Simple. I came in today for an evaluation and left very optimistic about my dog Cooper. I was so impressed with their Knowledge. I am totally moving forward with it. If you are overwhelmed and feel lost about how to help you dog and yourself, dont hesitate about making an appointment. I did and I feel so much better about my dogs future. DONT GIVE UP ON YOUR DOG. THERE ARE SOLUTIONS. I am so glad I found Downtown Dogs Chicago. PLEASE GIVE YOU DOG AND YOURSELF A CHANCE.

Downtown Dogs Chicago is by far the best training and staff in the city! We did a board and train for our dog Carter who we couldnt quite figure out. 95% of the time he is a super happy dog and loves people and other dogs but would randomly snap / bite for reasons we couldnt really figure out. This became super stressful for us. We did a board and train with Downtown Dogs and it has helped IMMENSELY. I cant say enough positive things about the whole staff. Carter is a much more confident dog, loves to work / train, and is less anxious. We will continue to use Downtown Dogs for group classes and whenever we go out of town (huge perk of working with them as well!) and they always have room and time for Carter. Having worked with other trainers in Chicago and in other states, Ari and his team are BY FAR the best I have worked with. They are caring, professional, passionate, and super helpful. We are so glad to have found them and couldnt be happier!

Ari, Conner & Aliya are great. I’ve had my pup home for a few hours after a 3 week board and train program and already the difference is amazing. I would recommend them in a heartbeat as the whole process has been a great experience. Not only are they pros with training but the communication throughout the process was exceptional.

If you want to have a great relationship with your dog, it starts with great training, and this is the place you want to get that done. Staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive.

We signed up our husky mix for the 3 week board & train program and the results have exceeded our expectations. Not only is her behavior more manageable, she seems genuinely happy and less anxious. We were having issues with her eating trash off of the ground, aggression towards certain dogs, and resource guarding balls at the park. Downtown Dogs gave us the foundation and tools to curb those behaviors in a safe manner. I was always a bit hesitant to use e-collars and prong collars, but they give you plenty of lessons to be able to confidently use those tools well after the program is over. Every staff member Ive interacted with has been extremely kind, patient, and knowledgeable. I cannot recommend Downtown Dogs enough!

The staff at Downtown Dogs Chicago truly changed both mine and my dogs life. My Chow Chow Isla had been anxious, nervous, and fearful all 5 years of her life. I had been told previously that there wasnt much help for fearful/anxious dogs. After doing some research I found Ari and Aliya. They quickly set up a consultation where Ari answered any and all of my questions and encouraged me that there was in fact hope for Isla. My biggest fear was her escaping off leash when I wasnt around, as she had when she was 12 weeks old, which was horrifying and caused me to get extremely uncomfortable leaving her with anyone besides family. I mentioned this more than once and everyone I spoke with assured me that my worst nightmare would not come true and that safety was their number one concern. So I signed Isla up and hoped for the best. I didnt expect to see as much progress as I did but I am so unbelievably grateful that they did not give up on her and helped her get to where she is now. Shes still herself, but her anxiety is MUCH more manageable. I now have tools to help her move through fears and the positive response I get from her makes continuing training easy and a joy. If youre looking for a sign to get help for your dog THIS IS IT! I could not be happier with the service, experience and compassion from everyone at Downtown Dogs Chicago. 20/10 Would recommend!

Ari, Aliya, and the whole group at Downtown Dogs are amazing. My incredibly stubborn, 1.5 year old 120-lb Bloodhound came to them with little to no training and a propensity for resource guarding and reactivity, and he came home from the Board and Train program a completely different dog, in the best way. They gave me and my dog the tools we need to avoid unwanted behaviors and I am truly amazed at the transformative level of obedience my dog now displays. A complete 180 from when he started. Cannot say enough good things about Downtown Dogs! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for dog training of all types.

Kind and focused staff. Professional environment, looking forward to our board and train. They come highly recommended.

We could not be happier with our decision to take our dog Shadow to Downtown Dogs.. it truly was life changing for our family. Our dog Shadow was dog and person aggressive to the point where he attacked two of our family dogs badly and we were going through the process of trying to re-home him so he could feel more comfortable being an only dog. He also would bark and try to attack every person that walked by on our walks.. it was extremely stressful both for us and for Shadow. After Shadow completed the board and train program at Downtown Dogs he truly was a new dog! He was so much more confident, less anxious, and now we can go on walks and he never has problems (both with regard to people and dogs). It honestly was shocking to see the difference. We cannot thank Downtown Dogs enough- we recommend it to all of our friends who have dogs that are struggling with dog/person aggression. We would refer anyone here! My partner and I always say how thankful we are that we spent the money to give Shadow a better life! THANK YOU!

I’d give Downtown Dogs 10 stars if I could. My French bulldog Mona is a ball of energy, and I was having trouble training her on my own. I had tried classes with some other trainers, but after one suggested medication to calm her down even though her excitability was pretty normal for her breed, I knew I had to find a new trainer. I had a consultation with Ari and felt really comfortable leaving Mona in their hands.We did the 3 week board and train. I got updates every week on her progress, and at the end Aliya gave me a great lesson so I could implement the tools they gave Mona.My favorite part of the whole process? Aliya and Ari are SO responsive even after you take your pup home. I swear I’ve had a million questions, and they have been so helpful and quick with their responses, and Mona has just gotten better and better since being home. The follow up lessons with the rest of the staff have been very helpful as well. Everyone is so knowledgeable and helpful. Great experience!

There’s a reason downtown dogs has a 5-star rating: these guys know what they’re doing. we got our pup started early with some one-on-one classes. we wanted to get a jump start on training while she was still young. Aliya was able to give us a solid base to start reinforcing and training Riley at home on a daily basis. we were trained on how to use a prong collar, and soon Riley was walking like a real pro. at the end of our 6 classes, we signed up for a Board and Train. This introduced the e-collar, which we were so naive about. it is a great training tool, and just like anything else, it’s all about how you use it. These guys are the real-deal. I would (and often do) recommend them to anyone, whether seeking behavioral corrections or just basic training.

This was great place for a quick bite!

Here’s the thing, I haven’t technically even used their services yet but they rock. I have sent them annoying emails and asked so many questions and they get back to me every time and are so helpful. I haven’t even paid them a cent and they have given me amazing dog advice over the phone.Just thought that was pretty special and needed to be shared!**Adding on to this because we did end up sending our dog Lady to their board and train program. It was amazing. Worth every penny. We learned so much, Lady learned so much, and it is the best feeling to know we have people we can turn to if we need help in the future. Also Lady and I saw Aliya (one of her trainers) in the park and Lady was SO excited. She loves them 😭.

I cant stress enough how amazing this place and these people are! I just moved to the city from a rural town in KY, and my GSD Phoebe was very anxious and uncontrollable at first. I googled dog training and chose Downtown Dogs based on their excellent reviews. I wasnt disappointed! Everyone is very down to earth and you can see that they truly love dogs and are passionate about what they do. I left phoebe there for the 21-day training program and she is a completely different dog now. They addressed all of my concerns with her and city life is so much more comfortable for her and for me. When I dropped her off recently to be boarded for the night, she was so happy to see everyone and was completely comfortable and genuinely happy to be back. By seeing her interact with them, I can promise you that your dog will love Downtown Dogs and they will love him back. It was worth every penny!

