Dog Training for Huntley Dog Owners
Huntley has grown fast, from new subdivisions along Route 47 to Del Webb's Sun City, a large 55+ community. Whether your home has a new puppy and young kids or a retired couple and a senior dog, Mystic Paws Academy is a short drive north at 140 W. Terra Cotta Ave in Crystal Lake.
Many Huntley families look for a dog trainer close to home and end up driving about 10 miles to us because our classes are small, positive and built around real life: greeting neighbors on the sidewalk, settling down at home and walking past other dogs calmly.
Huntley dogs face a mix of new-build neighborhoods, sidewalks full of walkers and the six-foot leash rule in Huntley Park District parks. We help you practice exactly that: a loose leash on a short lead, a calm sit while a neighbor stops to chat, and a reliable recall in your own backyard before you ever try an off-leash park.
Huntley owners can choose from:
Group obedience classes in 4 levels
Puppy training with the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class
Dog sports: Hoopers, Rally, Scent Work, Treibball and AKC FIT DOG
Trick dog classes for the whole family
Private, one-on-one dog grooming
Free online courses you can start at home today
Find Your Fit
Which Program Fits Your Dog?
Which line sounds most like your Huntley dog?
Start with Level 1, our AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class (from 8 weeks), plus the free Bringing Home Your Puppy course.
Begin with the free Bringing Home Your Rescue course, then join Level 1 when you're ready.
Try Hoopers, Rally, Scent Work or Trick Dog classes to keep a smart dog busy.
Our Programs
Our Dog Training Programs
Huntley owners can start at any level, and every program uses the same positive methods.
Hoopers (low-impact, agility-style), Rally, Scent Work, Treibball, and Fit Dogs as an AKC FIT DOG Club.
4 group levels, each 7 to 8 weeks with 40+ exercises. Level 1 is $200 and Levels 2 to 4 are $175 each.
One day a week for 8 weeks, three hours per visit, with a private lesson component. $1,800.
Puppy Training
Puppy Training for Huntley Puppies
Huntley puppies are welcome from 8 weeks, and the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class is a great first step before busy family weekends in town.
Level 1 qualifies as the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy class. S.T.A.R. stands for Socialization, Training, Activity and Responsibility.
Rabies (Illinois-required) and core vaccines your vet recommends (for example DAPP) are needed; Bordetella may be required for group settings.
New puppy at home? Start with our free "Bringing Home Your Puppy" course: setup, potty, sleep, socialization and biting for the first 30 days.
What Huntley Families Say
Read more reviews from local families on Google
Reviews
Meet Your Dog Trainers
Your Dog Trainers
Trainer • Educator • Canine Behavior Specialist
Looking for a Huntley dog trainer you can trust? Heather Pohlman founded Mystic Paws Academy and has more than 30 years of experience with dogs. She is a certified Dog Bite Prevention Educator (Doggone Safe), an AKC Canine Ambassador, and a certified Trick Dog, Stunt Dog and Canine Conditioning Instructor. She leads our team of trainers and our groomer.
“Training shouldn’t feel like work. It should feel like a relationship.”
Local Tips
Dog Life in Huntley: Local Tips
Huntley has plenty of parks and paths, but each has its own dog rules. Rules differ between Park District parks, village streets and the two counties, so a quick check saves a fine. Here is what Huntley dog owners should know before practicing outside class.
In Huntley Park District parks, dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet and you must carry a waste bag. Dogs are not allowed on athletic fields or playgrounds, so practice heel work on the paths instead.
Huntley has no public dog park of its own. The closest is the Lake in the Hills Bark Park on Haligus Rd, open to non-residents with a yearly key fob membership and proof of rabies and distemper shots.
Huntley sits in both McHenry and Kane County. Dogs over 4 months need a rabies tag from the county you live in. The village itself does not require a pet license.
