We are a chicago company to our core. All of our trainers have lived in and loved chicago for several years. we have owned multiple dogs, and raised puppies in neighborhoods throughout the city, and in a variety of living spaces. from high rise apartments, to duplexes, to single family homes we deeply understand the unique challenges owning a dog in chicago presents.
Potty training a new pup on the 42nd floor of a high rise? we got you
Learning how to exercise and fufill your dog without a yard? we got you
Dealing with reactivity in a busy neighborhood? we got you
We are chicagos dog experts
Our Team
Emily Stoddard
Emily has been around dogs her whole life and started her formal training career when she met Sandy, a Yellow Labrador Retriever. Sandy was aggressive towards other dogs and after trying a number of punitive techniques thought there was a better way. Emily started as an apprentice at The Anti-Cruelty Society's School of Dog Training, where she then became a Senior Instructor. She was hired on to work in the Animal Behavior Department assessing temperaments and rehabilitating dogs as they got ready for adoption. From here she left to open her own training company and Canine Sports Dog Training was born. Emily’s thirst for knowledge continued, even after creating Canine Sports. She continued to seek out the world’s best trainers, mentors, and coaches. Through her pursuit of continued education she became adept at a variety of training and coaching skills and methodologies. Eventually Emily combined her wealth of knowledge, natural skill, and now years of experience to create a powerful and exhaustive training curriculum.
Now Emily is a sought after industry expert. She is frequently the first choice of aspiring trainers seeking out a mentor. Due to her detail oriented personality, and remarkable ability to teach others Emily has been asked to present seminars on a variety of topics worldwide. She looks forward to continuing to share her experience with all who wish to learn.
Natalie Ridge
Natalie has been around dogs her entire life, while her family always had a pet dog, Natalie got her first dog, a Bernese Mountain Dog, around the age of 12. She took part in training classes as a junior handler, and her love of training was born. After pursuing a degree in music education Natalie got her first dog as an adult, Athena, an American Pit Bull Terrier; after taking a puppy class at the Anti Cruelty Society, she began her formal career as a trainer through the Society's apprenticeship program. It was Here that she first met Emily. During her apprenticeship Natalie was led to rescue her second dog, Guinness, a highly aggressive ex dog fighting American Staffordshire Terrier. Along with her apprenticeship, and volunteering Natalie switched her day job from phlebotomist to veterinary assistant to continue pursuing her newfound passion for dogs.
In her time at the veterinary clinic Natalie witnessed how common behavior problems had profound effects on dogs' health, as well as their owners’ happiness. This realization inspired her to help dog owners better understand their dog from a physiological, biological, genetic, and behavioral standpoint.As a former education major, Natalie is a huge learning theory nerd, which influences her teaching style both with dogs and their humans. She firmly believes that dog and owner teams need to develop a common language and system of communication to bridge the gap between species. Natalie’s outside the box viewpoint has led her to continue to be innovative with methods and techniques to make sure each dog can achieve its best.She continues to seek out knowledge in her never ending quest to learn all things training related.
STEPH GREW UP AROUND DOGS AND HAS ALWAYS LOVED CARING FOR ANIMALS. AS A TEEN, SHE WALKED THE NEIGHBORHOOD DOGS AND VOLUNTEERED AT HER LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY. AFTER GRADUATING FROM ILLINOIS STATE WITH A DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS, SHE GOT HER FIRST DOG, THE CUTEST PITBULL PUPPY, QUINCY. IT WAS QUINCY WHO TAUGHT HER ABOUT THE DEMANDS OF THE PUPPY PHASE, WHICH INCLUDED THE DREADED SHARP-TOOTHED "SHARK" PHASE. SHE REALIZED SHE NEEDED SUPPORT, SO SHE SIGNED UP FOR PUPPY CLASSES. IT WAS THERE THAT SHE LEARNED HOW TO CREATE A BEAUTIFUL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PEOPLE AND THEIR DOGS. STEPH WAS HOOKED. SHE DOVE HEADFIRST INTO HER NEWFOUND INTEREST IN DOG BEHAVIOR, TRAINING, AND LEARNING THEORY.
AFTER MOVING TO CHICAGO, SHE FILLED HER TIME WORKING WITH DOGS, READING UP ON LEARNING THEORY, AND OBTAINING A PERSONAL TRAINING CERTIFICATION. ONCE THE PANDEMIC STARTED, SHE FIGURED IT WAS THE PERFECT TIME TO LEARN FROM EXPERIENCED DOG TRAINERS WHO WERE WILLING TO TEACH AND OFFER GUIDANCE IN HER CANINE TRAINING CAREER. SHE REACHED OUT TO CANINE SPORTS AND BEGAN HER INTERNSHIP THERE IN 2021. SHE HASN'T LOOKED BACK SINCE. STEPH IS STILL HUNGRY TO LEARN MORE, AND SHE LOVES HELPING PEOPLE CREATE THE MOST FULFILLING RELATIONSHIP THEY CAN WITH THEIR DOGS! SHE CAN'T WAIT TO MEET YOUR CANINE BEST FRIEND.
Stephanie HATfield
Emily began her apprenticeship at the Anti Cruelty Society after taking some group classes there with her dog, Roscoe. When Emily and her husband decided to grow their family, she knew Roscoe’s fear of children would need to be addressed. After putting in some hard work Roscoe is now a happy big brother, rising to the task magnificently.
Emily continued to learn as much as she could about dog training, and became a stellar group class instructor. Her combination of training knowledge and experience, as well as her excellent organizational skills made her the perfect choice for Office Manager
Her love for animals, managerial skills, and drive to help a small business succeed has been helpful beyond words.
Emily goes above and beyond in the name of customer service, her communication skills are second to none. She has been indispensable in organizing, scheduling, managing resources, and innovating new projects. Emily makes sure that every experience with Canine Sports goes above and beyond the average dog training experience! She really helps us to be, and to bring out the best in our clients!