Testimonials
Annie & Levi
"A friend of mine recommended I have a consult with Coralyn when my then 5 month old GSP pup 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! Coralyn 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 (!!)."
Sarah, Mally & Fiona
"We've taken in person and virtual lessons/classes with Coralyn and love it so much! I am surprised at how much I enjoy the virtual classes, but I feel like I get MORE out of it as there are fewer distractions, I'm not having to get ready to go somewhere, and it's just easy for me to show up to. I've seen my dog (and me!) make huge progress as we've been doing the advanced tricks virtual class since the pandemic started—and I have been able to take some of the methods I've learned and use them for teaching things on my own.
"Coralyn rocks!"
Molly & Oona
"I feel very lucky to have been introduced to Coralyn by another trainer. They are a supportive and effective dog trainer who gives practical advice at the level you and your dog are at. I have been fortunate to experience both in-person and online training — we have been having so much fun with online tricks training. We went on to take her virtual rally obedience course as well. I honestly wasn't sure how virtual dog training would work, but it has been awesome. If you are looking for a compassionate and effective resource for your own dog, I wholeheartedly recommend Coralyn."
Lauren & Luna
"I have been working with Coralyn for a little over a year now. What started as someone who lived half way across the country virtually judging my Newfoundland, Luna's, AKC Trick Dog Novice test, has turned into so much more. Due to their hands-on approach (yes, even virtually), individual attention, and training philosophies - Coralyn 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 Coralyn'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 Coralyn, even dog reactivity classes with them. Chicago is lucky to have this awesome trainer, but in the world of zoom - anyone can have them!"
Ruth & Waco
"I have worked with trainer Coralyn virtually for a year, training for competitive Rally. I wasn’t brand new to the sport when we started, but Coralyn 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 Coralyn 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 Coralyn’s expertise when I meet new skills I need to learn. You will absolutely not regret approaching a career in obedience with trainer Coralyn navigating your journey. Whether you’re just starting or have already taken steps, Coralyn has the knowledge and love of the sport to get you where you want to go."
Daphne & Riot
"Coralyn is an exceptional trainer. I wanted to learn more about the world of IGP with my puppy Riot and Coralyn has been our Jedi master. They break down their lessons in a simple and effective way that is easy to follow and allows us to build up on once we grasp the concept. I’ve taken some of their ideas to add on to my own tool belt as a professional trainer. Riot and I were excited to show our progress and eager to learn more each lesson. We also love their helpful homework handouts and video examples of the behaviors they have taught us. Their pups Cupid and Mars are goals for Riot’s sport dog journey. We appreciate everything we have learned from them and look forward to learning many more things from them!"
Anna & Manchi
"Coralyn has been an exceptional trainer and support system since I first adopted my dog -- a 1 year old Shepherd mix with a seemingly unlimited supply of energy and zero impulse control.
Coralyn gave me the fundamentals to feel confident working with my dog in new situations and understanding how subtle changes (like when I was using my verbal marker or how I was moving my hands) could help my dog read me better. On more than one occasion, I walked into our lessons feeling overwhelmed and walked out with more confidence and a better relationship with my dog. From learning how to play with toys effectively to games to capture calm behavior, I can thank Coralyn for the tremendous change I've seen in Manchi in the last 6 months!"
Giovanna & Enzo
"We've been working with Coralyn for almost three years, and I wouldn't want to train with anyone else. We started our journey with 1-on-1 training sessions to address my dog's anxiety, reactivity, loose leash walking, and over-excitement. Coralyn's expertise and dedication were evident from the start.
The transformation in my dog's behavior has been remarkable, thanks to Coralyn's guidance. They provided both personalized 1-on-1 sessions and encouraged us to join group classes, even though I was initially nervous due to my dog's selectiveness with unfamiliar dogs.
Coralyn makes training enjoyable and shows you how to seamlessly incorporate it into everyday tasks. Whenever I have questions, Coralyn is always ready to help, breaking down solutions for both me and my dog. Coralyn truly is the best!"
