About Me
The dog whisperer was taken.
I'm better anyway.
I founded Canine Behavior Coaching after nearly two decades of working with dogs and the people who love them. I've been training since 2006, and my approach has always been the same: thoughtful, humane, and grounded in actual science.
I'm a Certified Behavior Consultant (CBCC-KA) through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers and an AKC Canine Good Citizen Evaluator through the American Kennel Club. I'm also a certified instructor in canine CPR and first aid. I was honored to be named one of the Best Positive Reinforcement Trainers in both Chicago and Illinois by Sniffspot.
Before launching Canine Behavior Coaching, I served as Vice President of a multi-location pet care company in Chicago, overseeing training, grooming, daycare, and boarding across nine facilities. I was responsible for the safety and wellbeing of thousands of dogs and the teams who cared for them. I developed training curricula, built safety protocols, and designed a formal apprenticeship program to train the next generation of positive reinforcement practitioners. Over the course of my career, I've taught and mentored more than thirty professional trainers.
That chapter gave me something you can't get in a classroom: a deep understanding of canine behavior not just in structured sessions, but in the unpredictable, messy reality of everyday life.
Eventually, I chose to step away from corporate leadership to do the work that matters most to me. Sitting with a nervous dog, helping a family finally feel in control, and making a real difference one household at a time. Canine Behavior Coaching exists to offer exactly that: personalized, in-home support rooted in science and compassion.
Today I work with families throughout Chicago's North Shore on:
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Separation anxiety
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Fearful or anxious behavior
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Puppy foundations and early prevention
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Basic through advanced obedience
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Preparing for a new baby and family life
I never use aversive tools or punishment-based methods, full stop. My goal is for every dog to feel safe, understood, and capable, and for every family to have the knowledge and confidence to support lasting change.
When dogs feel secure and families feel confident, everyone thrives. That's the foundation everything here is built on.
My Certifications and Awards
Trusted by North Shore Families
“I got my puppy early in 2020, so when Chicago started re-opening in summer 2021, my biggest concern was Walter's separation anxiety. In July 2021 we started 1:1 training with Liz. At that point, I thought I would never be able to leave Walter home alone, since for the first 1.5 years of his life he was by my side non-stop. When I did leave him alone, even just closing a door and leaving him in another room, he would bark and cry hysterically and pounce on the door trying to get it open. I'm so happy that after about 6 months of formal training and 1-2 months of practicing, I can leave Walter home alone without him crying or worrying at all! We are now working on distractions outside and teaching Walter that it's okay to walk past dogs or humans and not stop and play.”
Shaina and Walter
"Liz has been absolutely incredible in helping me understand and support my mini goldendoodle. After moving from a quiet small town to a busy city, my dog developed severe separation anxiety and was really struggling with all the new noises and stimulation. I felt overwhelmed and honestly didn’t know where to start.
Liz completely bridged the gap between me and my dog’s communication style. She helped me recognize what my dog was trying to express and gave me practical, realistic tools to build trust and confidence again. What I appreciated most is how patient and intuitive she is… not just with dogs, but with owners too.
Thanks to her guidance, my dog is calmer, more secure, and able to handle the city environment so much better. I feel more confident as an owner, and our bond is stronger than ever.
I can’t recommend Liz enough if you’re dealing with anxiety or behavioral challenges!!! She truly changes lives (both human and canine)".
Jill and Bailey
Liz has been an absolute wonder for us. Between the help she's given us with our 2 dogs that have VERY different personalities... to the support and coaching she's given us on bringing a new baby into the house with dogs.
She's amazing and extremely knowledgeable. We love our puppies so much and she's helped in so many ways as they've grown older with us. I feel so lucky to have such an experienced person I can rely on with the care of our dogs.
Jim, Miranda, Rex and Sky
Let’s Work Together
Schedule your phone consultation to begin building a safer, calmer life with your dog. We provide science-based, family-centered coaching throughout Chicago’s North Shore, focusing on overall wellness with compassion and expertise.