Rated on Google

Aggressive Dog Training in Marion, IL

Looking for the best aggressive dog training in Marion, IL? Here’s what you get with Rising Sun Canine Training.

  • Family and friends can visit safely again
  • Lets you near its food bowl and toys
  • Household dogs that live together peacefully
  • No more growling or snapping at family

Click the button below and fill out a quick form to get started with a free consultation ↓

German shepherd lying calmly on a leash in downtown Marion in the evening
🏅10 Years Training Dogs
🎯Training Built Around Your Dog
⭐4.9 Stars on Google
🏡Results That Last at Home

Check Out Our Reviews

★★★★★
Rated 4.9 from 55 reviews on Google
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Olivia C.July 2026
★★★★★

Austin and Jaedyn are phenomenal at what they do with training. Ollie is a 5 year old golden doodle and it’s never too late to sign up for training! He’s a better dog because of it! They are super helpful and understanding when they know life gets in the way of the training sessions if you need to cancel . They were great will definitely be back in the future if needed for other dogs or further improvements

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Terri E.September 2026
★★★★★

My Australian Cattle Dog is being trained to be a therapy dog here. They work well with us and are really great with training.

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Lucas W.2025
★★★★★

We had a great experience with Austin. My 10 yr old daughter wanted to train her dog Blueberry and Austin showed kindness, patience, and knowledge during training sessions. He included the whole family and gave us the tools we needed to help our beloved pup become better trained. Austin was flexible with appointments and best of all he offered home appointments. Would recommend Austin to anyone! -Jana Waters

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Terra V.2025
★★★★★

I highly recommend Rising Sun for training your dogs. They are very friendly, professional and, knowledgeable. Austin believes working with the least restrictive collars and doesn’t use special training collars or harnesses unless absolutely necessary. He gives you all of the tools(knowledge) to effectively train your dogs and works as hard if not harder than you do. Yes it does cost money but, you get what you pay for and more. I have worked with other trainers in the past but, this is the first time we have had private training. It makes a difference in that he can work directly with your dogs individual quirks.

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Sarah L.2025
★★★★★

We had a great experience with Austin and Jaedyn. Both were thoughtful and kind considering not only our Cane Corso, but each member of the family. They successfully taught us tools and skills to implement with our dog. They were very patient and flexible throughout this entire process. We recommend this service!

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Kevin B.2025
★★★★★

I have been very pleased with the training provided by Rising Sun Canine Training and the food they have recommended to feed my dogs since they’re started and they all usually free graze which makes be stopped since training because I’ve learned that if we’re training we need to be more in control. My dogs are 5 years and 3 years old with zero training when we started. My dogs have been more obedient and can perform in ways I never thought they would ever be capable of. I will also say that this training is just not if more so important for you as the owner because to understand your dog individually and their capabilities but also for you to understand patience is a virtue. That all being said I would highly recommend you bring your dogs here for training because you will not be dissatisfied coming here.

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Amy C.2025
★★★★★

Austin and Jayden are great! Very knowledgeable, kind and understanding. They have helped me so much with my rescued German Shepard, that is tailored specifically to him!

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Emely G.2025
★★★★★

Amazing!
Jaedyn and Austin really helped my mom and I with Coco our 1 year old gsp! He’s changed a lot over his lessons and I couldn’t be happier with the progress he’s made!

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Michelle L.2024
★★★★★

WONDERFUL TRAINING!!!! I contacted Rising Sun Canine because I rescued a Husky that was not getting along with our Aussie. They really got into some very aggressive fights. In addition the Aussie was very hyper and did not listen. I was feeling very discouraged. I contacted Rising Sun Canine and Austin was very nice and informative and was able to set up training for my two dogs and made it convenient for my schedule. Training was not a cookie cutter training but tailored specifically for my dogs. I am truly amazed with how my Australian Shepherd behaves now. I can actually take him in public and enjoy him. You can see in photo they are getting along. Highly recommend Rising Sun Canine and miss the classes.Austin is very professional and truly amazing with the dogs. Also worked with his assistant trainer Jayden. Very sweet and worked well with dogs too.

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Conan G.2024
★★★★★

We are so happy with our choice to use Rising Sun Canine Training! Austin was fantastic. He came to our home and our dog Gus listened to him from day one! Austin taught us how to work with Gus through the week to ensure he was learning what he was being taught. Austin was also very patient with us when had a bad week with doing our work with Gus.

By the end of the process, we have a wonderfully obedient dog, and Austin was one of the main reasons for that. We’d use him again in a heartbeat and would recommend him to anyone looking to train their dog.

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Vic G.2024
★★★★★

I highly recommend Austin and his staff at Rising Sun Canine Training. My two year old was still acting like a puppy when I took her to Austin. She was biting, jumping on everyone, barking and jumping at the tv, not coming when we called, dragging me on the leash, etc. I was embarrassed because I knew it was my fault; I just didn’t know how to properly train her. Luckily, I found Rising Sun Canine Training and now have a well behaved, happy girl I can take out in public. Austin obviously loves dogs (and they love him); he guarantees his work and has actually offered to come to my home (an hour’s drive) for a free session if needed. He truly cares and wants you to have a happy, well trained pet.

