Bark. Fetch. Jump. Catch. Run. Repeat. This is a sequence your beloved pooch probably likes to repeat all day long. But you would surely grow bored, and your dog would likely appreciate some variety as well.
To help you line up some activities you can enjoy with your dog, we have compiled a list of great playdates you can have with your dog in pet-friendly Chicago.
Get Fit Together
And we’re not talking about going for a walk. At a handful of places in Chicago, you and your dog can practice doga, or doggie yoga. Dogs are built for many yoga postures, and stretch so similarly that we have even named some postures after them. Downward dog and upward dog, anyone? At doga you can introduce your dog to other yoga-inspired stretches that will benefit his or her physical health but may be new even to your pup. Ganesha Yoga recently held a month of doga courses and they were popular at Jonquil Park in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. If doga sounds like something you and your dog would enjoy, keep your eyes peeled for opportunities that pop up around town.
Another place you can take your pet for a workout is Integrative Pet Care. A heated pool with an underwater doggie treadmill and resistance jets offers your dog an alternative to a walk or a visit to the dog park. All activities are supervised by a trained and licensed pet therapist.
Enjoy a Baked Treat
Reward your pet with a treat from Happy Husky Bakery in Evanston, Ill. Prepared with common canine health concerns and a dog’s natural diet in mind, the treats both please dogs and promote longevity. The bakery is state-licensed and its treats, all of which are homemade on site, come with nutrition information labels affixed to them.
Another place to get healthy food and treats baked specifically with the natural canine diet in mind is the Three Dog Bakery in Lincoln Park. Here, you can pick up all-natural strawberry fruit cremes and seasonal favorites like the Pup-kin Spiced Latte. The bakery also makes premium wet and dry dog food from scratch, and prepares custom-made doggie birthday cakes.
Visit Grant Bark Park
If you have lived in Chicago for awhile, you are no doubt familiar with the many dog park and beaches the city has to offer. But did you know the South Loop portion of the park is home to a highly-rated dog recreation area? Bring your pet to the Grant Bark Park at Balbo and Roosevelt for exercise and interaction with other cute and playful creatures of the canine persuasion. With 18,000 square feet of well-maintained exercise and play space that includes a fountain, shaded tree area, and paved area designed specifically for running, Grant Bark Park is a regular doggie heaven, especially in the summertime.
Have Fun at Navy Pier
A timeless center of family fun in the Windy City, Navy Pier is also a pet-friendly Chicago destination. Well-behaved dogs can roam on-leash in many of the outdoor areas. Most of the restaurants on the pier that offer outdoor seating welcome man’s best friend. The highly-rated Seadog boat tours that highlight Chicago’s architecture are also dog-friendly, and are a must for every Chicago resident who wants to get to know the city well. Just remember dogs are not allowed inside the shops or on the rides or attractions.
Check Out the Latest Fashion at Nordstrom
While selfless, loving dog owners are fully capable of experiencing fulfillment simply by doing something that makes their dog happy, the play date ideas discussed thus far are certainly geared more toward meeting your dog’s needs and wants than your own. Since you, too, deserve a treat from time to time, consider a retail therapy outing to the Magnificent Mile. At The Shops at North Bridge, you will find that well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome in many stores, including Nordstrom. The mall has numerous pet comfort stations, where your dog can hydrate with fresh water and enjoy tasty treats as reward for being on his or her best behavior. Waste baggies are also available, for your convenience. However, dogs are not allowed on the food court level.
In addition to the numerous dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, and pet-oriented activity, residents looking to live downtown or in suburbs such as Evanston, can find pet-friendly apartments to call home. AMI Residential has several popular pet-friendly apartment communities in the area, including AMLI Lofts, AMLI 900, AMLI Evanston, and AMLI River North that make it easy for both you and your dog to Live Life + Love Pets in your apartment.
What Chicago activities do you and your dog enjoy together that were not included on this list? Let the community know about more great pet-friendly Chicago locales in the comments!
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View All Posts by Jason Ernst