Unleashed in Evanston - Evanston, Illinois

Linda Z.

For the past five weeks I had enrolled my four-year-old dog, Teddy, in Vanessa Batista's "No Nuisance " class at Unleashed. I was a bit apprehensive at first, because T. is anxious in unfamiliar situations, but from the start, Vanessa was able to create an upbeat and all-excepting atmosphere that put everyone at ease. Vanessa did not only show us how to teach our dogs reliable behaviors such as recall, leave it, stay, and heel, but also gave each individual owner instant feedback regarding behavioral issues that their dogs exhibited. I gained invaluable insight into my and other dog's behavior, the expectations we can have from our dogs, and the solutions that are available to us. After each session, Vanessa was incredibly patient and forthcoming with advice regarding our individual dogs, and per email provided us with follow-up material regarding the class and containing information about other valuable resources for dog training. I'm very glad that I enrolled Teddy in this class and that we got to know Vanessa. I highly recommend signing up for her classes!

Karina P.

Unleashed is hands down best dog daycare training facility in the North Shore. The owner, Becky, is an expert in dog behavior and deeply understands how to help dogs of all personalities, from hyper, playful pups to anxious wallflowers, can thrive.

My rescue came to us with many fears and emotional scars. I worked with several trainers who, while they had some good suggestions, did not quite know how to handle a dog with as much anxiety and fear as he had. Their suggestion was to put him on psych meds and keep working on the training regimens they gave me at home, and to not allow him around other dogs or people for the time being.

I knew my dog deserved better and that he would benefit from Unleashed's FUNgility class, which is one of the few non-competitive agility classes I came across in my research. Meg, the head trainer, welcomed him to her class knowing that he would be a bit harder to work with than the average pup. She was phenomenal and so patient in helping him overcome his fears and actually enjoy going through the courses at his own pace without judgment. She cried the very first time my dog went through the tunnel (which he was terrified of initially) — a testament for how deeply she cares about the dogs she works with. We even enrolled my dog in half-days at Unleashed's daycare, something we never thought possible, so he could build confidence around other dogs and begin to trust strangers. He went from being glued to the door to bonding with dogs and the kind, caring staff in just a few weeks. We also did private training with Meg which was fantastic.

If you are looking for a daycare, boarding, and training facility that understands that every dog is a unique individual and treats them as such, Unleashed is the place to go. I credit Unleashed with helping my dog learn that the world isn't scary place and to be confident. I am so grateful for them.

Kathy K.

I took our shelter puppy to an Unleashed dog training class. They are very attentive to dogs and have a nice indoor and outdoor space (if your dog needs a bathroom break). There are two locations in Evanston so pay attention to the class location. Bring treats and a hungry dog

Liz B.

Vanessa provides a safe environment for puppies and owners to flourish. She has clear tips and structures to make training and socialization fun. I highly recommend her classes!

Elizabeth Z.

I have so many good things to say about Unleashed in Evanston! My dog, Eddie George, absolutely loves his classes there. We have taken several and all the trainers have been awesome. We are having so much fun right now in our outdoor recall class with Vanessa. Vanessa is an exceptional trainer—patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely caring. She has a natural rapport with the dogs and makes learning fun and engaging for both pets and their “parents”. Eddie loves her.

One of the best parts about the recall class is that it's held outside. This setting adds an extra layer of excitement and realism to the training. Eddie George gets to practice his recall skills in an environment filled with natural distractions, which has made a tremendous difference in his responsiveness.

Vanessa techniques are effective and easy to follow, and her positive reinforcement methods really resonate with Eddie. It's clear she has a deep understanding of canine behavior, and her passion for what she does shines through in every session. While Eddie George still has a ways to go, he continues to get better.

If you're looking for a top-notch training experience for your dog, I highly recommend Unleashed in Evanston. Eddie George and I couldn't be happier with our experience.

Andrew P.

Unleashed has been great! We've done multiple classes with Vanessa --she is simply amazing! Knowledge, great with dogs (and their humans!), and really gets to know what works best for each dog and family. Will be signing up for more classes for sure!!

Jessica C.

Vanessa has been an awesome instructor. She demonstrates really helpful strategies for training and provides plenty of resources in follow up. She has a great attitude, her love for dogs is obvious. She is honest and has helped me learn how I can do better by my dog. I’m grateful I had the chance to learn from her!

Angie S.

Vanessa is a great trainer. Her calm demeanor helps the dog parents feel more at ease. Her expertise helps us feel capable of properly training our dogs. Her excitement for training our pets is contagious! Can’t wait to continue working with her in our next class!