Hello, I’m Rachel LaMere, founder of The Positive Pup Chicago.

In 2004, I moved to NYC with a degree in opera/classical voice from Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle, WA. Soon after, I started walking dogs as what I foolishly believed was a “side hustle”. 

I quickly developed a reputation for handling more…challenging dogs. It turns out, being dragged around Central Park by unruly dogs, or hanging onto the other end of the leash while a dog barks and lunges and frantically tries to get to or away from other dogs isn’t much fun. Eventually I realized that “handling” challenging dogs wasn’t enough. I wanted to learn how to help them, and how to make my time with them more fun and rewarding. 

Early on, I worked with traditional, punishment-based trainers and gained a working knowledge of those methods. When I began volunteering at local rescues, I was introduced to positive reinforcement and force-free methods. Over the years, I slowly but surely began to make the shift. For several years, I worked as a “balanced” trainer, but finally transitioned to force free methods. 

In 2012, I completed the dog trainer certification program through Animal Behavior College, and founded The Positive Pup, dedicated to offering compassionate, effective and fun training for dogs and their humans. 

I’m a certified professional dog trainer (CPDT), certified Fear Free ® trainer, AKC CGC evaluator, and insured through PetCare Insurance. 

In the winter of 2022, I moved to Chicago with my husband, Ryan, our cantankerous, geriatric cat, Roxie (AKA Doodle) and promptly foster failed a chihuahua called Guillermo. 

I look forward to continuing to bring proven, positive training methods to the people and pets of Chicago!