We have a 2 year old cattle dog/collie mix who we needed serious help with training. We met with a couple other trainers, but Ari was by far the best fit for us and our dog. He is incredibly knowledgeable about dog behaviors and training dogs, and he recommended the 3 week board and train program for Leo. He kept us updated throughout the training with photos, videos and phone calls and we were amazed with Leos progression and improvements! Ari is extremely hands on and truly cares about our dog and he wants us to be happy with the training, and we definitely are!! Ari likes to stay updated on Leos progress even after he finished the program, which shows how much he cares. He will go the extra mile to help us with training Leo and answering any questions we may have, and we couldnt be more appreciative. We are so happy we found Ari! Id recommend him to anyone!

Definitely recommend downtown dogs! Our dog Howie is super high energy and they helped us to direct it meaningfully. We didn’t think it could happen but he came out of their board and train program a new dog. But it didn’t end there, Ari, Aliya and Breanna have welcomed us in for multiple private follow-up sessions to really transfer the training to us and make us feel fully confident/troubleshoot issues that continued.

I could not be happier with my experience with Ari and Aliya! They truly know their stuff, and really care and respect your dog. My dog was a reactive dog to both people and dogs before my experience with Downtown Dogs, and now I can walk past people and dogs without fear of lunging or jumping. Living downtown, this is such a necessity and I am so happy with the turnaround.I came in for their free consultation, and Ari answer all of my questions both honestly and knowledgeably. While I was sitting there talking with him, I knew this was the place for my pup and me.I did the training/boarding package which, though an investment, I could not recommend more. Along with the 2 week training/boarding, I was also able to get a bed, leashes, collars, and personal and group classes as part of the package. And as an added bonus, since they trained Grey, I can now use them for boarding when I go out of town. Knowing Grey likes both of them and that they trained him, it makes me have peace of mind while I am on the airplane/vacation.With their weekly videos/pictures and report cards, I felt like I was able to track how my dog was progressing. Additionally, my dog requires quite a bit of meds at specific times throughout the day and they assured me this would not be a problem.Ari and Aliya are honestly the best and truly helped bond me and my dog even deeper.If you are debating between them and somewhere else, please pick them.

Ari & Aliya were wonderful to work with. They took great care of my difficult dog and I would recommend their services to anyone. Downtown Dogs is dedicated, trustworthy, and truly cares about their clients.

Our two year old Rottweiler, Frank, loves coming to see Ari and his team at Downtown Dogs. Not only do we always feel safe knowing Frank is being taken care of, he always comes back to us as a better dog. They don’t just board him; they discipline and challenge Frankie. This is the absolute best dog training/boarding facility in Chicago.

Excellent trainer! Highly recommend. Ive known Ari as a trainer for many years. Such a great person to work with.

From the very first phone call, through our pups dog training and now using Downtown Dogs for boarding when out of town, this place is THE BEST! Extremely professional and accommodating. They send updates on your pup and treat them as their own. I can’t recommend this place more!

Can’t say enough positive about Downtown Dogs. We, like many others, took home a puppy at the beginning of quarantine. We had some loose training before then but lockdown made obedience training hard, and we weren’t sure how to make learning stick in the right way...enter Downtown Dogs. Our pup was able to get the focused training she would’ve gotten over a longer period of training classes if they were open. She listens during distractions, can hold in place without breaking...but most importantly I feel like we have the tools to better communicate and hold her accountable. She has never been happier or calmer—she loves keeping up with her training at home and at group classes, and even loved seeing the staff at a recent boarding. Thanks to Ari + Aliya and the full staff!!

It’s been almost a year since we sent our pup to the three week training. Marvin is a much happier and well behaved dog, he listens to us, doesn’t pull the leash and we are able to communicate with him better. Thanks so much Aliya for training our beloved Marvin.

What a wonderful experience! There is proof that an old(er) dog can learn new tricks. To be honest, I took my dog Moose 5 in to the bootcamp because I was going to be traveling and thought that maybe he’d learn a thing or two versus just being boarded somewhere. I can’t emphasize how much of an improvement I saw.Ari and Aliya are a fantastic duo. They are the perfect combo of structured and stern enough without being intimidating. My dog Moose had some confidence issues, fear, leash reactivity to other dogs and loads of energy I couldn’t seem to run out. I left with a perfectly trained dog—or darn close—that now has skills that are beyond helpful. The mental training I found tires him out the most! I especially love the long sit/stay on the dog bed and the “here” command for recall. I learned a lot and so did Moose. I would definitely take a new dog here in the future or use them again for a refresh (more for me than for the dog!).I say with confidence that they can handle any dog regardless of size, age or temperament. They also helped some friends of mine with their little tyrant! Aside from the training, the bed, leash and collar you leave with make it an even better value. Good people. Good decision. Go for it. You won’t regret anything other than not doing it sooner!

I could not recommend downtown dogs enough. We sent our boy Hugo there for a 3 week training course, and he came back a different dog! Previously, he wouldnt walk down the block without stopping, and now he is heel trained like an angel. We use them for our boarding services as well, and they are very trustworthy and good boarders! Ari and Aliyah rock Hugos socks. 10/10

After researching several training programs in Chicago, we took our dog to Downtown Dogs Chicago shortly after adopting him from a local shelter and have been incredibly pleased with the results.Jackson is better behaved than we ever could have hoped for and we highly recommend checking into training at Downtown Dog Chicago. Aliya and Ari have also been very helpful to work with and make the entire process smooth.

Downtown Dogs has been a lifesaver! I sent my 4 year old terrier rescue, Oscar, there after my parents encouraged me to return him to the rescue. Since he was pulled from a kill shelter, I knew little about his history. I had him for about 4 months before I realized he had some issues with personal space and impulse control. By the time of my consult, he had already bitten 4 people. I am really attached so obviously I was anxious at first, but after seeing how happy Aris dogs were, I felt okay leaving Oscar for the Board and Train. Since Ive picked him up, Oscar has improved so much. He is not perfect and I still have to watch him closely in new situations, but I am able to set boundaries for him now, which is huge. If I correct him after he does something bad, he actually understands now. He is much better on a leash as well, which has been helpful (he used to lunge at dogs and garbage trucks). Its only been a few months since his Board and Train but I really feel that with consistency and reinforcement, he will continue to improve over time. If I have another dog in the future, I will definitely send them here for training!

Our dog was having behavior issues - specifically with guarding. We searched high and low for someone we felt we could trust to help us and our dog, and talked to several trainers before choosing Downtown Dogs. Ari was upfront, practical and very patient with us. The best thing was that he was so good with our dog! It was very clear that Zeus loved him when we went to pick him up after his board and train. Ari was and has remained accessible even a year later. We followed the training instructions with Zeus and we enjoy him so much more! The other great thing is that he has great recall now and we love being able to have him outside enjoying our big yard (there are no fences where we live). We love watching him run full speed and playing with him outside. He also drops the things he would have aggressively guarded once upon a time. We love him and enjoy him so much! We are so grateful to Ari and Downtown Dogs and wouldnt hesitate to recommend him. Ari is truly fantastic with dogs (and stressed owners)! Hands down, hes the best.

