Chicago's Creative & Compassionate Dog Trainer: Venus and Mars K9
Basic to off-leash training
Fear, aggression, and anxiety rehabilitation
Leash reactivity solutions
Dog sports and competition skills
Tricks and freestyle doggy dance
Cori is a certified professional dog trainer with a passion for teaching dogs and their humans - with experience from the unique circumstance of pets in the city to working and sport dog training.
What does being creative and compassionate have to do with dog training?
Many dog training businesses operate the same way: standard programs and big packages indiscriminately marketed to everyone. Dogs are taught the same skills with the same tools and techniques regardless of their breed, background, and personality. And humans are expected to understand everything without asking too many questions.
Venus and Mars K9 is the exact opposite of this drab and dreary picture. Over a decade of full-time professional training and behavior consulting experience allows Trainer Cori to customize coaching individually for each client – maximizing practicality, efficiency, and success. Focusing on the relationship between dog and human keeps training sessions feeling good, and mastering problem behavior faster means that we have more time to focus on the “fun stuff” like socializing in outdoor group classes and advanced tricks. After all, the main goal is to enjoy life to the fullest with your dog!
If you have questions, check out the FAQ page or contact us.
The Chicago Dog Training Problem: Distractions, Over-stimulation, and Nowhere to Tire Them Out
You’ve been watching training tutorials online, but these people just don’t get it: You live in Chicago, and as soon as you step outside, you and your dog encounter a parade of distractions in a matter of seconds! You need your dog to walk on a loose leash on narrow sidewalks as you pass city buses, bicycles, skateboards, baby strollers, crowds of people, barking dogs behind fences, and more. Solving behavior problems like leash reactivity, or even simply working on basic obedience in public, requires special training tools in the busy city.
Dog training can allow your dog to safely become an “everywhere dog” who enjoys off-leash freedom on nature trails, walks politely with a loose leash through the Logan Square Farmer’s Market, and settles calmly on restaurant patios – even if other dogs or people are trying to greet them.
Leash Reactivity Resolved in a Single Consultation
A friend of mine recommended I have a consult with Cori when my then 5 month old GSP puppy started having some leash reactivity towards other dogs. I was a bit hesitant as it would be a remote consult, but my friend spoke so highly of them I knew I needed to give them a try! Cori gave me some really helpful insights and training exercises to overcome this hurdle with my puppy, responded to my updates and overall provide great knowledge and encouragement in our training journey. My pup now regularly successfully passes dogs without losing his marbles (!!).
- Annie & Levi
A Newfoundland Titles in AKC Tricks and Rally
I have been working with Cori for a little over a year now. Due to their hands-on approach, individual attention, and training philosophies - Cori has become part of our dog world family. They know their stuff, use a balanced training approach and truth be told, there is no one in the working dog world I trust more. Under Cori's watchful eyes, Luna has earned her TKN, TKI, VHMA and RN. We took their virtual Rockin' Rally-O class and LOVED it! We have taken private lessons with Cori, even dog reactivity classes with them. Chicago is lucky to have this awesome trainer, but in the world of zoom - anyone can have them!
- Laura & Luna
A Rescue Hound Competes in Dog Sports
I have worked with trainer Cori virtually for a year, training for competitive Rally. I wasn’t brand new to the sport when we started, but Cori still had a big job on their hands helping my dog and I relearn from the ground up how to build the joyful engagement and beautiful precision I craved. Working a rescued hound mix isn’t always easy but Cori used their brilliant eye, superb skill breakdowns, creative reward markers and never ending enthusiasm for heelwork to patiently mold us into the team I really wanted us to be. After a year of hard work we finally got our rally advanced title with the scores I wanted, to earn us a CARO RA- MCL. We have many more titles ahead of us and I know I’ll always want to call on Cori’s expertise when I meet new skills I need to learn. You will absolutely not regret approaching a career in obedience with trainer Cori navigating your journey. Whether you’re just starting or have already taken steps, Cori has the knowledge and love of the sport to get you where you want to go.
