Darrel is a fantastic trainer! He instinctively knows how each dog will respond to training and uses his expertise to make your dog the best he or she can be. I highly recommend him.

Darrel’s Training Center
Lovington, Illinois
About Darrel’s Training Center
With a deep understanding of canine behavior, we employ positive reinforcement and balanced training techniques, including simple pressure and release, to build trust and effective communication. Our motto, “Training that creates Trust,” encapsulates our philosophy, ensuring a harmonious and respectful companionship.
Training & services
Training goals
- Crate training Customer-reported
- House training
- Leash training Customer-reported
- Obedience training
- Puppy training
How training happens
- Board and train
- Owner coaching Customer-reported
Dog age
- Puppies
Training level
- Advanced training Customer-reported
Support between sessions
- Photo updates Customer-reported
Training approach
- Balanced training
- Positive reinforcement
Additional services
- Boarding
Other listed services
View 4 additional details
- Dog Basic
- Personalized Dog Training
- Training Behavioral
- Us Training
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Questions & answers
From GoogleWhat people have asked about this business.
What’s the best way to house-train my puppy?
Take your puppy outside frequently, especially after eating, drinking, or waking up. Reward them immediately when they go in the right spot. Establish a routine, supervise them indoors, and use crate training to prevent accidents.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
How can I stop my dog from chewing on things they shouldn’t?
Redirect your dog to appropriate chew toys whenever they start chewing on something they shouldn’t. Remove access to tempting items and ensure they’re getting enough exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. Additionally, teach a “leave it” cue by showing them a tempting item, saying “leave it,” and rewarding them when they ignore it. Practice this regularly to reinforce the command.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
How can I teach my dog to come when called?
Use a happy, enthusiastic tone when calling your dog. Start in a distraction-free area and reward them with treats or praise when they come. Gradually increase distractions and always make coming to you a positive experience.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
What should I do if my dog shows aggression toward other dogs or people?
Stay calm and avoid punishment, which can worsen aggression. Use desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques to help them associate other dogs or people with positive experiences.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
What’s the easiest way to teach basic commands like sit, stay, and leave it?
Use positive reinforcement: Sit: Hold a treat above their head and move it back slightly to encourage them to sit, then reward. Stay: Ask them to sit, hold your hand up, say “stay,” and reward after a few seconds. Gradually increase the time. Leave it: Place a treat on the floor, cover it, and say “leave it.” When they stop trying to grab it, reward them with a different treat.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
What’s the best way to introduce my dog to new people or pets?
Introduce them in neutral environments and keep initial interactions short and positive. Use treats and praise to reward calm behavior. Supervise the introductions and gradually increase interaction time as your dog becomes comfortable.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
How do I stop my dog from barking excessively?
Identify the trigger (e.g., strangers, boredom, or noise). Use consistent training like teaching the “quiet” command, rewarding silence, and redirecting their attention with toys or treats. Ensure they get enough exercise and mental stimulation.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
How do I stop my dog from pulling on the leash?
Teach loose-leash walking by stopping or changing direction whenever your dog pulls. Reward them when the leash is slack. Use a proper harness or collar for better control, and practice in low-distraction environments first.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
How do I teach my dog to stay off the furniture?
Use consistent commands like “off” and reward your dog when they comply. Provide a comfortable alternative, such as a dog bed, and redirect them there. Keep your dog on a leash during training to gently guide them away from the furniture and reinforce the behavior.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
How can I reduce my dog’s separation anxiety?
Gradually get your dog used to being alone by leaving for short periods and slowly increasing the time. Provide engaging toys, such as puzzle feeders, and avoid dramatic goodbyes or greetings. Crate training and calming aids may also help.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
How do I stop my dog from jumping on me?
Teach your dog to sit when greeting you and reward calm behavior. Maintain good posture, and when moving, step toward your dog rather than retreating. This helps discourage jumping while reinforcing polite behavior.
Community answer · Darrel’s Training Center · 2025-09-21
Public community answers. Authors are not verified as business representatives; details may have changed.
Customer reviews
Google listingMentioned in reviews
- Crate training 14
- Video updates 13
- Potty training 7
- Basic obedience 5
- Command training 4
- Tailored training 3
All 10 topics
- Calm training 2
- Confidence training 2
- Loose leash walking 2
- Separation anxiety training 2
Google review topics, not confirmed services.
If you’re looking for an outstanding experience with a dog trainer, look no further than Darrel’s Training Center. He is a wonderful trainer and a super human being. He truly cares about the puppies and dogs he trains. He has a very special demeanor. I can’t say enough about Darr…Read full reviewClose full review
If you’re looking for an outstanding experience with a dog trainer, look no further than Darrel’s Training Center. He is a wonderful trainer and a super human being. He truly cares about the puppies and dogs he trains. He has a very special demeanor. I can’t say enough about Darrel. He has kept in touch with us and is available to us for any questions or issues that come up. 100% don’t look any further, give Darrel a call. You won’t be sorry!
Hi, I’m Lexi—and I give Darrel’s Training Center 5 tail wags out of 5! I spent 4 weeks there and came home crate-trained, fetch-ready, calm, and totally confident (not to brag). They treated me like family and sent my humans lots of photos and videos so they didn’t miss me too m…Read full reviewClose full review
Hi, I’m Lexi—and I give Darrel’s Training Center 5 tail wags out of 5! I spent 4 weeks there and came home crate-trained, fetch-ready, calm, and totally confident (not to brag). They treated me like family and sent my humans lots of photos and videos so they didn’t miss me too much. The food? Great. The training? Top tier. The belly rubs? Frequent and fabulous. Now I’m back home living my best life—chillin’ in my Jeep seat, earning compliments on coffee runs, and keeping my new cat siblings guessing. I’ll definitely be back for boarding (it’s basically a fancy doggy spa with manners). Thanks, Darrel’s! You helped me step into my fluff-powered potential. Love, Lexi
Darrel did such amazing job with Ghost. I was honestly surprised how much my dog changed in 2 weeks. He sent me videos, and updates all the time. That made me feel great!
When we got our Mini-Bernese pup from Love Berners, he had already had puppy training from Darrel. That early start was a tremendous help. Now, we use Darrel's boarding and training services when we travel. Our pup recognizes his friends and is excited to be there. He gets …Read full reviewClose full review
When we got our Mini-Bernese pup from Love Berners, he had already had puppy training from Darrel. That early start was a tremendous help. Now, we use Darrel's boarding and training services when we travel. Our pup recognizes his friends and is excited to be there. He gets refresher and further training in a loving environment where he is very comfortable. We get peace of mind knowing he is in great hands getting new skills and reinforcement of good behavior. We also get more tips and training for us. We'll be back next vacation time. We highly recommend Darrel and his helpers at Darrel's Training Center.
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.