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Cierra S.2024
★★★★★

i have nothing but good things to say about this company/trainers. My dog is my best friend, but we have had some issues with him being destructive. I really felt like Austin and Jaedyn do a great job training the dog, but an even better job training the trainer. I couldn't figure out why my dog was chewing at my hardwood flooring even though I take him out multiple times a day and play with him. I hadn't really put myself "in the dog's shoes" to figure out why the issue was happening but Jaedyn and Austin are dog whisperers, they really helped
me understand what was going through my dog's mind and how to correct it. Not only did my dog stop chewing at the flooring, but I know how to better understand him and push him to be the happiest and best behaved dog that he can be, whilst minimizing his anxiety. Half of dog training is training the trainor, I believe. Knowing the reasons behind my dog's behavior and how to correct it was essential. I went through weekly lessons and noticed a pretty big change in my dog's behavior almost immediately! I had some homework to do after lessons, and they did a good job at making it easy to follow. The prices were very reasonable too. If you're having any issues with your doggo, I highly suggest reaching out to them. Their training store also sells pet food and toys so they've honestly become my one stop.

From Walking on Eggshells to a Safer Home

Aggression changes how a whole family lives. These are the changes Southern Illinois owners come to us for.

Life right now

  • Guests can only visit with the dog shut away
  • Growling when anyone nears the food bowl
  • Two dogs that fight inside the house
  • Snapping when you reach for the collar
  • Walks planned around other dogs
  • A bite, and the fear of another one

Life after training

  • Friends and family over without the worry
  • Meals and toys without the tension
  • Household dogs that share the space
  • A dog you can handle and guide
  • Walks on your schedule, not the dog’s
  • A clear plan that keeps everyone safe

The Kinds of Aggression We Work With

Aggressive behavior always has a reason. Knowing which kind your dog shows is the first step of the plan.

Toward people

Growling, snapping or biting at guests, strangers or family members.

Dog-to-dog aggression

Fighting with other dogs, on walks or with a dog that lives in the same house.

Resource guarding

Food guarding and protecting toys, bones, the couch or a favorite spot.

Fear-based aggression

A scared dog that has learned that growling or snapping makes people back off.

Obedience and Control Come First

Behavior modification starts with control. A dog that reliably sits, stays, goes to place and walks on a loose leash gives you a way to guide it through the moments that used to go wrong.

Once those skills hold, we work on the triggers themselves, step by step, and you learn to read your dog’s body language before trouble starts.

Owner Austin Todd walking a German Shepherd on a loose leash outside the Rising Sun facility in Marion

Keeping Your Family Safe While We Train

Safety comes first from the very first day. At your assessment we go over how to manage the risky moments at home, like gates between dogs, feeding in separate rooms and a plan for when guests arrive.

These steps aren’t forever. They keep everyone safe while the training does its work, and they relax as your dog improves.

Dalmatian settling calmly on a raised place board inside the Rising Sun facility in Marion
Owner Austin Todd practicing a down-stay with a dog on a leash outside the Rising Sun facility

Why Owners of Aggressive Dogs Call Us

  • ✓
    Behavior Cases WelcomeAggression, reactivity and big anxiety cases are a regular part of our week, not something we send elsewhere.
  • ✓
    A Decade of Training ExperienceOwner Austin Todd joined the Marine Corps at 18 and started training dogs at 22. He has spent about ten years since then working with every kind of dog, from brand-new puppies to grown dogs with years of habits.
  • ✓
    A Plan Built Around Your DogNo cookie-cutter programs. Every plan fits your dog’s personality, history and the goals your family has.
  • ✓
    4.9 Stars from 55 Google ReviewsMost new clients find Rising Sun Canine Training because a friend, neighbor or family member sent them. Our Google reviews show why.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you work with dogs that have bitten someone?

Tell us about any bite history on the form. At your free consultation we look at what happened and tell you honestly whether our program fits and how we keep everyone safe.

My two dogs fight at home. Can you help?

Yes. Fights between dogs in the same home are one of the problems we see often. Both dogs take part in the training, and you learn how to manage them in the meantime.

Will my aggressive dog ever be fully cured?

Every dog is different, so we never promise a cure. Many dogs become much safer and easier to live with, and you leave with the skills to keep it that way.

Is it safe to bring an aggressive dog to your facility, or do you come to us?

We’ll decide that together at the consultation. Some dogs start at the facility, and others start at home through our in-home training within about 35 miles of Marion.

Do you use muzzles or special collars?

Every plan is built for the dog in front of us. We go over any equipment with you at the consultation before it’s ever used.

How long does aggression training take?

It depends on how intense the aggression is and how long it has been going on. Behavior cases usually do best with one of our longer programs.

How Aggressive Dog Training Works

1

Free consultation and assessment

Owner Austin Todd or our trainer meets your dog and looks at the triggers.

2

A personalized training plan

Obedience, safety rules at home and a step-by-step plan for the triggers.

3

Training and practice

Lessons at our facility or in your home, with you learning every step.

4

A safer, calmer home

Visits, meals and walks without bracing for the next incident.

Get Started Today

Claim your free consultation for aggressive dog training in Marion. We’ll meet you and your dog, look at what’s driving the behavior and build a safe plan around your family.