Ari is incredible!! My husband and I have a 5 lb toy poodle, Izzy, who yipped constantly and could not walk on a leash. She would sit down whenever she felt like it, whether it was in the park or on Michigan Avenue, and refuse to walk. Also, being 5 pounds, she had extreme anxiety and would literally shake and shiver every time we left her. We met with Ari and decided the 3 week board and train was the best way to go. When we picked her up, she was a completely different dog. She now runs to her bed whenever we tell her, and stays there till we say when. Her walking is dramatically different, given that she will heal whenever we tell her to, and never stops unless we tell her she can roam. Ari also gave us classes and equipment included, and watches Izzy when we leave town (this is perfect because he reinforces training as well). For us and our crazy lifestyle, Ari is perfect because he is a great communicator. He always answers phone and email and will give us quick fixes over the phone. I would recommend Ari and Downtown Dogs to anyone, best decision we ever made for our dog!

Ari changed our lives forever. We were very stressed as our doodle would bark continuously when he was alone. Our condo sent us formal notices and we had considered giving him up for adoption. We visited a few trainers and really liked Aris honesty during the assessment. He explained both the dog behaviors and how we as humans were facilitating his bad behavior by expressing frustration over discipline. Duffy is a new dog now. He is calmer when he is home alone and we are so relieved as we can now control him. One of the biggest advantages of going to Ari was his effectiveness in teaching us (humans) how to continue the training on an ongoing basis. We also had a life event during the boarding and he was very flexible with keeping Duffy for longer than planned. Duffy never slept in a crate even as a puppy and now loves it. We cannot thank them enough for changing our lives and making us love and connect with Duffy in an awesome way! We owe you!

Thank you Downtown Dogs, Ari, and team for the better life we now have with our dog! At the time when we came to Ari our dog was 4 and struggling with leash reactive issues. Walks were way more tiring then they should be, and no one wants to feel like they physically and emotionally cannot take their dog for a casual walk. We decided the 3 week Board and Train was best for us, and definitely were impressed with the efficiency, honesty, and care that Ari and the team strive for. After the 3 Week Board and Train, our “old dog” has learned SO many new tricks. He was immediately happier, calmer, and healthier. Almost a year later, and we continue to reflect on our great experience, and share it with literally anyone who will listen. Our dog looks forward to walks, playing off-leash at the park, and socializing appropriately in any setting. The facility is nice, clean, and 100% recommend!

Downtown Dogs is quite honestly amazing! We trust them with our Labrador Teddy on a regular basis for boarding. They also assisted us with a three week training with Teddy and the results are nothing but a miracle :) The difference in his level of obedience is night and day. It is well worth the time and money for this great team to train and work with your dog. We trust them with our furry family member and so should you!

Love this place. Its been 4 months since Ive had my dog trained here and I couldnt be happier. Ari definitely knows what hes doing. I recently started boarding my dog Bella here as well because its so convenient and they do such a good job. Would recommend to everyone.

Ari was amazing with my dog, Mathis. Mathis had some leash issues, as well as dog reactivity issues. We signed him up for the 3 week board and train, and he came back a completely changed dog. We now have control when we go on a walk and he sees a dog - he even was able to run around with a dog on vacation! Ari was a total godsend, and I highly recommend Downtown Dogs Chicago. The facilities are clean, training is laid out for you, and Ari makes sure you walk home knowing how to continue working with your dog. He even gives personal and group lessons, included in the board and train. I left feeling confident I could continue to work with Mathis, and Ari even gave his number so I can still text or call if I need help! 10/10 stars - highly recommend!

Ari is a great trainer. After I rescued Bruce, I had a rough time at home. As a puppy, Bruce was very energetic and didnt have any manners at all. I decided to get him a proper training, and Downtown Dogs Chicago stood up on Yelp.After 3 weeks of training, I had an entirely different dog. Absolutely well mannered, playful, and happy.This training is essentially about the communication between you and your dog. Ari teaches your dog important cues and you use those cues to communicate with your dog.

Ari and the entire downtown dogs staff are absolutely amazing. We sent our 10 month old labradoodle for the 3 week board and train and he came back the most well behaved dog I have ever owned. We have 2 small children and lots of people in and out of our house and our main concern was him jumping, nipping and barking. All of those concerns were addressed through positive reinforcement. We had an extensive take home lesson and I felt confident to continue the training that had taken place. The staff was also very responsive to all questions I had after we got home. I would send any dog here without hesitation.

Clean facility and results were amazing. Our dog is so well behaved now we are also planning to fly with him as it’s really rebuilt our confidence. Highly recommend going for an assessment and trying out. We tried numerous trainers before doing the board and train program here.

Ari does a fantastic job at training PEOPLE and their dogs. His methods make sense and get results. Our Buddy learned some essential skills and we are still working on learning how to be consistent to keep him on track. We also really appreciate the option to have him board with Ari when we go away. Buddy was so excited to go back again!

Ari is a fantastic dog trainer! I did the 3 week board-and-train for my 1 year old German Shepherd and he came back so well-behaved! Ari also spent time walking me through the psychology of how to train a dog so I understood how to get the best results and how to keep up with the skills at home. Hes always available when I have questions and to take my dog for boarding when I go out of town.

Amazing Dog Training - Ari and his team changed our dogs behavior for the best. Our family can now enjoy our 1 year-old German Shepherd and live with her on a daily basis. I cannot enough about Downtown Dogs.

I highly recommend Ari to train your dog.We took our 2 year old boxer to Ari for boot camp when we went on spring break. Kirby was/is a good dog, but needed work with control on and off leash and when people would come over.Ari is an excellent communicator on how he will train your dog and sets expectations perfectly.Kirby is a very well trained dog. He is excellent listening to our family including our 7, 9 and 11 year old kids.A couple months after the boot camp, we called Ari as Kirby was not healing well anymore. Ari came out and spent an hour with us to retrain us. Kirby still knew the commands, but we needed the brush up.A well trained dog makes for a happy family.

My Dutch Shepherd Stevie (1.5yr female) was very challenging when I rescued her. She was extremely leash/dog reactive to the point where I was fearful to walk her in my neighborhood (especially being a large shepherd). I was so stressed that I considered bringing her back to the shelter, something I swore I would never do...After meeting with Ari, I decided to send Stevie to a 3-week board and train. It was worth every penny. Stevie still isnt perfect, as she was in pretty rough shape... but Ari basically hit the reset button and laid the foundation for a very well-trained dog.We can go on walks freely and are continuing training with group lessons at the Downtown Dogs facility. The training is expensive but life-changing. To me its a ~10-year investment to provide my dog with the best life possible, which is why I got a dog in the first place.

Ari and his team really know their stuff! I get compliments all the time about how well trained my dog is. Ari is always willing to talk and answer questions.I highly recommend this business to anyone who wants a dog that listens.

I attended a consultation with a few of peers and we were absolutely amazed with Aris demonstrations. He basicay gave of a live presentation of what kind of positivw reinforcement he gives in training. He was super friendly an open to answer any and every question we had. I look forward to my little Joy attending there academy.

We rescued an 11-month-old puppy that had not been socialized and had never walked on a leash, we needed some help!!After researching and an in person meeting with Ari, we decided to use Downtown Dogs Chicago. Ari is amazing!! After two weeks at Downtown Dogs and follow-up training on our part, we have a pup who doesnt walk us any longer and listens to our commands. Ari not only trained our dog, but he trained us too.It wasnt easy to leave our dog for two weeks, but it was quite clear when we came to pick him up, that Ari took great care of him. We received updates and videos throughout the two weeks, we were amazed at how quickly he was listening to Aris commands.After training Ari is available anytime for any questions/needs with your dog.Chicago is truly lucky to have someone like Ari available to train our pups.Great facilities, great training, highly recommend Downtown Dogs Chicago!!