- Ruth & Waco
A Poodle Learns Polite Manners
I have worked with Cori for private training, recall class, and “team work on the town.” All were extremely positive experiences and is what keeps me coming back. Before meeting Cori I was impressed by their website and helpful info/tips on Instagram. From my first inquiry, Cori was friendly, knowledgeable and answered all of my questions.
Cori has a calmness that helps me and my lover of life poodle remain calm and confident in the skill we are practicing. They listen to my issues and concerns with no judgment and met us where we are at to help my dog succeed. Cori is a good listener and knows when to step in with helpful observations and tips.
I highly recommend Cori for any and all your dogs training needs. They are passionate about helping dogs live their best life with a firm but nurturing, patient approach. Cori makes it fun to engage and learn with my dog! My goal is to have a loyal, well adjusted, and happy poodle and with Cori’s helped we are well on our way!!
- Cynthia & Twiggy
A Rescue Mix Enjoys Group Class
Cori is one of my dog's favorite people. We have done several classes with them, as well as a handful of private lessons. The class content has been well thought out with appropriate homework, and the private lessons have given me information specific to my dog (a 9 month old, extremely high energy mutt) that I wouldn't have ever come to on my own. Cori's style is really effective at teaching me how to manage and better communicate with my dog, which is really the point all along. I highly recommend them as a trainer if you're in the Chicago area!
Update: June 2026 - we are still working with Cori and I am so pleased to report that my dog is much more enjoyable to live with now being 2.5 years old, and much more fun to do stuff with, including Cori's group classes. The group classes are so fun - active, with progression of skills over time, and the human attendees are also great. We always have a good time and work her body and brain.
- Sara & Larkan
A Nervous Dog and Their Owner Find Support
Cori has completely changed my relationship with my dog for the better! My almost 6 year old pit bull and I have been throughly enjoying their group classes for a few years now. My dog has worked through her fear and anxiety to become a much more confident and trusting dog. Not only that, but we've learned all sorts of fun tricks, sporting activities, and general agility movements to bring in to our every day routine :)
My dog can now relax in a group setting with other dogs very close by, which was impossible before Cori's classes. As a bonus to all the positives Cori's classes have provided for my dog, I've also found their classes to be an amazing outlet for support as a dog owner and appreciate the encouragement, patience, and knowledge they provide for me as well.
Could not recommend Cori enough!
- Kate & Meadow
How do I sign up for training?
Fill out a contact us form and Trainer Cori will ensure that the service you inquired about is a good fit based on your goals. Then, you will receive a list of soonest available appointments, and we’re off to the races.
Can we talk on the phone before I book?
What is your soonest availability?
(Updated 2026) For private lessons, typically appointments during weekday evenings and weekends book out 1-3 weeks. For weekday midday availability, we can typically start sooner.
When is your next group class?
The group class calendar is updated monthly. Check out all of our group classes here.
How do I know what service is right for me?
You can see a list of descriptions of all our services here. Pricing is listed on the individual pages for each service. Our most popular service is private lessons. Coaching humans on how to work with their dogs is at the heart of Venus and Mars K9's mission.
That being said, don't worry about knowing exactly what you need before reaching out. Part of the trainer's job is to help you figure out your training game-plan.
What is your most affordable training service?
If money is tight, please feel free to be upfront about your budget so that we can work together to make the most practical plan for you. For dogs who are eligible, group class is the most affordable training option. If private instruction is needed, we can space out in-home private lessons, and you will be assigned more homework in between lessons so that you can keep up training progress on your own.
Additionally, for those in need, we offer sliding scale options for virtual lessons. You can mix and match these options by doing some lessons in-home and some lessons virtually.
How do I know if Venus and Mars K9 is a good fit?
We are not interested in selling you something that you aren’t sure about. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions. You can also check out our training articles, read our reviews on Google or this testimonial page, and follow us on social media to get to know us better.
Do you require all dogs to use a certain tool in training – for example, every dog wears a harness, or every dog wears a prong collar?
No, every training plan is customized to the individual dog and owner. You can read my article about the woes of “cookie cutter dog training” here.
