Your Pet, Our Expertise
LOOSE LEASH ACADEMY
Certified Professional Dog Training
OBEDIENCE & THERAPY ANIMAL TRAINING
BASIC OBEDIENCEÂ TRAINING
Training with Love & Commitment
THERAPY ANIMAL TRAINING
Ready. Set. HEAL
ABOUT LU ANNE & DIRK SMITH
Lu Anne Smith, CPDT & Dirk Smith, CPDT are the founders of Loose Leash Academy. Both are certified dog trainers through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers® (CCPDT®). Established in 2001, CCPDT is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. The CCPDT is the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices. Thousands of dog training professionals worldwide maintain the CCPDT’s certifications as a mark of high professional distinction. Additionally, they are both certified evaluators through the Alliance of Therapy Dogs.
Lu Anne & Dirk both believe it’s never too late to teach an old pet (and its owner) new behaviors. A well-trained animal that walks by your side with no pulling is our goal...just ask our happy clients (both 2-legged AND 4-legged!).
Our training services are designed with you and your pet in mind to ensure results. We believe in working as much with you as with your pet. Our goal is to provide long-lasting impact through expert training.
Loose Leash Academy has many years of experience in supporting pet owners to make the needed changes in their pet’s habits. Our high success and client satisfaction rates are our greatest source of pride.
As the president of Chicagoland Dog Rescue, I am extremely proud of our rescue's LIFETIME of FREEÂ dog-training for all dogs adopted through CDR. We want to ensure our pups' success in their new families and our trainers Lu Anne & Dirk Smith make sure of that! We are incredibly grateful for their time, talent and passion educating and training the many families who adopt from CDR.
Georgene Mengarelli, President Chicagoland Dog Rescue
Much of the success of the quality of dogs that are trained through the Northwest Community Hospital Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT) program is due to Lu Anne and Dirk Smith. Their ongoing commitment to evaluating, training and hosting refresher training ensures that our therapy dogs meet the highest therapy animal standards.
Kathy King, AAT Coordinator at Northshore Northwest Community Hospital
Lu Anne & Dirk Smith are TOP-NOTCH trainers. Specializing in positive reinforcement techniques, building relations and having you work with your animal as a team, their years of experience as certified dog trainers shines through! We are honored and grateful that Lu Anne and Dirk are training future therapy dog teams (and even a cat team!) for us!
Jodie Diegel, President SOUL Harbour Ranch Animal Therapy Program
