Winter Dog Walk Benefits

As the temperature drops and snowflakes fall, it's tempting to stay cozy indoors with your furry friend. However, at The Pet Lady, Ltd., we believe that winter dog walks offer unique advantages that can enhance both your and your dog's well-being. Let's explore the benefits of embracing the winter wonderland with your furry companion.

Physical Health and Fitness

Regular walks are essential for maintaining your dog's physical health, regardless of the season. Winter walks help prevent weight gain and keep muscles toned, reducing the risk of obesity and related health issues. The varied terrain of snowy paths can also provide a gentle workout, improving balance and coordination. 

Mental Stimulation

The winter environment presents new scents, sights, and sounds, offering mental enrichment for your dog. Exploring snowy landscapes can prevent boredom and reduce the likelihood of destructive and unwanted behaviors at home. The winter season keeps your dog's mind active and engaged. 

Strengthening Your Bond

Shared experiences, such as navigating winter trails together, strengthen the bond between you and your dog. These walks provide quality time, fostering trust and deepening your companionship.

Mood Enhancement and Beating the Winter Blues

Exposure to natural light during winter walks can boost serotonin levels, improving mood and combating seasonal affective disorder for both you and your pet. Physical activity stimulates endorphin production, reducing stress and promoting a sense of well-being. 

Routine and Behavioral Benefits

Maintaining a consistent walking schedule, even in winter, provides structure that can alleviate stress and anxiety in dogs. A regular routine helps manage energy levels and promotes better behavior at home. 

Tips for Safe and Enjoyable Winter Walks

• Proper Attire: Ensure your dog is equipped with appropriate winter gear, such as a well-fitted coat and booties, to protect against the cold and salt-treated roads.

• Paw Care: After walks, check and clean your dog's paws to remove ice, snow, and salt, preventing irritation or injury.

• Stay Visible: Shorter daylight hours mean it's often dark during winter walks. Use reflective gear and carry a flashlight to increase visibility.

• Monitor Health: Watch for signs of discomfort or hypothermia, such as shivering or lethargy, and adjust the length and intensity of walks accordingly.
  
  
  

At The Pet Lady, Ltd., we understand the importance of regular exercise and enrichment for your pets, even during the winter months. Our professional dog walk and adventure walk services are designed to provide safe, enjoyable, and stimulating experiences for your furry companions year-round. Contact us today to learn more about how we can support you and your pet this winter season.

Adventure Walks

At The Pet Lady, Ltd., we believe every dog deserves more than just a walk around the block. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our Adventure Walks—a unique, invigorating experience designed to engage your dog’s senses, provide time for your pup to decompress, provide exceptional exercise, and offer priceless socialization in the great outdoors.

What Are Adventure Walks?

Our Adventure Walks are 90-minute excursions through scenic forest preserves, lush park district trails, and other pet-friendly natural spaces. Tailored to fit the needs of your pup, these walks focus on giving your dog the chance to explore, play, and thrive in a rich, sensory environment providing mental and physical stimulation and exercise.

Whether it's the wooded paths of Elmhurst, the winding trails in Villa Park, the Lilac lined paths of Lombard, or the open green spaces of Naperville, your dog will enjoy a fresh perspective on their daily walk while staying active and happy!

Why Choose Adventure Walks for Your Dog?

1. Exercise
Dogs of all sizes and breeds need regular exercise, but a short walk around the block isn’t always enough. Our extended, high-energy Adventure Walks help your pup burn off energy, maintain a healthy weight, and improve cardiovascular fitness—all while having fun.

2. Mental Stimulation
The natural world is full of intriguing sights, sounds, and smells that provide the mental engagement dogs crave. Adventure Walks expose your furry friend to constantly changing environments, fostering curiosity and sharpening their instincts.

3. Bonding with the Experts
Led by our professional, caring team, each walk is a chance for your pet to bond with compassionate, skilled handlers who treat them like their own pets. Your dog's happiness and safety are always our top priorities.

What Makes The Pet Lady’s Walks Unique?

Our Adventure Walks stand out because of our personalized approach. We understand that each dog has a unique personality, energy level, and set of preferences. That’s why we tailor every walk to suit your pup’s needs. Whether they’re an energetic explorer or a more relaxed wanderer, we ensure their experience is enriching and safe.

We also offer updates and photos during the walks, so you can share in your pup’s journey and see the joy in their wagging tail!

Is Your Dog Ready for an Adventure?!

Whether your dog is a seasoned explorer or new to big adventures, our walks offer the perfect mix of excitement and care. Let your pup roam, sniff, and play their way to happiness and health. Sign up today and give your furry friend the adventure they’ve been dreaming of! 🐾

How to Get Started

Joining the Adventure Walks is easy! Simply click HERE to get started and book your first walk. Our team is happy to answer any questions and help you find the perfect schedule for your pup.

