Tucker Pup's Rescue Reset Program helps rescue dogs in Chicago become well-adjusted to their new home and life, setting them up for long-term happiness. We offer personalized private training sessions that lay the foundation for addressing common challenges that rescue dogs face in their new home, such as fears and anxieties, feeling unsettled, and lacking trust. Our goal is to help prevent difficult challenges such as separation anxiety or leash reactivity. We will help your rescue dog build confidence and coping skills in order to thrive amid the sights, sounds, and activities of life in Chicago.
You're Not Alone
Many rescue dogs arrive after experiencing disruption, uncertainty, or stress, and it is common for them to feel unsettled at first. They may seem unsure of their surroundings, hesitant to relax, or slow to trust. Some dogs appear withdrawn, while others are constantly alert, pacing, or reacting to everyday sights and sounds.
For owners, it can be hard to know what is normal during this adjustment period. Questions often come up about whether a dog is still settling in, needs more time, or is developing challenges that should be addressed sooner rather than later.
If you are navigating this transition with a rescue dog, you are not alone. Many thoughtful, committed owners experience the same uncertainty, and it does not mean you are doing anything wrong. With the right guidance, this adjustment period can become an opportunity to build trust, confidence, and a strong foundation for the life you want to share together.
Why Newly Rescued Dogs Need Help
Even dogs with a gentle temperament may have experienced instability, stress, or unpredictability before adoption. They may have lived in multiple environments, spent time in shelters, or had limited opportunities to form consistent routines and trust. As a result, many rescue dogs arrive in their new home unsure of what to expect or how to navigate daily life.
This uncertainty can show up in different ways. Some dogs seem shut down or hesitant to engage. Others are hyper-alert, pacing, barking, or reacting strongly to everyday sounds and movement. Common challenges include difficulty settling, anxiety when left alone, leash tension, sensitivity to new people or dogs, and trouble feeling safe in unfamiliar environments.
These behaviors are not signs of a bad fit or permanent issues. They are often a natural response to change and uncertainty. With guidance, structure, and the right support early on, rescue dogs can learn that their new home is predictable, safe, and worth trusting.
That early foundation is what allows many rescue dogs to relax, build confidence, and truly settle into their new life.
What Progress Looks Like
Dogs may become more comfortable moving through the home, resting more easily, and engaging with their owners with greater confidence. As trust builds, many dogs show less vigilance, recover more quickly from unfamiliar situations, and begin to explore their environment without constant stress or hesitation.
Over time, owners often notice that routines feel smoother and communication becomes clearer. Dogs develop coping skills that help them handle everyday experiences, such as being left alone, encountering new people or dogs, and navigating busy environments. This early support can reduce the likelihood that anxiety-based challenges escalate into more significant issues later on.
Progress is not about rushing adjustment or forcing confidence. It is about giving rescue dogs the time, structure, and guidance they need to feel safe, understand expectations, and build a strong foundation for long-term success in their new life.
We can help turn that frown upside down
How the Program Works
This includes:
- Adjusting to a new routine
- Learning boundaries
- Building healthy emotional responses to objects and sounds that may be new and scary
- Teaching independent play and relaxation
We can help with other behaviors as well - just ask!
Please note that this program is focused on building foundational behaviors for long-term success, and does not necessarily address manners skills such as loose leash walking, or emotional challenges such as separation anxiety - we have other programs for improving these behaviors. We may be able to incorporate some of them into this program, or can focus on them after completing this program. Your trainer can help identify the best path moving forward, based on your goals.
Additional potential costs:
- $10 per session if we come to your home
- Reimbursement for any parking fees that we incur
Don't try to go it alone - we can save you lots of time, money, and headaches!
FAQs
How soon should I start this program with my rescue dog?
Before starting this program, we recommend that you give your new dog at least three weeks to settle into your home so that she can learn your routines and adjust to being outside of the shelter. Most dogs need this time to decompress and get used to new family members, new surroundings, and a new schedule. It’s important to not overwhelm your dog with too many new experiences at once, but rather just give her a chance to settle in slowly. However, if you are having serious behavioral concerns, please contact one of our training advisors, and we can likely help sooner. Even though you should wait a few weeks, you still need to enroll as soon as possible so you get the dates and times that work best for your schedule.
Does the age of my dog matter for this program?
The Rescue Reset Program is for dogs of all ages; however if you just recently rescued a puppy under the age of 5 months that is not displaying overly negative behaviors, they may be better suited for our Puppy Socialization Program or a Puppy Manners course. Check out our “Puppy Page” for more information.
What if I rescued my dog as a stray, or found my dog on the street?
No matter how much or how little background information you have about your new dog, the Rescue Reset Program is ideal for anyone who wants to help their dog acclimate to living in a new environment. Whether your dog was transferred here from an out-of-state shelter, fostered locally, or found in dire circumstances, our trainers have lots of experience working with dogs from all walks of life. It is our goal to help your dog feel confident and truly at his forever home so you don't feel the need to relinquish him later.
Is it better to work at my home, or at the training facility?
For many dogs, working at home fosters a better learning environment and eliminates extra travel stress or new environment anxiety in the early stages of learning. On the other hand, coming to our training facility can have its advantages, as we have resources such as barriers, cones, stuffed dogs, different types of harnesses, numerous treat options, and other people to practice with. The training location can be customized by scheduling some sessions at home and some here. Just speak with your trainer on what would be the best fit for you and your dog.
Will this program address issues such as separation anxiety?
This program is about decompressing your dog and helping eliminate stress about living in a new environment, while overcoming possible trauma from living at a shelter. It is intended to help prevent behaviors such as separation anxiety or leash reactivity. If your dog is exhibiting those behaviors, we can address them in programs specifically intended to resolve them. It may be possible to mix and match - just ask your trainer.
A Happy Customer
Maureen O'Brien-Cruz, KPA CTP
We cannot thank Maureen enough for the support she provided us in training our two miniature schnauzer rescues, Minnie (2) and Pepper (8). Minnie was a new addition to our family, and I initially reached out to Tucker Pups because of her reactivity toward other dogs, which has improved immensely. To my surprise, Maureen's expertise also helped us improve Pepper's years long barking and behavior issues with guests in our home that I had completely given up on and no other trainer had been able to help us conquer.
Minnie and Pepper are both more relaxed, confident, happier and better behaved dogs than before Maureen came into our lives, and we are so thankful for our time with her. We plan on bringing Maureen back to continue building on the skills and knowledge she so generously imparted on our family!
- Melanie Heicklen
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.
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 .