Urban Pooch Training and Fitness Center

Yoly Keys

2023-08

The facility is well organized, clean and the staff members are welcoming. For $15 you can bath, condition and dry your pup. If more time is needed you can purchase an additional $15 coin. Super fun and easy!

Lindsay Stenger

2024-02

Don't go anywhere else! We've done agility elsewhere in Chicago, and we learned NOTHING compared to what we learn at Urban pooch. We learn the safe way how to build my pup's confidence while also teaching them the proper way to "bail" on contacts. We've taken private lessons and our Golden is in Daycare here.Their staff is CERTIFIED in dog training and other specialties. You do NOT get that ANYWHERE else in the city.

Mike Evans

2024-02

The puppy fundamentals class is terrible. I couldn’t bring myself to finish it.This is my third puppy, and I was blown away by the just absolutely excessive numbers of treats they use here. The teacher instructed me to bring at least 2 lbs of treats in 5 varieties. The dog is only 9 pounds. It’s just too much. We rushed through commands like sit and down to spend 30 minutes “scattering” treats 5-6 at a time in the crate.There’s an expectation that dog owners stay at home all day with the dog and do puppy enrichment constantly. They say things like 6-8 walks a day in the middle of winter. The instruction just isn’t in touch with the reality of people’s lives.

Brian Goldstein

2023-11

Felix is always happy to go in and looks great (and happy to see me) coming out. The shop has a large variety of dog treats and toys (and probably for other pets too) and Ali the groomer keeps him looking sharp!

Iliana Valles

2023-05

Mia LOVES going yo daycare at Pooch. It's worth every penny. Also very reliable pick up and drop off services with Carmellia. I'm a fan!

Caitlin Myers

2021-05

I took my senior dog, Butch to this location and the staff was always so friendly. He was toward the end of his life, and they treated him like their own. They told me he hung out in the office, and would get special attention since he wasn't really able to romp around with the other pooches! When he passed away I immediately received a card in the mail expressing their sympathy. Hands down the best place <3 I now have another pug named JoJo who will be getting her first socialization there. The team at Urban Pooch really cares.

Tiffany Tran

2018-05

I take my dog here for their LEVELS training classes and it's been great. I love the flexibility of being able to go to any class my dog is ready for and that I can go as many times I want. The package may seem pricey, but I'm taking my dog at least 3-4 times a week, which actually makes each class cost less than a package elsewhere. Also, she's definitely learning better because we're getting structured class more often vs. only once a week. I've mostly worked with David and Shannon and both trainers have been amazing!

Beata Wojciechowska

2020-05

Hello everyone if you love your dog and looking for the daycare, traning, grooming you definitely at the very right place. Every single person at Urban Pooch is very caring, with knowledge and a lot of suggestions, they will put lots of time, energy to make your dog happy. Any questions you have they will be answered professionally.I rescue my Baby Boo and many trainers told me to not socialize her, about six months ago I walked in to Urban Pooch and set the appointment for consultation then next step was two hours daycare from that day Boo is at the daycare five some times six days she is very happy and I'm very happy as well after long time searching I finnaly foud amazing plays with wonderful people who shows lots of love and care for my Boo.

Yana Lustina

2019-05

Shannon Lynne Sullivan has been an incredible teacher for the STAR Puppy course I took with my Beauceron. My review comes not only from the customer perspective, but as a dog trainer I can say that Shannon is a definite asset to the program and to Urban Pooch. I took the course because I wanted my puppy to have training in a controlled environment with other dogs and people, and because my partner is new to dogs and I wanted him to see how other dog trainers do what they do. She is great at engaging everyone in her classes and keeping the pace of her classes consistent. She works hard to stay up to date on training techniques and was available to answer any questions. I would recommend Urban Pooch to anyone interested in group classes for their dog. I am a dog trainer with my own business, but I do not offer group classes, so even I would recommend Urban Pooch!

Larisa Garski

2023-05

My partner and I have had truly the best experience working with Urban Pooch in 1-1 sessions with our highly anxious rescue dog! Both lead trainers with whom we have worked, Gabrielle and Pamela, have been patient, kind, and compassionate as they guided us through the training process. Pamela (with whom we have worked the most) is highly knowledgeable and she makes learning fun for both humans and dogs. Our dog has made demonstrable gains in a relatively short amount of time (1 month). I highly recommend!

Jess Fong

2023-05

Urban Pooch laid such good groundwork for training and socializing our puppy. She *loved* going there for the puppy training and for the LEVELS class.Shout out to Ellie and Bobby who gave us such good training tips.She also went for grooming once (her first time!) and Michele was so patient and gave some good suggestions on things we can do to make it easier for future grooms.

