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About the Author

Thanks for stopping by my blog!

A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a black T-shirt and ripped jeans, smiling and holding a small fluffy dog with brown and white fur, sitting in a modern white chair against an exposed brick wall.

Hi, I’m Hailey Mott, CPDT-KA, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer based in Chicago.

I work with dogs of all backgrounds — from nervous rescues and leash-reactive city dwellers to confident puppies learning the ropes. My approach is shaped by years of hands-on experience working as a staff member at One Tail at a Time, where I help newly rescued dogs build confidence and adjust to life in new homes.

Outside of private training, I also teach group classes at Copilot Dog Training, where I focus on real-world obedience for puppies and adult dogs, reactivity, and confidence-building for dogs of all sizes and backgrounds.

I believe good training starts with understanding, not control. My goal is to help you and your dog build communication, confidence, and trust — because real progress happens when both ends of the leash feel supported.

about me

Why Train with Me

Learn How Your Dog Thinks

You’ll always know why we’re doing something — not just what to do.

You’ll learn how to recognize what your dog’s behavior is really communicating and how to respond in ways that make sense to them.

My goal is to give you the tools to handle real-world situations with confidence so you’re not stick in endless lessons.

A cute cartoon face with a large brown heart-shaped nose, small white cheeks with dots, and a big smiling mouth.

Training Built for City Life

City dogs deal with a lot. Noise, people, elevators, traffic, and tight spaces. Training should prepare them for that.

I focus on real-world skills that help your dog stay calm and responsive wherever you go, from crowded sidewalks to apartment hallways.

Sessions stay structured, adaptable, and tailored to how you actually live.

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We’ll Lose the Chaos and Create More Calm

You don’t need to be strict to see progress.

We’ll bring calm and structure to your daily life using humane, proven methods — never intimidation or outdated tools.

The result: a dog who’s responsive, confident, and actually wants to work with you.

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Experience & Collaboration

As a CPDT-KA certified trainer with years of experience working with rescue and shelter dogs across Chicago, I bring both science-based methods and real-world perspective.

You can expect honesty, clarity, and zero judgment, just progress, partnership and collaboration.

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Dog Training Services in Chicago

Private, at-home dog training sessions (one hour) customized to your home environment and lifestyle.

A brown puppy lying on a dog bed practicing settling and place.
A brown hound dog wearing a harness practicing loose leash walking in Chicago, IL using positive reinforcement.
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Small adult pitbull sitting on red wooden bench with green grass and blue ball nearby looking up, practicing engagement and calming techniques.
A dog and trainer Hailey Mott CPDT-KA practicing muzzle training.

Obedience Training

$135/session

Master everyday skills for calm, confident dogs through positive reinforcement training.

  • Loose leash walking & heel

  • Reliable recall (come when called)

  • Impulse control & self-regulation

  • Polite greetings with people and dogs

  • Polite play etiquette

  • Place/settle training

  • Door manners & boundaries

  • Window barking reduction

  • New rescue dog transitions

Puppy Training

$135/session

Set your puppy up for success with foundational puppy obedience training in Chicago.

  • Puppy socialization for confident adult dogs

  • Basic obedience (sit, stay, come, down)

  • Loose leash walking from the start

  • Name recognition

  • Puppy biting & mouthing solutions

  • Crate training

  • Potty training

  • Intro to handling & grooming prep

Behavior Modification

$135/session

For dogs with fear, guarding, or aggression. Training that builds safety and trust.

  • Resource guarding (food, toys, spaces, or people)

  • Aggression toward people

  • Dog-to-dog aggression (within or outside the home)

  • Touch sensitivity or handling aggression

  • Muzzle training for safety and confidence

  • General fear, anxiety, or noise sensitivity

  • Apartment and high-rise behavioral challenges (hallways, elevators, city noise)

Reactivity Training

$135/session

For dogs who bark or lunge at triggers. We’ll build calm, confidence, and focus in real life.

  • Leash reactivity toward dogs

  • Leash reactivity toward people

  • Reactivity toward moving objects (bikes, scooters, skateboards)

  • Barrier reactivity (barking through fences, windows, or crates)

  • Generalized reactivity (reacting to multiple triggers)

  • Over-arousal or frustration during walks

  • Fear-based reactivity in city environments (noise, crowds, traffic)

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Illustration of a group of dogs around a pet food station with a dog bowl labeled 'Treats' and a bag of treats.

Interested in private training?

Whether you’re raising a new puppy, working through reactivity, or helping your rescue dog settle in, I offer one-on-one support that meets you where you are (literally).

I use positive reinforcement and LIMA to help dogs feel calm, confident, and capable—because great behavior starts with understanding, not correction.

Serving Chicago neighborhoods like Avondale, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Uptown, Edgewater, Logan Square, Bucktown, Humboldt Park, UIC, Little Village and more!

Book a free consult