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Live on the far side of Huntley and want to start before the first drive? Start with a free online course: "7 Days Through Your Dog's Eyes", "Bringing Home Your Puppy" or "Bringing Home Your Rescue". No card needed. When you are ready, Level 1 Online is $150 and uses the same curriculum we teach in class.
Start at home
Start Training at Home Today
Adopted from one of our partner rescues? They can give you a code for 25% off Level 1 Online, and they receive 10% of every course you take after Level 1.
Getting Started
How to Get Started
Four steps get your Huntley dog from the couch to the classroom, and the Route 47 drive is quick outside rush hour.
Book Level 1 on our booking portal.
Watch the New Student Orientation before your first class.
Bringing kids? Attend the free 90-minute Canine Communication Seminar first.
Already trained? Call 779-994-4200 to be evaluated for a higher level.
140 W. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014. All classes and grooming take place at our Crystal Lake facility; we do not have a Huntley location.
About 10 miles, roughly 17 to 22 minutes by car. Take Route 47 north to Route 176 (Terra Cotta Ave) and head east into Crystal Lake.
From Huntley
Where We Train
Dog Training Huntley, IL: FAQs
No. All classes and grooming happen at our facility at 140 W. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, about 10 miles from Huntley.
About 10 miles, roughly 17 to 22 minutes by car via Route 47 north and Route 176 east.
It depends on your address. Huntley is split between McHenry County and Kane County, and both require a rabies tag for dogs over 4 months. The Village of Huntley does not require a separate pet license. We ask for rabies proof before group classes.
Level 1 is $200 and Levels 2 to 4 are $175 each. Packages save 10% per class. Level 1 Online is $150.
Yes. We are a force-free facility; prong, choke and shock (e-) collars are not allowed in our building.
Nearby Towns
Dog Training Near Huntley
Huntley neighbors from these towns also make the trip to Crystal Lake for class.
FAQs
Dog Training Huntley, IL: FAQs
Yes, you can, but you must call first and we will give you options. Some of our classes may contain private or sensitive material and are not open for public watching.
Children are welcome to actively participate in our training, however, if a family has children under the age of 8, the parents need to attend our Canine Communication Seminar first before the children are allowed in the ring. If children over the age of 8 want to train their own dog (with a parent or guardian in attendance in the ring) the child must also come to the seminar before they enter class. Our training space also allows us to gate families with children in so they can stay safe.
Yes, the best training that will happen with your dog is in your home. Think of this, we are here to teach you to train your dog, so homework is more like getting to play intelligently and thoughtfully with your dog!
You will soon! We are in the process of opening our online academy July 1st of 2026. If you are local to us and can't find a class that fits your time needs, you'll be able to take the same class online.
We take all credit cards. We are a cash-free facility, but we can invoice you for any purchases you make.
We take pride not just in cleanliness, but health. We have an amazing Pudu CCP1 Pro autonomous janitorial robot, named Rosie, who scrubs the floors at least once per day with a product that is anti-bacterial and anti-viral. We also regularly clear and sanitize our bathrooms, and all of our public spaces.
There's no right or wrong age. Even an old dog can learn new tricks. Obviously the earlier you can get into training, the better. But if you dog is newly adopted from a shelter or rescue, we do insist you allow your dog several weeks of peace and quiet, no visitors, no outings, to let them decompress and lower their stress levels before you start class.
We don't believe in rushing dogs or people. Our curriculum is detailed, with each level has over 40 exercises! Each course is 7-8 weeks long, but we suggest taking some breaks so you can proof the material between courses. Figure 12-18 months for the entire program to get you up to a confident Canine Good Citizen level.
Absolutely! In fact, we have a shelter and rescue dog program that can benefit new adopters and the shelter or rescue they adopt
We welcome you to MPA! If you have a CGC, CGCA, or CGCU, you are welcome to join our advanced classes. If you do not but wish to test, please let us know, we'd be happy to facilitate that. If you have a graduate certificate, or give us the name of your training facility, we can verify the training. As a final result, we can do a free consultation to evaluate your dog for our advanced classes.
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