Puppy Training in West Loop, Fulton Market & Chicago, IL
At Happy Tails & Trails, we offer expert puppy training in the West Loop, Fulton Market, and Chicago neighborhoods, designed explicitly for city dogs and their families. Whether you’re dealing with a bouncing new pup or trying to lay a strong behavioral foundation, our personalized approach ensures lasting results through kindness, structure, and plenty of tail wags.
With a combination of structured routines, positive reinforcement, and urban-specific strategies, we help puppies thrive in Chicago’s fast-paced environment.
Our Puppy Obedience Training Programs in Chicago
At Happy Tails & Trails, we believe every puppy deserves compassionate, customized instruction. Our puppy obedience training in Chicago blends positive reinforcement with structured sessions that are both fun and effective. Our programs include:
Puppy Manners Program (8 weeks – 4 months)
Build your puppy’s confidence and comfort in their first months. This program is ideal for socializing young pups and preventing bad habits before they start.
We’ll cover:
- Positive Socialization: Safe play with other puppies, exposure to different people, sounds, and textures (like sidewalks and grass).
- Focus & Attention Games: Teaching name recognition and visual engagement—key for leash and safety training.
- Crate Conditioning: Gentle crate introductions to help with sleep routines, travel, and potty training in apartments.
- Intro to Sit & Leash: Early versions of sit and leash walking in low-distraction settings like courtyards and calm streets.
Duration: 10 weekdays (Monday–Friday)
$ Cost: $1600
Basic Puppy Obedience Training
Perfect for slightly older dogs that need structure. Combines core commands with gentle correction and improved focus.
This training includes:
- Watch and Focus with Duration: Maintain eye contact even in the face of distractions.
- Sit/Down on Cue: Reinforced without food lures, building real-world reliability.
- Early Recall Training: Pups start coming when called—even at the park or daycare.
- Loose Leash Walking: Using positive reinforcement to teach relaxed walks.
- Stay or Stand: Ideal for grooming or veterinary preparation, with no specified duration initially.
- City Leash Work: Introduce pups to curbs, corners, and basic street safety cues.
Duration: 10 weekdays
$ Cost: $1700
Intermediate Puppy Obedience Training
This program advances skills for pups ready to tackle more freedom and longer sessions. It is ideal for dog owners seeking complete control in public settings.
Skills include:
- Stay with Distance & Duration: Maintain position even as owners move away or distractions arise.
- Reliable Recall: Especially in busy areas like Montrose Dog Beach or off-leash zones.
- Distraction Training: Practicing commands amid skateboards, strollers, joggers, and park noise.
- Polite Greetings: No more jumping or barking at guests—whether human or canine.
- Wait on Command: At doors, sidewalks, or before meals—proper in apartment living.
- Advanced Walking: Heel with duration in crowded areas, working up to park festivals and events.
Duration: 10 weekdays
$ Cost: $1800
All programs include report cards, video/photo updates, and personalized progress notes to help reinforce training at home.
What Makes Our Puppy Training Classes in Chicago Unique?
Our puppy training classes in Chicago are structured, supportive, and tailored to each individual’s needs. We offer:
- Daily Private Sessions: 45-minute one-on-one training is included during doggy daycare stays.
- In-Home Options Available: For pups with unique behavior or environment challenges.
- Low-Ratio Group Classes (Coming Soon!): Planned for puppies who benefit from peer socialization.
- Progress Tracking: Clients receive weekly video updates, report cards, and training tips.
- Certified Trainers: All team members are experienced in positive behavior modification techniques.
Our team also collaborates with local pet stores and veterinary clinics in the West Loop, River North, and Logan Square to establish a trusted network for puppy parents.
Meet Our Trainers
Our trainers are certified, experienced, and deeply rooted in the Chicago dog community. Founder Angelica Iga, a former veterinary assistant, brings over two decades of expertise to every tail wag.
All team members are trained in positive reinforcement, canine body language, and puppy development stages, ensuring that your pet receives not only instruction but also compassion and care tailored to their unique personality.
Success Stories & Customer Reviews
We’re proud to have earned the trust of hundreds of Chicago pet parents:
“Absolutely love this place! They are family owned and truly care about your pet like their own! Angie has always been super supportive and helpful! The best dog daycare and training services in the city!”
“My puppy just starting going, but already loves it. Everyone there is so nice and accommodating. Looking forward to my dog growing up there.”
Real Client Success Story: Puppy Obedience Transformation
Case Study #1: Puppy Training Case Study: Skye the Mini Australian Shepherd
Meet Skye—a sweet and shy 6-month-old Mini Australian Shepherd who joined our Puppy Manners One-on-One Training program. Like many young pups, Skye struggled with separation anxiety and wasn’t quite ready to be away from her mom.
To help her adjust, we started with a week of gentle socialization to build her confidence and comfort around new dogs and people. Once she settled in, we began introducing foundational obedience and manners.
What Skye Learned:
- Focus and attention around distractions
- Automatic sit during walks
- Heeling and walking politely on leash
- Wait and stay commands
- Going to a designated “place” and remaining there calmly
By the end of her training, Skye had gained more than just obedience—she became more confident, focused, and well-adjusted. Her journey set her up for success as a well-behaved dog and a joyful companion.
“Skye made amazing progress—watching her confidence grow was just as rewarding as seeing her master the basics.”
“My Aussie Skye, completed both the 10-day Puppy Manners and Basic Obedience programs with Angie, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. The daycare and training offering was incredibly convenient. Angie is patient, knowledgeable, and truly invested in Skye’s progress. The daily report cards and videos made it easy to continue the training at home and reinforce what Skye learned during the day. Angie was also always available to answer any questions I had along the way. I feel much more confident continuing Skye’s training thanks to the strong foundation Angie helped build. Highly recommend!”
~Tanalee Theanchai
Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Training in Chicago
How to Get Started with Puppy Training at Happy Tails & Trails
Located in the heart of Chicago, Happy Tails & Trails is your go-to choice for trusted, effective, and loving puppy training classes. Spots are limited, especially for puppies under 4 months—reach out today to reserve your training dates.
Happy Tails & Trails is proud to help Chicago’s newest puppies grow up happy, polite, and ready for big city life—one paw at a time.
Monday–Friday: 7 am–7 pm | Sat-Sun: 9 am–5 pm
Transportation available | Grooming add-ons offered
[Ask About Our Referral Reward Program!]
Visit us at 1613 W. Walnut St., Chicago, IL
Call us: (312) 588-9077
