Sophie Melissa Amphlett
Puppy, Dog, Therapy & Service Dog Trainer 
dog pup puppy canine train trainer training behavior animal behavior service therapy obedience
 

"Sophie did an excellent job helping train our pup; with a consistent and a fear free approach. Being first time dog owners, and with kids at home, it was very important to us to have a trainer that understood the challenges and was there to support and structure the training process, and we couldn't have been happier with the result. Our pup loves Sophie; and is super delighted to see her every time. Sophie was very generous with her practical advice, and we're confident dog owners as a result." Gautham Sadhir (Posie's dad), Wilmette

"Thank you Sophie for helping us train our puppy! We are first time dog owners and highly recommend her. Sophie showed us how to make meal time fun and how to potty train. We learned how to properly train our dog to sit, lie down, stay and leave it. We really enjoyed the experience and promise to keep at it!" Terje Reedy (Phoebe's mom), Evanston

"Sophie is the dog whisperer. In just two sessions she managed to teach our pup (andmost importantly - us!) a number of key behavioral principles that will serve us well in many different areas. Her approach is very thoughtful, and she explains and demonstrates techniques that apply across the board. She will teach you how to anticipate your dog's reactions, how to set them up for success, and how to follow through with consistent training that is certain to get the results!" Anna de Silva (Duke's mom)

"Sophie is wonderful. When our big, old guy passed away we welcomed not one but two new Labrador pups to our home. She was very knowledgable in helping me figure out how to train and socialize two pups. She had ideas and suggestions that I had not even thought of with having two puppies. She also gave me confidence to bring my 14 week old pups into the forest, off leash, for some fun exploration time for them. I highly recommend Sophie for any training needs!" Heather Stone (Winston's and Murphy's mom)

"Sophie is really great. She gave us super helpful tips and taught us how best to train our pup. She was patient and answered all of our questions. Even a couple of months later when we had some new challenges come up Sophie was willing to help. She really cares about dogs and has a special way of coaching them." Kath Kernnedy (Buster's mom), Winnetka

"Sophie was wonderful to work with! Prior to beginning training, she recommended several toys/treats for our puppy and also provided us a training manual to read and refer back to for training tips. Sophie immediately connected with our 10 week old puppy and taught us how to work with him on decreasing fears and following commands such as stay and come. Our little guy got the hang of it within one session and has continued to do great! We've only had two sessions with Sophie and will likely do one more in the future, but we couldn't be happier that we found her! We highly recommend Sophie!" Whitney Kreiter (Puck's mom), Evanston

A great experience with Sophie helping us train our 5 month old Labrador puppy. Knowledgable, friendly and above all incredibly effective!" Helen Lynargh (Poppy's mom), Lake Forest

"We are so happy that we found Sophie to help us train our pup, Luna. Sophie is so knowledgeable about dogs and could assess immediately upon meeting Luna what areas we should focus on to help her be a happy, socialized and polite puppy. She provides very clear and thorough instructions on how to engage with your pup to encourage and reinforce the positive behaviors you want to see from your pup, and tailors her advice and approach to fit your family's needs (for example, she provided great tips to help my young son better interact with a playful, nippy pup). Also really appreciate the as-needed basis of training sessions - at the end of each lesson we assessed what we had accomplished and whether additional lessons were needed at that time. Sophie also has great recommendations on toys, games, treats, and other setups to ensure you are keeping your pup engaged and safe at all times. It was really a great experience. Thank you!!" Brandy Russell (Luna's mom), Wilmette

"I called on Sophie the dog whisperer after receiving her info on NextDoor app. I wasn't sure what to expect because I've never tried to formally train my previous dogs. She was excellent with my puppy, Avon Barkdale, and my 8 year old who is the primary dog parent. She helped us to understand what we need to do to teach him commands  and how to stop him jumping all over guests. She showed up on time, wore a mask, and had all of the doggy essentials! She even knows people at a local pet shop, so when I mentioned her name, they easily helped me gather my own puppy swag bag. After three sessions, I couldn't be more pleased! Highly recommend!" Rhunda Cleveland (Avon Barkdale's mom), Skokie

"Sophie is awesome! We have a puppy and she gave us a list of what we need, came over to our backyard, and helped us with how to help our pup not play bite too much with our kiddos. Looking forward to more training when he gets bigger. Thank Sophie!" Jessica Bollhoefer (Hendrix's mom), Winnetka

Sophie the dog whisperer was amazing! She worked with our dog on socialization and training. I cannot say enough good things! She asked all the right questions and had clear and simple suggestions that were easy to implement and made a big difference. And, the best part is that all her training was grounded in positive and supportive techniques. She is great!" Liz Adames (Sally's mom), Evanston

Sophie is an amazing dog trainer. Our family suddenly became first time dog owners when my daughter brought her puppy home from New York to wait out the COVID pandemic. To say the puppy ran the household would not be an overstatement. After a few weeks we knew we needed help to break the bad habits she was developing. We found Sophie through the NextDoor app and after 2 sessions of teaching us her positive reinforcement  techniques we changed her behavior. She trained us as much as the puppy! Could not recommend her more highly!" Gisela Milani (Oshi's grand-mom), Glencoe

After reaching a point of near desperation with our new puppy we discovered Sophie via the NextDoor app where she came very highly recommended. Sophie responded the same day we reached out and we had an appointment within days. In just 2 sessions, Sophie has shared with us the habits and tools that have helped us understand how to get the best behavior from our pup. She has also connected us with other puppy owners so that we can socialize our dogs. This has been so valuable. We'll likely have another session or two with her down the road for some advanced guidance but even the two sessions we've had have been a game-changer for us." Olivia Kaplan (Penelope's mom), Wilmette

"Sophie is absolutely AMAZING! She conveniently came to my home for a few training sessions with my puppy, who was nearing the end of her "critical socialization period" (something Sophie teaches you about) and we had massive success! So grateful to have learned more about my pup from Sophie and train her to be the best she can be!! So far, So great :-)" Nicole Levin (Butter's mom), Winnetka

