Updated 5/25/2026

Bark To School: Should You Homeschool or Enroll Your Dog in Classes?

I was running some errands over the weekend and felt a bit nostalgic when I walked past the school supply section. The colorful pens, fresh notebooks, and pristine folders immediately reminded me of my days of back-to-school shopping. Now that kids are returning to their classrooms or logging into their home-schooled itineraries, it made me think—if you had the choice, would you rather be homeschooled or attend a private/public school?

More importantly, would you answer the same for your fur-baby?

Training is one of the most critical components of pet ownership, setting the foundation for a happy, safe, and stress-free life together. To get to the bottom of the best educational route for our pets, I interviewed people in the Chicagoland area to explore the reasons why pet parents choose to self-train (“homeschool”) their dogs versus enrolling them in professional puppy classes.

The "Homeschool" Route: Self-Training Your Pup

Taking a DIY approach to dog training is incredibly popular, especially for pet parents who already have some experience handling dogs. Here are the top three reasons people choose to self-train:

1. Flexible Schedule

Training your puppy on your own gives you the ultimate power to create your own schedule. Last-minute work delays, a lengthy commute on the CTA, or unpredictable Chicago weather won’t cause you to miss paid classes. You can train in short, five-minute bursts during your lunch break or right before dinner.

2. High-Quality Bonding Time

Training at home gives you uninterrupted, one-on-one bonding time with your pet. Learning to communicate with each other builds massive amounts of mutual trust. You learn their quirks, and they learn your body language.

3. Inexpensive and Accessible

Self-training may be the perfect fit if you are on a tight budget. The only expenses needed are a clicker and some high-value treats! Social media, YouTube, and even local libraries allow you to access an endless library of positive-reinforcement training resources for free.

My first interviewee is a Chicago resident, Vanessa Aguirre, who has some excellent advice for the people trying out self-training for the first time: “If you are actually going to make time for the training, then give it a shot! The worst case is if it’s not working out, you can always enroll your pup later. My biggest advice is be patient and stock up on lots of treats!”

The absolute key to successful at-home training is holding yourself accountable. If you are a notorious procrastinator, investing in scheduled puppy classes may be the exact motivation you need to get off the couch.

The "Private School" Route: Professional Puppy Classes

For many, calling in the professionals is the best investment they will ever make for their dog. Here is why group classes are so beneficial:

1. Controlled Socializing

Attending professional classes immerses your dog in an unknown territory safely. They are introduced to new fur friends, scents, noises, and people during their critical socialization period (usually up to 16 weeks of age). It can be a nerve-racking experience for a pup, but doing it in a controlled environment supervised by professionals is far safer than overwhelming them on a busy city street.

2. Catching Hidden Behavioral Signs

Your dog trainer has a trained eye for catching signs of anxiety, fear, or aggression long before they become apparent to you. If you are a new dog parent, you may not know that lip-licking, yawning, or "whale eye" are signs of stress that could lead to behavioral issues. A trainer stops these issues in their tracks.

3. Accountability and Distraction Proofing

When you pay for a class, you show up. It forces you to commit. Furthermore, it teaches your dog to listen to you even when chaos is happening around them.

I reached out to Rendy Schuchat, owner of Anything is Pawzible, who has been training puppies and dogs for almost 17 years. I asked Rendy what she wished more people knew about dog classes.

Rendy said, “Living in Chicago, we are faced with lots of distractions on the street. A group class helps you replicate those common distractions with a group of individuals that are all working towards the same goal—to have a well-mannered pooch. Classes help build the relationship with your dog as they learn paying attention to YOU is the most positive thing they can do, which will build your dog’s confidence and yours!”

(Anything is Pawzible is located right here in Chicago, which makes them a fantastic resource for readers here at Sparky Steps!)

After speaking with a professional, I wanted to interview someone with a successful dog-training story. Kate McCarty took Mario (pictured above) to dog training classes in her hometown. Kate made an excellent point about how dog training isn’t just for your pup to understand you—it’s for you to understand your pup.

“Puppy school has not only helped my guy Mario, but it’s also helped me better understand him and the behaviors of other dogs," Kate shared. "Just like people, not all dogs get along with each other, and school has helped me become aware of the signs that can occur when certain dogs meet, and how to properly handle the situation so that no one gets hurt.”

My Final Verdict

I have been fortunate enough to have a family dog during the majority of my life. While self-training is a deeply rewarding experience, I will probably sign my future dog up for professional classes. Why the change of heart? Patience and socialization.

Training a dog is 110% patience, and I honestly don’t see myself maintaining the strict routine required. I can see my procrastination setting in already! Furthermore, dog classes allow your fur-baby to meet unknown faces and elements that my current dog did not get to experience enough.

I love my dog, Mia. She is incredibly affectionate, but I am not confident that she could handle walking the loud, busy streets of downtown Chicago. She is used to being around my neighbor’s dogs in our backyard, and that’s it. I truly think a few group socializing classes would have gone a long way in building her urban confidence.

No matter which type of schooling you choose for your fur-baby, the key to successful training is patience, routine, and consistency.

Need help keeping up with that routine? Whether your dog is homeschooled or top of their class at training school, the dog walkers at Sparky Steps are here to help reinforce their good leash manners while you are at work! Contact us today to set up a walk.

Written by Kathryn Minniti and Edited the Sparky Steps Team