High-Quality Dog Grooming in Chicago

Tucker Pup's strives to be the best dog grooming business in Chicago. If you come take a tour, we believe you'll immediately see and feel the difference.

Our prices are competitive with other groomers throughout Chicago and that may be located in major cities.

Add-On Services

Tucker Pup's offers the following grooming services for all breeds, sizes, and ages of dogs

Please note that at this time, while our groomers are highly talented and produce beautiful-looking dogs, we do not intend on providing "show-quality" trimming. In that format, a groomer could take over four hours to groom a dog.


Most common:

• Bath, Nails, Ears, Brushout
• Haircut, Bath, Nails, Ears, Brushout

With our Shed Control Treatment, we remove a lot of hair that will normally end up in your home, in your car, or on your clothes. We use a thorough process that removes a significant amount of loose hair, then strengthens the remaining hair to help it not become loose or damaged in the future. This is an extensive procedure that is like detailing your car, but for your dog. It is worth every penny.

Please note that while we can greatly reduce shedding, we may not be able to stop 100% of it, as it might be due to environmental, genetic, or health factors. We recommend coming back every 6 weeks to help keep shedding under control.

Price:  50% of the bath price, with a maximum of $40.
The Healthy Skin and Coat Treatment is great for dogs with a dull coat, mild flaking, or seasonal allergies. We use special shampoo and a multi-step process that puts the moisture and nutrients back into your dog's skin, causing a lustrous shine. This can be important to treat dry skin in the winter, allergies in the Spring, and even to protect from the sun in the summer.

Please note that this option is not necessarily a replacement for veterinary-recommended shampoo that treats specific skin conditions such as a hot spot.

Price:  $15 additional to the haircut or bath.
Did you know that 80% of dogs have some form of periodontal disease within the first three years? This can cause bad breath, gum disease, and other health issues.

Our Fresh Breath Treatment is designed to help defend against plaque and tartar while freshening your dog's breath. The best part is that there is no brushing of your dog's teeth, which they normally don't tolerate well.

Please note that this treatment helps prevent future buildup, but doesn't necessarily remove plaque and tartar that has already built up. This would still need to be scraped off by your vet. Once that happens, regular Fresh Breath Treatment should help keep your dog's teeth whiter and cleaner going forward.

Price:  $15
Baths and haircuts automatically include nail trimming. With our nail filing upgrade, we use a rotary tool to take the nails shorter, smoother, and rounder than typical nail trimming. It is important to keep your dog's nails short, so the vein inside doesn't extend to the outer edge.

Price:  $10 if already getting a bath or haircut. $25 if a standalone service.
Give your dog a luxurious facial massage that smells fabulous for many days afterwards.

Price:  $10 upgrade to the cost of a bath or haircut.
If your dog is scooting or otherwise bothered by its rear area, anal gland expression may be necessary. The groomer will release the anal gland during the bath.

Please note that the groomer expresses the external area, which works for most dogs. Anything more invasive would need to be performed by your vet.

Price:  $10 additional to the cost of bath or haircut.
We can brush out your dog, which can be especially helpful for breeds with double coats.

Price:  Included in the price if getting a bath or haircut. $10 - $25 if getting a brushout as a standalone service.
If your dog is matted, the groomer cannot easily brush through its fur. We can use special tools to try to loosen the mats. We have a 20-minute limit, as dematting can be uncomfortable for dogs since it is pulling on their hair and skin.

Price:  $25 for 20 minutes.
We can clean your dog's ears in order to help remove dirt, debris, and a yeast smell that may exist. We clean the outer part of the ear, not deep down into the ear canal.

Price:  No additional charge if your dog is already receiving a bath or haircut. $10 as a standalone service.
We can trim your dog's nails as a standalone service. This is important for keeping them from curling, and for keeping the inner vein from reaching the edge of the nail.

Nail trimming is different from nail filing. Nail trimming uses clippers to cut your dog's nails. Some dogs don't like this, the nails could be sharp afterwards, and there is a risk that if the internal vein is near the tip, the nail could possibly bleed when clipped. This is difficult to predict with black nails. Conversely, nail filing uses a rotary tool to shorten and round off the nails so they are not sharp, and there is a reduced chance of any bleeding. Many dogs tolerate filing better than trimming, but every dog is different.