We are so incredibly thankful our friends told us about Ari, Aliya and Downtown Dogs. When we moved from Tennessee to Milwaukee, our rescue pittie mix started acting out and was not allowed back at our local daycares. We took him to Downtown Dogs for the 3 week training program, and we could not believe the transformation. He was always a great dog, but his obedience is outstanding (and so impressive to all of our visitors). We continue to make the trip to Chicago for follow up sessions and more training. We cannot recommend this team enough!!

I highly, highly recommend Downtown Dogs for their Board and Train Program. I left my then 6-month old puppy there for 3 weeks, and although he still is a mischievous little boy, he is SO much more manageable. Its me who needs more training :). From my perspective the most important thing is that Ari truly loves the dogs and they love him. He also sticks with you and has been extraordinarily patient will all of my questions and frustrations. He knows its been a good week if he hasnt heard from me.

Let me be the first to say all dog trainers are not alike. I have been to many trainers in the past but none like Downtown Dogs Chicago, with its owner/trainer, Ari Fleishman. What I noticed right away was the extensive knowledge that Ari has obtained. He has trained under some of the most renowned dog trainers, but what makes him different is that he created his own unique style. Ari has a special gift. He is very good at reading dogs. All dogs are not the same and ONE training method will not work for all dogs, so with my dog he customized the training just for him. One of my favorite aspects of his training system is that he put in place a language, a so called dog language that allows me to communicate with my pet. I will be able to use this language for years, to change behavior or simply teach my dog a new trick because he understands what I want.The training is not the only thing that is first class, but so is the facility. Downtown Dogs has a huge indoor training room. It was very clean and fresh smelling. I noticed that the entire place had cameras mounted throughout for security.Lastly, when the day came to pick up my buddy and bring him home I noticed how happy and healthy he was.....no double eye infection like with my first dog from different trainer. So, I guest what I am saying is if you want a happy pet and a happy owner, Downtown Dogs is the only way to go. Thanks, Ari for everything!!!

Brought my one year old rescue dog in for training. She was out of control when adopted. After three week, we have a brand new dog. She obeys commands and is now a sheer pleasure to own. Thank you Ari and staff for giving us a respectful, confident and obedient dog.

Top Notch Training!We could not be more happy with the progression that our German Shepherd has made while training with Aliya and Ari. We started with the 2 week board and train almost 2 years ago and have since continued to train our dog at the Downtown Dogs Chicago Facility. The staff is beyond helpful with meeting your expectations for dog training, not only do they assist in training your dog they also train the owners on how to properly communicate with the dog which helps them to become better handlers.The facility is top notch as well, we board our dog here multiple times through out the year, Ari and Aliya are the ONLY people that we TRUST to properly take care of our pup,We can not say enough about Downtown Dogs Chicago, they go above and beyond to ensure that you and your dog get the most out of every training session. Thank you Downtown Dogs Chicago!!!

Simply put, Ari is incredible! He is compassionate, insightful and really works to understand your dog and their needs. We had tried many other trainers for our 7 month old german shepherd, but until we met Ari, we never realized how much she could learn while enjoying the process. She is still playful, but now she listens, knows what to expect and how to respond to our commands. Most importantly, our dog appears more well adjusted and happy. Ari helped us understand how to work more closely with our dog and how to understand the rationale behind training. When we brought her back for a refresher (we forgot what to do), she was so happy to see Ari again. This is the best training program in the city--believe me, I have tried too many other places without results. Ari is kind, an amazing communicator, patient, a fantastic teacher (of humans as well ) and loves what he does. Too bad 5 stars are the highest rating-he deserves many more!!

I was referred to Downtown Dogs from a close personal friend who had an amazing experience, so my expectations were high, and Ari and Aliya still found a way to exceed them. They truly care about the customer experience with your best interest in mind and treat your dog like their own. They are as passionate about their craft as any expert in any field Ive encountered. Their methods are science and research based, and found a way to train and tame my 12-yr old fox terrier who (prior to Downtown Dogs) barked at everything and was aggressive around my 1 and 2 year old kids. Downtown dogs also boards dogs theyve trained as an addition service, which is a great training refresher for my dog too. Ari also went out of his way to train my dog to walk down the aisle for a wedding. I cant say enough good things about how talented they are and how much they care. I highly recommend them.

On behalf of my girlfriend, Meghan and I, I’d like to say that we deeply appreciate all of your time and love you’ve dedicated to Alfie. We could not be more satisfied with the progress he’s made. Before committing to Downtown Dogs Chicago, we were very apprehensive as we didn’t want to fork over a significant amount of money only to come away unimpressed. I feel very comfortable saying that we are extremely satisfied with the job you’ve done. We always knew Alfie was very smart but we quickly realized that we were overmatched and undereducated on what to do. Fast forward three weeks, now I have a pup who wants to listen, wants to be engaged, and wants to do well. This is just the beginning for us as we will rely on your team to continue to help us work with Alfie and help him reach new heights. We see him being a frequent visitor (for class and treats) and we look forward to continuing to become better handlers and puppy parents.We’re happy to say that we started out as customers and came away as friends. The next time we go out of town or need help, we know Alfie has a second home in the Second City!

I brought my golden retriever puppy to Downtown Dogs for a three week board and train and what a huge difference it has made! Ari did such a fantastic job training both my dog River and me. The biggest difference is that now River pays attention and listens to commands. We were having problems with leash pulling on walks and jumping up on counters, beds, and furniture but have all of that under control now after his stay at Downtown Dogs. The e-collar that he was given is an easy way to correct anything River is doing wrong and incredibly effective. I have also boarded River here while on vacation and definitely will continue to do so. Ari has a gift with training dogs, he pays attention to your needs, I know my dog is always in good hands while there, and I highly recommend Downtown Dogs!

Fantastic. We did the 3 week board and train for our dog Riley and have greatly benefited from the training. We also love to board Riley there when we travel. Ari and Aliya care for our dog, and were even available the morning of a family emergency to take our pup for a night. This team is awesome!

Ari has been great with our puppy Leia. We got her last September and now coming up on a year old she walks well on a leash, listens to basic commands, and is now even starting an agility class with Aliya, one of the trainers that works with Ari. Our pup is always exhausted after the class, which is great for us! In addition to training Ari offers boarding for dogs that he works with and Leia loves staying with him (seriously, she starts wagging her entire butt the minute she knows shes at Downtown Dogs).

We had a great experience with downtown dogs! Signed our pup up for the three-week class. At first three weeks seemed like a long time, but it was definitely worth it! Ari and Aliya are great trainers who really care about the dogs and take the time to understand and answer your questions. We just went out of town recently and felt very comfortable boarding our dog with them! We look forward to our continued relationship with this business via group classes and future boarding. Thanks, Downtown Dogs!

I recently adopted a dog from Chicago Animal Care and Control and a few weeks in, she started exhibiting behaviors I didnt expect -- dog reactivity that sometimes turned into aggression, growling at noises at the back door, etc. We did the 3-week board-and-train with amazing results. Its as much about training your dog as it is about training you in handling skills, how to set clear boundaries, and how to use training tools to have a conversation with your dog. Aliya has been extremely supportive throughout the process, and I couldnt recommend these folks more.

