Dog Training for Island Lake Dog Owners
Island Lake started as a cottage community around its own lake and is now a busy village that straddles two counties. For dog owners, Mystic Paws Academy is an easy drive west on Route 176 to 140 W. Terra Cotta Ave in Crystal Lake, about 8 miles away.
Island Lake families who want a dog trainer close by, without harsh tools, choose our positive classes. Dogs learn through play, owners get clear homework, and the skills carry over to lakeside walks and backyard barbecues.
Island Lake dogs share small lakeside lots, busy streets and village parks where leashes are required. We help with the everyday problems that come with that: barking at passersby, pulling toward the water and jumping on guests. Small steps, lots of rewards and homework that fits a normal Island Lake evening. Families tell us the biggest win is a dog who can watch the world go by from the front window without barking at every walker.
Island Lake 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 Island Lake 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
Island Lake owners can stay with us from puppy class through advanced levels and sports.
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 Island Lake Puppies
Island Lake puppies are welcome from 8 weeks, a good age to meet new people and sounds calmly.
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 Island Lake 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 an Island Lake 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 Island Lake: Local Tips
Island Lake dog owners have parks at home and big off-leash space just down the road. Being on a county line also means checking which tag and which permit rate applies to your address. Here is what to know.
Village park rules say pets must be leashed and owners must clean up after them, including at Converse Park. Only service animals are allowed on the basketball court. Bring treats to reward calm passing near the courts.
The nearest Lake County Forest Preserves off-leash area is 66 fenced acres at 27511 N. Fairfield Rd, Wauconda. You need a Lake County Forest Preserves permit, and the price depends on whether your home is in Lake County. Dogs need a current rabies tag. Visit at quiet hours for your dog's first few trips.
Island Lake sits in both Lake and McHenry County. Either way, dogs over 4 months must be rabies-vaccinated and registered, so check which county your address is in. Ask your vet to note the county on the certificate.
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Want to start before the drive in from Island Lake? 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
Island Lake families sign up in four steps, then it is one straight road west to class.
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 an Island Lake location.
About 8 miles, roughly 16 to 21 minutes by car. Take Route 176 west from Island Lake straight to Terra Cotta Ave in Crystal Lake.
From Island Lake
Where We Train
Dog Training Island Lake, IL: FAQs
No. All classes and grooming happen at our facility at 140 W. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, about 8 miles from Island Lake.
About 8 miles, roughly 16 to 21 minutes by car, straight west on Route 176.
That depends on your street. Part of Island Lake is in Lake County and part is in McHenry County; both expect a rabies shot and county registration once a dog passes 4 months. Your vet can usually tell you which tag to buy.
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 Island Lake
Dog owners from towns close to Island Lake also join our classes.
FAQs
Dog Training Island Lake, 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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