Stress Free Puppy Class Chicago | Vet Handling, Grooming & Fear-Free Training
K9 University Chicago’s Stress Free Puppy class is a 5-week program that teaches puppies and young dogs to accept vet exams, grooming, nail trims, medication, and handling without fear or stress. Classes run on Saturdays, for five (5) weeks, and are capped at 6 dogs per session. This program is ideal for puppies in Chicago who show anxiety at the vet, resist grooming, or become stressed during routine handling. It is led by experienced trainers using cooperative care and positive reinforcement methods.
Does your puppy panic at the vet? Resist nail trims? Freeze up when a stranger tries to pet them? These reactions are common in young dogs, and they get harder to address the longer they go untreated. K9 University Chicago’s Stress Free Puppy class teaches your puppy to accept handling, grooming, and medical procedures calmly before fear becomes a habit.
What Is the Stress Free Puppy Class?
This is a 5-week group class that uses cooperative care techniques to help puppies and young dogs handle real-world situations without stress. The program uses positive reinforcement to teach puppies that vet exams, grooming tools, nail trims, and body handling are not things to fear.
Every session runs 1.5 hours on Saturdays and includes a maximum of 6 dogs to keep the environment calm and focused. Both you and your puppy leave with practical skills you can use every time you visit the vet, the groomer, or any situation that requires your dog to tolerate handling.
Who Is This Class For?
What Your Puppy Will Learn
Handling and Medical Skills
- Nail trimming without resistance
- Brushing and coat handling
- Oral medication giving
- Full body exam and vaccination prep
- Weighing and standing on a table
- Lying calmly on their side
- Wearing a muzzle without stress
Cooperative Behaviors
- Chin rest hold: teaching the dog to offer and hold their chin voluntarily
- Offering feet on cue: essential for nail trims and paw inspections
- Standing still on cue for a duration
- Going to a mat for vet scales and exam tables
- Targeting: nose touch to hand, useful for guiding movement
- Relaxed side lying: for thorough exams and grooming
Stress Free Puppy Class Schedule
| Start Date | #of Weeks | Day | Time | Cost | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 8, 2021 | 5 | Saturday | 9:00 am - 10:30 am | $200 | Session duration is 1.5 hours. Up to 6 dogs per class. |
Stress Free Puppy Class Price
| Stress Free Puppy @ K9u Chicago | #Of Weeks | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| One Dog and Handler | 5 | $200.00 |
What to Bring to Class
- Flat collar (buckle or martingale style) or a working harness, no head halters, choke chains, or prong collars
- 6-foot leash, lightweight leather or nylon, no chains or retractables
- High-value treats your dog finds motivating, soft and smelly, avoid crumbly types
- A treat bag, no plastic baggies
- Your dog should not be fed a full meal before class, a light meal or none is best
What to Expect by the End of 5 Weeks
By the end of the Stress Free Puppy course, your dog should:
- Accept nail trims and brushing without struggle
- Hold still for a basic body exam
- Offer paws and chin voluntarily when asked
- Remain calm when strangers approach and touch them
- Handle unfamiliar environments and situations with noticeably less anxiety
These are skills your dog will use for the rest of their life. Every vet visit, grooming appointment, and handling situation becomes safer and less stressful for both of you.
Training Services
Other K9 Services
What We Need to Get Started
Vaccinations Required:
- Distemper, Parvo, Rabies, Bordetella, H3N2, Lepto
- Up-to-date Fecal Test
Steps to Enroll:
- Register online and create a profile for you and your puppy
- Review the K9U Waiver Form here. You will sign the form electronically when you register online.
- Upload vaccination records to your online profile
- Place your reservation online to discuss your puppy’s needs
Meet Our Trainers
Pablo Maldonado
Dog Trainer
Pablo Maldonado
Pablo is an established trainer and business founder of multiple dog care companies with specialties in training, boarding and canine nutrition.
As a participant in several highly regarded training seminars, Pablo enjoys working with all dog breeds including high energy dogs where he uses soft sports, such as Agility Training, to provide these active dogs with a positive way to focus their energy and modify unwanted behaviors. Along with his customized approach to training based on each dog’s individual needs, Pablo creates a unique comprehensive training environment for every client.
Born and raised in Monterrey, Mexico, Pablo offers Private Training and all levels of Group Obedience Training in Spanish. He is also very active with Board and Train camps providing Spanish commands for dogs as needed for those clients who prefer to speak Spanish at home.
Jonathan Polich
Lead Dog Trainer
Jonathan Polich
Jon has been in the dog industry in Chicago for 13 years. He started off running his own dog walking company and made his way into dog training close to 10 years ago. He has been training dogs in the Chicago land area for around 10 years in doggy daycares and also privately. Jon believes training dogs is not only about working with your dog and their needs, but also being able to properly communicate dog behavior so you the dog owner can better connect with trust and understand how to work with your dog throughout its life.
Jon is a believer in the humane hierarchy of dog training and working with positive reinforcement-based training. Jon works with most behavioral needs such as puppy training, basic obedience, loose leash walking training, impulse control, relaxation protocol, dog reactive/people reactive training, as well as socialization training in small and large dog groups
Joshua D. Johnson
Dog Trainer
Joshua D. Johnson
Joshua D. Johnson is a seasoned dog trainer with over nine years of professional experience, specializing in obedience, behavior modification, and high-drive working dogs. He holds multiple industry certifications, including Animal Behavior College Dog Training Certification, and police and sport dog decoy certification. His skillset spans from foundational pet obedience to advanced working dog applications, with a proven ability to bring out the best in each dog through a balanced, results-driven approach.
In addition to his individual accomplishments, Joshua played a key role in developing and launching Canine Kingdom, a successful dog daycare and training business. His hands-on expertise extends to creating training programs, managing client relations, and building a thriving canine community. Whether working with family companions, service dogs, or sport competitors, Joshua’s training philosophy blends precision, clarity, and strong handler communication to ensure lasting results.
Joshua’s foundation in discipline and performance comes from his military background, where he served as an infantryman and worked alongside military working dogs. This experience instilled a deep understanding of canine capability, drive, and teamwork under pressure. Today, he continues to combine his military precision with a passion for helping dogs and handlers succeed, making him a trusted figure in both pet and professional working dog circles.
Sharpen your Pooch’s Smell and Hunt Instincts and Boost their Confidence
K9 nose work is a fun way to use your dog’s amazing sense of smell and natural desire to hunt and boost his or her confidence because it is mentally and physically stimulating and rewarding. Add supervised socialization with Free Puppy Play.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I Need To Do Anything Before The Class Starts?
Yes. All dogs must have their first round of booster vaccines and a fecal test on file with K9U. Upload records to your online profile when you register.
What If My Puppy Is Already Showing Fear At The Vet?
This class is exactly the right response. The sooner you address fear-based behavior in puppies, the easier it is to resolve. If your puppy is already showing strong fear responses, talk to our trainers when you register, and we can discuss the best approach.
Can Older Dogs Take This Class?
The techniques work for dogs of any age, though puppies and young dogs learn these behaviors most quickly. Contact us to discuss your dog's situation, and we can advise on whether this class or a private lesson is the better fit.
Free Training Evaluation