About
I'm Jason Lareau. I train dogs out of my home in the Barrington area and travel to clients too. Changing a dog's frame of mind takes time and consistency, and translating that to the owner is the next most important step.
I'll tell you honestly what your dog needs. When your dog comes home, I work with you too, so the training sticks for life.
I worked several years under the best in the field and put it to work with hundreds of dogs and families, and every case still teaches me more. Every dog is different, so let's talk. Your evaluation is free.
WHAT I HELP WITH
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Barking and reacting to dogs or people
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Leash reactivity
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Mouthing, nipping and biting
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Resource guarding (food or toys)
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Fear and nervousness
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Separation anxiety
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Confidence
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Obedience commands
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Tricks
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Loose leash walking
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Pulling on the leash
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Jumping on people
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Not listening or coming when called
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Place and off leash obedience
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Door manners and counter surfing
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Dog to dog socialization
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Puppy basics and crate training
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Retrieving
In Home Board and Train
Your dog lives with me in my home, is trained daily, cared for, and treated like one of my own.
Every dog stays a minimum of 3 to 6 weeks, big problem or small. Real change can't be rushed. We practice the real world over and over: the crate, the doorbell, the walk, the strange dog, the busy street, until your dog meets it with a calm, clear head.
When we're finished, I'll bring your dog home or you'll pick them up here, and then I work with you, so what your dog learned keeps going at home.
PUPPY RAISING
Raising Your Puppy Right
Your puppy lives with me in my home. We start with play and motivation, then move to real obedience once they're old enough, plus sport and play based work.
What's Included
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Potty and crate routine
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Bite manners
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Socialization to people, dogs, places and sounds
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Name, sit, come and leash basics using food and play
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Food and play motivation
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The move to real obedience when your puppy is ready
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Play, tug and sport foundations
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Photo and video updates
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A handoff lesson when you pick up your puppy
PRICING AND TIMELINE
How It Goes
Puppy Raising
$600 a week
We raise puppies from as early as 8 weeks, right when they come home from the breeder.
Everything in Puppy Raising above is included.
Puppies who finish Puppy Raising move into Board and Train when they're ready.
In Home Board and Train
$1,000 a week
For dogs 4 to 6 months and older
- Lives with me, one trainer, not in a kennel
- Trained daily, minimum stay of 3 to 6 weeks
- Real world practice around distractions
- Handoff session: you hold the leash, I coach
- Follow up sessions after you go home
Private Lessons
$100 an hour
One on one coaching for you and your dog.
Save when you book a package of lessons.
HOW I TRAIN
Our Methodology
At K9 Connections, I'm a balanced trainer. That means I use every tool that helps a dog truly understand what's expected, not just one. Dogs learn through what trainers call the four quadrants of operant conditioning:
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Positive Reinforcement
Adds something the dog loves, like praise or a game, to make a behavior happen more often.
02
Negative Reinforcement
Takes away pressure the moment the dog makes the right choice.
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Positive Punishment
Adds a clear correction to make an unwanted behavior happen less often.
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Negative Punishment
Takes away something the dog wants, like attention or freedom, when he makes a poor choice.
I use all four with purpose and timing. Praise and reward build confidence and a love of working together. Correction teaches a dog that some choices simply aren't an option, so good behavior holds up in the real world, around distractions, and when it matters most.
What Families Say
We rescued Ace, and walks were a struggle: he pulled constantly, didn't listen, and chased every squirrel he saw. After working with Jason, he no longer pulls, he listens, and he's so much more obedient. What really stood out is that Jason didn't just train Ace, he coached us on what we should and shouldn't be doing, so the progress actually stuck at home. Walks are enjoyable now instead of stressful, and Ace is a completely different dog. If you're looking for a trainer, I'd recommend Jason without hesitation.