Leah Evans

2023-05

We have loved our experience at Urban Pooch so far. We bought a 5-pack of passes for the Puppy Enrichment program for our new dachshund puppy. He LOVES his time there and comes home totally wiped out and ready for snuggle time. :) The staff always gives us a full report on how he did and anything we need to be aware of. He will be aging out of the program soon and we hope to enroll him in the Enrichment Daycare program so he can keep working on his social skills and manners. Highly recommend if you have a high-energy pup and you’d like them to play-bite some furry friends instead of your ankles!

kasey

2018-05

My Cane Corso so took both level 1 and 2 classes they were very patient and understanding with him. He was able to earn his good citizen certificates which can be very helpful for a dog of his size & strength.

Rhon

2023-05

The facility is in great condition and was kept clean and organized. The front desk staff were all friendly and welcoming...5 star to those.However, the process of getting your dog into a class and a specific trainer wasn't so great. You fill out a form that allows you to discuss your dog and your goal(s) you want to achieve. I felt like that form was dismissed. I was trying to get my dog into a reactive behavioral class and was instructed to speak with a trainer over the phone to further discuss my dog and my goal. When I spoke with the trainer over the phone, he was constantly talking over me and already making quick assumptions. He suggested we do a private session first before joining the class, which we did. I got the options of choosing a trainer, but due to limited availability slots and time, I ended up having to choose that same trainer I spoke with over the phone. The office staff suggested I do a 60min sessions to give the trainer time to talk to me and evaluate my dog. I paid $120 and it was a complete waste of time and money. Why? It was 50 minutes of that trainer talking about management (which we know if he had asked) and about his two dogs across the room, and 3 minutes of him telling me to hold the leash with a finger and avoiding dogs and people on our walks. The rest of the minutes? Gone. It ended early. The trainer did NOT evaluate my dog at all nor asked what we're already doing for his reactivity.I work with rescue animals and my dog is not the most reactive dog out there. I wanted to join the class with him so that he can be exposed to different dogs he didn't know on leash and to be able to learn together. He can get reactive if an unknown person or dog gets 6ft or less closer to us depending on how he reads the situation. He easily warms up to people if they give him treats during introductions which I've mentioned over the phone consultation and on the form. He goes to dog day care, has dog friends, walk at a distance with other dogs during pet friendly walkathon and can walk in downtown.... We were just trying to join the reactivity class but we have to go through 3 total private sessions before getting the green light to join the class. I really thought that 1st session would be the chance for the trainer to evaluate my dog and see what we do so that we can join the class we want. But NOPE....

Kyle Hickman

2023-05

Been going to Urban Pooch for about 2 weeks now. Facility is clean, staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. Compared to other places this is the best bang for your dollar. Would recommend to anyone looking to train a dog of any age

Dorothy Zara

2018-05

Friendly staff. Good place for your puppy. After training you can buy there some treats for your dog.

Chelsea Brown

2023-11

The folks at Urban Pooch do a great job grooming our nervous dog and he often comes back with a sweet little bandana.

Allison Black

2021-05

I have been taking my dogs to urban Pooch training Center for five years now. I have attended puppy classes, agility, tricks class, and private lessons. Every person I have met there genuinely cares about the welfare of my dogs and helping me be the best caretaker I can be.I have learned so much from them.And whenever I have had a concern about my dogs behavior, they have met with me and helped me come up with a plan that works for both me and my dogs.I am so thankful for having this place so near.

Jenny McPherson

2022-05

We just finished Puppy Fundamentals and we are thrilled with our pup's progress! Edina is a fabulous trainer and instructor - patient, kind, and most importantly knowledgeable. We just adopted our puppy a little over a month ago and after completing the Puppy Fundamentals course we know she is set up for success :) Would definitely recommend to any new puppy parents looking to start out on the right track!

Shannon O'Connor

2018-05

Ever since we adopted our husky last year, we have been bringing him to Urban Pooch to run off his energy during the day while I sleep after my night shifts. It's amazing because he gets the socialization and activity he deserves. All of the staff here are wonderful and friendly. I know my dog is very excited when it's time to go to daycare. And I never have to worry about him. This place is amazing!

Matt Rosfelder

2023-07

Great classes and staff! Going to sign up for another soon

Jeannie Goldstein

2021-05

We started with puppy playtime and agility training which were fantastic. Now for the last two months we are training and levels and really love it. We have learned a ton and I see a big difference in my pup’s behavior. Love all the trainers and so does my pup. Have referred friends to take classes here.Thank you all.

