The Best Dog Training in Chicago
Want to Create a Better Listener?
When you own a dog, working with a professional trainer is one of most important actions you can take.
Many people wait too long, or don't professionally train their dog at all. This can lead to behavioral challenges that are much harder to correct later on, and can make life unnecessarily stressful for you and your dog.
Now! The longer you wait to contact us, the more you will likely need to untrain later. This can be much more time-consuming and expensive than if you resolve unwanted behaviors now. Behavioral challenges don't just magically improve on their own - they normally require working with a professional trainer.
Many people wait too long, or don't professionally train their dog at all. This can lead to behavioral challenges that are much harder to correct later on, and can make life unnecessarily stressful for you and your dog.
What can our training program do for you?
- Create a great listener who will happily respond to you, without repeating yourself.
- Help create a positive relationship with your dog, while minimizing unnecessary frustrations.
- Help avoid relinquishing your dog to a rescue, and instead ensure that he stays in his forever home.
When is the best time to train your dog?
Now! The longer you wait to contact us, the more you will likely need to untrain later. This can be much more time-consuming and expensive than if you resolve unwanted behaviors now. Behavioral challenges don't just magically improve on their own - they normally require working with a professional trainer.
Amazing! Can Your Dog Do That? (2:25)
Why Tucker Pup's Training?
Thousands of Happy Customers Since 2006
Bottom line: We get results.
We have successfully trained thousands of dogs just like yours over many years, using our proven methodology. Our training system is based on exercises that are expertly curated, so we can start transforming behaviors right away. If you follow our guidance, we feel confident that your dog will make amazing progress. View Our Testimonials.We only use positive reinforcement.
Our positive approach motivates your dog to learn the behaviors more quickly and reliably than other methods. He will be much happier than negative techniques that many other trainers use, such as shock collars or choke chains, the use of fear or intimidation, or physical correction such as yanking on the leash. We motivate dogs by using rewards and praise. Rewards can be phased out at your discretion once your dog learns the behaviors.We have a full team of trainers who are experienced, professional, and certified.
We have one of the largest teams of trainers in Chicagoland, and they are second to none. Each trainer is very knowledgeable about dog behavior, and is dedicated towards your success. They must also be certified and gain continuing education in order to be employed here. Each trainer is also very professional and friendly, and we feel confident that you will enjoy working with them. View Our Team.We have the most comprehensive set of training options in Chicagoland.
Whatever your challenge, budget, or lifestyle, we can help you. Most other training businesses are very limited in their offering and cannot provide our breadth of services, or address our scope of behaviors. We offer a wide variety of options at our facilities or in your home, for any age or breed of dog, and for just about any behavior. We offer classes and puppy socials in four locations, and there are many dates and times to choose from. See the 'Our Training Services' section below for more information on each option.We train you to train your dog.
Many places make unrealistic promises that you will get back the perfect dog and will never need to do anything differently. This cannot be farther from the truth - if you don't use the proper language, gestures, rewards, equipment, posture, and tone with your dog, he is sure to revert to unwanted behaviors. In our program, we teach you how to create a great listener, because you are the one with him each day going forward and need to know how to instill the behaviors you want.
Free Webinar on September 28
10 Reasons Your Dog Doesn't Listen to You
Topics We Will Cover:
- Why your dog tunes you out
- Why positive reinforcement is the only method you need
- An overview of our training services
- How to start creating a great listener right away
Our Training Services
Tucker Pup's has the most comprehensive set of dog training services in Chicago.
Whatever your goal or challenge, we've got you covered. You can mix and match our services to help bring out the best in your dog.