"I highly recommend Sophie. She works extremely well with all types of dogs. I have a black lab puppy who is extremely energetic and had an excessive biting habit. However, after about two weeks of working with Sophie and her techniques, my puppy started to calm down and I noticed a major decrease in her biting. Sophie uses all of your time to work with you and your dog. She always has a new trick to teach. Not only is she amazing with dogs and people, but she is the kindest and most hardworking trainer I have ever worked with. She has also grouped together owners who live near each other so their dogs are able to play together. When attending these doggy playdates, every owner I have talked to has nothing but wonderful input and comments on Sophie and her training. If you want a trainer who prioritizes your dog to become their fullest potential, make sure you use Sophie." Zoe Conlon (Olive's mom), Wilmette

"Sophie has worked with us / our new puppy Bernedoodle. She has been so great. Her depth of knowledge has really helped us in learning how to train our dog and little day to day things that have made a huge difference. She is a positive reinforcement trainer which was very important to us. There are not many others around the Northshore. She is very kind and has been so great. I definitely recommend Sophie!!" Sofia Konstantinou (Zeus' mom), Highland Park

"I have a 90lb non-puppy who is between 2-3 years old and is a horrible puller on a leash. Sophie rocked train him to be more easily walkable!!" Joy Schwartz (Beau's mom), Wilmette

"Sophie is fantastic!! We adopted a 4 yr old beagle who had been a research dog. Though very well taken care of, our dog had not lived in a home environment and was not house trained. On top of that, we brought him home on July 1st in the middle of the crazy fireworks week. Every time we took him outside to the yard, someone would shoot off fireworks and he was really scared. Sophie helped us get our guy comfortable with the yard. He's also learning how to do sit and stay and not jump. He's doing fantastic and we couldn't have done it without Sophie!!" Joy Borgardt (Abe's mom), Evanston

"Sophie worked wonders for my family's little puppy! As first time dog owners we had many questions and unknowns that Sophie happily walked us through. Additionally, her technique and methodology built up my puppy's confidence ultimately making him a happier and more obedient dog. Sophie is a great trainer and person. 5/5 would recommend."  Jordan Krawitz (Jax' dad), Highland Park

"Sophie is an amazing trainer! By using her positive reinforcement training techniques, my puppy has caught on to basic training skills extremely fast. Everyone is always so impressed by how social and well-behaved he is thanks to Sophie's training. Would highly recommend her!" AJ Merjan (Archie's mom), Glencoe

"We loved our dog (human) trainer! We had the best experience with Sophie! She worked magic with our rescue Nellie and her pup Pappy! She was so kind and patient with them and we saw instant results. My husband and daughters and I all understood how to follow through with consistent commands to ensure easy learning for the dogs. We cannot recommend her enough!! Thank you Sophie!!" Jen Truszkowski (Nellie's and Pappy's mom), Wilmette

Sophie is a great dog trainer! Really she trained us as much as she trained our dog! In only four sessions we learned how to keep our puppy from nipping, how to make sure she is gentle with children, how to keep her from lunging at the door when the doorbell rings, how to prevent her from digging in the couch cushions and how to handle her off-leash. Sophie suggested games and toys to challenge and entertain our dog. Our dog has more confidence and self control now and isn't as skittish around new people. Sophie is firm and fun, loving and sweet. She is all about positive reinforcement. She is extremely knowledgable and has so many great tips! Highly recommend! Charmaine Goldman (Phoebe's mom), Wilmette

"As first time puppy parents, Sophie was a wonderful resource. She helped us guide our puppy in a positive and impactful way, set up our home, change already formed bad habits, and connected us with several neighbors with puppies, I would highly recommend Sophie!" Jess Moskowitz (Polo's mom), Wilmette

"The first two weeks after our border collie puppy arrived were first full of joy, then of surprises, lastly of doubt whether we could ever handle it. In only three sessions, Sophie helped us to train with our dog while bonding with him. Highly recommend!" Patrick Fiegl (Theo's dad), Wilmette

"We have had a great experience working with Sophie! As new dog owners, she provided us with useful advice and guidance. She gave us info on puppy essentials to buy, how to deal with puppy nipping and kids, and connected us with other new puppies for socialization / play dates. Her training sessions are very productive, and we always come away feeling more confident. Sophie is a pleasure to work with and we highly recommend her training services!" Jacqui Hill (Daisy's mom), Wilmette

"Sophie is a wonderful trainer!!! She has been very, very useful with our new puppy teaching all the family how to play with him. We were sort of worried at the beginning because our puppy was showing some troublemaking behavior but as soon as we started training with Sophie he started to turn into a well trained pup." Alessio Lucchese (Scout's dad), Wilmette

"I highly recommend Sophie! We just got a puppy and Sophie helped guide us on how to best set up our home and provided us with the necessary training tools (in a very positive and fun manner) to help our puppy become a well behaved family member. She was also great in helping our puppy adjust to unfamiliar situations and sounds so she will be confident, appropriate and not fearful outside the home." Kristin Cless (Stormy's mom), Evanston

​

"We recently adopted a 2 yr old retriever mix named Cooper from a rescue place after losing a lab a few months back. It had been a while since we had to do training and knew we needed someone just to go over the basics. Sophie was fantastic. I was a bit leery about treat training but Sophie showed us many training techniques and the reasoning behind them and I saw how Cooper responded right away. We learned how important MAT training was to help keep Cooper from charging at the door when someone came. We are still working on it but he has been doing great. With our training session Sophie gave me an instruction training manual that has been very helpful and told me we could reach out to her at any time for any further questions or issues, which is very comforting. I was extremely impressed with Sophie; she is unbelievably talented and amazing at what she does! Thank you." Betty Swenson (Cooper's mom), Skokie

"Sophie is a wonderful trainer. She is very knowledgable and is a master at teaching dogs to listen. We are first time dog parents and were very stressed out with the new pup. Sophie helped us remain calm and in just 3-4 sessions we have a puppy that listens and does as she is told. Sophie gave us tools to train the dog and practice on our own with her to reinforce all that she taught us and the dog. I would highly recommend Sophie to anyone looking to train their dog in a positive, fun way." Shilpa Knigge (Storm's mom), Winnetka

