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Downtown Dogs Chicago · Est. 2014
Now booking June — limited spots

Focus on today's training so your dog can be their best tomorrow.

A 25-year-honed marker system that teaches reactive, anxious, and unfocused dogs to listen — in real life, under real distractions. Board & train, private lessons, and puppy preschool at our West Town facility.

Google rating
4.8

157 reviews

Years training
25+

Ari Fleishman

Dogs per trainer
4 max

Real attention

Programs
14d – 8w

Tailored plans

A confident, well-trained dog working with a trainer in soft natural light

CPDT-KA certified

Knowledge Assessed

Credentials

CPDT-KA Certified

Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers

NARA Board of Directors

North American Ring Association · Judge & Competitor

State-of-the-art facility

West Town · Google 360° tour available

AKC & CPE Competitor

Obedience and Agility titles on staff

Programs

Pick the path that fits your dog — and your life.

Every dog, human and behavior is different. We build a custom course of action — from intensive 3-week board & train to one-on-one private lessons in our facility.

Trained Chicago dog in heel position Flagship

3-Week Board & Train

A 3-week in-depth intensive. We build a complete communication system, work individual issues, then teach you how to keep it in a 1½–2 hour go-home lesson.

  • Training collar & E-collar included
  • Climb bed included
  • One-on-one go-home transfer lesson
  • Weekly Friday-night video report cards
Learn more
Off-leash training session Most flexible

Private Lessons

One-on-one with our trainers at our state-of-the-art facility. Work specific issues, learn the basics, and become fluent in your dog's language.

  • Behavior modification & reactivity
  • Foundation obedience
  • Free initial consultation
  • In-home lessons available
Learn more
Puppy in clicker training class Start early

Puppy Preschool

The first months stick forever. We use this crucial window to build the foundation that turns your puppy into a calm, confident, capable adult.

  • Sit, down, heel, come, climb
  • Two private lessons included
  • Free consultation
  • Structured socialization
Learn more
E-collar training on a leash

E-Collar Training

Humane, low-level conditioning that gives owners reliable off-leash control under real-world distraction — without yanking a leash or raising a voice.

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Behavior Modification

Leash reactivity, fear aggression, resource guarding, separation anxiety — we diagnose the human too, and address both sides of the leash.

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Boarding for Graduates

Program graduates can self-schedule boarding through the client portal — your dog stays sharp on training while you travel.

Learn more
Ari Fleishman working a dog at the facility

The Marker System

A communication system — not a list of tricks.

We introduce a series of markers — stimuli that tag specific actions. Once the marker is understood, learning begins through positive reinforcement: food, play, anything that lights your dog up. Then we layer distraction and environment until the behavior is bulletproof.

Real-life distraction

Park visits, busy streets, Home Depot — we prove training under the conditions you actually live in.

Max 4 dogs per trainer

Personal attention is non-negotiable. Your dog is family while they're with us.

Friday video updates

Weekly report cards by 10 PM, plus immediate outreach if anything comes up.

Results, not a clock

Some dogs stay longer than 3 weeks — at no extra charge. We don't rush behavior.

From our pack to yours — a few of our grads

Murphy · Krash · River · Raven · Zeus · Louie · Mischa · Ecko · Nugget · Zica ·  Murphy · Krash · River · Raven · Zeus · Louie · Mischa · Ecko · Nugget · Zica · 

Investment

Honest pricing. Tailored plans.

Every dog is different — we'll build a course of action that fits your schedule and budget. Programs range from 14 days to 8 weeks.

Starter

Private Package

Six private lessons designed to set you and your dog up on a solid foundation.

$1,400 starting

Includes $600 of equipment

  • 6 private lessons
  • Foundation obedience
  • Equipment bundle ($600 value)
  • Free consultation
Book a consult
Most popular

Flagship

3-Week Board & Train

Total reset. Your dog lives, walks and trains with us through a 6-day, 14-hour rhythm.

Custom

Quote after free evaluation · payment plans available

  • Training collar & E-collar
  • Climb bed included
  • 1½–2 hour go-home transfer lesson
  • Weekly video report cards
  • Extra days at no charge if needed
Get my quote

Lifelong

Follow-up & Boarding

Graduates lock in long-term reliability with follow-up privates, group class, and trusted boarding.

