About K9 University Chicago
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About K9 University Chicago

In business since 1992, our goal has always been to create a welcoming “home away from home” for your dog. A safe place where your dog can feel secure, learn valuable skills and can have fun too. Owner Ruby Madrigal began this business based on her passion to help animals find safe and loving homes. She has always maintained that every dog in Chicago deserves a safe place to play, learn and grow.

What started as a home-based business assisting friends evolved into founding a non-profit rescue to help dogs find forever homes that transitioned into a successful small business providing career paths and jobs for over 40 people.

Runner's Up Award 2019

The K9U Chicago Timeline

  • 2000: Pet sitter for friends and family from home
  • 2001: Founding member of volunteer based Chicago Canine Rescue, a 501 (c) 3 rescue for dogs
  • 2003: Leased 7,000 sf of indoor and 10,000 sf outdoor warehouse space at 2944 West Lake Street in East Garfield Park to expand home business now called Pet-n-Play
  • 2004: Merged Pet-n-Play with K9 University Chicago that was focused on dog training since 1992
  • 2008: Ruby became the sole owner of K9 University Chicago
  • 2016: Ruby purchased the K9 University Chicago facility and property
  • 2017: Significant capital improvements were made to the facility including remodeling the outdoor play areas by installing K9 Grass, adding new playground equipment and expanding the boarding and grooming areas
  • 2018: The new west training center was opened to provide a dedicated space for training classes and private sessions
  • 2019: Construction began to remodel the daycare entrance and front office
  • 2019:  On May 16, Ruby Madrigal was awarded the Illinois Rising Star Award, 2019, from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Illinois Rising Star Award is given to only two business leaders out of the thousands nominated each year by the U.S. Small Business Administration.

If your dog requires special care or training, including addressing issues such as leash control, jumping, excessive barking, sit-down-stay, we have the experience to meet your needs. Our trainers will work with you and your dog to develop the best solution based exclusively on your situation.

Located at: 2945 West Lake Street, Chicago, we provide a safe, clean, climate-controlled environment for dogs to board under careful 24-hour supervision.

You will need to login to schedule your daycare or boarding reservations. If you’re new to K9U, you will need to register first.

You will need to login to schedule your daycare or boarding reservations:

If you’re new to K9U, you will need to register first.

You can also call us at 773-533-5959

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K9U Chicago Waiver

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Why Our Clients Love Us

K9U is great. They offer classes as well as day camp /sitting services. The size of the location is pretty impressive, as they have a large indoor and outdoor areas for dogs to play. (They even pick up and drop off your dog.). The staff and trainers are very friendly and extremely effective.James J.
K9 University is great. We’ve been going there for 7 and a half years. We’ve done training, we’ve done agility, we’ve done boarding and we’ve done daycare. The only thing we haven’t done is a drop off and pick up. My dog is kind of a nut and they deal with her well. Debbie W.
My dog has experienced everything at K9U: daycare, classes and boarding. When he is either picked up by the K9U van or dropped off his tail is wagging like crazy. When I pick him up he is happy to see me, goes outside to relieve himself and then pulls to go back in. Jane F.
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Request Free Training Evaluation

Please complete the contact form below for one of our trainers to answer your questions and schedule your Free evaluation. We’ll show you which training program and approach is best to properly socialize your dog and build mental strength.

Request Free Training Evaluation

Please complete the contact form below for one of our trainers to answer your questions and schedule your Free evaluation. We’ll show you which training program and approach is best to properly socialize your dog and build mental strength.

New Customer Daycare Offer

Please fill the form below to get One FREE Daycare Day.

    You need to be registered as a client to claim the Offer. Next, we will send you the coupon to your email and direct you to register to New Customer Registration portal.