Get Some off the Leash Fun at a Chicagoland Dog Park
A walk on the town is only as great as the dog and the town (and maybe your running shoes of course.) But have you ever wondered about where else you can take your dog walking? Chicago has a ton of places you and your pooch can trek to and give them some valuable time off the leash where they can play with other dogs. Dogs are social creatures too and it’s a lot of fun to spend time with fellow dog walkers. Chicago is one of the best cities for dog park hangouts that you can let your dog play in. So take some time for off the leash fun! Remember to register your dog before you go! Since September 2005, all dogs have required an annual permit and tags that must be held by their dog walker. Chicago dog park permitsare easy to get, just check in with any participating Chicagoland veterinary office and they’ll help you figure out what paperwork you need to get the permit and tag. It’s only a $5 fee and the permit is good from January 1st to December 31st for that given year. For more information, check out the Chicago Park Districts website. Hamlin Dog Park A pea gravel covered and fenced off dog park, it sports a fenced in area so you can let your dog off its leash. The gravel makes for easy clean up and there is a grassy area perfect for playing fetch with your dog. Walking Chicago is always a lot of fun with parks like these. Keep in mind that Hamlin Dog Park doesn’t sport any extra amenities (such as a dog fountain) for their Chicago dogwalkers. You’ll want to bring your own waste bags and a bowl with a bottle of water for your pooch. Wicker Park Dedicated to having fun with your family, Wicker Park has a .14 acre facility on their southeast corner specifically for dog walkers. Chicago sports a few off the leash areas, and this is another one of them. Taken care of my local community members, it frequently sports a small pool for the dogs in the summer. Wicker Park has fresh water for your dog and features asphalt and pea gravel. Wiggly Field This 3 acre fenced in dog park is a favorite among dog walkers. Chicago managed; it has plenty of space for your pooch to stretch their legs alongside you on their trails and even has a pond for dogs to swim in. Children under the age of 10 are not permitted. This park features a separate small dog area and dog fountains. It’s a great location to spend a few hours, just be advised that there are not any restrooms. Grant Park Dog Park This park is a well maintained and clean park, sporting a larger size than most of the parks for a dog walker. Chicago volunteers known as the south Loop Dog Pac maintain it very well. There are plenty of benches, a large paved area for running and a gravel area that makes picking up after your dog easy. This park sports fresh water fountains for your dog and even waste bags. While it doesn’t have a small dog area, a lot of people come here for the friendly atmosphere. As always, remember to keep a close eye on your dog and don’t bring an aggressive troublemaker into dog parks; part of being a good dog owner means taking care of your dog and not hazarding the health of other people’s pets! But so long as you have a friendly dog and do your part to keep the parks clean, these are fantastic places to bring your dog and let them play with other dogs. Your dog will love you for it! When you need a little extra help making sure Fido can stretch his legs, Cruisin’ Canines is there to lend a paw! With over 15 years of experience and service to Chicago’s canines and dedication to Chicago’s dogs, you can rest easy knowing that your dog is in the absolute best hands!
Picking The Right Dog Collar
Considering that your dog will spend most of their life with a collar, you want to make sure you pick the right one. While harnesses and your average nylon collar abound on the Chicago dog walking scene, there’s a few other tools at your disposal if you really need the help as well as a few extra tips you might not have known. So to help you pick the best collar for your canine friend, here’s a breakdown of the collars out there for your use. Standard Dog Collar Every Chicago dog walker will have the standard dog collar. While in certain cases it may not be the best for walks, the regular collar is generally what Fido will be wearing as he roams the house and yard for identification purposes. This is also the best walking collar for the well behaved pooch that gets along great on walks without yanking their Chicago dog walker after them.With a variety of styles, colors and widths there is sure to be plenty of options for you to choose from. Just make sure that you keep some of the following in mind: While the material of the collar doesn’t keep it from doing its job, there is a definite quality to each material. Leather, while expensive, tends to hold up longer and look better. Nylon is easy to find, durable and easy to wash. There is also cotton and hemp collars which are made from renewable resources if you like being green. Just keep in mind that whatever works best in your budget is likely the best choice for Chicago dog walking. Pick a collar and lead width that matches your dog. Lightweight and smaller collars work well for small dogs and pups, while durable and wider styles are best for larger and stronger breeds. The proper collar can make all the difference for Chicago dog walkers. As always, keep an up to date nametag on the collar. If your dog gets lost this may be the only way he gets back home. If you’re worried about the possibility your dog may get hung up on something and possibly be strangled, then look into breakaway collars. These are recommended as a house collar, especially if your dog likes to jump. While rare, there are times a dog and get caught up on something and a breakaway collar will allow them to break free. Dog Harness Many a Chicago dog walker has seen smaller dogs in a harness. These go around the neck, shoulders and behind the front legs of your dog. These are best for dogs with an upper