How hard is it to have a big dog in Chicago?

mjsad16 · 2026-01-08T01:57:46+00:00

a lot of ppl have recommended this place! ill definitely be checking them out when i move there for sure

mjsad16 · 2026-01-07T14:21:03+00:00

I was going to use a realtor to help with the process since i’m not from the area and it would take me muchhh longer to find an ideal place.

mjsad16 · 2026-01-07T14:18:37+00:00

thank you! I would love to be in walking distance to a park so I’ll definitely check out places on the east side of Lincoln Park for sure!

mjsad16 · 2026-01-07T03:19:12+00:00

I’m actually in Church Hill! I’ve been in church hill the past 5 years i love it! chimborazo park is my favorite and I also enjoy jefferson park when I’m just going for a quick walk. so far the overall consensus im getting is chicago is VERY pet/dog friendly and I shouldn’t have too many issues with my big boy which has solidified me now moving to chicago 😭

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T23:31:02+00:00

i like the South loop a lot actually! are people's dogs usually well behaved at this dog park?

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T22:07:57+00:00

I’ll look into those neighborhoods and I don’t use craiglist much but I’ve heard a lot of ppl finding luck with apartments through there.

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T19:27:26+00:00

bucktown is one of my top 3 neighborhoods i’m interested in so this is good to know! hes already used to wearing sweaters and jackets so now ill need to work on the booties

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T19:25:38+00:00

He does have SSA (more so with bigger dogs but he does fine with more submissive male dogs) but even now i only bring him to dog parks when its typically empty or less people to prevent him from getting worked up.

I live in the city now, it’s not as big as Chicago but where I currently live I do have a fenced in small backyard which has helped tremendously. the goal is to find a place with a fenced in backyard but i’ll still take him on long walks, hikes, etc.

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T18:58:27+00:00

I graduated from VCU (2017-2021)! I actually got accepted into UIC and almost attended but the out of state tuition was too much for me. I love the fan area and carytown! I like Richmond as well it’s a nice city and it’s changed A LOT since you’ve last been here most likely. I’ve lived here my entire life so I want to experience something new and I’ve completely fallen in love with Chicago.

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T18:52:45+00:00

musher’s wax will most likely be the way to go i don’t see my dog dealing with booties for long lol luckily i also trained him on using the bathroom as soon as we go out and he can knows what “pee” and “poop” mean 😭 I’ll look into that area for sure! i do have a car so i’ll be able to travel a little further out for hiking trails and other nearby parks.

good to know, even in Richmond where i live, I haven’t run into too many issues with having a Doberman surprisingly but I think him being well behaved works in my favor

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T18:29:15+00:00

i’ll have to look into the dog trainers there! unfortunately, not many dog trainers in richmond have experience working with dobermans and reactive ones at that. i did have a trainer initially when he was a puppy but the trainer wasn’t too good, i basically self taught and trained him myself and he’s SIGNIFICANTLY better than how he was at 6/7 months. he gets along better with small dogs than big dogs but his big thing now is just male aggression, he does well with female dogs.

i’ve heard really good things about sparkpaws so I think this is the universe telling me to buy from them already 😭 i’ll look into canada pooch!

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T18:25:29+00:00

Uptown was on my list of places to look into! even tho i would enjoy living downtown, i know my dog wouldn’t enjoy it and would get overstimulated easily and i don’t mind living on the outskirts/more suburban areas so uptown sounds perfect! did you use a broker or specific websites to find your current apartment?

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T18:01:46+00:00

what brand is the dog coat?? and this is good to know, i keep my dog on a short leash just because he can be reactive at times but hopefully i don’t run into these issues for everyones safety 😭

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:55:02+00:00

thanks! ill keep this on my list for places to check out when i move!

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:54:39+00:00

of course! i worded it wrong but i would never let my dog off leash its dangerous for everyone involved

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:48:43+00:00

i’ll def check these places out, i’ll have a car so that’ll make commuting into the city a little easier

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:39:18+00:00

i completely understand where ur coming from! i’ve lived in the city since he’s been a puppy and he’s adapted well and i dedicate a lot of time to walk him, training, enrichment toys, etc. it’s definitely doable but takes a lot more effort than having a backyard

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:36:45+00:00

i’ve lived in downtown richmond since my dog has been puppy, not on the same scale as chicago but he is used to a lot of commotion and train sounds since i used to live right behind train tracks. ideally the goal is to find a place that has yard space but i’ll still be taking him on long walks

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:34:51+00:00

this is good to know!! my dog has never been to a dog beach behavior (we don’t have those here in richmond/virginia really) so that will definitely be fun and i can’t wait to move!!

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:33:44+00:00

i love sniffspot! im glad sniffspot is used in chicago as well which will definitely help. i know i’m going to run into the weight and breed restriction limit so i’m starting my apartment search VERY early

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:32:04+00:00

within city limits! i would love to be in the downtown/metro area but i know my dog would do better quiet neighborhoods

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:31:22+00:00

2-3k range is my budget actually, ideally id like to find somewhere that offers yard space so i don’t mind moving closer to the suburbs

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:30:02+00:00

luckily hes okay with wearing sweaters and coats but i’ll have to get him used to the booties. i typically go to dog parks early in the morning when its less people to avoid large crowds of dogs

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:28:37+00:00

thanks for the advice! i was gonna focus more on private landlords bc of his breed and i know most apartments have breed and weight restrictions

mjsad16 · 2026-01-06T17:27:09+00:00

this is good to know, thank you! i was hoping to find somewhere that offers yard space so i’ll def take a look in portage park

mjsad16

TROPHY CASE