Dog Training for Richmond Dog Owners
Richmond sits near the Wisconsin line, with the Prairie Trail running through town and Glacial Park just to the south. Space like that is made for dogs, as long as they listen. Mystic Paws Academy is about 19 miles south at 140 W. Terra Cotta Ave in Crystal Lake, straight down Route 31.
Richmond families who want a positive dog trainer make the drive for small classes and steady progress, and many add online lessons for weeks they cannot come in. Your dog learns with rewards and play, never force.
Richmond's six-foot leash rule in town and the ten-foot rule at nearby Glacial Park both reward a dog who walks without pulling. Our classes build that skill, along with a recall strong enough for big open spaces and calm behavior around wildlife on prairie trails. Because the drive is longer, we help Richmond families plan a mix of in-class weeks and at-home practice so progress never stalls.
Richmond 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 Richmond 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
Richmond families can mix online learning with in-person 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 Richmond Puppies
Got a Richmond puppy? Class can begin at 8 weeks, and the free online puppy course covers the days in between.
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 Richmond 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 Richmond 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 Richmond: Local Tips
Richmond has strict leash rules in town and huge natural areas nearby. In-town walks follow a 6-foot leash limit, while county conservation sites allow up to 10 feet. Here is what Richmond dog owners should know.
About 3,400 acres of prairie and wetland at 6705 Route 31, Ringwood, just south of Richmond. Dogs are welcome on a leash no longer than 10 feet, under control and on the trail. There are no off-leash areas. Bring a 10-foot line to practice distance work.
Village code says dogs off your property must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet. Carry a way to pick up waste, and keep dogs off school and church grounds. A dog at large can be impounded. A short leash makes busy Main Street walks easier.
McHenry County tags cost $15 a year for a fixed dog. If you are 62 or older, or your dog is microchipped, you get $5 off. Register within 30 days of the rabies shot to skip the $10 late fee. Ask about the 3-year tag to save a yearly trip.
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Up near the state line in Richmond, home practice keeps progress moving between trips. 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
Richmond families can begin at home, then make the trip south. These four steps lay it out.
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 Richmond location.
About 19 miles, roughly 30 to 38 minutes by car. Take Route 12 (Main Street) to Route 31, then follow Route 31 south through Ringwood and McHenry to Route 176 (Terra Cotta Ave) in Crystal Lake.
From Richmond
Where We Train
Dog Training Richmond, IL: FAQs
No. All classes and grooming happen at our facility at 140 W. Terra Cotta Ave, Crystal Lake, IL 60014, about 19 miles from Richmond.
About 19 miles, roughly 30 to 38 minutes by car, straight south on Route 31. Many Richmond families mix in Level 1 Online to cut down on trips.
Yes. Like the rest of McHenry County, Richmond requires a rabies tag once a dog is past 4 months old, and you can buy it from most local vets. Please have that rabies certificate ready before group class.
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 Richmond
Families from nearby towns also train with us in Crystal Lake.
FAQs
Dog Training Richmond, 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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