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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.
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!
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.
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.
9 Tips For Being A Responsible Pet Owner
What does being a responsible pet owner mean? Well there is not an exact definition, but the American Kennel Club gives us a great starting off point: “Owning a dog is not a privilege-it’s a responsibility.” No matter what type of pet you own, one thing is for sure, owning a pet comes with responsibility. Pets are not accessories or something that can be thrown aside. Pets look to us for love, care and devotion as we are typically their whole worlds. I have compiled a short list of 9 important rules I think all pet owners should live by.
What does being a responsible pet owner mean? Well there is not an exact definition, but the American Kennel Club gives us a great starting off point: “Owning a dog is not a privilege-it’s a responsibility.” No matter what type of pet you own, one thing is for sure, owning a pet comes with responsibility. Pets are not accessories nor something that can be thrown aside. Pets look to us for love, care and devotion as we are typically their whole world. You can check out AKC’s full list outlining how to be a responsible pet owner, but here I have compiled a short list of 9 important rules I think all pet owners should live by.
Commitment. When bringing a pet into your life you need to be prepared to commit to that pet for the length of their life. Adopting or purchasing a pet should never be an impulsive decision. Pets are with us through sickness and health, in good times and bad so you need to consider your ability to care for a pet during their life. You may also have to consider what type of pet is best for your space and lifestyle. I would love to have a Burnese, but our living situation is not ideal for a large dog or one that needs a lot of exercise. This may also mean having a plan in place in the event you are no longer able to care for your pet.
Food and Shelter. I mean do I need to say providing the basic life necessities is a must? Well I will, because it is! Pets will need consistent access to clean water, healthy well-balanced food, and shelter from the elements, preferably in a home. It is known that pets who are kept in homes live longer lives than those who are kept in yards or outdoor enclosures. When considering what to feed your pet, look to a veterinarian for recommendations and make sure your pet is getting a balanced diet. Some may choose to supplement their pet’s food with human food, Pet PawCast, a podcast, has a great episode about how to knowledgeably supplement your pet’s diet.
Health and Care. Just like you and me, regular preventive care is key to helping your pet live a long, happy life. I recommend starting a relationship with a vet early on. This is beneficial to keep up with vaccinations, hygiene and grooming needs along with seasonal issues such as fleas and ticks. Your veterinarian will be there when your pet ages and help keep them comfortable. Before bringing a pet into your home make sure you are able to budget for veterinarian care as well as any emergencies that may pop up.
Spay and Neuter. Don’t contribute to the nation’s or world’s, for that matter, overpopulation issue. Until every homeless pet has a home, there is really no need for companion pets to reproduce. There are some breeds where it is recommended to wait until the pet is at full maturity before spaying and neutering, but once they reach maturity it is your duty as a responsible pet owner to have your pet fixed.
Training and Proper Socialization. Behavioral issues are the number one reason pets are surrendered. Making training a part of your everyday life for your pet is not only good for your pet, but good for your relationship with your pet. Teaching your dog basic commands will ensure they behave and know what is acceptable behavior and what is not. Training cats, yes cats are trainable, can keep them off certain surfaces or some even train their cats to use the toilet! Proper socialization will ensure that your pet is confident and secure in their world. If you are not sure where to start with training and socialization it is always best to consult a trainer.
Exercise and Enrichment. Again, just as humans need exercise to stay healthy, pets need it as well. It helps keep their muscles, heart and immune system in tip-top shape. Along with keeping up with your pet’s physical health, you need to pay attention to their emotional health. Pets are naturally social creatures and ignoring your pet can harm their mental state. So cuddle up with your four legged friend or take them for a nice long sniff walk. We talked about how to give your dog the best walk in our last blog post; check it out for great tips.
Identification. Make sure your pet is properly identified. Make sure they are wearing ID tags with updated contact information. You should also consider microchipping your pet. Once done, make sure to register their chip and keep that information up to date. This is important for dogs since they tend to be outdoors more than cats. However, if you have a cat who likes to try to sneak out the door, having ID tags and a microchip could bring you and your fur-friend back together if they were to get out.
Preparedness. This is something I think a lot of pet owners overlook at first. If you live anywhere there are natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornados, fires or earthquakes you need to have a disaster plan in place. You need to make sure you include your pet in those plans and not only have go bags for humans but for your pet as well. Within your pet’s necessary items you should include a copy of vaccination records and a current photo of your pet with family members. In the event you are evacuated and you and your pet are separated, you need to make sure you are able to prove they are your fur-baby.
And most importantly....
Love. Show your pet you love them each and every day. We are blessed with the unwavering companionship pets provide and must understand you are your pet’s whole world. Our pets are in tune with us and live for our happiness; as pet parents we have to work hard to do the same for them.
One additional way to make sure you are a responsible pet owner, is to hire a professional dog Walker and pet sitter. At The Pet Lady, we know pets are part of the family and treat our furry friends with the same love, care and attention we give our own pets. Your pet will want you to run, not walk, and CLICK HERE to get started! We would love to meet your pet.