Price:  Included in the price if getting a bath or haircut. $20 as a standalone service.
We can clean up the hair in between your dog's paw pads, and on the top of its paws.

Price:  No additional charge if your dog is receiving a haircut. $10 - $25 if a standalone service or with a bath ($10 if removing the hair between the pads, or $25 if cleaning up both the top and bottom of the paw). Price is for all four paws.
If your dog's hair is too matted and cannot be brushed or trimmed, we may need to perform a Reset Trim. This takes your dog's hair very short (sometimes down to a quarter inch) and enables you to start over, so it is much more manageable. Reset Trims can still look great on your dog, and your dog will feel better since its skin is not being pulled by the matted hair. Reset Trims can also uncover skin conditions such as lesions or hot spots.

Price:  $20 - $30 additional to the cost of the groom, if it is due to matting. If there are no mats and you just want a low-maintenance coat, there is no additional cost and you wouldn't select this option - you would just give that instruction at checkin.
This service includes simply cleaning and trimming your dog's sanitary area. A bath is required, which helps eliminate any odor and causes the hair to stand up better for purposes of trimming.

Price:  $5 - $10 depending on the breed and size
We can clean up the visor above your dog's eyes, its feet, and sanitary area. This is an add-for a bath, which is required. Please note that this option does not include a full haircut of the face or body.

If your dog is getting a haircut, these services are already included so you don't need to choose this option.


Price:  $15 - $25 additional to the cost of the bath. Typically $15 for puppies with minor work, $25 for older dogs and those requiring more work.

We want you to be delighted when you pick up your dog.

Having said that, sometimes a customer's expectations can be different than the final product. For example, the hair may be longer than expected, the face may be slightly different, and so forth. If this happens, you shouldn't jump to the conclusion that our groomers are inexperienced or not talented.

Instead, it is typically due to:

• Communication at checkin (for example, words such as "short", "puppy cut", and "typical Golden Retriever cut" can mean different things to different people)
• Groomers may have different backgrounds, methods and beliefs, which can be an issue if you went somewhere else before coming here
• Matted hair, which can impact how much hair must be taken off, and how the hair will look when finished

We try to avoid such issues by using methods such as:

• Having you speak directly with your groomer at checkin
• Trying to be as specific as possible when discussing your instructions
• Keeping photos, notes, and preferences in our system that we reference each time
• Encouraging you to bring a photo from a magazine, other dog, or previous groom if you want us to try and match it

At the end of the groom, if you are not satisfied:

• Say so right away, even in our lobby. Please don't wait, then later say how you didn't like it
• Don't try to remedy any issues yourself!
• Keep in mind that most issues can be remedied very quickly and easily, oftentimes within just a few minutes
• Keep in mind that certain factors can impact the groom, including whether your dog is really squirmy or won't allow a groomer to get near certain areas such as its face
• We will do things like adding preferences and photos to your account for the next time

We can make any possible alterations free of charge, under the following conditions:

• You must bring your dog back within two days. If you ask directly after the groom, it may be possible for the groomer to handle it right away
• The groomer may or may not be the same, because you might come back on their day off, or on a day when their schedule is full
• The instructions must not change (e.g., you originally asked for one inch to be remaining, and now are asking for a half-inch)
• Except in rare circumstances, we would not give another bath

Each day our grooming calendar is very full, we schedule appointments back-to-back, and we turn people away to hold reservations.

Therefore, we must enforce the following guidelines, which apply to grooming reservations that include at least one of the following services:

• Haircut, bath, nails, ears
• Bath, nails, ears

Please note that we would likely need to cancel/rebook your grooming reservation if the following occur:

• If you arrive more than 10 minutes later than your appointment time.
• If you arrive and don't have the proper vaccination documentation

We hope you can respect and appreciate that we implemented these guidelines because when people cancel with no lead time, we are often unable to fill the space, which causes our groomers to stand around with no dog to groom (sometimes for up to two hours for a single appointment), and ultimately lose money. This is not fair to the groomers or to the other customers we have likely turned away. We also routinely experience customers who arrive 15-20 minutes late (or more), which throws off the entire schedule and causes all of the other dogs to be finished later than their owners expected. This causes customers to become very upset, and causes groomers to become too stressed and overwhelmed, which could impact their quality of work.