Ari at Downtown Dogs Chicago is extremely knowledgeable, personable, and delivers outstanding results.We would highly recommend Downtown Dogs Chicago and Ari is an incredible and compassionate trainer. My daughter has a Pomeranian puppy named Ranger that she was not taking outside due to his barking and disruptive behavior. Ari met with us to understand the issues and challenges. He was extremely knowledgeable, professional, and most importantly caring. He put together a 3 week training plan that literally transformed Rangers behaviors. He now is able to go for walks everyday and is a well mannered dog. We cant say enough about the incredible service we received from Downtown Dogs Chicago and Ari.

I brought my dog to Downtown Dogs for 6 private lessons. Were 4 in and the change in him has been incredible. Aris approach to training both me and my dog is easy to pick up, fun to learn and yields immediate results. I highly recommend Ari and Downtown Dogs to everyone. You wont be disappointed.

Moving from a house in St. Louis to a high-rise in the West Loop wasnt an easy transition for my Basset Hound, Bo. After a few noise complaints within 2 days, I was beginning to mirror my pups level of anxiety.Lucky for me, Ari and Downtown Dogs Chicago came highly recommended! Ari was a breath of fresh air and I immediately felt at ease and reassured as soon as we spoke on the phone. We scheduled a time to meet and once doing so,= it was immediately clear that Ari was put on Earth to work with dogs! His own dogs obey him on command - and so did mine (albeit stubbornly!).Ari did a wonderful job working with Bo and I can not express my full gratitude for what hes done to help Bo and me out. Truly blessed to have had Aris expertise when I needed it!

We rescued the most beautiful dog in the land: Riley Pup. She’s our first dog, and naturally those puppy eyes really helped her get away without sitting or heeling on command. But then one hungover Saturday morning, she stole my pizza slice right off the counter. H to the ELL NO. That’s when we found Downtown Dogs, and they changed our minds and hearts about dog training for the way better.Simply stated, Ari and Aliya are THE BEST. Their methodology makes sense, which means they’re able to explain to dog owners how to continue to work with and train in a successful way. After some private sessions, we signed up for the 3-week board and train. I had been skeptical about the idea, but it’s the best thing I could have done for Riley. They have the time and expertise to train her, and then me.It’s been two years since then, and I have emailed or called with so many stupid questions. Aliya patiently listens and gives an answer that works. Ari – that handsome devil – has coordinated boarding Riley, even for last minute trips.I highly recommend these guys. There are very few people we choose to trust with our dog, and they’re at the top of that list.

Ari and his team have changed our lives. We have a 4yr old rescue shepherd/rottie mix w/ leash reactive issues. We did the 3 week board and train. The results were amazing! No more hiding around corners from other dogs or late night walks to avoid dogs. Thanks to downtown dogs, we can walk our dog with one hand and a coffee in the other with confidence. Not only did he train our dog, He also trained us to be better handlers; educating us every step of the way. They are very quick to reply to all email/phone inquires. The facility is very nice and big. They are truly passionate about all dogs. This is a trainer that advocates for the dogs safety, obedience and fun. We are very pleased with our experience with downtown dogs chicago and highly recommend.

Absolutely amazing and life changing! I have a year and a half year old rottweiler who would not listen and would attack mine and my boyfriends feet. It was like something would click in his brain and he would aggressively go after our feet while outside. Took him to Vets that wanted to put him on meds, because they said it was something possibly psychological. Took him to another board and train that I had to get him out early, because I was not happy with their training style. After I got him out early, he was timid and urinating in the house. Went months with him attacking our feet and not listening when we told him to come inside the house. Logan did not know what no meant. Ive had so many dogs and never had issues, but this one was a stubborn one. Sent Logan to Ari at Downtown Dogs for the 3 week board and train and couldnt be more happier! Complete night and day difference. Logan has not attacked our feet, he listens, understands the meaning of no and has so much confidence. I highly recommend him. Just took him today to a group session and Logan was so excited to see Ari. He didnt train Logan with fear, and Logan actually has fun when he is told a command. He has made it enjoyable again to have a puppy. Best trainer in Chicago!

Ari and Aliyah are absolutely wonderful! What I love about them:- Very honest and upfront about their approach and facilities- Real results!- Super fair pricingOur two-year-old dog Bernadine (Bernie) is generally lovely, but dog-reactive and had a few incidents at the dog park. After said incidents and due to her strength, I realized that we really needed to get serious about training; we did a lot of research and decided to bring her to Downtown Dogs for their board-and-train program. I should mention: I am very protective of my dogs and wanted to know about *everything* before handing a member of my family over for three weeks.Ari and Aliyah were prompt in communication, offered direct answers (not sales-y at all... and I work in sales), and indulged all of my questions at the consultation... then my follow-up questions via email... and then my questions during a follow-up phone call. These interactions made me feel incredibly comfortable.When we dropped Bernie off, she was happy. When we picked her up, she was happy... and trained! Most importantly, Ari teaches you so that you can maintain your dogs behavior. Nearly eight months later, Bernie has retained much of the training she learned while under Downtown Dogs care. We plan to bring Bernie back for refresher courses when we travel and know that she will enjoy her time and feel very successful afterward!To be completely honest (just as Ari, himself, is) for anyone considering -- I have an older dog that I would not have brought to Downtown Dogs. She is a rescue who is terribly sensitive to noise, new environments, and is not food motivated. As such, she would not have been well-suited for this training. That said, for 98% of dogs, Ari and Aliyah are your people. They are dog people. Your dog will feel confident and excited to work and you will love the results!

I took my 9 month old German Shepherd with Ari at Downtown Dogs Chicago.. He did an amazing job with the training, we talked about what my biggest issues were and he made sure to correct them.. he also did a great job at training me!:) as the dog parent, its important that we do our part and be consistent when its time to go home! Id definitely recommend them to anyone looking for someone to train their fur baby!

Could not be more grateful for all of the love and attention Aliya and Ari have given our little gremlin! Alfie (our 1.5 yr old corgi) went to their 3 week boot camp to help with a LOT of issues we were having at home. Issues included: barking, biting, aggressive tendencies toward anyone while on walks with me, and general alpha male head of the household behavior. Its not like these problems were solved overnight and were still working on them--but with the help of downtown dogs weve learned to communicate with Alfie in order to get control back in our household. Words cannot describe how happy we are with our experience here and we still continue to go to private and group classes so we can keep learning with our boy! Thank you downtown dogs!!

After doing my research I decided to bring my dog Leo to Downtown Dogs and I could not be happier with the results. Ari is a true professional as well as an extremely skilled dog trainer and I cannot recommend him more enthusiastically. I now have a well behaved dog that follows commands and understands boundaries.Over the course of the first year that I adopted Leo I had grown increasingly frustrated with a list of his undesirable behaviors and my inability to correct them. His leash manners were awful. Hed constantly pull on the leash and jump up on people passing by. If I had guests over hed overwhelm them by jumping up on them from the minute they came through the door until Id have to put him in his crate. Hed beg to go outside and have me throw the tennis ball which would ultimately turn into me chasing him around to try to get it back. It was disappointing that no matter how hard to tried to correct these issues they seemed to get worse. I decided that I needed some help.I researched dog trainers in the Chicagoland area, made a few visits and decided on Downtown Dogs. The facilities were clean and spacious and Aris professionalism and confidence put me at ease. Over the 2 weeks that Leo was with Ari I received video links to YouTube videos of my little buddy, tail wagging, learning his new commands and was in touch with Ari frequently. When I arrived to pick him up I walked in and could not believe my eyes. He was in his climb command on the bed just waiting to be released. He stayed right there while Ari explained to me in detail the process of how he got Leo to this point. Over the next hour Ari walked me through all of the commands(climb, free, heel, out etc)and showed me how to reinforce the training on my own. Basically this was Ari training me. Over the next few weeks I had lots of questions and Ari was happy to help me through everything. You can tell this is a guy who is passionate about his job and loves his work.Its been over a month since I picked Leo up and I can honestly say Im thrilled with the results. I have an obedient, happy dog who walks like gentleman on the leash, listens attentively and is constantly complimented on his good behavior. Aris training has improved the quality of Leos life. I can bring him wherever I go, have guests over without any issues and most importantly take him to the park to wear him out with his favorite game of fetch. Big thank you to Ari and Downtown Dogs.