"We brought Sophie in to train our then 10 week old Maltshi. Sophie leverages kindness and rewards when training. But let's face it, as it turned out it was more about training us on how to train and manage our pup.  So here's the other thing about Sophie; she is very ethical. Just like after you are used to having Sophie come over on a Sunday morning, she told us that we didn't need her anymore and that, when we feel we do need help, call; I don't think it about the money to Sophie. One more thing, Sophie goes beyond the call to duty; she will call or text you right back, wicked fast, should you have a question. Also she hooked up our pup with another so the two of them could have playdates that wear both puppies out, assuring our pup a good night's sleep. Last thing, Sophie does not judge. If you want your dog to be an inside lap dog, she will guide you down the correct path. And if you want your dog to be more like a regular outside dog, she will take you in that direction as well. Cannot say enough, if you are seeking a trainer, read these reviews about Sophie. If you are local to Winnetka/Glencoe, check the reviews on NextDoor's website and see their reviews regarding Sophie as well. I cannot believe you are still reading this. If you are seeking a dog trainer, click on the phone number and call her!" Brad Goldstein (Charlie's dad), Glencoe

"Sophie is fantastic. I'm too skittish to do in person meetings now, so she helped us via FaceTime. She gave us some great support for our new rescue dog, Phoebe. Highly recommend!" Sarah Buino (Phoebe's mom), Chicago

"Sophie worked with me and my girlfriend on our beautiful French Bulldog puppy Rhea. Rhea was just around 8 weeks when we started and you would've thought she had been trained already by the way she was responding to Sophie. Our first day Sophie came very prepared and had a great path of success for our pooch. We got through everything in just 3 weeks and Rhea is so well behaved it is unbelievable! If you have just got a new puppy or have a dog that needs a little help behaving, I would HIGHLY recommend Sophie! We will be coming back when we decide to get another pup!" Jonathan Karahalios (Rhea's dad), Glenview

"Sophie was so helpful with our 4 month old lab mix. She came for 3 sessions and we covered a lot of ground. I loved her positive reinforcement training. We are so happy with the results we are getting! She is clearly a dog whisperer." Rachel Lee (Charli's mom), Wilmette

"We were getting a dog and we knew nothing about how to take care of a dog. Luckily, my husband found Sophie by reading reviews. I didn't know what to expect of a dog trainer but I knew I was going to need one since I never had a dog growing up. Thank goodness Sophie entered our lives since she helped us start training our shepadoodle since day 1 and its been soooo worth it. Sure I can watch videos and read books on puppy training but Sophie's got a way of teaching you and your dog that is so enjoyable and rewarding for all. Honestly, I found that watching videos was not even close to what you get with Sophie as your dog trainer. Everything she teaches, she demonstrates it and then has you try it out in front of her so she can give you feedback.  By the second visit, it felt Sophie was doing magic tricks with our dog just with training lessons. She discusses when to reward/praise your dog. Sophie also provides you with a book of how to train your dog. With lots of practice and repetition, it now feels like we are doing magic tricks too! We have highly recommended Sophie to 2 other good friends who just got puppies as well." Smita Patel (Kashi's mom), Glenview

I highly recommend Sophie if you're looking for a dog trainer. Her positive reinforcement approach made teaching our pup fun for the humans and our dog! Her instructions were clear and easy to follow. We will certainly call her again should any issues pop up in the future." Cathy Barton (Bean's mom), Wilmette

"I have been working with Sophie for 5 weeks with our mini labradoodle. She is amazing. She helped us train him to be the best listener and interact well with our other dog. She showed me tools to use so he has less stress and anxiety in situations and to get him well adjusted to our home. I could not be more pleased with our choice of trainers." Eve Vogt (Chance and Charlie's mom), Deerfield

"Sophie was great to work with. Our dog made great improvements in just 2 sessions." Dylan Johnson (Staley's dad), Evanston

"I honestly can't write enough wonderful things about Sophie and her training methods. She uses positive reinforcement to train (the pup and us) and our Bella just took to it so well. Sophie also encourages puppy playdates and even goes so far as to set them up. She will even show up for the playdate and make sure the pups learn how to play well together. Today Sophie even took Bella on an adventure and taught her how to behave off-leash. The icing on the cake are the wonderful photos and videos she sends so we don't miss any of our girls first. Simply put, we would have been lost without her!" Melinda Boutsikakis (Bella's mom), Glenview

"Sophie is amazing with dogs and owners alike. She gave clear directions to pet/owner and made the process go really well. She is very calm and positive and the training really was stress free. My dog Mac loved her and I would highly recommend!" Denise Schneider (Mac's mom), Wilmette

"We met with Sophie in our home for our dog Augustus. He is an 8 year old Boston Rat Terrier who has severe anxiety and has become aggressive toward my partner over the last few months. She came in and assessed him quickly, was able to recommend products to help him and showed us a ton of techniques to help reduce his fear response and begin to become attached to my partner through treat training. She was also able to send a report to our vet to help us get fluoxetine to help lower Ausgustus' anxiety so that training would be more effective. She is full of resources and I highly recommend working with her." Chrissy Flynn (Augustus' mom), Chicago

"I am extremely grateful for Sophie! I am a first-time puppy owner and felt like a deer in headlights the first week I brought a new puppy home. A  friend referred Sophie to me and I am ever grateful. Sophie came over and completely educated me on the best setup in my home for most success. Her suggestions made my life SO much easier. She is extremely knowledgeable on what works best for the puppy from chew toys to yummy distractions for brushing him etc.. I learned so much on puppy care. Most of all, Sophie knows her training, and was very effective in training my puppy. Thanks to Sophie, my puppy knows his name, will stay and come on cue, and is completely potty trained. Sophie also identified that he might have a tick, and sure enough he did. If Sophie hadn't seen it, I would have been clueless. Thanks to her, I got the tick off before it could do harm. Sophie has introduced my Apollo to other dogs close by for playdates and socialization also. My Apollo loves Sophie and gets excited just hearing her voice around the corner. I highly recommend Sophie as a very knowledgeable, effective and loving trainer for your dog! She is a great dog photographer too!" Stacy Vasilatos (Apollo's mom), Glenview

