Big Sky Dog Training

My pup and I did not have a good experience with Big Sky Dog Training. Montana was nice enough to let us join the beginner obedience class last minute. However, when I got there my dog and another dog in the class were barking at each other from across the room. Montana did not have them meet each other, instead she told both of us to leave class. I enrolled my 9 month old pup into the beginner class thinking we would get basics obedience training but instead we were dismissed in the first 5 minutes. If you are looking for basic dog training, don’t go to Big Sky. My pup and I went to different dog trainer and had a much better experience.

I booked an training session with this lady earlier in July. Nothing she did was helpful I felt as if I was scammed out my money. She literally came in sat on my couch asked me about my apartment and personal life more than she was focused on my Morkie. She promised to send list of things to help get him trained I have yet to receive them. I reached out to her via text multiple times and never got an response back! Very unprofessional! If you’re thinking about booking DON’T! I rather spend my money with Pets Smart.

Hired Montana based off of all the good reviews I read. The first lesson went fine and so we scheduled a second lesson and I prepaid her. Per an email she sent me, the second lesson was at 11am, so at 11:30 I called to see what was going on and she said she had me scheduled for 12 and she was on her way. 12:15 hits and I call to see if there's a problem and she is at someone else's house and said she double booked! I understand things happen so we reschedule for a different day and after waiting about 20 minutes I give her a call. She has NO clue who I am (she started asking me about someone else's dog) and said she didn't have any lesson on her calendar. We rescheduled one last time and she did show up (to the wrong house first) and said she didn't have my phone number or email... also said she wasn't going to charge me since we didnt do much during the lesson (the same lesson I prepaid her for that she didnt show up to twice). Not impressed and not sure who to trust when it comes to looking for a trainer anymore.

Extraordinarily professional and clearly knowledgeable, the owner, Montana, will make each client feel as though they are receiving the individual guidance they need even in a group class. Like many people during Covid-19, we finally found ourselves with the opportunity to adopt a dog from a local rescue, after several months of deliberation. Per the recommendation of the rescue, we signed up for a group class and quickly realized our 4yo/58lb/ Pointer Mix wasn't ready for a group setting due to her anxiety around other dogs. After I sent a long-winded e-mail unsure about what to do, I received a prompt call from Montana, who calmly addressed our concerns and offered to do a house call. We live in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, and the Big Sky classes were being held in Winnetka, 30 minutes away. Without batting an eyelash, Montana was in our home the following day, arriving 15 minutes early and ready to hear our worries and concerns. My boyfriend and I felt relieved to hear her perspective and observations, and couldn't believe how fortunate we had been to have her as our trainer. As a note: The reason we were so impressed was due to her accessibility and a clear dedication to doing what is best for the dog. We had signed up for her 6-week Dog Obedience Basics (only 6 dogs per group, masks required) in Winnetka for approx. $180, and she charged us "only for gas" for the 1-hour house call. Prior to meeting her for 1 class, we had no relationship with her or experience with many trainers as several of the "premier" places in Chicago were booked. We were essentially strangers to her, and yet we felt like we received personal, premium care and service. Montana has set the bar high for our Dog Trainer expectations. If you're looking for a knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated professional, there's no reason not to call Big Sky Dog Training first. If you need more convincing, just remember that whatever you decide, in Montana's own words, "the needs of the dog comes first."

We just adopted a 3 month old puppy. While we have been looking for quite some time, when all went through all of a sudden we had a dog, with SO MANY QUESTIONS - about feeding, about how to handle biting, products, how to handle first nights, crating. Montana was very relaxed and knowledgeable - sitting with us in our living room for a long and relaxed conversation as we raised all our questions, with teaching moments arising throughout the visit. Then we had a nice training session in the back yard going over how to do basic commands and support potty training. Very helpful to have this skilled and relaxed person come to our house the day after adoption, so that we could jump start the learning process and avoid getting into bad habits.