Max & Rue
"Highly recommend Coralyn for any training needs. We have been training on and off for about 2.5 years now and always look forward to our sessions. More importantly, our dog Rue is always very excited when we get to the lesson and has a hard time leaving her buddy Coralyn at the end."
Cat, Finn & Mimi
"Cori is our 4th dog trainer and the first to make any real progress with our anxious dog Finn. Finn is a 45 lb bernedoodle with a big bark, and his anxiety has made him afraid when in crowded public spaces, walking on the street, in dog parks when dogs approach him and when new visitors visit our house. This had made our world a little smaller, as we couldn't take him many places with us or be comfortable having people over.
While many other trainers thought we needed to do board and train, my husband and I were more weary about this approach. Cori was flexible and was able to design a custom intensive program that enabled us to feel comfortable and get results.
Cori has been dedicated to helping us get to a place where Finn can feel comfortable out in the world with us. After working with Cori, Finn is better able to regulate his reactive emotions.
Instructions and homework prioritize real life experiences. The other day, we all went to cafe that allows dogs together to practice what this would really be like (which is our goal, to be able to take our dog with us sometimes and not be afraid he will ruin the experience for everyone).
For normies like me and my husband, dog training can be hard and emotionally draining, as it is not a perfectly linear activity. Cori's upbeat attitude, unconditional support and clear but not punishing (to dog or owner) training style makes it easier to keep with it. And we saw them 4x a week at our peak of training.
Cori is reliable, communicative and eager to accommodate new ideas and address concerns. We trust them to do the best by our dogs.
Do yourself a favor and reach out to Cori immediately."
Michelle & Storm
"Wow, Cori is a dream dog trainer and expert in dog behavior. I started working with them to help my THEN-reactive 5 yr old Doberman pinscher rescue (aptly named Storm) take the first steps to feel more comfortable around other dogs. I think what stands out about Cori’s approach are 3 things: 1) their realism about expectations and possibilities that training can provide, which was different from the dogma (no pun intended) about how “if you didn’t train your dog before age 2 they’re a lost cause” or “this 2 week board and train will solve everything” — Cori saw all the potential and worked to get us there. 2) step by step guides, videos, and feasible “homework” specially tailored for me and Storm to practice and work our way up to our goals. 3) deep understanding of dog behavior — Cori works to tackle root causes and the depth of their experience helps them easily “diagnose” what’s going on in any given situation.
The results over the past year of working with them have been astounding; my friends who knew Storm before ask me HOW DID YOU DO THAT?! Before, Storm couldn’t be within 20-30 ft of another dog without completely losing it. Barking, lunging, and and generally getting out of control - being 85 lbs this was becoming a safety issue. Bit by bit we worked to increase her confidence and build on the tools to actually get her to a place where she can socialize (albeit awkwardly) with other dogs. Cori devised a totally custom strategy for this that included group classes, 1:1’s, 2 week board and train, and calls to discuss homework. Fast forward, Storm now has a couple select dog friends, can even play in the park with other dogs! She still has her quirks and sometimes meets a dog that sets her off, but now we have the actual tools and SKILLS deeply engrained that can help us navigate. I don’t even have to ask her for a “down” when another dog is approaching. Storm does it on her own — because she knows it’s a safe space where she’s confident in herself. That’s the type of behavior change that Cori prioritizes in their work.
Last thing - I recently boarded Storm with Cori and honestly was a little jealous that I couldn’t get in on the fun :P They went on all sorts of adventures and pack walks and Storm came home even more confident around other dogs. Highly recommend all around."
Amanda & Matrix
"I have had the pleasure of meeting Cori through mutual friends and I am so so glad we have gotten to know them, work with them, and take their classes!
They’re care on relationship building with your dog is fantastic. We have participated in a dog sport club and they helped us learn about Rally and honestly it’s fantastic. We plan to take some drop in classes at found soon with them.