"Right from the second we met Sophie, it was clear that she's got an amazing way not only with dogs but with their humans as well. Her knowledge is incredibly extensive and detailed and she's so supportive. We rescued our 2 year old Australian Cattle dog mix, a breed that's known to be really clever and need a lot of mental stimulation and I'm so glad we found her! She is so astute at reading your dog's (and your) demeanor and body language and tailoring her training to those cues. Though we've only had two sessions with her, she's already helped create a bond between our pup and our family. I highly recommend working with Sophie whether it's basic training or for targeted issues like barking, anxiety, jumping, etc. She has worked and seen it all!" Kim Yen (Dundee's mom), Northbrook

"We have a 3 month old puppy and we were really struggling with his constant biting. We are first time dog owners and needed help. We decided to bring someone into our home so our whole family could be involved. After out first session with Sophie, we saw immediate results. She helped our whole family learn new ways to deter bad (biting) behaviors and turn it into a fun, positive training opportunity. It was truly amazing how quickly we all learned to refocus his energy. I would highly recommend Sophie to all dog owners." Michelle Calkins (James' mom), Chicago

​

"Sophie came to the rescue when we adopted a new puppy. Now everyone is impressed with how well behaved he is!" Janice N (Benny's mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie is great! She is very knowledgeable and great with dogs. I really love that she is a no-fear, no-force trainer! My dog took to her right away (and she doesn't like strangers). Sophie gave me a lot of good tricks and tips on how to work with my dog to overcome some of her issues. She also provided a bunch of links for toys and treats to use during training. Highly recommend!" Lauren Potempa (Rin's mom), Deerfield

​

"Sophie is a great trainer of Diabetic Alert Service dogs. Sophie has worked 1 year training my pup, Ellie. She also works at teaching me to be the best dog handler I can be! She has taught both Ellie and I the beginning process in starting a strong foundation for continued training once the puppy arrives home to continued training like scent work, obedience, and training in public settings like airports and towns. I always say my Ellie is "hand made by God, Cared for by others". Sophie is a critical part of the life of my Service Dog and she provides a very high quality service to the community." Shirley Zeigler (Ellie's mom), Wheaton

​

"Sophie completed two training sessions so far for my rescue dog, Louie. My husband and I are extremely impressed with her limitless canine knowledge, fun and easy-going personality, and helpfulness with all of our questions. In addition to the invaluable training knowledge we have gained, she provided us with a packet including explicit training ideas and resources. We would recommend Sophie to anyone who wants assistance training their dog!" Robyn White (Louie's mom), Vernon Hills

"Lovely trainer! Sophie is helping me train my mobility service dog." Britt Miller (Bernie's mom), Chicago

​

"Sophie impressed me from the second my dog met her. He has never been so calm around someone new! She was honest with us and I appreciate that immensely. She had lots of great ideas and catered to my dog's needs unlike other trainers who seem to do the same for every dog (not every dog is the same!). Highly recommend her for a positive reinforcement trainer." Cailyn Flynn (Kobe's mom), Evanston

​

"Sophie is an absolute gem! She is a pleasure to work with, clearly loves dogs and added value to our lives from day one. After our first session we saw improvement in the behavior of our pups and we learned skills and tricks that we could apply immediately. She definitely helped us be better dog parents. On top of it, she is just cool!" Tais Gusmao, (Sasha's and Zoe's mom), Highland Park

​

"We worked with Sophie on basic training for our beagle puppy, and Sophie was amazing. She worked so well with our pup, using positive reinforcement and did a great job teaching us tools in even one session. She was so generous with her time, and offered advice by text and phone when needed and without hesitation, Sophie has a wonderfully positive approach to training that sets a perfect tone for the development of a balanced, well socialized, and happy pup! Could not recommend her more highly!" Molly Lush (Lola's mom), Evanston

​

"Sophie is really awesome and so easy to work with and I am very comfortable with her approach. She is friendly, calm and uses positive reinforcement training. Tucker (puppy) trusts her from the very beginning and we can see great changes in his behavior daily." Kasia Garzel (Tucker's nanny), Wilmette

​

"Sophie's in-home dog training is great! Our Newfoundland took to her immediately." Joshua Nichols, Coco's dad, Park Ridge

​

"Sophie is such an amazing resource! She taught us tons about our dog and he loved her right away. She had a lot of tips, tricks, toys, ideas etc. that I never knew about and definitely made our lives easier! Thank you!" Shannon Richardson (Fenway's mom), Wilmette

​

"I highly recommend Sophie. She has a wonderful approach to training. We have learned so much from her." Karen Tobey  (Bella's mom), Wilmette

​

"We had an excellent experience  with Sophie. She helped us get off to a good start with our adopted shelter puppy. Over the course of three sessions, she taught us the fundamentals of encouraging good behavior and obedience from our puppy through interactive training activities that addressed basic commands (sit, stay, etc.) and good manners (not charging the door when doorbell rings, keeping the dog from barking/jumping during family meals). All the training is reward based, which helped reduce anxiety and aggression in our puppy. Sophie provided practical advice that works, but also positively impacted our bond/relationship with the puppy. We highly recommend her." Gina LaMonica (Holly's mom), Park Ridge

"I highly

"Sophie has come for two lessons so far with our rescue dog. She's been fantastic and works with our whole family, including our two younger boys. She is also extremely helpful via text as needed. Her methods really work and are easy to practice on our own. Our young, exuberant dog is doing a great job with greeting company at the door and is much better at walking without pulling. He is also learning "leave it" and "here". We love working with Sophie and look forward to more future sessions as needed." Betsy Campbell (Moose's mom), Glencoe

​

"Sophie is a natural with dogs! She truly loves them. She worked wonders with my previously described "hard to train" lab. She is also conscientious and dedicated to her craft." Anne McKiernan (Jarvis' mom), Evanston

