Chicago · Virtual · Relationship-first training · Dog dance · Sport foundations
Dog Dance
You've probably seen it: a dog and their person moving together like twin stars, like they already know what the other is about to do, like the music was written for both of them.
That's dog dance. A movement-based sport built entirely around your relationship. You choreograph. You interpret music together. You find out what your dog is actually capable of when you're truly paying attention.
It's also one of the most joyful things I've ever watched people discover.
The Work
Behaviour & Training
For when love isn't enough to overcome challenging behaviours, and you need more support building connection — whether there's friction, fear, or a dog whose behaviour is telling you something you haven't been able to translate yet. Day training and targeted behaviour support in northern Chicago and virtually.
Dynamic Dog Assessments
Behaviour doesn't happen in a vacuum. Pain, physical discomfort, and how a dog moves through the world all shape how they act in it, often in ways that go unnoticed for months or years. Bridging the gap between behaviour training and veterinary support, a Dynamic Dog Assessment looks at the whole picture: behaviour, movement, sleep, routine, physical health. Because sometimes what looks like a training problem is a body problem first.
Senior & End-of-Life Support
The last chapter deserves as much intention as the first. Practical, compassionate guidance for guardians navigating their dog's later years, including quality-of-life conversations and support through the decisions no one wants to make alone.
Sport Classes and Sport Samplers
Weekly classes at Urban Pooch and seasonal sport samplers at Bosly's Backyard. A good place to start if you're curious about sport training, or if you want a structured, joyful way to build connection with your dog.
While we’re here
You have a dog you love dearly, but maybe you also have a sketchbook somewhere with four pages filled. A song you heard oncethat made you think: we could dance to this. A journal you started that lies buried under books. A story tickling the back of your mind.
This offering is for you.
While We're Here is a retreat in development: a week for you and your dog built around sport and dance during the day, and art and story for guardians at night. A small group of people who love their dog the way you love yours, who want to rediscover the joy of art without the pressure of perfection, who have stories waiting for a pen to capture them, who need to step away from the rush of life lived too quickly and reconnect with what they love while they're here, with their dog at their side.
You can have a few of those moments now.
If While We're Here sounds like something you've been waiting for...
From the Field Notes
The Heart of the Leash is where I think out loud: about behaviour science, about sport, about what dogs ask of us and what we ask of ourselves. About finite time as a creative force.
What People Are Saying
“Justus is the best. She will make you feel comfortable and confident. “
— Bernie Heidkamp“You would be very lucky to get to work with Justus.”
— David Wellman"Justus is kind, enthusiastic, and non judgmental, and gives so much information to refer to after each session. We've only met twice so far and don't feel pressured to do more than we can sustain. She gave us confidence in a found dog with an unknown history and no previous vetting from a foster agency, etc. More importantly, she gave us confidence in ourselves and the tools to give our guy a safe, happy home."
— Rachel K.