I recommend Ari to be your trainer 100%. He treats you like family and is quick to respond to any questions or concerns you have. One thing I loved is that he sends you updates and videos of your dogs progress during board and train. When my puppy came home from training he was like a new dog. He listens to every command we give him and its all thanks to Ari. If youre struggling in making the decision on which trainer to use, choose Ari! You wil not be disappointed!!

Ari turned our little firecracker into a well adjusted, pooch. But more importantly he taught us humans how to effectively communicate with our dog. He is smart, informed, and effective. Do yourself and your dog a favor and go see Ari.

Cant say enough good things about Ari and Aliya! We sent our little guy for a 3 week board and train and the results have been awesome--Ive even been able to start taking him to work with me! Theyve been extremely helpful even after the initial training--both with the included follow up lessons and also with any questions that come up as we keep working. Weve gone back a few times for boarding as well and our pup is always so excited to see Ari and Aliya--he loves it there!

Great place, nice people to do business with. My dog was boarded there and the prices are reasonable. Very clean and spacious facility. Would recommend to anyoneTremaine Pullins

Ari and Aliya have made dog ownership a dream! As a puppy, Lewie was a load of fun, but very difficult to control on walks. As he grew(now 100 lbs) we were concerned with his behavior around other dogs, kids(ours and others), strangers, scooters etc. He constantly jumped and really didnt know his own strength. After a few weeks at Downtown Dogs, it is a completely different story! He is still playful, but we are easily able to tell him when it is time to settle down. The doorbell is a non-issue too as he just goes to his bed and sits until we tell him he is allowed to leave. Amazing.

We rescued a half pit bull half terrier. He was completely undisciplined in every way at 7 months old. At times my wife and I wondered what we got ourselves into. We found Chicago Downtown Dogs and went in for a consultation. We choose the 6 lesson package and combined it with boarding our dog twice with Ari and Aliya when we were out of town for a few days and arranged for them to train him while they boarded him. We are only 4 lessons in and our dog heals perfectly, comes when we call him, sits and lies down on command and stays on the bed we got from them until we tell him he can come off it. They’re really good at what they do and we highly recommend them. They honestly exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended. Good people

Ill start out by saying I am a huge fan of Ari, Aliya, and Downtown Dogs Chicago (DDC) and would strongly recommend. A bit of background on what brought us to DDC: Our dog had previously completed a 4 week intensive care at another training school but still had significant challenges with recall, heal, and no jumping. A friend of ours suggested DDC and so after our in person consultation, we enrolled our pooch in the 3 week board and train - which worked out great because the training would coincide with our vacation. Ari assured us our pooch, Oli, would master the basic commands (recall, heal, sit/down maintain) by the time we picked her up. Now, Ari was very confident in setting our expectations. He didnt say, Oli should have these skills down by the end or the level of mastery depends on the dog...still, given our prior experience with our now 12 month old Oli, I couldnt help but be skeptical. I was blown away by the results! Everything exactly as hed promised. Her recall was so solid I could take her off leash at the park and throw a ball - and shed come back every time! But the biggest win was that he became a fully functioning member of the family and took an enormous amount of stress off of me and my wife. We will continue to look for opportunities to keep up with Olis continuing education at DDC.And our dog LOVED the training. How do I know? Because when we took her back for an overnight board, she went absolutely wild with excitement upon seeing Aliya again (Aliya was Olis main trainer during her stay). Thats another plus: because DDC only boards dogs that have trained there, Ari will always take the dog for boarding - even if last minute.Also, one quick, and final, side story: a few days before Oli was due to start her training she came down with Giardia. As a result, we had to board her at our vets until she got a clean bill of health. When she got her clean bill of health, Ari offered to pick her up himself so we didnt have to stress about finding a pet transport to take her from point A to point B. I was very grateful because this was something I certainly didnt expect him to do.Again, for anyone looking for some serious dog training with some serious results, DDC is the place to go...no question!

I cant really speak to their training because we never got to experience it. I can only speak to the way they treated me on the phone/via email. After playing phone/email tag I finally spoke to Ari on the phone. He immediately suggested that I schedule a free consultation. I explained that I did not want to do that before asking a few questions about their methods, in particular their negative reinforcement because I have an especially anxious dog with submissive urination. At this point the conversation went south quickly. He asked me if I thought they abused dogs and then was super patronizing and told me that I probably did not even know what negative reinforcement was. He then proceeded to challenge me to tell him the definition. I could go on and on about how uncomfortable and unprofessional this conversation was, despite several efforts on my part to de-escalate. At one point he asked me point blank: what do you want? I responded that I wanted to know what accommodations they made in their training for anxious dogs. He mocked my question and told me that they made no accommodations for any dog. So if you want cookie cutter dog training with no individual considerations and rude customer service (why ask for consultations?!), this is your place. By the way, after hanging up on him, I emailed his colleague Aliya requesting that SHE call me back because I assume his attitude was at least partly informed by the fact that I am a woman. She didnt respond.

Ari was a gentleman and did a great job with my pooch. Anytime I had a question he was always quick to respond. The Climb command is perfect for whenever you have guests come over or you want to eat without the pooch disturbing you. Highly recommend.

Ari and Aliya are competent, ethical dog trainers. They did a fantastic job with my 6-month-old giant schnauzer, who amongst other things, no longer walks ahead of me, but willingly, at my side. Their program focuses on communication and cooperation between owner and dog (not dominance) and their training techniques, which I use every day, are neither complicated nor burdensome. I dropped off an out of control, bratty puppy. Three weeks later, I brought home a happy, eager puppy, who wanted to listen and cooperate. Bottom-line: it was worth every penny, and I cannot thank Ari and Aliya enough!

We sent our golden retriever in for a three-week board and train. He wasnt super poorly behaved at the start, but he had his issues: mostly with focus. Wed worked with positive reinforcement techniques to get hm to do the basics, like sit and down and come. But if he wanted something (like to jump on someone) we werent able to stop him.Flash forward to the day that we picked up our pooch. We walk into the Downtown Dogs training space and hes sitting on his bed just waiting, looking at us, but not breaking his command to come see us. It was incredible. And over the next 90 minutes (plus a private training class later), Aliya taught us how to use the tools that she taught him to keep him from getting out of control in the future. Now, if someone comes over, he will stay in his place until we tell him not to; when we go on walks, he can ignore other dogs; when were in a big open area, we can call him to us and he will just come running.And the whole time that he was in the board-and-train, Aliya sent regular pictures and videos to us to keep us up to date on his progress. The week before we dropped him off he had some sort of infection on his elbows (which wed already administered antibiotics for) and she kept an eye on them to make sure they were getting better.Bottom line: we sent him away for three weeks and when we got him back he was healthier and better behaved. Thats all I could ask for.

