Julia Lane, Cpdt-Ka

06/04/2026

Does your dog go crazy when they see another dog? I have one spot left in my Reactive Rover class that starts 10:15am Sat 6/6 at Dogtopia of Geneva. $225/five weeks; class dates are 6/6, 6/13, 6/20, 6/28, 7/18. To register, call Dogtopia of Geneva (630) 283-1700.

05/04/2026

Felt good to be teaching a group class again! Next classes are:

9am Sat 5/9 Obedience 1
10:15am Sat 5/9 Really Reliable Recall
7:15pm Wed 5/13 Reactive Rover

Our first Obedience 1 class is officially underway! 🐾
From day one, we’re building focus, confidence, and clear communication between dogs and their people.

Everyone did an amazing job—we’re excited to watch these pups grow over the next few weeks!

Interested in the next class? Spots are limited—call or email us to get on the list!

04/18/2026

Who is this handsome fella? Meet Frank, a 2.5-year-old English Lab who loves kids and field trips to Bass Pro Shops! 🚤 🎣

Do you know the difference between an English Lab and an American Lab? Both are popular family companions, and belong to the sporting group. (AKC recognizes one Labrador Retriever breed, regardless of origin.) The English Lab is typically stockier and shorter, with a blockier head, thicker coat, and straighter tail. Families enjoy the English Lab’s just right amount of energy - they love to play, but happy to chill out on the couch, too. 🛋️ 🦮

Frank had a scary experience with another dog, so he is rebuilding social confidence with the Reactive Rehab program. He is a quick study and star student, acing the pattern games and obedience skills! Very proud of you, Frank! 🤩

His favorite toys are any ball for a fun game of fetch, especially Nerf balls in the pool in summer. His favorite activities are agility, swimming, and hanging out with kiddos. 👦🏼 🎾 💦

04/14/2026

I’m so excited to start teaching group obedience classes at Dogtopia of Geneva! First up is Obedience 1 class at 6pm on Wednesdays. Start date very soon. To get on the list, please call (630) 283-1700. 😊🐶

03/21/2026

Who rescued who? 🤔 After a lifetime of loving and owning Pugs, including a very special boy named Charlie, my client couldn’t bring himself to adopt another Pug. It would be impossible not to compare them (many of us dog lovers can relate!).

Meanwhile, a large, high-energy 1-year-old Rottweiler/Pit Bull mix was struggling to find a home. He had grown up in a shelter, and had been adopted and returned twice due to reactive behavior with small children and other dogs. He also had severe separation anxiety, no doubt from being shuffled place to place.

When my client went to the shelter, it was clear that they were meant for each other. He named this big boy Jake and brought him home, intent on getting the training help he needed. What my client didn’t realize is that Jake would heal his heart, too.

We created a socialization plan so Jake is now comfortable greeting new people - including children - in the home and out in public. He is making progress being relaxed around other dogs. His separation anxiety is a thing of the past thanks to crate training and confidence building. Jake’s favorite toy is a tennis ball, and his favorite place is under the grand piano, while his dad plays soothing jazz. 🐕 🎹 🎶

03/14/2026

Do brindle dogs bestill your heart? 😍 You’ll fall in love with Bob, a 3-year-old Mountain Cur who was rescued from a Tennessee park with his brother. A gentle giant at home, he is a social butterfly at doggie daycare and can hardly contain himself when he sees people and other dogs on walks. New friends! New Bob fans! 🤩

The Mountain Cur, part of the Hound Group, were invaluable to early pioneer life in the southern mountains. With their intelligence, athleticism, and excellent tracking and treeing ability, the Mountain Cur was (and continues to be) an exceptional hunting companion. If there wasn’t room in the wagon or on pack animals, family members would carry them!

Because Bob is so friendly, he is learning impulse control skills such as making eye contact with his folks and sit in order to earn the opportunity to go say hi. It’s hard to believe that no one would love Bob, or dogs in general, but this particular human species exists and it’s important to respect their boundaries. His favorite game for polite walking is catch up, and his favorite toy is whichever one is on top of the pile in his toy box. 🎾 🥏

03/07/2026

Chances are you have a Doodle or know someone who does! There’s a new one on the block who is as smart as he is cute. Please give a tail-wagging welcome to Wilson, a 14-week-old Bernedoodle puppy!

The Bernedoodle is a cross between a large breed Bernese Mountain Dog and a Poodle, which can be Standard, Miniature or Toy size. They are popular for their affectionate nature, teddy bear appearance, and low- to non-shedding coat.

Bright and curious, Wilson is so much fun to train! As a Puppy Start student - an in-home training program where Julia comes to you - he is learning human fingers are not yummy sausages, how to ring a bell to go potty, sit, down, come when called, name game, hand target, polite greetings and more. His favorite trick is peekaboo, and his favorite toy is a yellow ducky with flappy wings that he shakes all around!

02/28/2026

Someone got their hair did! Meet Waffles, a 2-year-old mixed breed who sports the cutest, curly mohawk. Can you guess his breeds? 🐕 😍

When he isn’t busy showing off his cool ‘do, Waffles practices polite greetings, come when called with tough distractions, and fun tricks that keep him sharp. 🧠 🐿️

As the weather warms up, he’ll go on field trips to parks & stores to show off his skills, socialize & make new fans everywhere he goes. 🌳 🐾

02/21/2026

What’s black and white and adorably ticked on her chest and paws? 🤔 Meet Birdie, a striking, sweet 2-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer! GSPs are in the sporting group. They come in a variety of colors - from black to liver - and some feature patched, ticked, or patched and ticked markings.

With their athleticism and trademark raised paw to point out birds, GSPs are excellent hunting companions. Did you know that before guns, they were prized for their bird-catching ability? When they’re not working, GSPs are super sofa snugglers with their family. 🥰

Birdie loves beginner agility lessons and recently graduated to running across a full-height dog walk. Next up, confidence building steps to master the teeter totter! 🤩

02/14/2026

How do you show you love your dog? 🐶❤️ Special treats? Scenic walks? Marvel & I found a driveway decorated with pretty pink hearts on our outing. Then we’ll play our new dog sport: Muddy Disc Dog. 😂 🥏 Happy Valentine’s Day! ❤️🐾