Tucker Pup's offers puppy socials in Chicago, that help socialize your puppy in a safe, clean, fun environment. These are the greatest way to introduce your puppy to group play and social interaction. We strongly recommend enrolling in multiple socials before ever considering going to the dog park. Dog parks can have unvaccinated dogs, people may not be paying attention, there are different sizes of dogs and levels of aggression, and the environment may not be as clean as you would prefer.
We recommend signing up for at least 3-4 puppy socials in order to help your puppy become well-socialized and as highly prepared as possible for dog parks, daycare, boarding, the dog beach, and much more.
Overview of Puppy Socials
Program Snapshot
- Purpose: Properly socialize your puppy while avoiding dog parks
- Activities: Off-leash play, games, training exercises, discussion, water breaks
- Duration: Approximately 45 minutes of activities, discussion time at the end
- Max group size: 6 puppies max
- Puppy types: We have 3 different social types
- Whippersnappers, for rambunctious players
- Tiny Tots, for small puppies
- Confidence Builder, for shy puppies
- Location: Fulton Market / West Loop
- Parking: Free parking is typically available just north of us, or there is metered parking right in front of our facility
- No commitment: Sign up for as few or as many as you want
- Price: $35 per puppy per social
Why Puppy Socials Are So Great
- Safe socialization (not in a dog park) is very important for your puppy's development
- Supervised by one of our professional trainers, while you watch and participate
- Off-leash play, plus fun games, training exercises, and breaks
- Training advice, including handling unwanted behavior during play
- We confirm that all dogs are properly vaccinated
- The room is kept very clean
- The weather doesn't matter
- Your puppy can play with others that are the same size and temperament
- It's fun to meet other puppy owners in the neighborhood!
- Great way to supplement Puppy Manners class
- Your puppy will be worn out for the rest of the day!
Types of Puppy Socials
- Confidence Builder: For puppies who are on the shy side, still trying to get comfortable with playing with others. They must be between 10 weeks and 5.5 months old, and 35 pounds or less.
- Tiny Tots: For puppies who are 15 pounds and under, who are between 10 weeks and 5.5 months old, and whose play style is not overbearing with the other puppies.
- Whippersnappers: For playful puppies who are between 15 and 35 pounds, and who are between 10 weeks and 5.5 months old. The puppies in this social should be comfortable playing with others, even those who may be larger.
You can choose which format is best-suited for your puppy.
A Happy Puppy Social Customer
Upcoming Schedule
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Olivia Tiffany
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
7:15 pm to 8:15 pm
Confidence Builder
219 N Carpenter Street, Chicago
Helena Love
Enroll
Call us at 312-829-8787
Details
- Price: $35 per social per puppy
- Duration: Roughly 45 minutes
- Activities:
- Off-leash play
- Fun games
- Training exercises taught in puppy classes
- Rest periods
- Q&A and downtime in the final 10-15 minutes
- Requirements:
- Age: All puppies must be between 10 weeks and 5.5 months.
- Vaccinations: Distemper and Parvo (at least 2 of the 3 rounds), plus Bordatella (at least the first of two rounds)
- We can likely make an exception if your vet doesn't feel your puppy is ready for a certain vaccination. Please call us if you want to discuss.
- Parking: There is typically free street parking just north of us. Otherwise, there are meters.
- Chairs: Chairs are available
- Upcoming schedule: Click here
We take enrollment seven days per week, 365 days per year. Don't delay - the playgroup size is limited, so time is of the essence.
FAQs
Do the puppies play the entire time?
It would be too much exertion for the puppies to play for the entire time. Each social includes plenty of rest time, we have training games and exercises, and there is plenty of water.
What if my puppy is scared of other dogs?
Our Confidence Builder puppy social is perfect for puppies who are scared or shy. The other puppies in the social are also shy, so everyone is in the same boat together. The trainer uses techniques to get them interacting with each other, and by the end of the social, most are starting to warm up to the others. It is a great way to give them the space and safe environment that proves to them that other dogs are really great! It may take multiple socials to help your puppy get over social anxiety, and you should start to see major improvement. Once they build their confidence, many puppies have moved to Whippersnappers or Tiny Tots.
How many puppy socials should we join?
You can sign up for as few or as many as you want - there is no commitment. Having said that, we recommend coming to at least four puppy socials, in order to really build your puppy's social skills and confidence before going to dog parks or daycare.
Will my small puppy get trampled?
Our Tiny Tots puppy social is perfect for small puppies. It includes small breeds such as Yorkshire Terriers or Shih tzus, and really young puppies. They love the interaction with each other, since they are all on the same eye level.
What if my puppy is not finished with all rounds of vaccinations?
As long as your vet believes your puppy is on track, that is fine for attending puppy socials. The benefits of socialization outweigh vaccination risks. In many years of providing puppy socials, it is extremely rare that someone says their puppy is coughing as a result.
Who supervises the puppy socials?
All puppy socials are supervised by a professional trainer, who knows dog body language and behaviors. The trainer helps separate puppies who may be getting a little to excitable, explains behaviors to puppy parents, answers all of your questions, and conducts the training games and exercises.
What if a puppy is playing too roughly?
The trainer will help separate puppies where the play may be escalating out of hand. If a puppy is too overbearing for the other puppies, the trainer will decide whether he needs to be placed in the Whippersnappers social, where the puppies are all more playful and tolerant of overbearing behavior. Is this were to be the case, you would receive a free transfer.
If I sign up for multiple socials but change my mind, can I get a refund?
Puppy socials are refundable if your enrollment is cancelled within seven days of the social occurring. This gives time for other people to enroll.
Reviews from Puppy Social Customers
Yelp has listed Tucker Pup's as one of the top 100 local businesses in the country in 2025. We are the only pet business who made the list from Chicago, and the only pet resort / training business who made the list nationally.
See the List
Importance of Puppy Socials
In other words, this is the group that vets typically turn to for behavioral advice.
The AVSAB firmly believes in positive reinforcement and puppy socialization.
According to the AVSAB:
Behavioral problems are the greatest threat to the owner-dog bond. In fact, behavioral problems are the number one cause of relinquishment to shelters. Behavioral issues are the number one cause of death for dogs under three years of age."
View the Position Statement (PDF)
Why to Avoid Dog Parks
- Dog parks can often have dogs who are aggressive or overbearing - one fight or scary moment can lead to injury, trauma, losing trust in other dogs, anxiety, and PTSD
- Dog owners are often not paying attention, and some don't seem to mind that their dog is causing challenges for others
- Many dogs are not properly vaccinated, which can cause your puppy to get sick
- Many dog parks have puddles or poop residue, which can cause Giardia, something you definitely don't want your puppy to catch!
- Dog parks can be very overcrowded
Puppy socials are your safe haven!
Neighborhoods We Serve
Tucker Pup's is located in the West Loop / Fulton Market District neighborhood. People come to us from all over Chicago, especially from Bucktown, Gold Coast, Lake View, Lincoln Park, Old Town, River North, River West, South Loop, Streeterville, Ukrainian Village, University Village, West Town and Wicker Park.
