Joan Harris | PAWS Chicago

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Joan Harris

Canine Behavior Trainer

A Little Bit About Joan

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 is a graduate of the prestigious Karen Pryor Academy, where she gained a solid knowledge of clicker training and the science that governs learning. 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 7 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 7 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.

Joan is available for private in-home training She also works training and evaluating therapy-assisted dogs for Canine Therapy Corps as their Dog Training Program Coordinator. At PAWS Chicago she is currently a relief trainer and teaches classes at the PAWS Chicago Training Center.

What Joan teaches at PAWS Chicago: All levels of Obedience classes, Nose Work and Virtual Separation Anxiety Solutions, Teen Manners and Relaxing Your Dog’s Reactivity. Joan Is also a certified CGC (Canine Good Citizen) evaluator.

Fun Fact: Joan is a self-proclaimed “behavior nerd.” She spends much of her spare time viewing videos and reading books about dog behavior. She loves travel and at last count had visited over 35 countries. When unwinding you can find her hiking around town with friends and their dogs or stretching on her yoga mat.