![Train My Dog for Me Chicago]()
Prep SchoolWe train your dog at our facility for a number of days in order to instill basic manners, then teach you what we worked on
![Dog Training Leash Reactivity Classes Chicago]()
Specialty Classes
Classes that focus on specific behaviors, such as leash reactivity
![Dog Training Private Lessons Chicago]()
Private Lessons
We work with you on a wide range of behaviors at our facility, at your home, on walks, or at the dog park
![Puppy Socials Chicago]()
Puppy Socials
Introduce playtime in a safer environment than dog parks. We have options for young, playful, and shy puppies
![Train My Dog for Me Chicago]()
Turnkey Training
We train your dog at your home while you are at work
![Board and Train Chicago]()
Stay and Train
We train your dog while staying with us for boarding or daycare
![Online Dog Training Classes]()
Online TrainingAccess our training class curriculum on any internet-connected device, then meet several times with a trainer at our facility for feedback.
![Dog Seminars Chicago]()
Seminars
We can give a free seminar at your residential building or employer
Whatever your goal or challenge, we've got you covered. You can mix and match our services to help bring out the best in your dog.
Prep SchoolWe train your dog at our facility for a number of days in order to instill basic manners, then teach you what we worked on
Specialty Classes
Classes that focus on specific behaviors, such as leash reactivity
Private Lessons
We work with you on a wide range of behaviors at our facility, at your home, on walks, or at the dog park
Puppy Socials
Introduce playtime in a safer environment than dog parks. We have options for young, playful, and shy puppies
Turnkey Training
We train your dog at your home while you are at work
Stay and Train
We train your dog while staying with us for boarding or daycare
Online TrainingAccess our training class curriculum on any internet-connected device, then meet several times with a trainer at our facility for feedback.
Seminars
We can give a free seminar at your residential building or employer
Dog Training Prices
Our training program is less expensive and time-consuming than you might think. Some people believe it will cost many thousands of dollars, which is not true.
For example, puppy or adults manners classes are as low as $275. In addition, you can customize an entire private lesson plan for less than $1,000. No matter the format, we are confident that you can make significant progress in a short period of time.
This is a relatively small price to pay for a lifetime of skills. It can also help you avoid expensive vet bills, or medical bills for yourself or someone else. It could even help avoid getting sued by someone if your dog were to harm them (e.g., biting them, knocking them over) or their pet.
You can view prices by clicking on the individual services above.
For example, puppy or adults manners classes are as low as $275. In addition, you can customize an entire private lesson plan for less than $1,000. No matter the format, we are confident that you can make significant progress in a short period of time.
This is a relatively small price to pay for a lifetime of skills. It can also help you avoid expensive vet bills, or medical bills for yourself or someone else. It could even help avoid getting sued by someone if your dog were to harm them (e.g., biting them, knocking them over) or their pet.
You can view prices by clicking on the individual services above.
Bring Out The Best In Your Dog
What we can help you resolve?
Manners and Listening
Loose leash walking (walking without pulling)
Passing other dogs nicely
Not jumping on dogs or people
Leaving items alone (even food on the ground)
Listening the first time, even under heavy distractions
Recall (coming directly to you when called)
Dropping an object
Going to a mat
Stay, even from a long distance
Staying off furniture
Self-control
Waiting for permission
Behavioral Challenges
Leash reactivity
Barking
Separation anxiety
Marking in the home
Fears
Elevator anxiety
Destructiveness
Resource guarding
Intro to Baby
Introducing New Dog
Intro to Cat
Calmly greeting person at your door
Counter surfing
Puppy / New Dog
Crate training
Play biting
Potty training
Ears and feet being handled
These are just the tip of the iceberg!
There are many more behaviors that we can help resolve in your dog, using only positive reinforcement techniques.
There are many more behaviors that we can help resolve in your dog, using only positive reinforcement techniques.
Free Consultation
We Can Help You Immediately
Not sure if training will work for your dog? Wondering how you would fit training into your schedule?
Talk to us! Our trainers are happy to have a free, 20-30 minute telephone consultation with you - no obligations or strings attached. You've got nothing to lose!
The call is designed to discuss your goals, talk about our program, and help you decide if it is a good fit. Want to have that conversation in person? Not a problem - you are welcome to come to our facility.
Talk to us! Our trainers are happy to have a free, 20-30 minute telephone consultation with you - no obligations or strings attached. You've got nothing to lose!