​

"Sophie is one of a kind and the first call you should make after getting a dog. Our mischievous 5 month old Aussie was selectively responsive to commands. In one visit, Sophie had him patiently waiting on a mat when the doorbell rang and guests entered. And more importantly, she trained the whole family how to be more effective with him in general. She also provided written detailed instructions so we could work on our own. In addition she was able to recommend many products that have made my pup healthier and happier. She's a lovely, warm person who clearly takes great joy in her job. My dog absolutely loves her." Keryl Klemm (Cooper's mom), Glenview

​

"After our puppy returned from a two-week doogy-boot-camp (with a different trainer) we were still having problems with his behavior. Problems ranged from slight aggression to pulling on walks. I was desperate for help and I found Sophie through reviews on NextDoor. From the moment Sophie walked in our front door, I knew she was the solution to our problems. She helped me modify my puppy's behavior with kindness and positive reinforcement. Plus I had fun doing it!" Erin Schael (Vinny's mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie was lovely to work with. My pup quickly picked up on her clicker / treat method and it has worked really well for us." Jessica Plopper (Bailey's mom), Glenview

​

"Sophie is truly a dog whisperer and her love for dogs comes through the moment you meet her. We rescued our nine month golden doodle and outside of being house broken, this puppy needed lots of training. Sophie is highly experienced, extremely patient, professional, calm and understanding. She came to our house several times and was just absolutely excellent in behavioral training. Our puppy responded VERY well to Sophie's training. She gave us her training technique booklet that she created which has been so resourceful with excellent training instructions. I would highly recommend Sophie for dog training and she's a really cool person as well. My dog and I love working with Sophie!!" Lori Ruskin (Boyd's mom), Deerfield

​

"Sophie helped us with our new puppy. She is extremely knowledgeable and very helpful. She was readily available for quick questions via text or call, also follows up and checks back in. Highly recommend Sophie and NorthShore Canine Academy!" Liz Desmond (Bo's mom), Winnetka

​

"I just want to recommend Sophie. She is helping us train our younger dog as he's become aggressive the last year. She's a lovely person and our little guy is already quite a bit better. She recommended medication, and as soon as we got him on Trazedone, half of his behavior problems stopped. Now we're working on the remaining half with a "no fear" approach. It is the "When people come over, good things happen" methodology." Kathryn Born (Echo and Penny's mom), Skokie

​

We have loved working with Sophie! We chose to do training inside our home in order to tailor the training to our specific needs. We feel confident that she has given us the tools necessary to train our puppy. We now have many ways to practice the new skills, an added bonus that they are fun for both us and our pup!" Becky Brantman (Penny's mom), Glenview

​

"When we adopted our rescue, our family's first dog, Sophie helped train us as much as the dog. The result was a great foundation for our pet ownership. Highly recommend!" Jeremy Mullman (Stella's dad), Wilmette

​

"We used Sophie and we couldn't be happier!! She taught us SO much about our dog. Harley's, behavior. She also showed us some exercises to do with him to regain his trust after a previous trainer had ruined it. Sophie went above and beyond for us and we highly recommend her!!" Michele Valanta (Harley's mom), Des Plaines

​

"Sophie is wonderful!! We adopted our little pup, Nola, with her help, and happily hired her for some private training sessions. She is reliable, empathetic, attuned to the pup and us owners, and we learned so much! We are so grateful for her and will recommend her always and continue to think of her for all our training needs." Amy and Tim Kelly (Nola's mom and dad), Chicago

​

"I just wanted to share about a great experience I had with Sophie. She helped us train our new dog, Dart, to not run and jump on visitors at our door. Now, all we have to do is lay out the yoga mat when someone is at the door, and Dart will go and sit on it and know he will get a high-value treat if he stays there. Sophie trained Dart very quickly. We had her over to our house twice and that's it. She also helped us correct his counter-surfing habits. At the end of the first visit, she even had Dart waiting to eat a treat on his paw until she said it was okay. The commands and methods she taught us were simple and easy to keep up with after the lessons. Highly recommend her!" Gail Horvath (Dart's mom), Evanston

​

"I recommend Sophie! We just adopted a Great Dane (more like a horse) who was nervous around people (among other things, like opening doors) and she helped me with getting her to behave! She has also been super responsive in answering all of my phone calls and questions about the dog!" Mari Gottlieb (Hades' mom), Winnetka

​

"Sophie is great with dogs and does reward based training....she does a lot of work with rescue doggies." Nikki Montero (Coco's mom), Kenilworth

​

"We hired Sophie for private training lessons when we got our Labrador (11 months old at the time). We wanted to try private lessons so we could have more effective one-on-one training instead of the group lessons we had done with our first Lab. We found Sophie and couldn't be more pleased. Sophie is a remarkable trainer. All of her methods are based on positive reinforcement which makes the process enjoyable and effective. The results were literally immediate. It's pretty amazing to see her work with our dog and witness how effective she is. It's also incredibly helpful to have the training specific to your own home. You simply can't get that through group training. We also appreciated that she had written training materials / homework we could refer to when practicing outside of the sessions. Made things so much easier for us. Sophie was a joy to work with. We highly recommend!" Tyler Knudsvig (Charlie's dad), Glencoe

​

"Punctual, professional, and passionate - Sophie is really wonderful at what she does! She connected with our family and pup right away. Not only does she work with the pup but she gave us tips and hands on experience to train. Don't hesitate, these sessions are totally a game changer and worth it!!" Alice Kim (Bori's mom), Glenview

​

"Sophie came to help us with our cutest, little, rescue dog. Sophie is the sweetest, most caring, lovely lady. She really strives to understand what motivates Tinkee to behave in certain ways. She has worked with Tinkee to choose calmness over anxiety and showed us ways to build up Tinkee's confidence and optimism so that she is a happier and more relaxed dog. Since our session, she has continued to frequently check in with us and always responds swiftly to any questions we have. In addition, she has given us fantastic tips so we can keep Tinkee mentally stimulated and she often sends us extremely informative and useful articles which we love reading. David, Tinkee and I highly recommend Sophie!" Judy Miller (Tinkee's mom), Highland Park

​

"Sophie immediately connected with our 8 week old puppy who began to respond in our first session. She was also great connecting me with other dog owners for puppy play dates to help with socialization. I would recommend Sophie to anyone looking to train their dog." Jinjer Brody Grant (Lexi's mom), Highland Park