Highly recommended!We had a few challenges with our dog and after we met Ari and understood the process, the tools and the attitude we felt confident to leave our dog for 3 weeks of training and boarding.The results went beyond our expectations- we got back a well behaved and happy dog.No doubt about Ari and Aliya’s love for dogs and thier knowledge on how to train in a great environment and positive attitude.

Absolutely loved that we chose Downtown Dogs Chicago to send our dog there. Ari is an amazing trainer and loves all dogs. We sent our 9 month old jack russel terrier Wrigley to ‘boot camp’ and quite the transformation. We were shocked on how well he behaves now. If you are looking to train your dog look no further Ari and Aliya are the best. Highly recommend.

Ari and Aliya are pros at what they do. We did board & train with our Golden Retriever and got a well-trained dog back. We were amazed at the results their marker training could do. Not only that, but you also get trained on how to communicate with your dog. Both at home and during our walks, we often get compliments on our dogs behavior and people simply couldnt believe that this training is possible because 99% dont do it. Its a great investment! Since then, we would always go back to them for advice and they are extremely responsive. Moreover, we also left our dog at their facility when we went on vacation because he was already familiar with both Ari and Aliya. Thanks to both of them - I highly recommend using their facility.

Wonderful Customer Service And Great Food

Downtown Dogs is a first class establishment. The facilities are clean and spacious. I cant say enough about the owner, Ari Fleishman--he is truly an expert in his field. He works with each dog one on one and gives very specialized recommendations based on the particular issues that need to be corrected and reinforced. One thing that stood out was how he explains what hes doing in a way that you can understand and apply on a daily basis with your dog at home! I will definitely be returning and will recommend Downtown Dogs to my friends and family.

Let me start with what Ari and downtown dogs were getting with our dog....Adopted a rescue Malinois/German Shepard mix, little did I know how reactive she was to EVERYTHING and I mean full reactive lunge teeth out ready to fight! People, dogs, any other animal. Could not take her for a simple walk. Would also bite her leash any chance she got. Thought she was almost untrainable but then we brought her to Ari! The dog we got back after the board and train was was beyond night and day. Reactivity Close to none! Full understanding of heel and climb and other commands! Now you have to keep up with the training after but that’s a given everyone should already know that no dog will continue to listen if you don’t work with them regularly. This is where you want to get your training done!

Ari and Aliya at downtown dogs have been a saving grace for my puppy Jay and I. I came to them as recommended by a friend very frustrated and feeling hopeless about what to do with my dog. He suffered from pretty severe separation anxiety and was upsetting my neighbors as he barked constantly in his crate when left alone among other things including being afraid of people. Ari accepted a meeting with Jay and I on very short notice and told me exactly what to expect. He ended up doing a board and train with Jay that lasted 4 weeks (no extra charge for the extended time) and I got my puppy back, happier, less nervous and most importantly with no separation issues. From taking my dog to the vet when I was on vacation to stopping by to check on him, downtown dogs really goes above and beyond and I would highly recommend them to anyone!

I also cant speak to their training because I only experienced a conversation on the phone. I had sent an email asking about their methods because I am uncomfortable with e-collars and have a stranger aggressive, unpredictable dog.Long story short, the phone conversation didnt go well. No thanks to Downtown Dogs.

We love downtown dogs and recommend it to everyone who is considering taking their dog to training! We were a little hesitant to send our beloved pups away for several weeks but we knew we couldnt give them the full time training that they needed and it ended up being the best decision. Our two chihuahuas (7 year old and 2 year old) became so much happier and enjoyable after staying at downtown dogs. Prior to their stay they were not crate trained, were scared of everyone and everything, and didnt listen to us on walks or when we would have visitors. Ari and Aliya changed all this; the training has made our walks and visits from family and friends much more calm and enjoyable for everyone. Our only regret is that we didnt take them to training earlier! If training has ever been a thought I would urge you to do it; you will not regret it!

Ari is amazing! My family has nicknamed him doggie Jesus for the miracles he performs with my dog. I have a deaf PitBull, who is human and dog aggressive. I never imagined being able to comfortably take her out without a muzzle, let alone actually be near other humans with her. Yesterday, on only our THIRD training session, we went to a park full of people, dogs, and kids. Under Aris guidance, my dog was extremely well behaved, and I was comfortable enough to walk closely to people and dogs. After each session with Ari, I go home just shocked at how well my dog can behave. Hes pleasant to work with, and you can tell as soon as you meet him that he knows what hes doing. Theres plenty of parking, which is a huge plus if you have an aggressive dog. And the facility is fantastic, with a huge training area, and always kept clean (coming from someone who runs a commercial cleaning company, thats saying something). If youre looking for a dog trainer, I highly recommend Ari at Downtown Dogs.

Words can not express my deep appreciation for Ari s talents as a dog trainer. He listened to my concerns and addressed those issues while training my dogs. I board them when I go out of town and can relax knowing they are in very capable hands. Thank you sooo much Ari!!!!

While searching the city trying to find my fearful dog a board and train I came upon Downtown Dogs Chicago. My first impression was how nice of a facility it was. What sets Ari apart from others is how he connects with you and your dog on a personal level. Ari demonstrated his training tools on me and gave a live demo. His love for dogs and training shows not only in his work ability, but how he presents his work knowledge in understanding specific issues you may have. Not only does he explain what he does but also he goes the extra mile and teaches you why. Ari has been very responsive with emailing back right away and also does follow ups after. Ari and his facility has gone above and beyond my expectations, I highly recommend this facility for any of your dog’s needs!

Could not be more pleased with our decision to bring our 18 mo. old Australian Labradoodle, Zuzu, to Downtown Dogs for a refresher on her manners and recall. She learned more in those 3 weeks than in the 17 months at home!Thank you to Ari and Aliya for their patience with my husband and me.Zuzu picked up commands quickly. Us, not so much ;-)Well continue to use Downtown Dogs for boarding - to keep her training consistent- cant have too much of a good thing!

Our 1-year old mini poodle, Sonny, was displaying lots of anxiety, and fear-based aggression before we took him into see Ari and Aliya. He would shake and cry every time we put him in his crate, and would hide under the bed when he sensed we were about to leave, and would try and bite us when we would attempt to take him out. He also thought he was top-dog in the house, and didnt listen or would selectively listen I should say. We did the 3 week (turned into a 4 week) board and train with Downtown Dogs, and we could not be happier with the results! Our dog came back the best version of himself...He doesnt display any fear-based aggression, goes into his crate with ease, listens to our commands, and just overall is a much more pleasant and confident dog. We were really at our wits end, and we felt that this through this program we received the tools to actually train Sonny effectively. Ari and Aliya are great people to work with, and we would recommend Downtown Dogs to everyone with a pooch!

