About

Owner & Lead Trainer

Meet John Lawrence, CBCC-KA, CPDT-KA

The family was in crisis over what to do with Jake. He’d started showing aggression toward family members. They were truly in fear for their own safety. The situation couldn’t go on. After arriving for an initial consult, I found out the decision had already been made to put Jake down.

This was one of many tough situations John Lawrence has faced over 25 years of working with dogs. John is both owner and lead trainer at Rover Rehab. He has improved the lives of hundreds of canines and their families since 1993 when he got his start at a dog boarding facility and learned how to train dogs and solve behavior problems.

John “went pro” soon after and he’s been adding knowledge and certifications ever since. He founded Rover Rehab in 2015 to bring his innovative techniques to clients throughout Rock, Dane, and Walworth counties.

Not every training situation is as drastic as “fix this dog’s behavior or else.” But to be successful, you’ve got to be passionate about making the lives of dogs and their humans more fulfilling.

We may need to normalize the world to a young pup to prevent fears or phobias from developing. We might help a dog learn that it’s not necessary to be pushy or assertive to get what it wants. Or, change an aggressive dog’s emotions to overcome fear so it doesn’t feel the need to scare everyone away.

John loves his work and he’s passionate about helping your dog learn. He believes that learning is a lifelong endeavor — for dogs and humans alike. He attends seminars to learn about new discoveries in animal behavior science, and keeps up with continuing education for certifications and behavior work. When you work with John, you can be sure best practices for dog and puppy training are part of your pet’s plan.

Helping dogs before problems arise is always preferable, but in the dog training world it’s not always a reality. Jake’s family wanted very much to do the right thing but they couldn’t trust him anymore. Safety and quality of life always come first and foremost. Especially in aggression cases, it’s important to respect the insights and decision-making of the dog owner.

The story has a happy ending. John made the clients aware of all their options. After much discussion, the family decided to postpone their decision for one day to allow him to try a few things with Jake. One day led into the next. The process wasn’t always easy, but after a few short weeks this once untrusting dog was now learning to trust again, and eventually the aggression faded away.

Proper training can dramatically change the life of a family and dog for the better. Rover Rehab will get your dog on the path to success from the start as a young puppy. Or if you’re considering relinquishing or euthanizing your pet because you don’t see any alternative, we’ll do everything possible to turn things around.

John’s Philosophy:

My goal is to get you on your way to a much improved, lifelong relationship with your best friend. I understand that improving dog behaviors isn’t always easy. Plus, there’s a lot of misinformation and contradiction out there regarding dog behavior.

The average dog owner can become frustrated and confused. If you want a better-behaved pooch but don’t know where to turn, or have little time to invest in training your own dog, leave it to me.

As a certified professional dog trainer and behavioral consultant, I’ve been perfecting training skills for 25 years. Your dog and I will do the grunt work, right in your home. You can be as involved as you like. You’ll enjoy quick results and free up time for other priorities. And you’ll learn a few simple training concepts that will continue the success.

Hiring Rover Rehab to train your dog is the equivalent of pressing the easy button.

— John Lawrence, Lead Trainer, Rover Rehab of WI

Reasons to choose rover rehab:

Get relief. Stop spending time worrying about your dog’s behavior. We fix the problems. And you enjoy the dog you always dreamed of.

Our training sticks. We match the best dog training methods to your dog’s personality. This means fast and long-lasting results.

Positive and humane. Our training makes dogs want to do the right thing, not scare them into submission. She’ll still have her loveable spirit.

All breeds and personalities. We’ve successfully Trained dogs for over 25 years, handling every age, size and temperament, from toy-sized to huge, from sociable to aggressive.

We know what to do. We’re certified professional dog trainers (CPDT) and certified behavior consultants (CBCC). We keep current on the latest in animal behavior science through ongoing education.

You can trust us with your four-legged friend. We’re professional with you and your pet. We’re also dog lovers. You can expect that your dog will be treated as if he were our own.

You’ll have a better relationship with your dog. We make your life easier and your relationship with your dog better.

Free Consultation

Not sure where to start or what services are best for your dog? Schedule a free 15-minute consultation and we’ll answer all your questions and make recommendations based on you and your dog’s needs.