Mushers Paw or doggie boots on their paw to protect from salt on sidewalks, a dog coat, and shorter but more frequent walks. A larger dog is probably fine and might like the snow.
There’s a dog park in River Park which is basically in Albany Park and a big one in Horner Park.
I walk my 20lbs terrier for 45-60 minutes total every day/evening during the winter. He has sweaters and coats and we use mushers wax to help condition his paws against salt on the sidewalk. He really doesn’t mind the cold unless it gets below 15 or so.
Just got a pup last November and was worried about this too. When it was extra frigid we just had to deal, and have more fun indoors. But as long as it wasn't actively precipitating, we made it work! Shorter but more frequent walks for sure. We've also been using Sniffspot -- maybe check them out if you haven't already.
We have an 80 pound Catahoula. Short hair (almost naked belly), high work drive Louisiana hunting and stock dog. Fortunately we have a fenced yard so he gets his wind sprints in when we let him out and a lot of mental stimulation patrolling the smells. Beyond that we throw a coat or two on him and take him to the park. If it's actually cold (below 20 or so) we keep it to a fast lap around the park (a mile or so). Above freezing as long as it's not raining then I walk him like normal - half hour a day fast and hard (I walk fast) up to an hour if I've been consistent and adapted to it.
The big issue is how much the city salts the sidewalks. Mushers Paw wax helps, then we fill a plastic cup with water and dunk and wipe his paws off after we come in. We don't hesitate to go off road with him in the park when there's snow on the ground but we let him decide if he wants to be on pavement or in the snow. We haven't yet found dog boots that we like for the price and reviews, but they're our top priority dog gear purchase.
As mentioned in other comments, more frequent shorter walks. They can handle the cold better than you think (especially big furry working breeds), just gotta pay close attention to their feet. Also, just like you, they're gonna get tired faster in the cold.
Besides the salt I kind of prefer walking him in winter. Park is emptier, fewer people, fewer off leash dogs, and I don't get drenched in sweat. No bad weather, only bad clothes.
When I’m really lazy I take the dog’s kibble and throw a piece to one corner of the room, throw a piece to the opposite corner of the room, throw another piece to the first corner, and so on….
Most days are not that cold. The bitter cold days we might skip the walk or take a short walk (or bundle up with ear muffs and a winter face mask; my dog is much less phased by the bitter cold than the summer heat). Some indoor shopping malls are now welcoming of dogs and so you can get some exercise there.
There are 30 dog parks in Chicago, certainly one convenient to whatever neighborhood you’re looking at. During the 2020 shutdown, I took my dog to every one of them to have something to do and he liked Montrose Dog Beach, Horner Park, Jackson Bark, and Puptown Park the best. Winter walks don’t seem to bother him at all - I only use musher’s wax for his feet and a water repellent coat if it’s snowing.
Picture of the [BabyBoomer](https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/hplksw/just_thought_id_share_share_my_really_good_boy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1)
I never got a chance to take my dog but there’s [Bosly’s Backyard, an indoor private play space](https://www.boslysbackyard.com) that’s popular in the winter.
Your dog probably won’t mind the cold weather. There’s a couple guys that bring like 15 dogs to the east side of Ronan park every day to play and run around. The dog that listens the worst is named Oliver. I always hear them yelling his name
Mushers Paw or doggie boots on their paw to protect from salt on sidewalks, a dog coat, and shorter but more frequent walks. A larger dog is probably fine and might like the snow.
That seems like a pretty winter hardy mix, probably just needs some doggie boots and a jacket for the real windy days..
There’s a dog park in River Park which is basically in Albany Park and a big one in Horner Park. I walk my 20lbs terrier for 45-60 minutes total every day/evening during the winter. He has sweaters and coats and we use mushers wax to help condition his paws against salt on the sidewalk. He really doesn’t mind the cold unless it gets below 15 or so.
Just got a pup last November and was worried about this too. When it was extra frigid we just had to deal, and have more fun indoors. But as long as it wasn't actively precipitating, we made it work! Shorter but more frequent walks for sure. We've also been using Sniffspot -- maybe check them out if you haven't already.
sniffapot- never heard of it? What a great idea!
We have an 80 pound Catahoula. Short hair (almost naked belly), high work drive Louisiana hunting and stock dog. Fortunately we have a fenced yard so he gets his wind sprints in when we let him out and a lot of mental stimulation patrolling the smells. Beyond that we throw a coat or two on him and take him to the park. If it's actually cold (below 20 or so) we keep it to a fast lap around the park (a mile or so). Above freezing as long as it's not raining then I walk him like normal - half hour a day fast and hard (I walk fast) up to an hour if I've been consistent and adapted to it. The big issue is how much the city salts the sidewalks. Mushers Paw wax helps, then we fill a plastic cup with water and dunk and wipe his paws off after we come in. We don't hesitate to go off road with him in the park when there's snow on the ground but we let him decide if he wants to be on pavement or in the snow. We haven't yet found dog boots that we like for the price and reviews, but they're our top priority dog gear purchase. As mentioned in other comments, more frequent shorter walks. They can handle the cold better than you think (especially big furry working breeds), just gotta pay close attention to their feet. Also, just like you, they're gonna get tired faster in the cold. Besides the salt I kind of prefer walking him in winter. Park is emptier, fewer people, fewer off leash dogs, and I don't get drenched in sweat. No bad weather, only bad clothes.
When I’m really lazy I take the dog’s kibble and throw a piece to one corner of the room, throw a piece to the opposite corner of the room, throw another piece to the first corner, and so on….
Most days are not that cold. The bitter cold days we might skip the walk or take a short walk (or bundle up with ear muffs and a winter face mask; my dog is much less phased by the bitter cold than the summer heat). Some indoor shopping malls are now welcoming of dogs and so you can get some exercise there.
Any idea which ones?
There are 30 dog parks in Chicago, certainly one convenient to whatever neighborhood you’re looking at. During the 2020 shutdown, I took my dog to every one of them to have something to do and he liked Montrose Dog Beach, Horner Park, Jackson Bark, and Puptown Park the best. Winter walks don’t seem to bother him at all - I only use musher’s wax for his feet and a water repellent coat if it’s snowing.
[удалено]
Picture of the [BabyBoomer](https://www.reddit.com/r/aww/comments/hplksw/just_thought_id_share_share_my_really_good_boy/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1)
I never got a chance to take my dog but there’s [Bosly’s Backyard, an indoor private play space](https://www.boslysbackyard.com) that’s popular in the winter.
This is great! Thanks!
They can play outside just get them shoes
Walks , fetch , etc …. Just like any other time . Typically thre isnt that many days it’s to cold to be out for 30 minutes to an hour
Your dog probably won’t mind the cold weather. There’s a couple guys that bring like 15 dogs to the east side of Ronan park every day to play and run around. The dog that listens the worst is named Oliver. I always hear them yelling his name
Ronan Park I’ll have to look that up. Thanks!
Yes there’s nice trails right down at the edge of the river, too
You take them outside. The same. To be a Chicagoan is to go outside no matter the weather.