Dog Behavior Training Built Around Understanding Your Dog
Walworth County's Dog Trainers & Sitting provides personalized in-home dog behavior and puppy training designed to improve communication, establish calm leadership, and strengthen relationships between dogs and their families.
Serving Lake County, McHenry County and the northwest suburbs, IL, plus Walworth, Racine, Kenosha and Milwaukee Counties, WI
Meet the Heart Behind Walworth County's Dog Trainers & Sitting
Hear directly from our owner and behavioral specialist about our core philosophy, our passion for dog psychology, and how we guide owners into true, calm leadership.
6+ Years
In Business & Experience
Insured & Bonded
Comprehensive Coverage
Free Consult
~30 Min Behavioral Assessment
Rescue Partner
Hoof Woof & Meow Rescue
Trust + Respect + Communication + Leadership
Behavior is not about commands — it is about understanding. We help you read what your dog is telling you and respond with calm, consistent guidance that creates lasting balance.
Trust
Building a genuine bond of trust so your dog chooses to follow your lead willingly, calmly, and without fear.
Respect
Understanding your dog's emotional needs and natural instincts, never forcing compliance through intimidation.
Communication
Translating dog psychology into clear, consistent signals both you and your dog can easily understand.
Leadership
Guiding your whole household into confident, calm leadership that brings balance to everyday life.
Personalized In-Home Guidance and Care
Everything we offer happens inside your home — where your dog lives, learns, and feels most at ease.
Dog Behavior & Puppy Training
Private In-Home Behavioral Guidance
Personalized training designed around your dog, your household, and the specific behaviors you want to improve. Sessions are approximately one hour and take place in your dog's everyday environment.
- ~1-hour private in-home sessions
- Weekly or biweekly scheduling
- Whole-household participation encouraged
- Free ~30-minute consultation required
- For any age, size, or breed
In-Home Dog & Puppy Sitting
Professional Overnight Care in Your Home
Overnight dog sitting performed in your dog's own home by an experienced behavior trainer — preserving routine, reducing stress, and providing behavioral observation while you are away.
- Overnight stays in your home
- Free ~30-minute meet and greet
- Photos, videos and behavioral updates
- House sitting included
- Behavioral knowledge for sensitive dogs
Common Behavior Concerns We Address
Every dog is an individual. We tailor each approach to your dog's temperament, history, and household — never a one-size-fits-all plan.
Separation Anxiety
Helping dogs feel calm, secure, and relaxed when home alone without frantic pacing, destruction, or vocalization.
Leash Reactivity
Address lunging, barking, or overarousal when encountering other dogs, vehicles, or unfamiliar stimuli on walks.
Fear & Nervousness
Support dogs displaying apprehension toward visitors, new environments, loud sounds, or unfamiliar objects.
Dog & Human Aggression
Careful behavioral evaluation and counter-conditioning for territorial guarding, growling, or defensive behavior.
Uninvited Jumping
Teaching calm greetings, four-on-the-floor manners, and respectful greeting rituals for guests and household members.
Mouthing & Biting
Establishing bite inhibition, emotional regulation, and redirecting oral exploration into appropriate activities.
Excessive Barking
Identifying the trigger—whether alertness, boredom, or barrier frustration—and instilling quiet composure.
Leash Pulling & Walking
Transforming stressful daily walks into relaxed, synchronized experiences where your dog follows your lead.
Crate Training & Bed Relaxation
Creating positive associations so your dog views their crate or bed as a serene personal haven.
Puppy Manners (4–10 Months)
Laying early foundations of self-control, leadership, bathroom habits, and bite inhibition during key developmental windows.
Impulse Control & Focus
Teaching dogs to pause, observe, and look to their handlers before reacting to tempting stimuli.
Overexcitement & Frustration
Cultivating patience and emotional regulation when doorbell rings, cars arrive, or feeding time begins.
Do not see your dog's specific concern listed? Most unwanted behaviors fall under these categories and can be addressed during your free consultation.
Discuss Your Dog's BehaviorHow It Works
Start With a Free Consultation
We discuss your dog, your household, current challenges, and what success looks like for you — all at no cost.
Create an Individualized Approach
Training is tailored to your dog's temperament and your household's routine. No generic plans, no rigid protocols.
Work Together at Home
Private ~1-hour sessions take place in your dog's everyday environment, where behaviors actually happen.
Build Better Communication
You learn to read your dog's signals and respond with calm, consistent leadership — building trust that lasts.
Professional Care While You Are Away
When your sitter is also a behavior trainer, your dog receives far more than a walk and a meal — they receive structured enrichment, attention, and understanding.
Familiar Environment
Your dog stays home — same routine, same comfort, no stressful boarding facility transition.
Behavioral Understanding
Your sitter is a trained behaviorist who reads body language and stress signals most sitters miss.
Consistent Routine
Meals, walks, and downtime continue as normal, preventing unnecessary disruption.
Photo and Video Updates
You receive regular updates with photos, videos, and behavioral observations while away.
House Sitting Included
Your home is looked after too — mail, lights, and general presence for added peace of mind.
One-on-One Attention
No rotating sitters, no distractions — just dedicated, personalized care for your dog.
Real Dogs, Real Progress
Authentic photography from actual training sessions and sitting visits — no stock imagery, no AI substitutions.
Client Reviews
Hear directly from families who have worked with us on their dog's behavior.
"Having a behavior trainer in your home and a professional dog sitter is the best of both worlds. Walworth County's Dog Trainers & Sitting provides a personalized experience that goes far beyond what you will usually experience with dog sitting."
