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Ready for your DARN GOOD DOG, Chicago?
Meet Joan H. (left) and Joan Marie (right), the trainers behind Darn Good Dogs Chicago.
Meet Joan H. (left) and Joan Marie (right), the trainers behind Darn Good Dogs Chicago.
WHY ARE WE PASSIONATE ABOUT DOG TRAINING?
WHY ARE WE PASSIONATE ABOUT DOG TRAINING?
Joan Marie Dauber
Joan Marie Dauber
KPA CTP, CPDT KA
KPA CTP, CPDT KA
AVAILABILITY: MONDAY - THURSDAYS, SUNDAYS. Serving Chicago neighborhoods east of Kedzie/south of Montrose/north of Jackson/the lakefront
Joan Marie brings over 15 years of hands-on experience as a professional dog trainer, working with dogs of all ages, breeds, and backgrounds at PAWS Chicago, the largest no-kill humane organization in the Midwest. The majority of the dogs she has trained present with behavior challenges, and her work has focused on helping dogs overcome anxiety, fear, and stress-related behaviors so they can succeed in homes and in everyday life.
In 2022, Joan Marie launched Darn Good Dogs Chicago, building on her extensive shelter training experience. That same year, she completed the Karen Pryor Academy Professional Dog Trainer program, graduating with distinction, and in 2023 she earned her CPDT-KA certification. She has also received multiple awards recognizing her training and volunteer work at PAWS Chicago.
Joan Marie specializes in aggression and reactivity, while also having a deep passion for helping shy and fearful dogs gain confidence, especially in busy city environments. She attends the annual Aggression in Dogs (now CANIS) Conference and continues her professional development through ongoing education, including conferences, webinars, and advanced coursework in dog behavior.
In addition to dog training, Joan Marie is a classical singer with two degrees in Vocal Performance and still actively performs around Chicago. She is Mom to a Chihuahua/Cattle Dog Letty, who has earned seven Trick Titles, and three cats, Danny, Amana, and Tobias.
Joan Marie: "Truly the big dog personalities often come with some unexpected features underneath! There is no greater feeling for me than to see a once poorly behaved, anxious dog become a happy, easy to walk, and sociable pup.
I bring my tools as a teacher of 20+ years, my problem-solving skills, and my canine experience and knowledge to my training - and can't wait to see you feel more relaxed, have more fun, and take great pride in your trained darn good dog."
Joan Harris
Joan Harris
KPA Grad, CPDT-KA
KPA Grad, CPDT-KA
AVAILABILITY: TUESDAY- THURSDAY, SATURDAY & SUNDAY. Serving these Chicago areas: east of Pulaski/south of Lawrence/ north of Fulton Market/west of Ashland; and east of Pulaski/south of Lawrence/north of Chicago/to the lakefront.
For over 30 years, Joan Harris has trained dogs and their people in the Chicagoland area. Her main goal is to help people develop happy and healthy relationships with their dogs. She feels that force-free training using positive reinforcement creates a lasting bond—and fantastic results.
Joan began her career in dog training after she adopted her first rescue German Shepherd, Hans. She entered the competition world with her next seven German Shepherds, earning titles in obedience, tracking and protection work. Simultaneously she worked as a trainer helping people with their pets and helping solve the behavior challenges encountered in the home environment.
After volunteering for seven years, Joan officially joined the staff of Chicago’s largest no-kill shelter PAWS Chicago as Director of Canine Training and Behavior. During her time at PAWS, she helped to evaluate the canine population and assist with finding their forever homes. She also trained staff and volunteers on safe handling techniques and canine body language.
Her experience in the shelter world makes her the ideal coach for helping with anxiety, reactivity, fearfulness, and resource guarding.
Joan continues to teach group classes at PAWS Chicago and is a pro at Nosework, Canine Good Citizen courses, Teen Manners, Obedience, and Perfect Puppy training.
After some dog-less years, Joan brought home Pascal, a Papillon puppy in early 2025. Since then, Pascal has mastered his obedience skills, graduated Circus Dog class, and takes Agility and Nose Work classes regularly. If your small dog wants a friend, call Pascal! He loves every dog and person he meets (some cats, too!).
Joan H.: "I joined the staff of Darn Good Dogs Chicago with Joan Marie and am thrilled about this new chapter in my dog training career. I look forward to meeting you and helping with your darn good dog!"
Sharon with her dog Pallo, Rally ADV Title 100 - 1st Place
December 31. 2025
Sharon Cierniak
Sharon Cierniak
Sharon Cierniak has been training dogs for over 30 years, earning titles in obedience, agility, rally, tracking, and carting. Her experience spans a wide range of dog sports and training styles, all grounded in her belief that every dog is an individual with unique needs. One of her many unique strengths is taking the confidence-building and focus work required for dog sports and applying it to dogs in need of behavior modification training.
Sharon specializes in positive, reward-based training methods that build trust, encourage learning, and strengthen the bond between dogs and their people. Her ongoing commitment to continuing education keeps her teaching fun, engaging, and effective. She’s also a whiz at tricks, agility, and canine fitness.
With a deep background in rescue and shelter work, Sharon has seen firsthand how training and enrichment can transform a dog’s life. At PAWS Chicago many dogs with reactivity, profound fear, and other anxieties benefited from Sharon's expert handling and training skills.
Sharon currently shares her life with Pallo, her energetic Rottweiler who especially loves dock diving. Fun fact: Sharon’s training career began in grammar school as the neighborhood's go-to “free dog walker.”
Both Joan Marie and Joan H. received their Dog Trainer Professional certifications from the prestigious and rigorous Karen Pryor Academy, respected worldwide as the gold standard for clicker training and positive reinforcement and where they gained a solid knowledge of clicker training and the science that governs learning.
This research-based approach applies to both human and canine learners. KPA also provides lifelong continuing education and support to all their alumni.
They also successfully passed the 2023 Certification for Professional Dog Trainers - Knowledge Assessment Examinations. The certifying organization CCPDT® recognizes the knowledge and experience of professional dog trainers.
Certificants must provide references that attest to their work and pass a rigorous written exam that focuses on the science behind dog behavior and the application of training techniques. CPDT-KA® certification provides an independent, scientifically valid measure of an individual’s understanding of the field of dog training, including instruction skills, learning theory, ethology, equipment, and animal husbandry.
CCPDT® requires its certificants to adhere to its Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics and Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive (LIMA) Effective Behavior Intervention policies. Certificants must engage in on-going continuing education to maintain the credential. These rigorous standards ensure that CPDT-KA® certificants are actively engaged in professional development and applying the most current science and techniques with their clients.
Established in 2001, CCPDT is the leading independent certifying organization for the dog training profession. As the leader in the development of rigorous exams to demonstrate mastery of humane, science-based dog training practices, CCPDT has certified thousands of dog trainers and canine behavior consultants worldwide. For more information, visit www.ccpdt.org.
Candidates who pass the exam earn the title Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge Assessed and may use the designation “CPDT-KA®” after their names. All certified trainers must earn continuing education credits to maintain their designations or take the examination again in three years.
"A lot better!"
"Thank you again for all your help with Thanos. Things have really been a lot better with him and we're so appreciative for all the training!" - Elijah J.
"Given positive reinforcement tools"
"Really felt like we were given positive reinforcement tools and ways to redirect when our dog was above threshold" - I. M.
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