Puppy Socialization Classes Chicago | Free Puppy Play Groups at K9U
K9 University Chicago offers free supervised puppy socialization sessions every Saturday from 10–11 am for puppies 6 months and under. Sessions are capped at 8 puppies and led by certified trainers, not daycare staff. A separate Tweenie Time group runs Saturdays, 11 am–noon, for puppies aged 6–12 months, see cost in pricing table below. Proper puppy socialization between 8 and 16 weeks reduces the risk of reactivity, aggression, and fear-based behavior in adult dogs. K9U is one of the few Chicago facilities offering structured, trainer-supervised puppy socialization at no initial cost.
The window for puppy socialization is short. Between 8 and 16 weeks, your puppy’s brain is forming the associations that will shape how they respond to people, dogs, sounds, and environments for the rest of their life. Miss this window, and you are working uphill. K9 University Chicago’s Puppy Play sessions give Chicago puppies structured, supervised socialization every week during the period it matters most.
The first 3 sessions are free. There is no reason not to start.
Free Puppy Socialization Sessions in Chicago (Under 6 Months)
Every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 am, K9U opens its indoor facility to puppies 6 months and under for supervised play with peers their own age. This is not a drop-off service. You stay, watch, and learn alongside your puppy.
Why Puppy Socialization Is the Most Important Thing You Can Do Right Now
Research consistently shows that the most common behavioral problems in adult dogs, reactivity, aggression, fear, and anxiety, are linked to insufficient or poor-quality socialization during puppyhood. The Rule of 7 for socialization (exposing puppies to 7 different surfaces, locations, people types, sounds, and more before 7 weeks) and the broader socialization window that extends through 16 weeks are not marketing concepts. They are developmental science.
Dogs who are properly socialized during this window are significantly more likely to:
- Tolerate handling, grooming, and vet exams calmly
- Approach new dogs and people with confidence rather than fear
- Recover quickly when startled or surprised
- Engage with novel environments without shutting down or reacting
90% of K9U puppies who attend Puppy Play regularly transition to adult daycare without aggression or reactivity issues. That result comes from the quality of supervision and the structure of the sessions.
What You and Your Puppy Will Learn
Your Puppy:
- How to play appropriately with other dogs their size and age
- How to recover after rough play without escalating
- How to interact calmly with unfamiliar people
- Basic social signals, when to approach, when to back off
You as the Owner:
- How to read puppy body language, relaxed vs. anxious vs. overstimulated
- When to step in and when to let puppies work it out
- What healthy vs. bullying play looks like
- How to set your puppy up for social success in the real world
Tweenie Time: Puppy Socialization for Older Puppies (6 to 12 Months)
Puppies grow up fast. If your dog has aged out of the under-6-months group but is not yet ready for adult open play, Tweenie Time is the bridge. This Saturday session runs from 11 am to noon and keeps the same friend groups together as puppies grow.
FREE Puppy Play! No Obedience.
| For Puppies of 6 months and younger |
|---|
| Every Saturday 10:00 - 11:00 am |
| First 3 Sessions are FREE. After the third session, cost is $15 per Session |
|
Ready for Puppy Play? Spots Fill Fast! |
Already completed your free sessions?Continue the socialization journey with our Tweenie Time playgroups for puppies 6-12 months. |
Success Stories
“After just 3 sessions at K9U Puppy Play, our shy Goldendoodle Luna completely transformed! She went from hiding behind our legs to confidently greeting new dogs. The trainers were amazing at helping both of us build confidence.” – Elaine M.
“As first-time dog owners, we had no idea what normal puppy play looked like. The K9U trainers taught us so much about reading body language and when to intervene. Max is now the most social dog at the park!” – David & Sarah T.
Tweenie Time: A Play Group for Older Puppies
A playtime for older puppies – tweenagers!
Just for puppies from 6 months – 1 year that have aged out of our young puppy play but still want to socialize with their friends…we are extending the party!
Tweenie Time is a curated playgroup for puppies who love to socialize with other puppies their own age. This is a great way to help puppies that have gotten to know each other through playing together in the younger group remain together as they continue to grow and learn.
Join us on Saturdays for Tweenie Time
- Time: 11 am – Noon
- Price: $15 per session
Training Services
Other K9 Services
What We Need to Get Started
Vaccinations Required:
- Distemper, Parvo, Rabies, Bordetella, H3N2, Lepto
- Up-to-date Fecal Test
What to Bring:
- Your puppy’s regular food (we provide everything else)
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.
Watch Puppy Training Videos
One Free Daycare Day for New Customers
K9U Chicago Waiver
Frequently Asked Questions
How Young Can My Puppy Be To Attend?
Puppies must have their first round of booster vaccines. This typically means 8 to 10 weeks minimum, depending on your vet's schedule. Contact us if you are not sure whether your puppy is ready.
What If My Puppy Seems Scared At First?
Completely normal, and our trainers know how to handle it. Forcing a scared puppy into social situations makes fear worse. We introduce hesitant puppies gradually at a pace they can handle.
What Is The Difference Between Puppy Play And Tweenie Time?
Puppy Play is for dogs 6 months and under and runs 10–11 am on Saturdays. Tweenie Time is for puppies aged 6 months to 1 year and runs 11 am–noon. Both are supervised by skilled trainers. Both are $15 per session after the initial free sessions.
Free Training Evaluation