We believe our policies are very fair, and are similar to any hair salon or similar business that is appointment-based and in high demand.

Our grooming business is different than most, because we give you an appointment time, then groom your dog all the way through to completion. Our goal is that they are done within an hour or two, depending on the breed. We believe this gives you and your dog(s) a better experience than most other grooming businesses, which force you to arrive first thing in the morning and have you pick up at the end of the day. Most grooming businesses charge a higher price when grooming a dog all the way through - we do not. We also have a higher volume and busier schedule than many others. If you are concerned because we have these cancellation guidelines and other grooming shops do not, these are the primary reasons why they are in effect.

The following information shows our dog grooming requirements.

Our grooming services are by appointment only. You can call us at 312-829-TPUP (8787) or make an online request.
We must have documentation at all times that all required vaccinations are current. We'll remind you when they're due, and you can fax them to us at (312) 276-8588 or bring them in.

Required vaccinations:

• Rabies (if more than 7 months old)
• Distemper and Parvo (typically combined in a vaccination called DHLPP or something similar)
• Bordatella (aka canine cough or kennel cough)
• Canine Influenza (the strain called "H3N2" at a minimum, although we recommend combining the vaccination with the strain called "H3N8" for full protection)
Please note: The first time your dog receives this vaccination, it comes in two rounds, three weeks apart. You can have your dog groomed with just the first round. There is a walk-in clinic down the street from us that gives it for $15 per round, with no appointment needed and no additional fees.

Click here to learn more about this vaccination and why we require it.


• You may substitute proof of titers over vaccinations if your vet believes titers are sufficient.

We may be able to waive certain vaccinations if your veterinarian supplies a written letter stating the medical reasons.
Most dogs handle grooming just fine, but some do not like being handled and attempt to bite at the groomer. We can try a muzzle, but this is not realistic for certain dogs. We are not able to groom a dog who we feel is an undue risk to injure an employee. This is likely true for most groomers you would try to visit, so if this is the case, you may need to go to a vet for sedation while grooming.

Please note, however, that sometimes a dog is trying to bite because its hair is matted and it is painful to brush. It may be that after your dog's next groom, your dog is not as uncomfortable and could potentially be groomed by us in the future. Some dogs are simply too nervous to be groomed and can have a panic attack. We cannot groom a dog who is experiencing severe anxiety, which can be a very dangerous situation. In this instance, you may need to take your dog to a vet to be groomed while sedated. We cannot groom a dog who is in severe pain due to matting and brushing. If your dog is in pain due to matted hair, we can attempt to shave him. If he is crying out in pain while shaving, we would need to stop, and you would likely need to have your dog groomed at a vet while under sedation. We have a 20-minute limit on dematting, for the well-being of your dog. We require a deposit for new grooming customers that can be applied to your invoice at checkout. If you cancel after the cancellation deadline, or if you simply never check in, we would create an invoice for the late cancellation and apply the deposit to the invoice. If you cancel prior to the deadline, we can refund your deposit.

It is possible that a nail can bleed when clipped. This is because it has a vein inside called the "quick," which has likely grown too far toward the edge of the nail. The nail clipper can hit the quick, causing it to bleed. Even the most experienced groomers can hit the quick from time to time - it has nothing to do with their skill level, as the quick can be extended even if the nails are short. It can also be difficult to detect the quick when the nails are dark.

Sometimes the nails can seem OK in the grooming room, but there may be only a thin layer of the nail covering the quick. When the dog walks on the sidewalk, it can cause this layer to wear off, causing bleeding.

It would never be the case that we would know your dog's nail is bleeding and do nothing about it.
Keep them clipped regularly. When a dog's nails are regularly trimmed, the quick recedes and doesn't extend to the edge of the nail. If the nails are already short and the quick is not an issue, we recommended doing it at least once every six weeks. If the quick was extended to the edge, you may need to have them clipped once every week or two until it recedes.

