The Canine Polarity is now partnering with Scott Sharfman at Akela K9 Services! We are operating at a property in Maple Park, IL on 17 acres. We service all of the Chicago suburbs and can transport Board & Train clients in and out of Chicago city proper.
Tarra Wheeler and Mike Graham have 18+ years of combined experience in the dog training industry. They have both apprenticed under multiple experienced trainers and competitors of dog sports across the country. Mike has graduated from Animal Behavioral Institute as well as taken courses with the Michael Ellis School for Dog Trainers and similar. Tarra and Mike have worked with clients in 9 different states in the US and travel to continue their own education regularly.
Overview
Hired 24 times
Background checked
3 employees
6 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, and Credit card.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2024
Services offered
Dog training package
Puppy training
Aggressive behavior modification
General obedience training
Dog size
Small (16 - 25 lbs)
Medium (26 - 40 lbs)
Large (41 - 70 lbs)
Extra large (70+ lbs)
Dog training type
Private lessons
Board and train
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
10 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
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Read reviews that mention:
Roberta B.
May 28, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
Tara and Mike came into our lives and saved us! I had 2 puppies with littermate syndrome and an ill husband, and we really needed help training them. They helped get us on the right track, trained us so we could train them. They were absolutely wonderful. Patient, kind and great to work with.
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Extra large (70+ lbs) • Private lessons • General obedience training • Leash pulling • House training • Barking • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Aileen v.
Oct 17, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack
I absolutely loved the outcome of my dog maya from the canine polarity’s training. They are very knowledgeable on how to train my dog. I highly recommend their services. You will not be disappointed!! This was worth the investment and our life has improved drastically
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Small (16 - 25 lbs) • I'm flexible • Aggressive behavior modification • House training • Destructive behavior • Crate training • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Wendy P.
Mar 4, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
Tarra and Mike are absolutely amazing trainers and people. They are professional, thoughtful, kind, results oriented and kept me posted on Pancake’s 4 week boarding/training with them regularly. Pancake was a new dog when he arrived home. It was such a transformation, I was in awe of their progress with him. They spent 2 hours with me when they brought him home training me on what they had taught him. I look forward to our continued training sessions. I cannot recommend them enough. You will never regret hiring them. They are simply magic! Thank you again and again Tarra and Mike! Signed, a very grateful and happy puppy mom, Wendy Parker aka Pancake’s mama
Details: 0 - 6 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • House training • Crate training • Barking • Chewing • Leash pulling • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Laurie H.
Apr 2, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
I chose The Canine Polarity based on reviews I read on Thumbtack, and now I can share my own review.
Tarra and Mike have been great trying to help train our "spunky" dachshund puppy Barkley. He's got a lot of energy and is quite stubborn, so it's been difficult to make progress. After numerous one on one sessions in my home, at their suggestion we've decided to go with their Board & Train option, as that will enable them to dedicate constant reinforcement of commands and routines.
I believe they are very fairly priced and extremely flexible when it comes to scheduling. I would highly recommend The Canine Polarity! 🐾
Details: 6 - 12 months old • Extra Small (1 - 15 lbs) • Private lessons • Puppy training • House training • Chewing • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Kristine S.
Jan 31, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
Canine polarity was super helpful with their help gaining an understanding and control on our dogs behavior with simple training skills to integrate in our families life. Consistency is everything.
Details: 2 - 10 years old • Medium (26 - 40 lbs) • Private lessons • Aggressive behavior modification • Barking • Biting • My home, venue, etc.
Dog Training
Credentials
Background Check
Tarra Mathews-Wheeler
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Our pricing is based off of 3 things: our time, the difficulty of the job, and our experience/skill-set. This industry is very much 'you get what you pay for'. When you pay us to work with your dog, you're paying us for the thousands of hours we've invested into our craft, as well as the continuing education we pursue to better ourselves for our clientele. Dog training is an ever-evolving art, and it demands the very best of each of us.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
The first thing we do is a phone consultation with the client to discuss their dog. We like to learn about your lifestyle, any issues you've been having, and get to know your dog's personality before giving suggestions on training services. It's very important to us to build a strong relationship with our clients so everybody feels comfortable with the process and we're on the same page.
What types of customers have you worked with?
We've worked with clients in many different capacities. We've taught senior clients how to raise and manage new puppies, assisted disabled people in teaching new behaviors to their service dogs in training, helped remedy serious aggression in family pets, and showed young kids how to communicate with their dogs and build a better relationship for the future. Dogs are individuals just like people, and we work on a case-by-case basis to develop a training plan that allows everyone involved to feel successful.