Their welcoming approach and creative ideas to cater towards your dog is the best. It’s never a single plan, everything is individual for your dog and I love that!
I signed Matrix up for one of their distraction mastery classes and I can honestly say I left that class with new tricks to help my very distracted dog focus way better. I continue to use what i learned from Cori’s class and it has helped our training journey so so much! We can’t thank Cori enough and hope to continue taking classes with them as long as they offer them!
Matrix also loves Cori soooo that’s already bonus points as well.
Thanks Cori for all that you do!"
Gina & Cali
"Cori has a passion for working with dogs and humans! It shows in their charisma and personality.
Some trainers are great working with pups BUT I think it’s an important factor to know how to communicate with the human aka handler not just the pup.
I swear they make training fun for both parties.
My rescue dog Cali and I partook in Cori’s class Dog Fitness and Body Awareness at Found Chicago. It was so much fun learning more about canine body conditioning.
Cori helped me by breaking down the drill because I was having trouble with my body positioning when communicating with my dog.
I also have enjoyed Cori’s Patreon page on how to work and manage on different dog behaviors like leash reactivity and resource guarding which has been a HUGE help with my Cali girl!
I’d recommend Cori 10000%!"
Anthony & Zuko
"Coralyn is an amazing dog trainer, so knowledgeable, sweet and calm. Which is exactly what my puppy Zuko AND I needed. They helped me take my terrified rescue puppy, who would have borderline nervous breakdowns when on leash, who would lunge at dogs out of fear, who had no ability to regulate his emotions and would spiral into a hot anxious mess (and I had no idea how to correct or fix the behavior). To a very confident dog who I feel confident taking almost anywhere. His listening, anxiety and obedience have improved greatly. He listens to commands on and off leash. Stays in a heel, recalls consistently, will sit/down on command and stay in those commands. Doesn’t tug on the leash anymore. All of this in about 6 months, when I thought I was doomed to put my dog on anti-anxiety meds to help.
They helped me as a dog dad realize what mistakes I was making and gave me the tools to put myself and my dog in a position to succeed. Also, helped me realize not everything will be perfect, and it takes practice and commitment to help improve my dog’s behavior. There’s always room for my dog and me to work on things and that’s why I keep working with Coralyn to improve with my dog and my ability to care for him. Coralyn has been such a critical part in helping me with my dogs anxiety issues and improve his behavior."
Sarah & Larkan
"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!"
Leslie & Lola
"Cori has been an incredible help to our reactive dog, Lola, and our entire family. After a frightening incident where our younger reactive dog attacked our older dog, we began working with Cori in 1:1 sessions. Cori expertly guided us in establishing boundaries and teaching Lola relaxation techniques, such as going to place. This incident has never happened again.
Cori also provided invaluable assistance in managing Lola's interactions with new people, especially since she tends to be reactive towards unfamiliar men during walks and when we have visitors. We learned how to introduce her properly, interpret her body language, and gradually increase her comfort around new individuals. The skills we gained for handling her reactivity during walks were far more effective than a six-week course we took at a local dog training center. Cori’s methods helped us capture Lola's attention and prevent escalation, rather than just relying on counter conditioning.
In addition, Cori saved the day when our usual dog sitter was unavailable. They not only watched Lola but incorporated training into her stay. Lola was clearly engaged with walks and various activities, and Cori’s excellent communication and photography skills provided us with the cutest pictures of our pup. Most importantly, Lola returned from her stays less reactive and more responsive to commands, a significant improvement compared to the regression we often saw with other sitters.
Cori is so kind and easy to work with. Their advice is practical and easy to understand, while also providing the theory behind it. We truly believe we now understand and appreciate Lola more after working with them.
Cori is our go-to for training and dog care. The value they provide is worth every penny, and we are so grateful that Lola has a fun and beneficial environment to thrive in."