Per visit

Self-scheduling through your client portal

  • 1–3 week refresher private
  • Group class slots
  • Boarding (grads only)
  • Direct trainer access
Email Aliya

Pricing varies based on specific needs. For more information email info@dtowndogs.com.

Your trainers

Meet the team behind every transformation.

Ari Fleishman, head trainer and owner

Ari Fleishman

Owner · Head Trainer

25+ years studying under the world's top trainers. NARA Board of Directors, current judge, competitor, and former Level-1 decoy.

Zica, French Ring champion

Zica

Demo Trainer

2014 French Ring I Grand Champion · 2015 FR II Vice Champion · 2018 FR III Domestic Grand Champion. Ari's star pupil since 7 weeks old.

Aliya Carey training a dog

Aliya Carey

Trainer · CPDT-KA

10 years in pet obedience, intensive behavior modification, and rescue rehab. Competes with Mischa and Ecko in AKC Obedience and CPE Agility.

What people are saying

4.8 ★ across 157 Google reviews.

Reviewers most often mention: leash biting (28), aggression issues (19), knowledgeable team (20), and board and train (16).

Read all on Google
LZ

Lauren Z.

Grew up with dogs · Murphy's owner

2 yr ago
★★★★★

"Ari and his team at Downtown Dogs are a godsend. Murphy is beyond the best dog I have ever had — zero behavioral issues, and we rarely leave the house with a leash because his heel and other manners are so impeccable. I can take him through a crowded park or a busy street with full confidence."

AK

Amber K.

Golden retriever owner

3 yr ago
★★★★★

"I brought my golden retriever puppy for a three week board and train and what a huge difference it has made! River pays attention and listens. Leash pulling, jumping on counters, beds, furniture — all under control. The e-collar is an easy way to correct and incredibly effective."

EP

Emily P.

Hound/lab mix owner

2 yr ago
★★★★★

"Ari and his team have been a game changer. I called in a panic because my 3-year-old hound was getting aggressive with strangers. His ability to diagnose me was frustrating but spot-on. He doesn't just train dogs, he explains the human behavior associated with the issues."

CK

Carol K.

Krash's owner

3 yr ago
★★★★★

"Hands down Ari is the best trainer I have ever encountered. Our dog Krash developed issues with other dogs to the point I didn't want to walk him. After several weeks at Downtown Dogs, people come over and can't believe how well behaved he is. Walks are enjoyable again."

JC

Jennifer C.

Pit-bull rescue owner

2 yr ago
★★★★★

"Ari is amazing! My family has nicknamed him 'doggie Jesus' for the miracles he performs with my dog. I have a deaf pit, human and dog aggressive. On only our THIRD session, we went to a park full of people, dogs, and kids — and she was extremely well behaved."

JF

Joe F.

Long-time client

3 yr ago
★★★★★

"All dog trainers are not alike. I've been to many in the past but none like Downtown Dogs Chicago. Ari has trained under some of the most renowned trainers in the world, but what makes him different is the unique style he created. He's very good at reading dogs — one method will not work for all."

Common questions

How Board & Train actually works.

How many dogs are at the facility at once?

We limit it to 4 dogs per trainer. This ensures your dog receives the necessary personal attention.

Can I visit my dog during the program?

Owner visits aren't part of Board & Train — they disrupt consistency and tend to be counterproductive. You'll get a weekly video report card every Friday by 10 PM.

What does a typical day look like?

Morning walk ~7 AM, group training 8–11 AM, rest 11–1, afternoon walk, long training session until 7 PM, rest, evening walk ~9 PM. As dogs progress we add field trips — parks, Home Depot — to proof training under distraction.

What do I need to bring?

Just food and any meds. We provide everything else — collars, beds, crates, leashes.

Why exactly 3 weeks?

The program is about reliable behaviors, not time. Some dogs occasionally stay longer than 3 weeks at no additional charge. We don't rush or pressure dogs through the program.

What happens on pick-up day?

A 1½–2 hour transfer lesson with you covering everything your dog learned and how to reinforce it. Only adult owners who live with the dog should attend the initial pick-up lesson.

Free consultation

Let's meet your dog.

Bring your training questions, your behavior worries, your "is it too late?" — we'll walk you through what your dog actually needs.

Facility

2440 W Hubbard St
Chicago, IL 60612

Hours

Mon – Sun
Closes 9 PM

Request a free consult

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