The call is designed to discuss your goals, talk about our program, and help you decide if it is a good fit. Want to have that conversation in person? Not a problem - you are welcome to come to our facility.
Our Training Team
Featured Trainer:
Kathleen Jager-Wilcox, CPDT-KADavid, Kathleen and Cailin are really great. I had my pup enrolled in leash reactivity training, and even though there were other dogs there, I felt like we were able to get an individualized course. We will continue to work with them over the summer to curb the leash reactivity even more. Overall, we had a really great experience and you can tell they truly care.
- Eric Rindfleisch
TrainTrack™ Video Learning
Watch Training Videos on Your Device
Tucker Pup's offers a proprietary online system called TrainTrack™ that revolutionizes the way dogs are trained.
The trainer will show you the exercises in person, then you can access TrainTrack to see the homework, plus watch videos whenever you need a refresher about what they covered. This is incredibly helpful because there is a lot of information to take in, and it can be hard to remember everything they demonstrated.
In addition, you can log your progress on TrainTrack as you are working on your home exercises. This can be invaluable for ensuring that you spend enough time, in various settings, for your dog to learn the methods thoroughly.
TrainTrack works on any Internet-connected device, so you can use it on your mobile phone, even when you're on a walk or working outdoors.
To access TrainTrack, you must log in to our website, and have paid for a class or our Online Dog Training course. On your Customer Center, you will see the link to TrainTrack towards the top of the page.
The trainer will show you the exercises in person, then you can access TrainTrack to see the homework, plus watch videos whenever you need a refresher about what they covered. This is incredibly helpful because there is a lot of information to take in, and it can be hard to remember everything they demonstrated.
In addition, you can log your progress on TrainTrack as you are working on your home exercises. This can be invaluable for ensuring that you spend enough time, in various settings, for your dog to learn the methods thoroughly.
TrainTrack works on any Internet-connected device, so you can use it on your mobile phone, even when you're on a walk or working outdoors.
To access TrainTrack, you must log in to our website, and have paid for a class or our Online Dog Training course. On your Customer Center, you will see the link to TrainTrack towards the top of the page.
Have a Puppy?
Small Issues Now Become Big Issues Later (1:01)
If you have a puppy, we can't stress enough the importance of signing up for training, plus puppy socials, right away. It's far better to start your puppy on the right foot, rather than trying to fix problems later on. While puppies are cute and cuddly, these problems can become worse and worse, causing you great frustration. For example, as puppies get older, they can pull on leash, not listen, not come to you, jump on people, and become reactive on leash. Some people become so exasperated that they end up sending their dog to a shelter. All of this is highly avoidable, if you commit to positive training in the beginning.
We have a wide range of solutions for puppies:
We can immediately help you with a number of puppy challenges, including crate training, potty training, play-biting, jumping, and much, much more.
We have a wide range of solutions for puppies:
We can immediately help you with a number of puppy challenges, including crate training, potty training, play-biting, jumping, and much, much more.
Our Training Program
Our training program takes a comprehensive approach towards improving your dog's skills and behavior. We can help correct and prevent unwanted behaviors, plus instill good habits in both you and your dog that will last a lifetime.
With our program, we show you how to teach your dog a broad set of important skills, not just a few. Our exercises help your dog to learn to listen the first time, every time. Your dog will learn self-control, so it remains cool and calm, no matter the situation. You will notice the difference right away!
Train-the-Trainer Approach
Training a dog is the easy part. Training humans to change their behavior is much harder! If you don't change your ways, your dog's improvement will not last long. That's why we need to train YOU to train your dog. Once you're at home and no trainer is around to help, you must be able to work with your dog effectively.Progressive Difficulty
We don't want to just teach super-easy behaviors such as sitting. We want your dog to master the behavior under any condition, so we make the exercises harder and harder, under a variety of circumstances. For example, he comes to you when you call him, but will he do that while at the dog park, playing with other dogs? When walking or running away from you? Our "progressive difficulty" model is how you build long-term listening and reliability.Call Your Trainer
You can call your trainer if you need some quick advice in between sessions, if you are having difficulty and simply can't progress. We can typically give you a power boost.Skills, Listening, and Self-Control
Many people teach their dog a few commands, which may work well indoors with no distractions. However, everything goes out the window when taking the dog outside, where it's highly distracting, inviting, and sometimes stressful.With our program, we show you how to teach your dog a broad set of important skills, not just a few. Our exercises help your dog to learn to listen the first time, every time. Your dog will learn self-control, so it remains cool and calm, no matter the situation. You will notice the difference right away!
