Dogs playing together at a Chicago daycare facility with staff supervision

What to Expect from Dog Daycare in Chicago: A First-Timer’s Guide

When you bring your dog to daycare for the first time, expect an evaluation day where staff watch how your dog interacts with others. After that, typical days include supervised play in the morning, activity throughout the day, and more play in the afternoon before pick-up. Your dog will likely come home tired, thirsty, and …

Happy dog playing with other dogs at an indoor daycare facility in Chicago

Daycare or Boarding? A Chicago Dog Owner’s Guide to Choosing the Right Care

You have a work trip next week. Your neighbor who usually helps is unavailable. Your dog stares at you with those trusting eyes, and you wonder: daycare or boarding? Which one fits this situation? Chicago dog owners face this decision constantly, whether juggling hybrid work schedules, planning vacations, or keeping an energetic pup happy in …

Three-panel banner showing a calm dog eating, a dog showing early food guarding signals, and a trainer working with a dog in a controlled setting

Food Aggression in Dogs: When Your Chicago Dog Guards Their Bowl (And What to Do About It)

A Lincoln Park dog owner noticed her dog started growling from across the kitchen while she prepared dinner. He wasn’t near his food bowl. He was just watching her cook. That low rumble made her freeze. Something had shifted in her sweet dog’s behavior, and the problem was getting worse. Does your dog stiffen when …

Jonathan Polich K9 University Chicago Lead Trainer consulting with Chicago family about what to know before getting holiday puppy

What Every Family Should Know Before Bringing Home a Holiday Puppy

Expert insights on turning that picture-perfect moment into a lifetime of success By Jonathan Polich, Lead Trainer, K9 University Chicago We’ve all seen the videos. The big wrapped box under the tree. The tearful reveal. The perfect golden retriever puppy tumbling into eager arms while the camera captures every magical second. But here’s what those …