​

"Just a great trainer and genuine and kind personality. Sophie immediately bonded with our puppy and needed just two sessions to help train both her and us! The kids are already better with her and our pup is better with them. Sophie provided simple tips and quick training activities that help you keep from scolding your dog and focus on reinforcing the good behavior. We hesitated to spend on individual training, but so happy we decided to do it. Could not more fully and heartily endorse her." Sahadev Sharma (Mack's dad), Evanston

"Sophie was an absolute pleasure to work with. The dogs took to her immediately, and she figured out what the problem was very quickly. She suggested different methods to help get rid of our older dog's fear of the puppy and suggested ways to distract our puppy so she wasn't constantly bothering our older dog. They're getting along a lot better right now! She followed up a couple of times, and my family and I genuinely appreciated how invested she was in helping us. Highly recommend her to anyone who needs a dog trainer!" Michelle Kwon (Berri's and Tori's mom), Glenview

"Sophie's positive and kind style worked well for both my puppy and me. She provided me with a helpful booklet, and was always available to answer questions. She also found our pup some good playmates to help get her socialized." Ruth Richman (Orly's mom), Evanston

​

"Sophie was extremely knowledgeable and patient  with our family of six helping us train our new puppy. It was remarkable how quickly Sophie understood our dog and could develop a plan and teach us how to follow that plan. We now have a very well behaved happy dog. Thank you Sophie." Ned Smith (Tessa's dad), Wilmette

​

"Sophie was lovely and patient with our puppy who had a cast on his leg for over a month. During that time, Sophie came over to our home and taught him how to sit, stay, down and wait. All within the first session! She is the dog whisperer!" Robin Mitzen (Tosh' mom), Highland Park

​

"Sophie was excellent to work with and did wonders with our 3 month old puppy. After only 2 sessions we noticed really positive changes with her behavior which has been sustained after the sessions. Sophie's positive reinforcement / reward based training is definitely the route to go." Gordy Sofyanos (Bea's dad), Wilmette

​

"Our family highly recommends Sophie as a dog trainer. From the moment we met Sophie she was friendly, smart, excellent trainer, patient and so comfortable to be around. Our 12 week puppy as well as our 5 year old dog loved Sophie. She helped us all with the training of both dogs. We can't say enough positive things about Sophie." Marla London (Biscuit's & Oreo's mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie did a great job teaching us how to train our puppy. Has a wealth of knowledge to draw from. She also made the training sessions fun for children." Gregg Levy (Dash's dad), Evanston

​

"What a great resource! Our Amstaff was having anxiety problems and we contacted NorthShore Canine Academy for guidance. Sophie came to our house, observed our dog, and guided us through several methods to address his behavior. We saw improvement almost immediately! Even after her visit, Sophie checked in to see how training was going and offered more tips. Can't sing their praises enough!" Preston Cropp (Nemo's dad), Evanston

​

"We had a great experience with Sophie! Given my crazy work hours, I couldn't commit to a regular weekly group training session - I really appreciated that Sophie could come to our home for private lessons. She is lovely to work with - kind, friendly, and efficient. After a few sessions with her, we are better equipped to provide Gus the dog with training and feedback that help him to be well behaved in our home and when out with other people and dogs. We'd happily recommend Sophie to anyone else looking for puppy training!" Maggie & Todd Searle (Gus' mom and dad), Winnetka

​

"Sophie was great with our new puppy. She quickly learned all the tasks we worked on. She was a wealth of knowledge on dogs and our puppy loved her." Erica Cordier (Penny's mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie is a highly skilled, insightful, intuitive dog trainer. We have a very strong-willed, bossy 3 year old Australian shepherd that thinks she is human and smarter than us. With past dogs, we had been successful in training them ourselves, but this one has been much more challenging. In just 3 sessions, our dog's behavior completely changed and is much more manageable. Sophie's approach is all reward based; no inflicted pain, shouting, or shaming. She obviously cares deeply for animals. Additionally, she leaves you with helpful hints and tools, so that you can continue to practice what you've learned. And, she is a delightful person and fun to be around. I highly recommend her!" Tory Day (Mila's mom), Wilmette

"We have had the pleasure of working with Sophie over the last month and would highly recommend her. She is patient, calm, thorough and fun. We have 2 labs, a pup and an 8 year old. We first addressed my issues - pulling on the leash, going crazy when the doorbell rings, jumping up on people. I had specific things to practice between sessions, clear directions and Sophie gives you a very comprehensive booklet that covers almost everything. The dogs love working with Sophie and so do I. She has an impressive list of credentials, but I think her secret is she speaks dog. Nobody does it better." Cathy Kennedy (Emma and Finn's mom), Northfield

​

"Sophie has been a great source for this anxious dog owner. Her sound confident advice has had a great effect on both owner and puppy. Sophie takes time to keep the training fun and always has a common sense way to approach any concern we might have." Mollie Franke (Felix's mom), Wilmette

"Sophie was an amazing and calming trainer for our anxious puppy Wilbur. She gave us amazing tips and strategies for reducing Wilbur's anxiety around people. Sophie's manual that you are given has many types of methods for training any behavior with your dog. I highly recommend her." Monica Thompson (Wilbur's mom), Wilmette

"Sophie came highly recommended from friends and we are so glad we found her. As first time dog owners, we weren't even sure where to start. She came with practical advice as well as training activities that everyone in the family could practice with our new pup. After working with her for just a few sessions, we are well on our way to having a successful and rewarding relationship with our dog. I also really appreciated how she was able to facilitate us meeting other new pups - she really cares about making sure your dog develops life long skills!" Rozi Bhimani (Nik's mom), Evanston

​

"Sophie really understands the mind of a dog. She and our puppy connected immediately and many of the suggestions that Sophie made to get her to "react" to us were great. Sophie also gave us printed material to read about training our puppy; all very useful information. Sophie is very kind and very knowledgeable. One of her suggestions, using a whistle with a certain frequency, was very helpful!" Lesley Tokar (Meg's mom), Highland Park

