Find a DogPro

Hi! I’m a positive reinforcement dog trainer! I am CPDT-KA certified as well as having 2 college degrees in canine science and assistance dog education (service dogs!). My passion is dog training and I’m able to help you and your dog work through behavioral issues like excessive barking, pulling on leash, recall. If you just got a puppy I absolutely adore teaching fundamental basic life skills, obedience, potty training and more! I am also able to do service dog and therapy dog training.

Happy Hound University LLC is owner by Mary Thompson, CTC PMCT1 CPDT-KA FDM FFCP. Happy Hound University LLC offers certified positive reinforcement based training for you and your dog in your home and through group classes. We use force-free methods to manage and modify your dog's unwanted behaviors, and teach them new, desirable ones! Serving the Northwest suburbs of Chicago, IL with group classes based in Des Plaines, IL.

I help families train their dog in a respectful positive reinforcement and force free methods

The Life of Kai is a 501-c3. Our vision is to have fewer displaced dogs in the shelters and more pets in the homes. We hope to reach our goal through several programs. Humane education teaches empathy to build a kinder and compassionate generation. Training and dog behavior books based on science are available to the public with free and easy access. Coaching new adopters and guardians and teaching pet dogs to co-exist through better understanding of canine behaviors. Working pro-bono with rescues and fosters to make rescued dogs more adoptable and supporting a foster-centric community by creating a foster registry.

Truth is I love dogs! Big, small, furry, bald, stinky or clean I love them all. I will cherish each as my own. I am just staring out and would love to start by walking them, then possible dog sitting in my home. I have owned a bulldog, and cocker spaniel in my life so far. I am pet free at the current time. Please trust in me, meet me and let me love on your babies!

I specialize in using reward-based techniques to help families with dogs that are considered difficult, whether it is dog-dog aggression, resource guarding, aggression towards humans, reactivity to objects, noises, fearful/shutdown dogs. I also work with dogs that have had a bite history. In addition, I have a SmartPuppy Program that helps you grow puppies into smart, confident dogs and prevent many issues rather than fix them later. I use games, toys and food to train with fun and kindness.

Over the years, I've had the pleasure of looking after a wide range of pets. My love for animals runs deep, and I take great joy in making sure they're well taken care of. The best part is that my daughter shares this passion. Together, we have a blast hanging out with the dogs we host in our home. We can't wait to meet your furry friends!