Weve been working with Ari since February and could not be happier with our experience. Our dog, Casey is a special doc, he has been to multiple trainers in the past with various results, including a trainer telling us he was untrainable and he wouldnt last. Fortunately our experience with Ari and his team couldnt be more different. His knowledge of dogs/training and his passion for it is clear from the first time we met him. He has helped us have more confidence and hope that Casey really is the good dog we believe he is, but just requires consistent training for Casey and us. His various levels of training, from Casey staying with him to Individual and group sessions, along with just being available whenever we have questions have been so helpful along the way. I trust him 100% with Casey and know that he cares for Caseys well being as much as we do, which has been hard for us to find with Caseys history of behavioral problems. Casey has a tendency to panic and while he was staying at downtown dogs for a few weeks of training he ended panicking in his cage and breaking a tooth which he eventually needed extracted. Ari immediately called me to inform me and make a game plan for how to get Casey seen by a Vet and assessed for the next steps. It was clear during these interactions how much he cared about Casey and wanted to make sure he was okay, checking in with me multiple times about how he was doing throughout the process and even spending a lot of his own time helping us get Casey in for the extraction within 24 hours as our vet had a 3 week wait list. As soon as Casey was back to his normal self, Ari brought him back for training and even extended his time without charge to make shr Casey still got the whole benefit of training. It was hard to see Casey in pain but the experience reinforced we were in the right place for Casey. The various levels of training he has from board and train to individual and group, along with with constant availability for questions along the way have been so helpful for us. If youre looking for an experienced training who can individualize and understand your dog, and you are also ready for Ari to train you! Then I would recommend him in a heartbeat and am so happy we found him!

I cant say enough about Ari and Downtown Dogs! My dog Charlie was having potty training problems as well as listening to me when I needed him to calm down and obey. I was super worried about taking him to any kind of training school for many reasons so I researched and met a bunch of trainers in Chicago and none really stuck out or felt right till we met Ari. He showed me his dog which of course was seriously impressive but he also showed me other dogs that were currently in training that werent his what they had already learned so I could see progress. He didnt sell it he showed me and that was something no one else had done so far. Typically its a two week program however Charlie was a little more stubborn so Ari said he needed one more week with no charge at all. Although I probably would have paid extra I loved that Ari was just as determined as I was to make sure my dog was up to standards when the training was over. When I came to pick Charlie up it was night and day and more importantly Charlie was still Charlie just a little more tamed and much easier to control. Another thing that other trainers didnt emphasize that Ari did was that you cant just pick up your dog and expect all the work to be done. It depends on you. I believe his exact words were If after the training program charlie goes back to his old ways thats not his fault its yours. At the end of training he doesnt just send you on your way he spends at least an hour or however long it takes making sure you know everything and how to best communicate with your dog. Ari will update you and ask about progress after the fact as well. I still text him with questions ranging from training to food to just about anything and he is always quick to respond. Ari constantly posts photos and videos to the Facebook page so you can watch your child in the process and see that they are having fun as well. Its been over a month now and I am still so happy with our experience with Downtown Dogs! I would hands down recommend Ari and his team for anyone in need of training for their pup!

I cant say enough positive things about Ari and Downtown Dogs. I have 2 Doberman mix rescue dogs that really have never had any form of basic training. Aside from being extremely hyper one of them has had behavioral issues since I got her with other dogs and some people. After completing the Board & Train, all of the issues have been addressed and Ari and Aliya have helped to train me to be a better pet owner. We now attend the group classes to continue to make improvements and reinforce the training. Ari and Aliya are both patient and very nice to work with. I highly recommend Downtown Dogs!

Look no further for a dog trainer. Ari and Aliya are without a doubt the BEST.When I adopted my female pit bull, Pickle, I made the mistake of babying her, which made obedience training a complete failure because she thought she owned me and didnt listen to a single thing I said. She would try to lunge at other dogs while we were out which made going on walks a negative experience because I was the crazy dog owner who could not keep control of her dog.I cant thank Ari and Aliya enough for all they did. I am so incredibly happy that I sent her to the Board and Train program. I knew she was in great hands with them - cared for and safe. They worked with her on basic commands and helped her to become more comfortable being in close proximity to other dogs. When I went to pick her up at the end of 3 weeks, I expected her to come charging at me in excitement, but she remained on her bed, taking her cues from Ari.He then worked with me on how to maintain her training, especially how to correct her so that she continued to see me as the boss. Commands are not a request Ari says. Pickle is such a good girl now. She is so responsive and respects me. Walks are very enjoyable now and its the other dog owners who are embarrassed.Thank you Ari and Aliya!

After rescuing my dog I realized how leash aggressive she truly was (barking and lunging at other dogs) and how she only understood the sit command. After many exhausting run-ins with other dogs in the neighborhood I began to search for reputable trainers in the Chicago area. I found Ari and Aliya who were highly recommended. At the initial consultation Ari recommended the three week board and train which made me hesitate but given my desperation I agreed. It was so worth it! Ari and Aliya checked in with me throughout my dogs stay (including pictures and video!) and I marveled at the progress that was made in such a short period of time. By the time I picked her up she was able to recall, heel, climb, and was able to walk by other dogs without becoming reactive! Ari then instructed me on how to properly handle my dog and just relax as I had become tense on walks due to her reactivity. Since my dogs stay we have participated in the group classes at Downtown Dogs where she has continued to thrive. More recently I boarded her as I was going out of town for several days. She strolled in and was excited to see Ari and Aliya again. I highly recommend Downtown Dogs Chicago for training.

Our dog Apollo is a very handsome French bulldog with bad manners that had gotten progressively worse over the years. He was constantly jumping on our guests, pulling on the leash, lunging at strangers, lacking recall, being aggressive towards large dogs (Napoleon complex) and would not let anyone besides me and my fiancé touch him. We had tried everything from dog classes, a positive reinforcement dog trainer and YouTube videos.After tons of research, we found Downtown Dogs on google. We reached out and were instantly greeted with a helpful and hopeful response. Apollo would receive a 3 week intensive training that would teach him manners and even though he wouldn’t become less introverted, he would learn to respect people’s boundaries. Ari and Aliya had us come in to meet Apollo and give us some insight of what he would be expecting. They showed us some of their methods so we would thoroughly understand what Apollo would be going through.Over the course of the 3 weeks, we received weekly videos and check-ins about his progress. We were so impressed and if we had any questions, Downtown Dogs gave an immediate response.At the end of the 3 weeks, we had a two hour training session where we learned the techniques they used to ensure Apollo continued to progress and benefit from the training. In addition to the two-hour training, we also received two private sessions and two group training sessions.We really can’t thank Downtown Dogs enough. Apollo is so comfortable with the whole team and they are of the few he allows to pet him. You can instantly see how great they are as trainers and the results have continued to stay with him months later. He has a “climb bed” that he can stay in for hours at a time even if there are distractions around him. He heels expertly. He can stay in sit or down for a long time until he is “freed.” He ignores other dogs while walking down the street. As his owners, our stress levels have gone down significantly.Also, since Apollo has gone through their training, Downtown Dogs allows him to board there where he continues to have lessons and assist other dogs being boarded their while acting as a “distraction” so the other dogs can progress in their training. It is such a relief knowing Apollo has a place to stay where he is taken care of while we are out of town.

We found our dog, Jimmy Carter, as a stray over two years ago. He is leash aggressive and we had tried everything to try to get him to stop aggressively barking at all dogs while on leash. We finally decided to bring him to Downtown Dogs and we’re so glad we did. While he still wants to bark at other dogs, we’re now able to control him on leash and it’s a much better quality of life for all of us. We were nervous he would come back a different dog but he was his same lovable self. We continue to board Jimmy at Downtown Dogs, they can do short notice and never turn us down. Plus, while he’s boarded he’s still with someone to continue the training which helps with any lapse. Thanks Aliya and Ari!