​

"Sophie is an amazing dog trainer! She is incredibly fun, kind and easygoing, and in just three training sessions she taught me and my dog so much. Sophie is a firm trainer but also very loving and sweet to the dogs (and owners)! She also recommended so many great products that have already proven to be helpful and fun for my dog. If you're looking for personal and fun, yet effective dog training, look no further!" Bea McManus (Fred's mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie has been wonderful to work with and helped us get everything set up for our puppy prior to her arrival. We met at the pet store for the first time to get ready and obtained her very helpful training manual. Sophie has been great to communicate with, always on time, available and very responsive via email, text and phone. Our puppy, the kids and us enjoyed our training sessions and learned a lot using positive reinforcement. In addition, Sophie was so kind in getting a group of us together for puppy play dates which has been fantastic for socialization. We would recommend Sophie highly to anyone looking for a great and fun dog trainer." Katia Casademunt Berry (Stella's mom), Glencoe

​

"Sophie is an incredible trainer. She really helped our family understand how to prepare for our puppy, giving realistic and helpful advice to get the house ready and then helping us get a strong base of training. She even helped us connect with other puppy owners to do puppy playdates! She is patient, knowledgable, kind and thoughtful. We recommend her without reservation." Gwyn Volk (Bella's mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie is great! From the minute she walked in the door she connected with my pups! She was so patient with our dogs as well as our family in our efforts to learn. She is so knowledgeable and has great resources. She makes everything look so easy. I would definitely recommend her to anyone looking for a trainer whether you need a lot of help or even just one session to get educated on the basics." Lauren Grossman (Bella's and Tito's mom)

"5 stars aren't enough! Sophie came over to meet our Kaia last week and within an hour we learned so much from her! Sophie is very gentle and I have applied all that I learned in just one hour over the course of the last week! Our lives are forever changed! You will not be disappointed." Vicki Karkalis (Kaia's mom)

​

"Sophie was very patient and wonderful with our puppy. I highly recommend Sophie!" Marci Greenspon (Charlie's mom), Deerfield

​

"Sophie was very patient as she helped our entire family learn how to train our new puppy. She was very knowledgeable and had so many great tips. She showed each of my kids how to correctly work with our puppy too. I appreciated being able to text or call Sophie when I had questions and she was very responsive. She was always exactly on time for our sessions. She was very calm and provided a lot of positive energy as she taught us how to gently train our puppy. Our puppy loved her and so did we!" Karen Fronk (Percy's mom), Wilmette

​

"I highly recommend Sophie for dog training. She's amazing and her training tactics are super effective. Our 5 month old puppy (Kona) gets repeated compliments from everyone he meets on how well behaved he is. She was instrumental in taking many of the growing pains out of puppy ownership - a huge help and the most effective trainer we've come across. She not only helps with basic training but is an expert at training on more complex tasks and behavior modification." Jolie Petrine (Kona's mom), Evanston

"My dog enjoyed the training session with Sophie and felt very comfortable with her gentle yet effective methods. He was reacting to people putting his leash on and Sophie was very helpful in evaluating him and coming up with ways to get him more comfortable and less nervous." Rami Eldam (Tyson's dad), Evanston

"Sophie helped us get our three year old settled in after adoption and with some much needed training. Highly recommend her. We noticed a difference after one session." D.J. Alwattar (Lucia's dad), Wilmette

"My wife and I have absolutely loved working with Sophie. She gives us tangible things to wok on between each session while setting expectations for what to do when our puppy fails and succeeds in the activities. She is all about setting up an environment that allows our dog to be successful and builds up from a solid foundation. We've already seen progress in her behavior and are excited to continue working with her. Cannot recommend Sophie more!" Bo Swindell (Maisy's dad), Evanston

​

"Sophie was a lifesaver when we gout our new puppy, Barrett. It had been a long time since we had a puppy in the family, and before we even had her out she was available to answer all of my miscellaneous questions! When she came over to work with us, she used only positive reinforcement to show us some tips and tricks to use. I was worried about judgement since we have two small children and a new puppy, but instead she gave us info on how to make this situation work best for all of us. Barrett is doing fantastic and seems genuinely happy to listen to us. I would absolutely recommend Sophie." Brittanie Goldsmith (Barrett's mom), Highland Park

"Sophie is the best trainer we have used. She helped our golden retriever get comfortable walking near busy streets. She also trained her to jump in and out of our car - something she would not do for us. I highly recommend Sophie!!" Nancy McKeever (Nellie's mom), Winnetka

"I couldn't be happier with the help Sophie gave me with my 2 dogs. Our 3 year old Wheaton Terrier and 1 year old Havanese wouldn't stop barking, and she helped come up with creative ways to control this. We put a foggy adhesive window film up to block their viewing, and got many tips on how to keep my dogs happier. Our house is quieter and calmer thanks to NorthShore Canine Academy. I highly recommend Sophie!" Peggy Cook (Lucy's and Zeus' mom), Wilmette

Sophie came to help us with our Golden Retriever who was very nervous about car rides and would refuse to get in the car. Sophie worked on changing Zoe's emotional response to the car using desensitizing and counter-conditioning techniques and a lot of high value food! Zoe now willingly jumps in the car and enjoys being on the road resulting in happy kids, happy dog and happy me! In addition to this we also worked on Zoe's manners at the door. Sophie always makes herself available and checks in frequently to see how Zoe is doing. Zoe and I highly recommend her!" Danielle Rubin (Zoe's mom), Wilmette

​

"After just one training session with Sophie, our two older dogs (9 and 5), were well on their way to learning to go to their mat calmly when the doorbell rings or someone knocks at the door, rather than barking uncontrollably and not letting visitors in. She also trained us in how to train them! We are so grateful for her advice. She also gave us very helpful advice on how to reduce their reactive behavior around other dogs while on walks. Definitely recommend!" Jill Oldham (Chester's and Cassie's mom), Deerfield

"Sophie is an amazing dog trainer and has helped Oscar learn to not be afraid of other dogs, resulting from his traumatic stray days before adoption. She is great both with dogs and their owners and has our highest recommendation." Amy Wagner (Oscar's mom), Evanston

