How does drop-off training work?

You drop your dog off for trainer-led enrichment, socialization, and structured training sessions during the day. Trainers work on skills tailored to your dog's needs, and you receive updates and homework to support progress at home.

How long is each drop-off day?

Drop-off training typically spans a half-day or full-day depending on your dog's program and needs. Timing varies slightly by age and temperament.

Can any dog join the drop-off program?

Most friendly and social dogs can join drop-off training, including puppies, teens, and adults. Dogs with intense reactivity or aggression may be recommended for private training instead.

Do you provide updates after sessions?

Yes. Our trainers send updates, notes, and homework so you know what your dog learned and how to maintain training progress at home.

What is included in drop-off training?

All programs include enrichment activities, structured training sessions, confidence-building exercises, socialization opportunities, and a consistent daily routine guided by professional trainers.

How is drop-off training different from daycare?

Unlike daycare, drop-off training focuses on individual learning goals, structured sessions, skill practice, emotional regulation, and trainer-guided enrichment rather than unstructured playtime.

How old does my dog need to be for Drop-Off Training?

Puppies can start as early as 2–5 months in our Puppy Drop-Off Training program. We offer Teen and Adult programs for dogs 5 months and older.

Is Drop-Off Training the same as daycare?

No. Drop-Off Training includes structured skill sessions, controlled dog exposure, calm rest, crate comfort, and manners work. It’s designed for learning rather than all-day free play.

Do you work with reactive or aggressive dogs?

Drop-Off Training is for friendly dogs who can learn comfortably in a small-group environment. For reactivity or aggression, we recommend starting with private training.

What do I need to bring for Drop-Off Training?

A leash and harness. We’ll let you know if your dog needs anything specific based on their program and goals.

When will I see progress?

Most owners notice improvements within the first 1–2 weeks. Consistent trainer-led sessions and weekly transfer lessons help progress carry over into daily life.

Next Available Drop-Off Opening: March, 2026

Next Available Drop-Off Opening:
March, 2026

You drop off, we do the training

Drop-Off Dog Training in Chicago

A structured training program where you drop your dog off for the day and we build their obedience, manners, confidence, and real-world skills — all at our Avondale training center.

Programs & Pricing

How it works

Enrichment & training while you’re at work

Drop off in the morning

Your dog starts their day with a balanced routine of training, rest, and enrichment. Our program is intentionally small, so every dog can settle in comfortably.

Trainer-led sessions

Throughout the day, your dog rotates through short, focused sessions that build manners, confidence, and real-world skills. Our trainers work on obedience, leash walking, settling, and exposure to everyday distractions.

Weekly transfer lessons

For teen & adult dog programs, at the end of each week, we meet with you—either at your home or at our facility—to transfer the skills your dog has been practicing.

A happy golden retriever puppy wearing a colorful striped harness, lying on a raised dog bed, with a certificate of completion and a small colorful painting in front of it.

A happy English Bulldog with a wide smile, standing on a black rubber gym floor next to a red and white plush toy shaped like a milk carton.

A woman sitting on a bench at an indoor dog park, holding a treat for a large black and white dog, with a small brown dog nearby, and a person in black pants in the background.

A brown French Bulldog wearing a green hoodie sitting on a black grooming table indoors.

Why you’ll love it

We do the heavy lifting, you enjoy the results

A woman with dark hair, wearing earrings and a long-sleeve shirt, sitting next to a dog with a collar, inside a circular beige background.

Line drawing of a woman walking a dog on a leash outside a house.

A person kneeling and giving a high five to a sitting dog in a simple black and white line drawing.

Line drawing of a happy dog lying on a mattress with a pink circular background

A supportive environment for learning

Our Avondale training center is set up to help dogs feel safe: predictable routines, positive reinforcement, gentle guidance, and friendly trainers who know how to help dogs think, settle, and succeed.

Positive socialization

Your dog experiences other dogs in a calm, structured way, not free-for-all daycare play. This helps them practice focus, confidence, and neutrality around distractions without getting overwhelmed.

Training that builds on itself every session

Because our trainers work with your dog multiple times in a single day—and several days over multiple weeks—skills stay fresh. This consistency helps dogs make faster, more reliable progress.

A balanced day of learning, rest, and routine

Dogs learn best with short bursts of training followed by calm downtime. Between sessions, your dog relaxes in a quiet, comfortable space so they don’t get overstimulated—unlike daycare, where they’re “on” all day.

packages & pricing

Positive training for every age

Three dogs, two small brown and one larger white fluffy, playing together on a black floor indoors. There is a gray rug and a person's legs in white shoes visible in the background.

Puppy Drop-Off Training

Join on Wednesdays!

Foundational obedience
Crate training & rest practice
Socialization with other puppies
Intro to handling
Confidence-building activities
Foundation manners for daily life

Sign Up

Bring your pup in for just one day or purchase a package
- Drop-in: $95
- 3 pack + 30 minute training session: $345
- 5 pack + 60 minute training session: $560
Drop off:
8:30–9:00 AM
Pick up:
12:30–1 PM
10 weeks – 5 months

Two dogs sitting on training platforms inside a room with black flooring and white brick walls. One dog is a merle Australian Shepherd sitting on an elevated platform, and the other is a Golden Retriever sitting on the floor beside it.

