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
Why Puppy Socials Are So Great
- Supervised by one of our professional trainers, while you watch and participate
- Off-leash play, plus fun games and training exercises. We do take breaks so they don't get overly tired
- 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 its same size and temperament
- It's fun to meet other puppy owners in the neighborhood!
- Great way to supplement Puppy Manners class
- We have chairs around the perimeter of the room, so you can comfortably sit through the social
- 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.
Enrollment Details
- Distemper, Parvo (at least two of the three rounds)
- Canine influenza (at least the first round of the H3N2 strain, within the past several weeks)
- Bordatella (at least the first of two rounds)
or call us at 312-829-8787.
We take enrollment seven days per week, 365 days per year. Don't delay - class 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.
Success Story
Importance of Puppy Socialization
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) is a national group of veterinarians and doctorate-level animal behaviorists who educate other veterinarians about dog training and animal behavior.
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)
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.