Andrea T., with Ace · Poodle Mix
I adopted Ford in August of 2024, he was about 15 months old. Ford didn't have an easy life prior to me adopting him as he was neglected, locked in a bedroom not fed and sent to a boarding facility before a family member had him brought to her farm outside of Rockford. That is the first place Ford received a name and the attention he desperately needed. After adopting him and bringing him home I tried working on training and getting him eating but it was apparent I was needing professional help. I came into contact with Jason around October of 2024 for Ford's first session. I was amazed how fast Ford was able to learn from Jason. With his knowledge and skills he was able to get Ford obeying basic obedience commands and heeling without issues within a few good lessons. Jason knows that as important as it is to train the dog, teaching the owner is just as important. He taught me more than I would ever know about my dog and all the little things he does. With the help of Jason and his training Ford now has an acre of land that he patrols, chickens he protects, is able to free roam the house without destroying anything, and goes everywhere with me. I am grateful for Jason's amazing talents and patience, my dog is living the life he deserves after a long time of neglect and it is thanks to Jason. I would recommend him to anyone I know needing help with their dog whether it's teaching your dog how to sit or to jump into action to protect you.
Riley W., with Ford · Shepherd
Before working with Jason, Bruno, our Cane Corso, was a nervous, scared dog who struggled with not listening, jumping on people, and not realizing how big he really is. With a dog his size and strength, it was stressful for our family, and we knew we needed professional help before it became a bigger problem. What stood out most about Jason's training was how he truly gained Bruno's trust. He understood the Cane Corso breed and took the time to work with Bruno as an individual, never forcing him. He also explained why each technique works and trained us too, so we knew exactly how to keep it going at home. The transformation has been incredible. In just 4 weeks, we started seeing real progress, and Jason turned Bruno from a nervous, scared dog into a confident, well-mannered family dog. Bruno now listens, keeps all four paws on the floor, and moves through the house with a better sense of his own size. He's still the loyal, protective Cane Corso we love, but now he's calm and sure of himself. If you're looking for a dog trainer, especially for a large or strong-willed breed, don't hesitate to call Jason. He's skilled, kind, and truly cares about both the dogs and their people. Bruno is a different dog today, and we would recommend Jason to anyone.
Kelsey P., with Bruno · Cane Corso
When Jason first came out, Drover was extremely mouthy and was displaying some aggressive behaviors that I was struggling to manage on my own. I knew I needed to address those behaviors and learn how to communicate with him effectively. What separates Jason from any other dog trainer, in my experience, is how much he genuinely cares about both the dog and the owner. He shows up eager to teach and creates a partnership that you can really lean into. When moments become uncertain, he is quick to reinforce, redirect, or slow things down so both you and your dog can understand what is being asked. Jason taught me that the foundations of "sit," "stay," and "down" are incredibly important and often underutilized. They are the basis for so much of what we ask of our dogs. Through our sessions and countless repetitions, Drover began to understand where he should walk and how he should sit properly next to me. He also taught me how to properly utilize a prong collar to communicate with Drover and give him clear boundaries and direction. One of the biggest changes has been watching Drover learn to correct himself. Instead of constantly needing me to tell him what to do, he began to understand what was expected of him and make better choices on his own. The change in Drover has been incredible, but the biggest transformation has been in our relationship. I have learned how to communicate with him more clearly and confidently, and through that communication, our bond has become so much stronger. I would absolutely recommend Jason to anyone looking for a dog trainer. He doesn't just train the dog, he teaches the owner, builds confidence, and creates a partnership that continues long after the training session ends. I am incredibly grateful for the foundation he has helped us build.
Eva P., with Drover · Poodle Mix
QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my dog keep it up at home?
That depends on you, and that's good news, because it means you're in control. When you stick with what I teach you, the training holds.
Can I visit?
We'll go over everything about your dog's stay at your free evaluation, so you know exactly what to expect.
What tools do you use?
Every tool that helps your dog understand, from praise and play to clear correction. I'm a balanced trainer, so I use reward and correction together.
What results can I expect?
Every dog is different, and I'll always be honest with you about yours. What I can tell you is that I put everything into your dog's training, I teach you how to keep it going, and the families who follow through are the ones with the best results.
K9 Connections · Building bonds for life