Get your dog used to a grinding tool. We try to use a grinding tool, such as Dremel, if a dog can comfortably handle it. The tool grinds down the nail instead of clipping it. Some dogs are not as comfortable with this option because the tool makes noise and may feel strange. You should try to desensitize them at home until they are used to it. Some dogs never get used to it, but many of them are fine once they determine it will not hurt them.
There are various ways to treat a bleeding nail, including corn starch or styptic powder. Search on "bleeding dog nail" to find the solution that works best for you.

Many breeds tend to become matted very easily. This is especially true if they get wet, and even more true if they are not brushed regularly. Mats can be very uncomfortable even when the dog walks or moves around. Oftentimes, the owner is not even aware that the hair is matted, because they are only seeing and brushing the top coat - but it is the undercoat that is full of tangles. When they finally come in for their appointment, the refrain is very familiar: "Mats? What mats? Just take a little off. I don't want him to be too short."

The groomer faces two choices at this point, both of which are not very ideal:

1. Demat the fur. This sounds logical, and if there are just a few small mats, this option may be OK. However, dematting involves pulling a comb through the tangled hair. For most dogs who are matted, this would be too painful - it is against our policy to cause undue or excessive pain to a dog. It is also very laborious and can easily double the time spent on the grooming appointment, leading to a higher fee. Even if it's possible, it can cause skin irritation and sensitivity. This can be a very stressful and uncomfortable experience for the dog, which we do not want. For these reasons, we have a 20-minute limit on dematting a dog.


2. Go very short. If the groomer determines that dematting would be too painful or not otherwise possible, the best and most realistic option is typically to cut the matted hair very short. Sometimes this may require going to 1/4 of an inch, if the mats are too close to the skin. Now the refrain changes to "That short? But he'll look ridiculous! Plus, it's cold outside." Trust us, we take no pleasure in this option (although a dog who is shorter than normal doesn't necessarily look ridiculous in our opinion). Going short can actually take more time than a normal haircut, and can be very stressful and painful for a dog. Most dogs are fine afterwards, but some dogs can seem traumatized, nervous, or itchy. This can also be because their skin just feels very different to them. Some people actually believe that the groomer is being "lazy" by going really short like this, but this is not the case - it can actually take more time and work than other options. It's not like we're alone in this assessment - take him to any good groomer, and they will probably tell you the same thing - any that doesn't would likely spend a lot of extra time dematting your dog beyond a few minutes, which again, can be excessively irritating, stressful, and painful.

Matting and going very short can also cause the following issues:

• Razor burn, if your dog's underlying skin is very sensitive
• Minor cuts and abrasions, which are due to the electric clippers pulling at your dog's skin. The skin is lifting towards the razor due to the matted hair.
• Unevenness. This could occur if an area needed to be spot-shaved, or because an area of fur is not fluffing up like the rest of the hair, and may be harder to judge how even it is during the groom.
• Skin conditions. When the hair is matted, skin conditions can form under your dog's fur without you being aware of them. These can appear in the form of hot spots, lesions, sores, and highly sensitive skin. These outcomes are due to the fact that oxygen can't reach the skin very easily, a scratch could have formed that is not healing properly, and/or there is the buildup of bacteria that can be trapped due to the wetness and moisture.
• Itchiness and scratches. A dog's skin may feel itchy afterwards. This can cause them to scratch their own skin, and can create long red marks, or increased skin sensitivity. This can be made worse if their nails were just trimmed and possibly sharp. If this is the case, some customers can come to the conclusion that the groomer must have cut their dog with scissors and didn't say so. This is simply not the case, and would not be smart on our behalf because every customer would be bound to find out. If your dog's skin is itchy, their are lotions we can recommend to soothe it. Normally this itchiness stops relatively soon.
• Seeming a little "off". Some people report that their dog seems a little "off" afterwards, and they wonder if the groomer has somehow mistreated their dog. This would not be the case. Instead, a dog can be stressed due to the potential discomfort, skin conditions, shorter hair than it is used to, the brush or razor pulling at its skin, and other factors.

