Our Puppy Starter Program is designed to give you and your new furry family member the best possible beginning together. During those crucial early months, we focus on four essential foundations that will set your puppy up for lifelong success: crate training to create a safe, comfortable space your puppy loves; potty training with proven techniques that establish reliable bathroom habits; managing play biting through positive redirection methods that teach appropriate mouth manners; and comprehensive socialization to help your puppy develop confidence around new people, animals, and environments. Whether you're a first-time dog owner or welcoming a new puppy into your experienced household, our structured approach provides the guidance, support, and practical tools you need to navigate these formative weeks with confidence, creating a strong bond built on trust, consistency, and positive learning experiences.
Topics We Cover
How the Program Works
- $405 total, for three sessions
- $30 additional if we come to your home for the three sessions, plus any parking fees that we incur.
- The program includes one free puppy social
Puppy socials are an hour of games, training exercises, and rest time, all with puppies of a similar size and temperament.
We have three types of socials:
- Whippersnappers, for puppies who are playful and rambunctious
- Tiny Tots, for smaller, younger puppies
- Confidence Builder, for shy puppies
You can learn more about puppy socials by going back to the main Training page, and choosing Puppy Socials.
FAQs
Can I choose other topics to discuss besides any of those listed above?
We can help you with practically any topic. The ones mentioned above are the most common, but feel free to ask. If you are looking for skills such as leash walking, those would taught in Puppy Manners classes, private lessons, or dropoff training. We can certainly start with the topics mentioned above, then add lessons or other types of training afterwards or in conjunction with these lessons.
What if I don't want my puppy to be crate trained?
It's totally up to you whether you want this to be a topic we cover. Having said that, we believe that crate training your puppy is very important, because he will undoubtedly be in a crate at times in the future, at the vet, daycare, grooming, or boarding. Otherwise, it is very possible that he develops crate anxiety, and these businesses may not be able to provide care for him, or he might just stay very stressed. When implemented properly, dogs see their crate as a positive, safe space that is their home. We can help your puppy achieve this belief.
Can we work at my home, in addition to the facility?
Not a problem. We can work 1-2 lessons at your home, and remaining lesson(s) at Tucker Pup's. It's very customizable. There is a $10 housecall fee for any lessons at your home.
Can I enroll in this program even if I don't have my puppy yet?
Absolutely! This could be the smartest choice of all, since you could be implementing smart strategies right from day one. We can also discuss breed characteristics with you and what behaviors to likely expect, plus help prepare your home in advance of the first day with your new puppy.
Can we work together for more than three lessons?
We can help you with as many lessons as you need. We suggest with three lessons because this is a typical number for the topics we would be discussing with you, but certainly we can add as many sessions as you like.
I feel nervous about participating in a puppy social
Puppy socials are a really great way to socialize your puppy in a safe, clean environment. All of the other puppies are of a similar size and temperament, including our Tiny Tots socials for small breeds and very young puppies. The socialization skills will be very beneficial as your puppy gets older, even if you don't intend on going to dog parks.
My puppy keeping peeing in my home and I'm getting really frustrated.
Totally understandable. But keep in mind that puppies don't know the rules yet and just need to be taught, in a way that makes sense to them. They also have tiny bladders and may not be able to hold it for long. It's a lot like having a baby, including getting up in the middle of the night. We can evaluate your home environment and routine, and help you create a process that helps your puppy learn, all through positive methods.
Is there an age limit for enrolling in the Puppy Starter program?
There is not an age limit. We do recommend starting as young as possible, but some puppies are still showing unwanted behaviors when they are older than five months, such as play biting or peeing indoors, and we are called in to help. We're here for you either way.
Our Travel Radius
One of our trainers can home to your home if you live within our travel radius. We routinely go all throughout Chicago each day, including to Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown, Wrigleyville, Gold Coast, River North, downtown, East Loop, West Loop, South Loop, and all neighborhoods in between.
These boundaries go north to Irving Park Road, east to the lake, south to Roosevelt, and west to Western Avenue.
If you live a few streets beyond these boundaries we can likely still come to your home.
Otherwise, you would need to come to our training facility.
Our Trainers Travel All Over Chicago
Positive Reinforcement Methods
Tucker Pup's only uses positive reinforcement methods. We do not use prong collars, choke chains, shock collars, poking, yelling, leash popping, or other aversive methods. Dominance can easily cause your dog to distrust you, and to only comply in order to avoid a negative outcome. This isn't truly learning, and can cause your dog's behaviors to become much worse.
Positive reinforcement is much more effective for creating long-term learning and a stronger relationship with your dog. Dogs love training when this style is being used, are much more responsive to their owners, and are much happier in general. In short, positive reinforcement gives you the best chance of success, and can be the fastest way to get results. If you are hesitant, please trust us on this one and feel free to ask us questions.
Positive reinforcement combines an encouraging tone of voice, clear instruction, relaxed body language, the use of rewards (e.g., treats, favorite toy), patience, and empathy.
If you are concerned about giving treats, keep in mind that they work very well for most dogs, you can phase them out at your discretion, and it is possible to use something else that your dog values, such as a favorite toy.
Customer Reviews
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
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.
