Found Chicago Boarding & Training Center

This is a review for a three week session that started the last week of January 2025. At the initial evaluation/introduction, I brought up the two main issues that I wanted addressed with my 3-year-old Norwegian Elkhound, Hilde. The first dealt with visitors to my house, so it wasn’t something that could be reliably addressed only at Found. The second was Hilde’s extreme sensitivity to sounds such that when she heard a beep like a smoke detector, she would flee to the basement and hide in a corner. Or when on walks and she heard the very soft pop, pop from a skeet shooting range miles away, she would freak out and pull mightily on the leash, making our walks unpleasant and stressful. Upon hearing these two issues, the evaluators at the time told me that they believed the 3-week program would do the trick, and maybe a fourth week might be needed. I have had limited luck with dog trainers in the past and was very hesitant to try again, not to mention that this particular program was going to cost me nearly $3000! But, I rationalized that having a more confident dog who no longer freaked out with every little sound would be worth the investment. I was a little worried at the progress I was seeing over the course of those first two weeks. A lot of focus on heeling and staying and sitting, the basics. Not the things that I told them I wanted worked on but, I resisted bringing it up. All of the work was being done inside their facility, nothing outside, with scary, outdoor sounds. For the third week the trainer, who seemed like a really nice, well-intentioned dude, finally took Hilde outside. From the video update I knew right away I had wasted my money. She was all over the place, easily distracted, and this was in the fairly calmer neighborhood around Found. I was waiting to get a call or email checking in with me about possibly going for another week since, but there was no communication whatsoever. So I show up at the end of the third week to pick her up. Finally, one of the head trainers comes up to me and asks if I would be ok if Hilde stayed another week! In my mind I’m thinking, why?! You’ve barely addressed the things I told you about during the evaluation, the things you said you could most likely address in three weeks, what’s going to magically happen in one more week? But I didn’t say that and instead suggested I might bring her back for the week of spring break, but then they sent me a quote for that week plus a couple of extra days and it was another $1400, ha! I brought Hilde home, along with her gear which included the prong collar and the stimulation collar. Fun fact about the stimulation collar, both it and the handheld remote both emit a loud beep when you turn them on or off. So, as she sat there waiting for a treat I turned off the remote, it let out said loud beep, and Hilde immediately ran down to hide in the basement! I could smell the charred remains of 3,000 dollar bills. Here’s my overall impression of Found. There are very committed people who love dogs and who want to do the right thing. I think most people/places have their specific protocols that they believe work best and have every trainer/dog doing them no matter whether it actually works with a particular dog. I could have told the evaluators a dozen different issues that I wanted help with and I suspect that Hilde would have had the exact same experience during her three weeks. I asked my friend why she had thought Found did a good job and her reply was that her dogs needed the basics and it was helpful for that. So if your dogs need the basics, Found may be the place for you. Looking back, I wish I had asked about what guarantees they have, or what assurances they could provide that they would actually work on the issues I described and not just do the basics. I wish I had brought up my concerns sooner rather than telling myself that it would be rude to question the professionals.

Found is amazing!! I love them and trust them unequivocally with my dog!! I have a 1 year old pitt mix who is very spicy. They have known how to work with her since day 1! Gecko did 6 weeks of pup start + (for obedience and socialization), then has done daycare 2x a week since. She just finished her 2 week board and train, specifically targeting her reactivity. Her impulsivity and reactivity have improved so much thanks to her people at Found! Special shoutout to Mariah & Hannah at pupstart+ & Julianna at Found. Thank you so much for helping Gecko and I!! We love yall!

Thank you, Found! I sent my rescue pup, Stevie to Found’s board and train adventure dog program. I researched and met with a few places and am so glad I chose Found! I was hesistant to use E Collar and Prong collars but the staff’s explanation to me and the way they introduce the dog to the equipment is truly so educational and helpful. Stevie was right about 6 months so still very much a puppy. The staff took such great care of her and truly went above and beyond to get her adjusted to the program. Everyone we worked with was amazing but special shout outs to Ana and Joselyne— her main trainers! Ana even asked if Stevie could spend one weekend at her home when she was having some stomach issues. The program sends videos and photos and I could tell Stevie was not only learning a lot but having so much fun. When I first got Stevie from the rescue we struggled communicating with each other and when she was done with the program I was equipped with the tools and resources to communicate effectively with her. She now is able to walk on leash so well and listen to what I ask of her. She was socialized so now can even go on pack walks while I am at work. The program truly changed Stevie’s behavior for the better but she’s still the same goofy fun loving dog that I rescued. Would not hesitate to send another dog here and Stevie and I will be back for further training and group classes. Thank you!