​

"I highly recommend Sophie for dog training. Sophie has a good understanding of dog behavior and quickly sizes up problem situations. Her techniques are positive and fun for dog and human family members and can be applied flexibly as the dog learns. She is kind and engaging. Her follow-up is appreciated." Norma Zuckerman (Mickey's mom), Skokie

​

"Sophie was such a big help with our new rescue dog. She has taught us a great foundation that we can continue to build on and our dog has improved so much with just a few lessons. Our dog gets so excited every time she comes over!" Carrie Fowler (Knuckles' mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie is amazing! We highly recommend her!" Mary McKey (Chicken Nugget's grandma), Winnetka

​

"Sophie came to our house for 3 hour-long training sessions to help us with our dear little maniac rescue, Louie. We can't begin to explain how quickly he picked up Sophie's directions and how much we learned from her (especially about all of the things we were doing wrong!). We made sure our kids were home for each session so that we could all see firsthand what to do and not do. Sophie uses only positive reinforcement, no aggressive measures and Louie is bonkers for her. If you need a dog trainer, give Sophie a ring. You won't regret it." Diane Cotton Caplan (Louie's mom), Glenview

​

"Sophie is such a pleasure to work with when training my new puppy, Duffy. I reached out to her specifically because she teaches using positive reinforcement techniques. While it was hard to wrap my head around how successful that could be, I wanted to give it my best shot first. Before bringing the pup home, Sophie had come over to give me a primer on puppies. She advised on how to set up the household for the dog to succeed, talked through some things, and provided a well curated list of supplies to have on hand - even ensuring the local pet store had them in stock. It had been a significant amount of time since having a puppy, and this one meeting helped to ease what could otherwise have been a crazy week. Armed with all that good prep work, I still had moments when I was frantic, the dog was frantic, and I called Sophie for help. She was responsive, understanding, kind and had just the right advice to get us through it. The dust settles and we were ready for training. Sophie provided a neat packet with a clear description of the command, its purpose, why it matters, and how to break it down step-by-step. It was a lot that second visit, and what seemed so easy for her, I had doubts that I would be able to replicate it with the same success. That's where her guidebook fit in. We began a daily routine of working on a skill. It's all fun and games and treats for the dog, so in addition to learning and practicing commands, it was also relationship building. While it can seem that he is performing solely for treats, we've had some real world tests that proved he trusts me, and will obey, even when the stakes are high (like that rotted fish carcass, or coming to me off leash in spite of the gulls taunting him). This is literally after 3 weeks of training. We've got more work to do, but I'm absolutely convinced that reward based, positive reinforcement works. I can't recommend NorthShore Canine Academy enough!" Dominique Allman Papa (Duffy's mom), Evanston

"We love Sophie! We have had one session and it has made a huge difference. She helped train myself and my kids so we can all know how to teach our puppy. Love her!" Linda Cline (Dale's mom), Lincolnwood

​

"Sophie is the absolute best! Sweetest person and amazing trainer. We have a rescue puppy who needed some help with basic training and within minutes Sophie had him on mat to learn commands and follow through. I highly recommend Sophie. She is a trainer who we will have visit our home periodically for fine tuning behavior and skills and my dog loves her just as much as we do!" Sharyl Fishbein (Rex's mom), Riverwoods

​

"I have a 10 year old very stubborn but adorable cavapoo who (was) the world's worst dinner-beggar! After just one session, Sophie has helped me work with him and get him to lay on his bed in the kitchen while we eat!! We're working on some other things too, and her calm demeanor and sweet British accent have been amazing for a much more pleasant dinner time in our house!!" Riva Lipman (Buster's mom), Highland Park

​

"We just completed our first training session with our new golden retriever puppy. The trainer, Sophie, was wonderful! We've had puppies before but not for a long while and we needed a refresher on puppy training basics. Sophie took us and Mr. Pup through the basics of what we need to do about house breaking, feeding, counter surfing and other necessary behavior training using positive reinforcement techniques. It was absolutely amazing what she was able to get the pup to do so quickly and willingly. We would highly recommend Sophie and her company to anyone who needs help with dog training." Bob Dinwoodie (Watson's dad), Glenview

"Sophie was amazing!!! Knowledgable, helpful.....endless list. Simply stated, highly recommend." Maria Hubbard (Berlin's mom), Wilmette

​

"Sophie absolutely loves the dogs she trains and it shows in how our puppy (a Goldendoodle) has responded. Our puppy looks forward to her sessions with Sophie and the improvement we've seen is phenomenal! We would recommend Sophie wholeheartedly". John Lenhard (Gracie's dad), Wilmette

​

"We hired NorthShore Canine Academy to help us with our 4 month old puppy, an Australian Labradoodle. Sophie brought an entire guide on the first day and patiently went through the behaviors we wanted to modify. A big issue was our puppy not letting us know when she had to go outside to go to the bathroom. Sophie shared a few tips on how to help, and after the first session our dog was ringing a bell to notify us. For the third session, I had my kids join in. Sophie helped them learn how to train our dog, which was incredibly beneficial. I definitely recommend her services!" Cheryl Leahy (Ginger's mom), Wilmette

​

Sophie came to help us train our 2 Australian labradoodles (age 5 and 6) who were lacking in house manners - jumping on people and stealing food. I consulted with other trainers who suggested I use a prong collar to correct their bad behavior but I was not willing to do this. My dogs are a bit skittish and I did not want to make them more fearful by using something that would hurt them. I continued my search for a dog trainer and I was lucky enough to find Sophie. She spoke at length with me on the phone and said she could show us how to get desired behavior through rewards and how we did not need to use any aversive equipment. We have seen amazing results - my dogs greet people while sitting and staying on a mat and they no longer steal food. They also seem much more confident and less nervous. I love this method of training because it's extremely effective, it's fun and most importantly I know my dogs love it too. Further to the in-house training, Sophie also left us a training packet so we did not need to take notes. She also makes herself available to answer any additional questions we have outside of the session and returns calls very quickly. She is an extremely knowledgeable, patient, and warm person and clearly loves dogs!" Shanna Wolff Batt (Ace and Jack's mom), Bannockburn