Best Neighborhood Spots for Dogs in Chicago
Photo Credit: zerothecorgi.wordpress.com Living in Chicago, dog owners have the world at their fingertips as far as places to bring their dogs. From public parks to off-leash dog parks, beaches and dog-friendly establishments, there’s no shortage of pooch party potential. Some neighborhoods have notable not-to-miss landmarks, however, so if you’re new to Chicago and are looking for the perfect neighborhood, or you’ve lived here a while and just want to check out some new places for your dog, be sure to check out these hotspots. Wiggly Field Chicagoans all know about Wrigley Field, where the Cubs play. But down the ways a bit in Lakeview is Wiggly Field, a large, open-air dog park that attracts all types. From shelter mutts to purebreds, all kinds of dogs and their owners flock to this paved paradise. It features doggie water fountains, pools in the summertime, waste bags, and is generally well-populated—no more going to the dog park and seeing no one for your pooch to play with. Montrose Dog Beach Located on Montrose and Lake Shore Drive in Uptown, this dog beach is a haven for pets that love the water. Owners are mostly clean and respectful, picking up after their dogs, and the dogs are mostly friendly, with the occasional toy-aggressive pooch you’ll find at any park. Montrose Dog Beach is a perfect spot to hang out with your pup when the temperatures soar, since the lake will cool them off. Chicago Party Animals Chicago Party Animals is a unique venue for pet lovers. Located in the West Loop, it’s perfect for residents in Noble Square, Ukrainian Village, or really any other Chicago neighborhood. CPA hosts off-leash dog meet-ups in their facility, a two-story warehouse-type building that is perfect for socialized dogs. These are great outlets for dogs during the colder months, as they can have a chance to play with other dogs without the confines of cold weather. Breed-specific meet-ups as well as open play are available, so you’ll be sure to find something agreeable for you and your pets. If you’re bringing your dog into contact with other dogs, it’s important to be a responsible dog owner. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his or her shots, and make sure your dog plays nicely with other dogs—aggressive behavior can be fixed with training, but some pets aren’t keen on playing with other dogs much, and those dogs who tend to snap at other dogs should be kept on their leashes when at a dog park to ensure the safety of others.
How to Make Sure Your Dog Gets Enough Exercise in Winter
Photo Credit: 1.ytimg.com Outdoor exercise isn’t the only place that your dog can get some activity in. Play fetch inside—this is especially great if your home or apartment has a long hallway. You can also bring your pooch to a dog-owners meet-up ahere sometimes, an indoor play space is rented out for people to get their dogs to socialize when it is too cold for dog park visits. Alternatively, you can bring your dog to the local pet store where you can browse for the pet supplies you need to buy anyway while getting a little bit of indoor walking in. This might not be the best or most convenient idea, but it helps in a pinch. Indoor Entertainment With the temperatures dropping rapidly and Chicago winter becoming all too real, it’s hard for a lot of dog owners to be able to give their dogs the exercise they need. It gets more difficult to go on long walks when it’s too cold to be outside for more than 10 minutes, and a lot of dogs are also resistant to going outside for longer periods of time. So how can you make sure your dog gets enough exercise in the winter? There are a few ways. Outdoor Excursions Your dog will still need to go outside, of course. The best way to accommodate for winter weather is to take them on more walks with short distances rather than just a few longer walks each day. Unfortunately, not a lot of people’s schedules can accommodate for mid-day walks, so dogs are often relegated to two or three walks per day out of necessity. One way around that is by bringing your dog to a doggie daycare center or, even easier and more convenient, hiring a dog walker. Dog walkers can bring your dog out for a short walk during your workday, so that not only does your dog get a little bit of extra exercise, but when you come home they won’t be as jumpy—they’ll have had the opportunity to burn off a bit of energy, thanks to the dog walk. Dress Your Dogs If you want your dog to better acclimate to the ever-lower temperatures, it’s important to dress them. While some dog owners scoff at this idea, the truth is some breeds have shorter coats that do not keep the animals as warm, and even 5-minute walks outside can make the dog extremely, dangerously cold. This is especially true with smaller breeds. Coats and sweaters are popular, and it’s also important to protect a dog’s paws. Not all dogs are receptive to wearing boots (funny as they may look!), so it’s up to owners to wash off their dog’s paws when coming back inside, as the salt can be harmful to their paw pads.
Fun Winter Activities for Your Dog in Chicago
Snowy months are upon us, Chicago, and that means spending less time outside and more time inside, away from slushy streets, icy sidewalks, and unfortunately for our pets, the dog park. But even though going to the park isn’t as fun when its frigid outside, there are still some fun winter activities that you can do with your dog to keep him or her entertained and happy. It’s important to still make sure your dog gets enough exercise even if they aren’t going outside as much or for as long of walks, so be sure not to spend the cold months cuddled up under blankets—at least not all the time. Skijoring Skijoring is best for big dogs. It’s a growing sport in which a dog equipped with a harness pulls a cross-country skier along trails. It’s a great way to tire out your large dog while still having fun (and getting a bit of exercise) yourself. Agility Classes Though not outdoors, agility classes are a great option for something to do during winter with your dog. You’ll work with your pet as a team, and together you can teach your pooch to channel his or her energy into running through a timed course. This is great for keeping your dog mentally stimulated even though it’s cold outside. Play in the Snow Grab a brightly colored tennis ball or some snowballs and the kids, and head out to the yard. Plenty of dogs love playing in the snow, since they don’t get to see it that often. Make sure your dog’s paws are protected and that he or she is warm enough, though—even if that means you have to make your dog wear a sweater or coat. Volunteer Many nursing homes or hospitals love having pet visitors to brighten the mood. If your dog is very friendly and gets along with other people well, consider calling around to local facilities and finding out if they allow such a thing. Just imagine the joy that your pooch brings to you—wouldn’t you love giving that experience to someone else? Sledding Of course, sledding is always fun for the whole family—and this time, that can include the dog. Protect your pup’s feet with paw covers of some kind—boots or rubber mittens are great—and make sure your dog is protected from the cold, as well. You may think having a dog wear a coat is silly, but they’ll be a lot warmer if the coat is shielding their (fur) coat from getting soaked with snow. As always, make sure to wipe off your dog’s paws with warm water when you come in from the cold—salt on sidewalks can dry out their paw pads and make the skin crack.
DECEMBER Dog of the Month is
Emma! Breed: Cocker Spaniel Age: 3 years 2 months Where I live: Sheridan Court Condos in Lakeview Joys in Life: Playing Fetch and watching TV Cruisin’ Canines Dog Walker: Tom Chicago Dog Walking Buddies: Missy the Aussie Shepherd mix