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David Adams

Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

Ali Evanson

Dog trainer in Chicago

#19 in United States, #2 in Illinois, #2 in Chicago

United States

Chicago

https://www.igotthissit.com

Service areas:

Huntley, IL

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Ali is a graduate of The Karen Pryor Academy, earning her Karen Pryor Certified Training Partner title (KPA CTP). She is a certified dog behavior consultant (CDBC) and a certified family dog mediator (FDM). Ali continues her education and professional growth by attending several seminars each year. She makes every effort to provide her clients the individual training solutions their dog needs.

When not helping clients, Ali enjoys time with her own companions - especially being in the water with her Pitties! She grew up riding horses and working with the family dogs when her parents would let her. She also had cats, rabbits, bearded dragons, mice, hamsters, and a ferret growing up - whatever her parents told her she couldn't bring in the house, she did! Now her menagerie is a bit smaller with three dogs, two ferrets, and a horse.

Certifications:

CDBC, FDM, KPA CTP, CTDI

Dog training services include

  • Deaf dog training
  • Reactive dog training
  • Board and train
  • Puppy training

More info about Ali Evanson's dog training:

We offer board and train primarily but also have behavioral boarding and some classes. We currently run reactive dog class but will be launching cooperative care classes soon. We work with all types of behavior from puppies and adult dogs needing to learn obedience to more specific behavior modification like reactivity. The only thing we specifically avoid is dogs with Separation Anxiety because a boarding place is not the place to work on that.

Behavioral issue focus:

Reactivity is the most common we see but we do work with dogs with aggression as well. Handling sensitivities is something we see a lot of too. Most dogs who we see have a level of anxiety and we team with veterinary behaviorists to help with the more severe cases.

Dog training methods:

We first begin with an info sheet which has a lot of specific questions on it related to what the owners are seeing from their dogs which helps tell us which program would fit best for them as well as if they're right for our board and train program. We then get them on the books for their stay and set up an initial consult which is done at my training center. This lets me meet the dog and determine if they will likely be successful in our program. They would then begin their program which is usually 2-3 weeks long. We use all positive reinforcement methods and believe in treating dogs kindly. When they check in we let them decompress and work on basic behaviors and anything we think they should learn to be successful at their bigger goals. If they're working on reactivity we will systematically work with one of my neutral dogs to counter condition and desensitize before we begin working out in the real world. A follow up consult is included when you pick up your dog from their stay. We offer continuing education that can be added on to each package which can be done in home, virtually or at my training center.

Why I became a dog trainer:

When I was growing up I had always wanted a dog of my very own to teach lots of tricks to but was never allowed. The second I bought my first house I adopted my first dog, Sasha. I got heavily involved in the rescue world and began fostering only a couple months after Sasha came home. I fostered some easy cases and then more difficult dogs. I learned all I could to try and help these dogs as best as I possibly could. I didn't become a trainer until I adopted my second dog, Chunk. Chunk was an easy puppy but developed some severe behavior issues as an adolescent. I started learned how to help her and that is how I became interested in becoming a dog trainer to help more dogs like her. I realized how much I had helped my own dog and wanted to share that with other people and dogs who were struggling. I became certified through the Karen Pryor Academy and have been doing this professionally ever since.

My favorite part of being a dog trainer:

I love being able to help owners understand their pets more thoroughly and to give them the skills and knowledge to help their struggling companions.

My #1 dog training tip:

Don't underestimate the value of reinforcing what seems like nothing in the early days. Your dog is laying on the ground calmly, treat that! Your dog checks in with you(especially without jumping), treat that! Find opportunities to reinforce your dog so they WANT to repeat those behaviors over and over.

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Aug 7, 2026

Dog Trainers

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