Decide How Far You Want to Go
Stop after one course or 6-lesson private lesson package? Continue to intermediate and advanced training? Delve into agility or other sports? Gain certifications? Visit hospitals with your therapy dog? We can help you go quite a long way and bring out the best in your dog.Official Training Partner for The Anti-Cruelty Society
Located in River North
Free Parking Available
The Anti-Cruelty Society
is the oldest and largest animal welfare organization in Chicago. They are located in River North, only a few minutes from Tucker Pup's. They rescue and adopt out more than 5,000 dogs per year.We are very proud that The Anti-Cruelty Society has selected Tucker Pup's as their official training partner. We provide training at their facility, plus private lessons and turnkey training at peoples' homes. Our goal is to help people train their dogs so they can reach their potential, live happy lives, and avoid being surrendered to a shelter.
The room is very large, and parking is free in their garage, located at Grand and Wells.
Didn't adopt your dog from The Anti-Cruelty Society? No problem - you can still use our training services at their facility.
We have three training locations in total: The Anti-Cruelty Society, Tucker Pup's, and Companion Animal Hospital.
Designed For Busy People
Think You Don't Have the Time?
It Only Takes 30 Minutes per Day
Are you pressed for time? Not sure about training because it will take too long?
Our training program is designed with you in mind. We give you homework exercises in between sessions that should take 30 minutes per day. Can't spend the time on a particular day? That's OK. Just keep working on the other days.
We show you how to complete the exercises while in class or in private lessons. Our trainers have hand-selected them based on their simplicity and effectiveness. They get progressively more challenging throughout the program, which helps your dog learn them really well.
The best part is that you can incorporate these exercises into your daily routine. You can easily practice them when you go to feed your dog, take it on a walk, go down the elevator, go to sleep at night, and so forth.
Within a short period of time, your dog should be showing remarkable improvement, as long as you have put this time in and followed the trainer's advice.
Our training program is designed with you in mind. We give you homework exercises in between sessions that should take 30 minutes per day. Can't spend the time on a particular day? That's OK. Just keep working on the other days.
We show you how to complete the exercises while in class or in private lessons. Our trainers have hand-selected them based on their simplicity and effectiveness. They get progressively more challenging throughout the program, which helps your dog learn them really well.
The best part is that you can incorporate these exercises into your daily routine. You can easily practice them when you go to feed your dog, take it on a walk, go down the elevator, go to sleep at night, and so forth.
Within a short period of time, your dog should be showing remarkable improvement, as long as you have put this time in and followed the trainer's advice.
Success Stories
Hear directly from a few of our customers whose dogs have shown remarkable improvement after going through our training program.
Resolving Archer's Leash Reactivity (2:04)
Helping Dixie with Self-Control and Focus (2:36)
Training Testimonials
We enjoyed the training with David. He was always patient and positive and understood our wirehair fox terrier's stubbornness.
Tamara Hirsch
David is a great trainer! I emailed him a few times with questions and he was very responsive. The techniques he uses produce results. I would highly recommend him and Tucker Pups for training.
Elissa White
David was very professional and extremely patient with our puppy. His tips were helpful and we are continuing with our at home training. I would highly recommend Tucker Pup's to all our friends!
Steve and Lisa Pascua
Classes were great, we learned a lot of training tips and tools that we will be able to use outside of class. David is a great teacher and is very knowledgeable.
Joe Wilush an Alex O'Connor
