Partner has you covered! The Pup Partner will build a customized training specifically tailored to your pup!
- 60-min private training session(s)
- The Pup Partner Training Manual (digital)
- Customized Training Plan
Skip the slow pace of weekly classes.
With our intensive, 24/7 in-home training residency, your pup lives directly with a professional trainer — allowing for constant reinforcement and rapid obedience training.
We focus heavily on the hand-off; upon completion, you'll receive a comprehensive transition plan, all necessary equipment, and the "human training" needed to ensure your pup's new skills last forever.
- 24/7 residential care + training
- Daily photo & video updates
- Training Equipment: Collar, Leash, Clicker, & Treat Bag
- 60-min owner transfer session
- Customized Training Plan
- The Pup Partner Training Manual (digital)
- 30-min follow-up call (1 wk post board & train)
Elite socialization with a curriculum.
Traditional daycare can be overwhelming and overstimulating; The Pup Institute is intentional. A maximum of two dogs per day in a controlled environment designed specifically for learning and emotional regulation.
This is not a warehouse — it is a private, expert-led program where your dog receives the individual attention required to build social confidence without the stress of a large pack.
Each day includes two 15-minute private training sessions, ensuring your dog makes real, measurable progress — not just socialization time.
- Small-group socialization, structured enrichment & expert supervision
- 15-min private training sessions (x2)
- Daily Report Card
*Additional 15-min sessions $30 each. Certain days only — inquire for availability.
Group Training Classes
A structured, multi-week social and educational environment designed to teach dogs foundational behaviors and socialization skills. These classes focus on building a strong bond between the owner and the pup while navigating distractions in a controlled group setting. Choose the program that matches where your dog is today.
Beginner: Foundation Manners & Socialization Program
The Goal: To build a reliable communication system between you and your dog, prevent behavioral issues before they start, and teach core life skills.
What They Learn:
- The Core Commands: Developing immediate responses to Sit, Down, Stay, Come, and Leave It.
- Social & Environmental Literacy: Learning how to politely ignore or calmly interact with other dogs and people, plus desensitization to strange sounds and veterinary handling.
- Household Etiquette: Managing impulse control (not jumping on guests, waiting politely at doorways) and solving common nuisance behaviors like puppy biting, barking, or crate resistance.
- Loose-Leash Fundamentals: Learning the basics of walking on a leash without constant pulling.
Intermediate: Public Polish & Real-World Reliability Program
The Goal: Transitioning commands from a controlled environment to the chaotic real world, culminating in a dog that is a calm, polite member of society (often testing for the Canine Good Citizen certificate).
What They Learn:
- The 3 Ds (Distance, Duration, Distraction): Teaching your dog to hold a Stay or Down even if you walk out of sight, and ensuring they obey commands even if a squirrel runs past or another dog barks nearby.
- Advanced Leash Work: Mastering "Heeling" (walking tightly and perfectly by your side) and automatically sitting when you stop walking.
- Emergency Recall: Developing a bulletproof "Come" command that works mid-chase or off-leash.
- Polite Public Interaction: Training the dog to remain completely calm while a stranger approaches to shake your hand, when navigating past strollers and bikes, or when left briefly with a supervisor.
- 60-min group training sessions (x4)
- The Pup Partner Training Manual (digital)
- Weekly "homework"
*Only offered when 4 or more dogs sign up.
Don't just get a dog — get YOUR dog.
A dog is a 15-year commitment — don't leave that choice to chance or a viral photo. Whether you are searching for a top-tier breeder or the perfect rescue, I provide expert, data-driven matchmaking tailored to your specific lifestyle. I serve as your professional filter, vetting sources and asking the critical questions to ensure your new partner is a perfect fit from day one.
Once we've found the right match, we eliminate the "new-owner learning curve" before your dog even arrives. We skip the fluff and focus on professional shortcuts, essential gear, and a foundation-building strategy session. You'll leave with a comprehensive written roadmap to handle everything from potty training to behavioral red flags, ensuring a 5-star start for a lifetime of success.
- 30-min breed + lifestyle consultation
- 2 vetted breeder / rescue sources
- 2 virtual pup evaluations with breeder
- 90-min new pup download session
- The Pup Partner Playbook (digital)
- 30 days concierge support
A 15-year commitment deserves a 5-star start.
Eliminate the new-owner learning curve with a strategy session focused on establishing the right structure and routine before your dog arrives. We skip the "fluff" and focus on the professional shortcuts, essential gear lists, and foundation-building tips that make your life easier.
You'll leave with a comprehensive written roadmap to handle common challenges — from potty and crate training to identifying behavioral red flags — setting your dog up for success from the moment they walk through the door.
- 90-min new pup download session
- The Pup Partner Playbook (digital)
- 30-min post arrival check-in calls (x2)
Pup Lifeline Call
Expertise on demand. Relief in real-time.
Sometimes you don't need a long-term plan; you just need a professional in your corner right now. The Pup Lifeline is a high-impact intervention designed to provide immediate clarity when you need it most.
Whether you are navigating a "Puppy 911" emergency, needing a breakthrough with a stubborn habit, or simply need an expert second opinion on your dog's progress, this service provides the professional perspective required to stabilize the situation — no long-term commitment required.
- 15-min strategic interventions
- Billed in 15-min increments
- Emergency text line access
- Behavioral, health & safety triage
Service Dog
Understanding the Legal Framework
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) defines a service dog as "a dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability." This includes physical, sensory, psychiatric, or intellectual impairments that limit major life activities. Because these dogs are essential medical accommodations, they are protected by federal law, ensuring public access to commercial facilities, housing, and workplaces. If you are wondering how to acquire a service animal, training your own chosen puppy or dog with a professional is a highly effective, deeply rewarding path.
Active Service Criteria: In alignment with federal legal frameworks, a dog is considered fully "in service" when it has successfully completed both this public access criteria and individual training for specific, specialized tasks that actively mitigate the handler's disability.
Service Dog Training
Service dog training is a deeply unique and specialized journey. Every handler has distinct needs, and every dog responds differently to the rigor of training — meaning not every dog is suited to become a working service animal.
Whether you want to fully self-train your dog with professional oversight or have us provide hands-on, expert training support, The Pup Partner offers a completely customized program tailored to your goals. Your investment is completely dependent on your unique roadmap. Whether you need us to build a foundation of basic obedience from scratch, implement a highly specialized task program, or switch between a self-trained track and intensive hands-on support, we will design a custom package that fits your exact needs and budget. Before enrolling, we begin with a free evaluation to ensure your pup is a strong candidate for the vital work required.
What You Receive Upon Program Completion
When your dog has successfully completed our program and enters active service, you will receive full professional backing and credentials for your peace of mind:
- Public Access Test (PAT): We will administer the formal, rigorous test, document the results, and sign off on the legal paperwork for your company records.
- Gear Package: A high-quality branded service vest, official patches, and a professional laminated ID card.
- Lifelong Resource: We remain your steadfast partner. If you ever run into public access hurdles or need legal guidance and troubleshooting in the future, we are in your corner.
Our Service Dog Training Can Help:
- Veterans or civilians navigating PTSD or trauma
- Children or adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Individuals with Type 1 or Type 2 Diabetes (Medical Alert)
- Individuals with mobility, balance, or physical challenges
Note: At The Pup Partner, we are dedicated to training world-class assistance and guide dogs that transform lives. To ensure our teams meet the highest international standards of safety, ethics, and training excellence, we are actively working toward full accreditation with Assistance Dogs International (ADI) and the International Guide Dog Federation (IGDF).
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