Please note the following:

• We would not go excessively short without your express permission.
• Going very short does not necessarily mean you will see skin, and most dogs actually look really good afterwards. We typically try to keep at least a fourth of an inch, and have been able to keep it longer than this in many cases.
• "Spot shaving" may not work because a dog could look really patchy, and you likely wouldn't be very happy. Our groomers are professionals and will be able to tell whether spot shaving will be the recommended solution.
• Going really short costs extra money ($15 or higher, depending on the breed), as it requires a lot of extra time and work.
• If we do agree that going really short is necessary, and we proceed with your permission, the grooming is non-refundable unless there is a very good reason.
• It is possible that your dog may require some touchups afterwards, because as mentioned above, the hair can be challenging to work with when it is matted. If so, we are happy for you to come back for that at no charge, as long as you do so within a few days.
• Remember that most dogs' hair grows back pretty quickly. Now that it is short, it should be very easy to keep well-maintained, and will be much more comfortable for your dog going forward.

Like all good groomers, we want to help you avoid this scenario, and to help keep your dog's coat looking its best at all times.

To this end, we recommend the following strategies for dogs whose hair needs to be cut:

• Stick to a regular grooming schedule. For most breeds, this would be every 6-8 weeks. We will give you a personal recommendation after your grooming reservation, based on your specific dog and its coat. We will also send you a reminder when it's time for your next groom.
• Brush your dog's coat regularly at home, using the proper technique and brushes. For most breeds, this could be several times per week, and possibly even at least once per day. You cannot just brush the outer surface of the fur, and you must get every inch, including behind the ears, in the armpits, and on the tail. We can show you how its best accomplished when you come in, and we sell the recommended brushes. We also have a free online tool for logging your brushouts at home, and we offer regular brushouts here if you want us to help.
• If your dog gets wet, dry and brush it immediately. This is especially true in the winter months. If your dog becomes wet when it is already matted, the mats can become worse and worse over time. Going really short would be the only true remedy at this point.
• If your dog wears a harness, sweater, or jacket, you should remove these items once your dog is inside, and brush its hair thoroughly and properly after removing them.
• Ask our groomers for advice. They have seen it all, and they are experts. They can give you great tips for keeping your dog looking and feeling its best going forward.

When should my puppy come in for his first grooming session?

We recommend your puppy's first grooming session about two weeks after getting the final round of vaccinations. This can help your puppy become more comfortable with the experience in a positive way, so he is not afraid of the noises and handling as he gets older.

Can I drop off my dog at my reservation time?

Yes! Unlike most grooming shops, you can drop off when your reservation starts, and your dog does not have to be here all day.

How long will the grooming reservation take?

Most dogs are done in 1-2 hours when getting a haircut. If getting just a bath, most short-haired dogs are done in 30-60 minutes, and longer-haired dogs typically take 60-90 minutes. Shed control typically adds 30 minutes. Larger dogs with longer coats may be a little longer. We will tell you the estimated time when making your reservation.

Do your groomers have experience grooming doodles?

Absolutely! Our groomers have years of experience in providing haircuts and baths for many doodles and all breeds. We groom many doodles per week.

Will my dog be in a crate or cage?

Like most grooming rooms, we have enclosures that dogs stay in when finished and before you arrive. We have numerous sizes so your dog will fit comfortably. We can send you a text in advance of the groom being finished so when you arrive, your dog can be brought right out and avoid or minimize any time in the enclosure.

What if my dog is afraid of grooming?

Our groomers are Fear Free Certified and will handle your dog very gently. If it seems like your dog is simply too overwhelmed, the groomer may take a break, and if it seems like your dog is extremely stressed, the groomer may stop altogether, for your dog's safety. We also offer a training program to help your dog get used to grooming in a very positive manner.

What if my dog is really matted?

We can try dematting your dog, but we do have a 20-minute limit and will not proceed if your dog is crying out in pain. This policy is for the health, safety, and well-being of your dog. We may need to give your dog a Reset Trim, where we bring the hair down very short. It is not a 'shave' per se, as you will not see pink skin, and reset trims look really good. Your dog will be much more comfortable afterwards if this is the case, and the hair will grow back quickly.

Do you groom puppies?

We definitely can groom puppies, although we may recommend a light trim so your puppy's fur has more time to grow in. Otherwise, groom could damage the coat. The groomer will discuss options with you. We can certainly provide baths and nail trimming with no problem.