Dog Along

Welcome to Dog Along, the dog walking service that will always go the extra mile for your pooch or pup.

Well, I’ll be a doggy’s uncle!

Dog Along brings you top-quality pet care that fits into your life.

Whether your dog needs to go for a playful walk, a drive, a quick potty break, or transportation somewhere, Dog Along will be there to lend a hand when you need it.

Reactive Dog? Kicked out of Daycare? No Problem!

I like to say, “All dogs are good dogs, even the bad ones.” Just because a pup can be a little prickly at times doesn’t mean they deserve anything less than the best love and care. I pride myself on working with you and your dog to find a routine that is safe and enriching for everyone.

Dog Along does not offer dog training as a service. I cannot make any claims about changing a dog’s overall reactivity or socialization. What I can offer is the patience and care to earn your dog’s trust, so that there is at least one more person that you and your dog can rely on as a friendly face and helping hand.

Who is Dog Along?

Hi, I’m Scott, the owner of Dog Along. Dog Along is the culmination of nearly a decade of working with dogs at various dog walking services and daycare facilities around Chicago.

Believe it or not, but for most of my life I was terrified of dogs. I can’t place a reason why, I’m an animal lover in general, but dogs always scared me. That is, until I moved in with my partner and the old, angry Jack Russel Terrier that came along. That dog melted my heart, and completely changed my trajectory to the point that I have only worked in dog care jobs since then. Not only that, but by getting more comfortable with her and learning her behavior, I’ve developed a real knack for befriending even the angriest or most skittish dogs wherever I worked.

My mission with Dog Along is to treat every dog with the love and care as if they were my own. Think of me as your dog’s uncle: a reliable caretaker, loving to the point of spoiling, and firm without anger or aggression. I want to make your dog’s life as enriching as possible, and your life with a dog as free of friction as possible.

- Scott Nichols

Services

  • All dog walks are personalized per household. That means no large group walks with pack dynamics for your dog to navigate and your dog receives the walker’s full attention the entire time. The only exception being if you have multiple dogs in the same house, in which case we are happy to walk them together at no extra cost.

    Included with your dog’s walk will also be a doggy diary. Here you can stay posted on how the walk went, how your dog is behaving, and if they did all of their…ahem…“business.” And while the doggy diary is mostly for fun, it can also be helpful for keeping track of the dog’s health and any behavior a vet might be interested in.

    Included in Dog Along’s dog walking service is:

    • A dog walk (of course)

    • A doggy diary

    • Treats and changing the water bowl at the end of the walk

    • Any feeding or medication the dog needs

    • Any training/commands you want to reinforce on the walk

    • Bringing packages inside (it just seems polite)

    30 minute walk - $22

    1 hour walk - $40

    Discounted rates available for scheduling multiple walks per week.

  • When potty training a new puppy, one of the most important things is for the puppy to have a reliable routine. But sometimes work or life can get in the way of keeping up the routine. That’s where puppy potty breaks come in. These shorter visits will help keep your pup on schedule, even when your own schedule is over-booked

    15 minute potty break - $15

  • Does your dog need to get somewhere? Let Dog Along drive them!

    Back and forth to the groomer? Yes!

    To and from the vet? You bet!

    Doggy daycare or boarding? Sure, why not!

    Transportation - $10 + $3 per mile

  • Boarding is, unfortunately, extremely limited at this point. Dog Along is currently just one person (hi!) which limits me to just boarding 1 client at a time.

    That said, I am available for scheduling in-home boarding! In-home boarding can be either staying at your home with your dogs or, if your dog gets along with mine I can host your dog at Dog Along HQ.

    In (your) home boarding - starting at $80 per night

    In (my) home boarding - starting at $60 per night

    Because my boarding capacity is limited, I am more than happy to offer suggestions for other boarding options in Chicago. I have worked at a number of dog facilities over the years, and don’t mind helping to find the right fit for your pup, even if it isn’t with me.

  • Looking for something unique for your dog? Don’t see a listing for the service or routine that best fits your pup’s lifestyle? Get in touch!

    Nothing makes me happier than making dogs happier, so if there is something Dog Along can do for you that I haven’t already thought of then I’m game to give it a shot.

Contact

Dog Along

Want to get your dog on the Dog Along wagon? Just fill out this nifty form so that we can schedule a consultation. You’ll meet me, I’ll meet your dog, and we can start providing your furry friend with the love and care they deserve.