Mid-Day Dog Walks

We all know how important walks are for our dogs.  It is not just about the physical exercise, but also about the mental stimulation our pups get from allowing them to explore the world. But what if you work and are away from home all day?  That is where a professional pet sitter, like The Pet Lady, comes into play. Hiring a professional pet sitter to visit your dog while you are away from the home can be a great thing. 

Naperville Sitter, Alyssa with her pups!

So what can you expect from a daily dog walk? Most people assume that walking their dogs is just letting them out so they can do their business, but it is so much more for them.  Dog walks with The Pet Lady give you peace of mind to know that your pup was taken care of while you were away along with all the other benefits that your pet gets while on a walk.  One of those is socialization, which is beneficial to dogs of all ages.  There is also the exercise that your pet gets along with the mental stimulation they may need to not be destructive when left alone. Routines are important for our pets, and when your schedule does not coincide with your pet’s schedule, that is where The Pet Lady can step in and help keep your dog's schedule.

Potty Breaks and Dog Walks.
At The Pet Lady, we offer potty breaks and legacy walks for your pups while away.  Everyone knows you're busy working hard to spoil your pets and live your life to its fullest. So you don't always have time (or the energy) to battle traffic and come home during your lunch break to let your pup out to do their business. If you don't get home in time, you may be walking in to find that your pup left you a messy surprise to clean up. And no one wants to deal with cleaning up a mess after a long, possibly stressful day at work.

Naperville Weekend Sitter, Gabbi with her dog

Midday dog walks and potty breaks with The Pet Lady are great because you no longer have to stress about making it home in time (even if you're running late) because you know that your pup was taken out and did their business from the daily updates and photos from your sitter.  Our 15 minute potty breaks are perfect for pups who know when it is time to do their business, but may not need as much exercise as other dogs.  Our Legacy dog walks are 30 minutes and give your pup more time to check out smells, play and release some energy in the middle of the day.

Releasing Energy and Getting Mental Stimulation.
I don’t know about you, but after a long day of work and battling traffic to get home, I am always happy and excited to see my pup with her wagging tail.  She is a bundle of energy wanting to play when I am ready to eat dinner and curl up on the couch to rewatch The Office for the millionth time.  If you can relate to my story, well…you know then.  Keeping up with your pup’s routine by hiring a professional pet sitter while you are at work, can be a big benefit for both you and your pup.
Potty breaks and midday dog walks can be great for dogs that may be exhibiting naughty behavior like chewing, scratching, digging, barking or howling.  Dogs need mental stimulation along with physical exercise to stay healthy and if they do not get the stimulation they need, they tend to find other ways to occupy their time and in my experience, anything they get into while bored or trying to release energy is usually undesirable.  We all know dogs need an outlet for their energy and walks can do just that.  The sights, sounds and smells they encounter on their walks provide a safe and nondestructive way for them to get their energy out and get the mental stimulation they need to be able to relax until you return home.  Allowing a dog to sniff while on their walk, works your pup’s brain and can help tire them out mentally along with helping to reduce separation anxieties while they are alone. 

Villa Park Sitter, Caitlin with her pup!

Maintaining Physical Health.
Not unlike humans, many dogs in the US are overweight or obese.  Daily exercise is very important to keep your pup around their ideal weight.  Exercise recommendations will vary based on your pup’s age, breed, medical conditions, and the individual dog.  Most organizations agree that dogs should get in 30 minutes of exercise daily.  At The Pet Lady, we tailor your dog’s walks to their needs.  For our senior pups, a 15 minute potty break for a walk around the block may be ideal.  They tend to tire quicker than younger dogs.  For dogs who have more energy or larger breeds, our 30 minute walks may be the perfect fit for your dog.  It gives them more time to sniff, provides walks that cover more distance, or allows us to leave some time for vigorous play during our time with your dog.

Keeping Up With Your Pup’s Routine.
Do you hate having to walk in rain or snow while your pup searches for the perfect spot to do their business? And we all know it is probably a block or two away before the spot is chosen.  Maybe once in a while it is not so bad, but whether there is rain, snow or sun your dog will be expecting their daily walk.
Potty breaks and midday dog walks with The Pet Lady allow you to stay dry, warm and uninterrupted with your tasks.  It allows your dog time to do their business, and the benefits of getting outside and exercised regardless of the weather.  Rain, snow or sun you can count on our dedicated staff to provide reliable walks and give your pup the exercise and attention they need. 

To learn more about giving your pup their best walk, check out our blog post Giving Your Dog The Best Walk here.

What’s Next?
So, what do you think? Does it sound like your pups would benefit from potty breaks or midday dog walks? If you want to experience the benefits of being able to keep your pup’s routine, contact your local professional pet sitter.  If you live in Illinois in the Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard or Naperville communities, call 847.802.9534 or click here to contact us for a free meet and greet.

4 Great Places to Hike With Your Pup in the Chicagoland Area

If you are like me, you want to spend as much time with your dog as you can.  I love to hike and Sassy, my Beagle/Jack Russel mix, loves to smell and combining them makes for a fun outing the both of us can enjoy.  Here is a list of some places near the Chicagoland Area you can hike with your dog.

