Dog Training, Daycare Facility Opens In Downtown Lemont

LEMONT, IL — A new dog daycare and training facility has opened in downtown Lemont. Wags to Riches is open now at 44 Stephen St., Suite B. The business provides full- and half-day daycare, dog training group classes and private training.

The business is owned by Jim Keenan who has over 25 years of experience in dog training and behavior sciences. The business said, "[Keenan] as well as his staff, have a genuine love for animals and are extremely excited to share that love and experience with Lemont and its surrounding areas canine citizens!"

Keenan is a sought-after trainer, and the business said while Keenan lived in New York City he appeared on Fox's "Good Day New York" and ABC's "Good Morning America." He has trained the dogs of Mariah Carey and Chris Rock, among others.

The business said Keenan's approach to dog training is based on a positive motivation/reinforcement methodology and teaches owners how to communicate in a language that all dogs can easily understand. The "calming signal" approach is used, and all staff will be taught these signals.

"Although, the facility can hold up to 50 dogs for daycare, I will be limiting the number to 20 until I am absolutely confident and comfortable with the daycare staff’s ability to read and react correctly by recognizing these signals, because every dog’s safety is my number one priority," Keenan said.

Wags to Riches is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. It closes at from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day for a naptime for the dogs. It is also open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday for training classes only.

Photos provided by Jim Keenan.