John Guilfoile

2023-05

I dont ever write reviews but this feels important. And to be clear, this review is not for Urban Pooch in general but for their trainer Bobby.I went in a few months ago and paid for their behavioral plan that was ~$300 for one 60 minute and two 30 minute classes. Prior, we did a try out for classes and didnt work. She was too heightened in the building, which is very legitimate. It wasnt time to be in a group class. To be clear, my pup is a pitbull/mastiff rescue.During our sessions he spent the first 30 minutes of the first session explaining things about dog training I already told him I knew, like hierarchy of treats etc. So a lot of wasted time and money, approx 30 minutes of that first session. He then acted entitled when he asked what I wanted for her and I said, "to be calm near other dogs and someday possibly have access to play with other dogs." He said, "you're good until I heard playing with other dogs. It's not true, dogs dont need to socialize with other dogs" which I know for some is true but not all. I felt he doubted any of my input immediately without observing her behavior. Then when he finally got to skills he told us that when she sees a dog to move away from them however we could as fast as we could. The next two session were him using a decoy in the training space where she was already elevated and couldnt focus, so it was useless. He did not seem confident and I felt slighted/like he used up time to talk and not practice. If anything at all he should have said, "go somewhere else to find a trainer who isnt at a facility that can come to you." I would have respected that.After those sessions I found a wonderful trainer at a different location who specializes in reactive pups, FOR REAL, that basically told me the opposite of what Bobby told me. When he asked us to run away from the dogs it encouraged fear. Instead, what we learned is to let her get close enough where she can see and not react and then praise and be super calm about seeing dogs with a click trainer and treats. Now, after 6 weeks of training and a dog who used to not be able to handle a dog a block away, she can see a pup within 20ft or across the road, look at me, be calm, and sit until they pass and we can go on.Also what bothered me the most, he assumed she was aggressive when I told him I didnt think she was actually. I know that's common but still, it was an inaccurate assumption. He insisted she didnt need contact with dogs and didnt want it. Well, turns out, like I thought, she just wants access. The moment shes close to a pup she is calm and happy and wants to play. We found this out with my new trainer by having my pup access my trainers mastiff for measured exposure. So Bobby was very discouraging in an area where he didnt listen because of his biases with his own reactive dogs. He said, "my dog isnt reactive now because she knows she can trust me to never expose her to another dog again." Great for him and his dog, but that's not my dog and Bobby never thought to listen.I cant speak for urban pooch any other way because I don't have other experiences. But if you have a reactive dog, from my experience, dont go to Bobby.

Michael Johnson

2022-05

Our 1-year old pup has been going to their Enrichment day care for awhile mow. She loves coming here and gets excited on the drive up. They do a great job of stimulating the dogs brain as much as physical activity and play. Highly recommend.

Tom Welch

2021-05

If you ever want to see a happy dog, watch our boy, Duke, when we ask him if he wants to go to Urban Pooch! First great thing -- he LOVES it!. Second, this is an exceptionally professional and responsive staff. They know the dogs and their humans by name and you just know that you and your dog are important to them. Finally, their "Levels" training approach is superbe! I've been an educator for over 40 years and I will tell you this is THE BEST!Thanks, Urban Pooch!

Oglie Otr

2022-05

I have two trouble dogs. Both wonderful but get stressed when taking a bath. Team at Urban Pooch were wonderful and kind, helping us all though the process and getting my guys clean. Will go back.

Rachel Edwards Harvith

2018-05

Our dog has been going here for daycare since she was a pup, and LOVES it. The staff is fantastic and really goes the extra mile. She has also taken several of the classes with Mary Pat, who really helped us in training. Can't say enough good things!

Judi Washer

2021-05

The best place for training! I've tried training classes before and Urban Pooch was the only one that worked for us. In addition, they have a small but mighty retail area that opens earlier than most stores just in case you realize you don't have any breakfast for your pet when you wake up:)LOVE HAVING THEM IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD!!!!

Stephanie Cappello

2023-05

**this is a review of the self serve wash only**there was nothing really wrong with the self serve wash, but it was extremely expensive $1.50 per minute and there was nothing particularly great about this self serve wash. also rubbed me wrong with it being so expensive on the list of things to do was to use the tub wash on the instructions, which essentially means im paying to clean their tub (which is why you go to a self serve wash). i paid $30 for only twenty minutes which you cant even pause to let the shampoo sit for the 5 minutes its usually supposed to which is insane. i wouldn't come back with that insane price but i was already there with my dog and he needed to get washed.

Jennifer Yee

2022-05

Oh my gosh. Everyone here was so kind in helping me with stressed out dog after we found out that wasn't just rain on a newly paved road but also tar/asphalt. They helped with combing and shaving tar off her leg and belly fur. Gave me recommendation to work on paw cleaning with a soak and Dawn soap which worked well. Plus excellent recommendation to put some peanut butter on the tub's edge to keep her distracted and soaking. I highly recommend visiting for the kind animal care provided here