Starved Rock State Park
Ogelsby, IL

Starved Rock State Park is located in LaSalle County along the Illinois River.  There are thirteen miles of hiking trails within the park and all are well marked and most are out and back so you can turn around at any time.  All paths are accessible for dogs and there are places for your pup to splash in the canyon pools.  While hiking within the state parks all dogs must be leashed at all times.  Starved Rock can get busy during the warmer months, so if you are available for mid-week trips I would highly suggest doing so. Access to park and trails is free!

https://www2.illinois.gov/dnr/Parks/Pages/StarvedRock.aspx

Waterfall Glen
Darien, IL

Waterfall Glen is located in southern DuPage Country.  With 11 miles of trails with waterfalls and bluffs, Waterfall Glen offers a hilly terrain great for hiking, biking or selfies with your pup! This is also a favorite spot in the winter for cross country skiers and winter walks.  There are 4 trails mapped out at the preserve, but there are lots of other trails that veer off the beaten path, but are not mapped. Best part, no entry fees!

https://www.dupageforest.org/places-to-go/forest-preserves/waterfall-glen

Schweitzer Woods
West Dundee, IL

Schweitzer Woods has over 5 acres of trails.  This is also an approved off leash preserve, there are rules that must be followed, but within the boundaries your pup can explore! The property has oak forests, crop land, hay meadows and marshes. A beautiful Edwardian house and matching dog kennel are situated in the southeast corner of the property.

https://kaneforest.com/location/schweitzer-woods

Buffalo Creek
Long Grove, IL

This preserve offers 5.5 miles of gravel trails for walking, biking and cross-country skiing. Trails run through open areas within the preserve, crossing several creeks, great view of the reservoir and through a restored prairie.  Dogs must be leashed along all trails but there is an off-leash area for you pup.  Permits are required for the off-leash dog park, but if you want to take your pup on a nice leashed walk, there are no fees to visit this preserve.

https://www.lcfpd.org/buffalo-creek/

We know getting out in nature with your dog is important to all dog owners! We also understand it can be tough with work and responsibilities - that is where The Pet Lady can help! We would love to hit the pavement with your pup and explore our neighborhood! If you live in Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard or Naperville - CLICK HERE to get started with dog walks from The Pet Lady.

Giving Your Dog the Best Walk

Originally Published on 2/9/2021

We all know we should be walking our dogs on a regular basis so they get the exercise they need to be healthy. I know a lot of people also exercise for themselves by walking their dog and that is a great thing and your pup thanks you too! While walking your dog, I believe, the walk should be for them and there are simple, easy things we can be doing to make sure you and your pup get the most out of your walks together.

Allow Your Dog to Pick Which Side They Walk On
Training your dog to walk next to you is, I think, important to a lot of dog owners. This can be a good thing, but there is no correct side your dog should walk on. It is best to let your dog pick which side is the most interesting. There may be a side with more grass or maybe better smells and markings from other dogs. It is also important for us to allow our dogs to make decisions. It is good for their emotional and mental health and honestly, allowing this will not create an unbalanced relationship with your dog.

Give Your Dog Time to Sniff
We, as humans, are not always the most patient of beings, but we should be when it comes to allowing your dog to sniff while on a walk. Sniffing is extremely enriching for dogs and is good for mental stimulation. Your pup will thank you for giving them the time they want to sniff. You can always teach a "let's go" command if you do want to move your pup along.

Use the Correct Equipment
Making sure you and your pup have the correct equipment can help your dog enjoy their walk. If your dog is a puller, refrain from using a collar for walks. This puts strain on their neck and can cause more anxiety than help slow your dog down. Harnesses are the best thing to use with pullers. It takes the strain off their neck and gives you as the owner a bit more control to slow your dog down.

Use a straight leash for walks whenever possible, especially over a retractable leash. We all love our retractables; I know I do! But these types of leashes can be dangerous to you and your dog as they do not give you as much control as a straight leash.

Your Dog May Not Want to Say Hi...
It is very important we never force our dogs to interact with any dog or person they do not want to. This can create fear and anxiety for your pup. If your dog does want to say hi, and you and the other owner are okay with it, then go for it! Some dogs will only want to say a quick hi before moving on, while others may want to spend more time meeting a new friend. Pay attention to your dog's body language to gauge whether they have said enough hellos. Good tip is to always keep slack in your dog's leash while they are greeting another dog; any pressure on a leash, harness or collar may increase your dog's anxiety about the situation.

If you would like to learn more on this topic and get a few more tips from a pet sitter, check out Pet PawCast's Episode 4- Whose Walk Is It Anyway

As a dog parent, we know you want to give nothing but the best for your furry family member. One of the best things you can get do for your dog is to TREAT them to dog walks from The Pet Lady! If you live in Elmhurst, Villa Park, Lombard or Naperville, CLICK HERE to get started! We would love to meet your dog!