— From our philosophy, shared by clients across Wisconsin
What Dog Owners Are Saying
Live reviews pulled directly from our Google Business Profile — they update automatically whenever a new review is posted.
Where We Provide In-Home Service
Trusted Care for Your Four-Legged Family
See what local pet owners are saying about us! Explore our Google reviews, find us on Google Maps, and get in touch about dog training or pet-sitting services.
Walworth County's Dog Trainers & Sitting
Based in Union Grove, Wisconsin
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens during a free consultation?+
We have a relaxed ~30-minute conversation about your dog, your household, current challenges, and your goals. It is completely free with no obligation — it helps us understand whether we are the right fit for your dog.
Do you train dogs in their own home?+
Yes — all training takes place in your home, where your dog lives and where behaviors actually occur. This is core to our philosophy: real change happens in the real environment.
How long are training sessions?+
Sessions are approximately one hour. We work at your dog's pace and tailor each session to what is most relevant that day.
How often do training sessions happen?+
Typically weekly, or sometimes every two weeks depending on your dog's needs and your schedule. We will discuss the right cadence during your consultation.
Can everyone in my household participate?+
Absolutely — we encourage it. We believe the entire household should be involved in understanding, communicating with, and leading your dog.
What behavior problems do you work with?+
Separation anxiety, leash reactivity, jumping, mouthing, barking, crate training, fear, nervousness, aggression, impulse control, overexcitement, and more. Every plan is individualized.
Do you work with puppies?+
Yes — our Puppy Manners training is designed for puppies approximately 4 to 10 months old to establish healthy patterns during key developmental windows.
Do you work with reactive or fearful dogs?+
Yes. We have experience with reactive, fearful, and nervous dogs and approach each case individually. We encourage a consultation to discuss your dog's specific situation.
Where does dog sitting take place?+
Dog sitting is performed overnight in your home, so your dog remains in familiar surroundings with their normal routine intact.
Will I receive pictures and videos while I am away?+
Yes — you will receive regular photo and video updates along with behavioral observations so you can see how your dog is doing.
Is house sitting included with dog sitting?+
Yes. While caring for your dog, we also look after your home — bringing in mail, maintaining normal lighting, and providing general presence for peace of mind.
Do you work with rescue dogs?+
Yes. As the training coordinator for Hoof Woof and Meow Rescue, we have extensive experience helping foster families understand and rehabilitate rescue dogs.
Loved by Dog Owners Across the Region
Foles is the absolute best dog trainer and has helped us tremendously with our dog’s behavioral issues. We’ve worked with her for just over two years and the change in ourselves and our dogs is immeasurable! I didn’t know what to do when our adolescent rescue dog started having aggressive and possessive behaviors. Foles came for a consultation and within 45 minutes of arriving at our home, we saw the shift and potential for our dog to change. It was truly incredible! We’ll forever be grateful for Foles, I can’t recommend her highly enough!!
Chelsey B.
Google review
Foles is a phenomenal trainer. We have 2 older dogs that had some behavioral issues that needed to be addressed. After the first training session and some new rules in place I was blown away at how easy it was to teach my old dogs some new ways. I am so happy with my dog’s behavior, I am back to being in control of the house and all situations. My dogs (and me) are more relaxed and confident. Foles was great to work with, responsive and professional. I recommend her to everyone with dogs, and will hire immediately when we bring our next dog home.
Erica H.
Google review
We've had a great experience with Foles for both dog training and dog sitting! The training guidance has been especially helpful with our dog Louie, who used to follow my every move, particularly in the kitchen. With her suggestions and some consistency on our part, he's learned to respond to commands, and it's made a noticeable difference in our daily routine. We also appreciate that she stays in our home when dog sitting, allowing Olive and Louie to remain comfortable in their own environment. She shares videos of their initial reactions when she arrives and how she interacts with them, which is a nice touch. She also makes sure they get out for walks. Olive absolutely loves them, while Louie would much rather stay home and play in the yard! Most importantly, it's reassuring to know that someone who understands our dogs and their individual personalities is there to care for them and handle anything that might come up. We appreciate the care and attention she gives them!
Kim M.
Google review
I can't recommend Foles enough. My golden retriever Buddy used to be a mess around other dogs — pulling, barking, just completely out of control anytime another dog was near. Foles zeroed in on exactly that, and the difference is night and day. Buddy can pass other dogs calmly now and actually play nice instead of causing chaos. What stood out to me is how well Foles reads the dog. She didn't just run through drills — she figured out what Buddy specifically needed and adjusted from there. Patient, clear, and she broke everything down so I could keep it up at home too. If your dog struggles around other dogs, Foles is the one. Worth every penny.
Alonzo G.
Google review
Foles from A Dog’s Way is an outstanding trainer. She helped us to understand our dog Daisy better (who can be very stubborn) and she taught us how to manage her energy. Daisy now walks well on leash, comes when called, no longer darts out the door when it’s open, plays well with other dogs and our cat, just to name a few. Thank you Foles!
Cathie H.
Google review
Foles is great! We went out of country & hired her for 7 days to stay with our dogs in house. We don’t enjoy boarding if we don’t have to & she’s available. The comfort of our animals being in their home & Foles’ care is something we can’t describe.
Lisa C.
Google review
Build a Better Relationship With Your Dog
Better behavior begins with better communication. Start with a free consultation and discover a personalized approach built around your dog, your household, and your goals.