respiratory disease, or anything that affects the throat or trachea. Standard collars can cause irritation or coughing when your dog starts pulling as it puts pressure on their delicate throats. Use a harness to relieve them of that extra pressure. Halter-Type Collars While some people may be put off by the look, this can be a very effective tool for Chicago dog walkers with a rambunctious dog. The halter style looks a lot like a horse halter, and has straps that go behind your dog’s head and around the nose. Halter style collars give you full control of your dog’s head which means you have complete control of where the dog goes. When your dog tries to pull ahead or tug you it will pull their head down or to the side, so it makes it next to impossible for your dog to drag you around the city. Chain-slip Collars Many obedience schools ask that you bring a chain-slip or, ‘choke collar’ along to assist in training. These collars utilize a chain and tighten when the leash is pulled. These are often used for strong willed dogs that like to yank their Chicago dog walkersall over the park or simply do not respond to training when wearing regular collars. If you intend to use a choke collar, it would be wise to ask a trainer to show you the proper use of one. Choke collars are intended to utilize a ‘tug and release’ method that promptly informs your dog of unwanted behavior. However, they should not be used on dogs with delicate tracheas, or be worn outside of training. Pronged Collar Also known as pinch collars, these are a more aggressive style of choke collar that uses blunt prongs along the inside of the collar to control misbehaving dogs. These are meant only for the most stubborn of pullers and disruptive dogs, and are meant as a temporary tool in training. As such, these should never be worn outside of training.It should also be noted that halter-type collars are found to give much better control and have a much lower chance of injuring your dog. A pronged collar is only a last resort! If you find yourself in need of a pronged collar, chances are you may simply need better instruction on the proper training of your dog. With the right techniques, you should be able to train your dog with the other types of collars with little trouble. You may wish to look into talking with a professional dog trainer to assist you in training your dog to make the both of you much happier companions. With the right collar, you can help to make sure you and your dog have an enjoyable walk. And as all Chicago dog walkers know, nothing is better than having an easy trot around the block with your canine friend! If you need a little extra help to make sure your pooch gets outside when you can’t be there, Cruisin’ Canines is ready to help. With vet recommendation, full insurance and bonding, and a team of dedicated Chicago dog walkers, they are definitely a dog’s best friend!
Join Team Cruisin’ Canines for Bark in the Park!
JOIN TEAM CRUISIN’ CANINES TO RAISE MONEY FOR ANTI-CRUELTY BARK IN THE PARK!!!! 18th Annual 5K FUNdraiser for the Animals Saturday, May 5, 2012 9 a.m. Montrose Harbor 5K/3.2 mile run (for people) walk (with or without your dog!) to raise funds, bring awareness to, and support The Anti-Cruelty Society’s animal welfare programs. Anti-Cruelty will be sponsoring canine obstacle and agility courses, demonstrations, exhibits, free product samples from small business sponsors, Denise Zak, Animal Intuitive, family fun tent—plus free snacks, raffle, souvenir photos, 50/50 raffle, and much more. Proceeds benefit The Anti-Cruelty Society, Chicago’s comprehensive open-door humane society. To join Team Cruisin’ Canines go to: http://www.barkinthepark.org/register.html $35 for adults, $30 for children under the age of 13 and dogs are free!! Register under Human Registration Click agree to the waiver Click Join a Team Select Cruisin Canines in the drop down menu Register all of your personal information and a confirmation email will be sent to us informing us you are on our team! If you join Team Cruisin Canines: We will provide humans with Cruisin Canines t-shirt and dogs with a bandana Please sign up by Sunday April 15th in order for us to place your order for your Cruisin Canines t-shirt We will be having a raffle for anyone that joins Team Cruisin Canines Your personal donation page will be joined with Team Cruisin Canines in hopes to raise as much money as possible for homeless animals in need! If you are not able to join us we are gladly accepting any donations under the name PAM GORDON here: http://bit.ly/xwCli7 We will follow up in the next couple weeks with details on when and where we will meet that day in order to distribute Cruisin Canines Team t-shirts and bandanas for your pups. We will also have refreshments for you before and after the walk/run where you will also be able to meet some Cruisin Canines employees. We look forward to seeing anyone who is participating and would love for you and your pup to join Team Cruisin Canines rain or shine!
Cruisin’ Canines Friday Favorites!!
Your Chicago Dog Walkers’ Favorites of the Week!! Favorite Dog Tip: With our lovely preview of spring on Wednesday, here are a few tips to keep in mind for pet care during the spring and summer months Favorite Treat: Chicken Paw Pie courtesy of Three Dog Bakery Favorite Way to Save Money: Caring for your pet while keeping more of your money. Tips on how to cut costs for your pets by looking into online pharmacies and food costs. Favorite Video: This video will make you melt (if not tear up)! It’s the greeting a soldier received from his dog when he returned from Afghanistan. Have a great weekend from your Chicago dog walker!!
Cruisin’ Canines March 2012 Dog of the Month is…
Mayzie!! Breed: Golden Retriever Age: 3yrs on March 12th!! Happy Birthday!!! Where I live: Lincoln Park Joys in Life: Cuddling, getting pets, squirrels, sticks, running, and swimming! Cruisin’ Canines Chicago Dog Walker: Pete Chicago Dog Walking Buddies: Dude, Bailey, Samson and Leela