Foundations and Teen Drop-Off Training

Tuesdays & Thursdays for 4 weeks

8 drop-off sessions over 4 weeks
Core obedience + recall
Leash walking & polite greetings
Practice outside at Brands Park
Relaxation training, stay/wait
Confidence-building games
Focus around distractions

Book a Consultation

Options available for your pup to come for half days or full days
- Half days: $1285
- Full days: $1650
Drop off:
8:15–9:00 AM
Half day pick up:
12:30–1 PM
Full day pick up:
5–5:45 PM
For ages 6 months +

A happy black and white dog lying on the pavement with a stick in its paws, in an alley with trash bins and graffiti in the background.

Reactivity Drop-Off Training

Tuesdays & Thursdays for 4 weeks

This program is designed for pups with mild to moderate leash reactivity
Your pup will receive the same daily structure, enrichment and downtime as our teen programs.

Book a Consultation

Half Day: 1485
Full Day $1725
Drop off:
8:15–9:00 AM
Half day pick up:
12:30–1 PM
Full day pick up:
5–5:45 PM
6 months +

Drop-Off Training vs. Daycare

Unlike busy environments where dogs stay “on” all day, our program gives them structure, rest, and room to learn. We keep our facility clean and low-capacity so every dog feels safe and supported.

Drop-off training vs. daycare

Unlike busy environments where dogs stay “on” all day, our low-capacity program provides structure, rest, and room to learn.

Feature	Drop-Off Training	Daycare
Trainer-led sessions	✅ Yes	❌ No
Personalized training plan	✅ Yes	❌ No
Calm rest periods	✅ Yes	❌ Rare
Skill building (leash, recall, manners)	✅ Yes	❌ No
Controlled social exposure	✅ Yes	❌ Overwhelming
Progress updates	✅ Yes	❌ No
Works for shy/sensitive dogs	✅ Yes	❌ Often not

Limited time! Get 15% off

Purchase a Puppy Kickstart pack and receive 15% off your first two weeks of Adult Drop‑Off Training—or extend your puppy sessions.

Included in all packages

A tan dog with floppy ears standing on a blue quilted mat inside a black metal crate, looking at the camera.

One‑on‑one training bursts

Dogs train in short bursts throughout the day, broken up with decompression and potty breaks.

Small dog with light-colored fur crawling inside a blue play tunnel on a dark surface.

Confidence-building

From climbing platforms to practicing brave behaviors, we help shy or unsure dogs come out of their shell.

A young dog with a black and gray coat sitting on a concrete sidewalk, looking back over its shoulder.

2+ daily training walks

Your dog gets structured walks designed to build focus, leash skills, and real-world confidence.

A person and a dog in a park, the person standing holding a leash, and the dog sitting on the grass looking up at the person during daytime.

Regular potty breaks

We make sure your pup’s needs are met—body, brain, and heart.

A light-colored puppy with curly fur sniffs a colorful fabric toy on a dark surface.

Enrichment & decompression

Snuffle mats, chews, and cozy breaks so your dog learns and relaxes in balance.

Two dogs, one sitting on a grooming table and the other standing beside it, in a grooming or training facility with chairs and grooming tools in the background.

Practice around other dogs

With careful supervision, dogs can train near or play with others based on their comfort.

A small, fluffy, cream-colored dog with a long tail sitting on a wood-look floor inside a pen with a wire gate.

The perfect fit for…

✓ Dogs who need structure while their humans are at work

✓ High-energy or easily distracted dogs

✓ Recently adopted dogs learning manners and confidence

✓ Dogs struggling with leash walking, focus, or impulse control

✓ Puppy grads ready for the next step in training

If your dog struggles with reactivity or aggression, check out our Reactivity Training page for a more customized plan.

join our drop-off program!

Ready for a calmer, more focused dog?

Book a Free Consultation

FAQs

Drop-off training is structured, not social. Unlike daycare, your dog works one-on-one with a trainer throughout the day and gets built-in rest, enrichment, and training, not just playtime.
Yes! This program is a great fit for dogs who get overstimulated, reactive, or overwhelmed in group settings. All training is personalized, and dogs only work near others when they’re ready.
Nope. Your dog goes home every day, which helps you stay part of the training process.
We teach new behaviors, then show you how to reinforce them at home through progress updates and follow-ups.
Absolutely. You’ll receive personalized updates, video clips, and coaching support so you can keep the momentum going at home.
We recommend 1–2 days per week during your program for consistency and quicker progress, but we’ll help build a plan that fits your schedule and goals.
Yes! For young puppies, we focus on crate comfort, name response, early socialization, and handling. It’s the perfect complement to your at-home routine or puppy class.
All drop-off sessions happen at our Avondale facility in Chicago:
3266 N Elston Ave, Chicago IL 60618
Dogs train in short sessions throughout the day with breaks to potty, rest, and decompress.
All dogs must be up to date on Rabies, Bordetella, and DHPP/DAPP before starting. Puppies need at least their first two rounds.

How Drop-Off Training Helps Your Dog Learn

Dogs learn best when they train a little bit at a time, many times a day. That is why this program works so well. Your dog practices skills like leash walking, coming when called, settling, and polite manners throughout the day. Because we keep our groups small, every dog gets personal attention and a plan that fits their age and needs.

Many owners look for “drop-off dog training in Chicago” or “day training for dogs” when they want help but have a busy schedule. This program is made for that. You drop your dog off in the morning, go to work, and pick them up later. They come home calmer, more focused, and ready to relax with you.

This training is great for puppies, teen dogs, and adult dogs who need more structure. It helps build confidence, reduces stress, and teaches real-life skills your dog will use every day. If you want steady progress without rearranging your life, Drop-Off Training is one of the fastest and easiest ways to help your dog learn.

Drop-Off Dog Training in Chicago