You read it right, Dog walking in the mall. Mall Walking is the PAWfect alternative braving the Chicago winter when it’s just too cold outside to walk.
There’s a dog friendly mall just a short walk from where we are staying temporarily.
It’s The Shops at North Bridge Mall located on Michigan Avenue,
but there’s multiple entrances on the side/back.
Actually, its not my first time to be in this mall.
I was here Sept 2010, click here to read my post.
Well its been 3 years, a lot has changed. Yes, sadly the doggie bakery no longer exists.
But the mall installed a cookie station. Check this out … how cool.
Mom was not sure of the ingredients of the cookies and due to my allergies I can’t have one 😐
I visited several shops. Of course one of them was the Chicago shop.
Many of the workers/shoppers were very pleasant and respectful.
Even the general mall workers were very happy to see me. They seem to be so used to seeing dogs in the mall walking. The family area is also pet friendly as it decorated by various pet art.
Yes, I wore my purple pawz boots and noticed many shoppers stared at me.
Just in case you plan to do mall walking, I like to share some etiquette.
1) Just like walking outdoors (sidewalk/park), your dog must know/master the command of HEAL.
2) At all times, make your dog walk along with you. Don’t allow your dog to walk in front or ahead of you.
3) Use the proper collar/harness and best to use a shorter leash. We use a 21″ leather leash.
4) Walk on the right path/direction. No running on the walking path.
5) Your dog may draw attention to others, make sure your dog knows and/or mastered the sit/stay command.
6) When inside the store (shopping), keep an eye of your dog. Be mindful of what stores to go and what goods to purchase.
7) Before walking in the mall, make sure your dog has relieved themselves. Make sure to always bring a poop bag and some wipes just in case your dog has an accident in the mall.
8) If there’s a food court in the mall, be respectful and avoid taking your dog to that area.
I had a PAWsome time mall walking. I suggest that you check your local malls if they allow dogs.
Lots of Golden L♥VE n Woofs
SUGAR
I’m joining this post to Monday Mischief for those shoppers stared at me …
I think they whispered some words too about my purple pawz.
prancer pie says
March 11, 2013 at 12:12 AMThis is just pawsome! We had no idea bout etiquette for this. Of course, Chi Chi (our chihuahua) rarely walks anywhere! MOL!
Lori - What Remains Now says
March 11, 2013 at 12:17 AMSugar…You are so stinkin’ cute! Very good list of rules, and I know you were a wonderful ambassador. I am adding wipes to my arsenal. Good idea.
Millie says
March 11, 2013 at 1:34 AMHow nice that you have some place to walk even if the weather is bad.
bichonpawz says
March 11, 2013 at 2:49 AMThis is very interesting!! We have never inquired as to whether dogs are allowed, but we are pretty sure that they are not…because mama has never seen them at our mall! Loved all of your pictures Sugar! You are always very well behaved!! We love your boots because they are purple!! And because they will save you from picking up any weird viruses and stuff! Mama always carries wipes and poop bags wherever we go so she is always prepared!! xoxo Chloe and LadyBug
Daisy the Curly Cat says
March 11, 2013 at 6:05 AMWalking in the mall sounds like fun. I wish every mall allowed it!
CharleyChops says
March 11, 2013 at 6:48 AMThat’s looks like such a fun mall Sugar. We don’t have such large malls here 🙁 which makes walking in them rather silly.
urban hounds says
March 11, 2013 at 6:56 AMVery cool, we dont have anything like that here
urban hounds
Finn says
March 11, 2013 at 7:25 AMThat is pretty pawesome that you got to go to the mall! I noticed you’ve been back in Chicago – did you move back from Hawaii? I can’t remember if I asked you this already or not. Oops.
Amber DaWeenie says
March 11, 2013 at 8:14 AMNow that’s cool! Wish there was one of these near where I live! Butt…the only time dogs can go into our malls is at Christmas for photo purposes.
Pip says
March 11, 2013 at 8:43 AMWe will have to check this place out! It looks fun!
Your pal, Pip
Coralee says
March 11, 2013 at 9:06 AMSounds terrific! We don’t have anything like that here. In fact the only place in town that allows dogs is the pet supply store.
Goose says
March 11, 2013 at 9:09 AMThat is something I have never done, walk in a mall. I have gone to the hardware store but not a mall. That would be very cool. I don’t think our malls let us doggies go in (unless you are a service dog). I better have MOM check that out for sure.
Blessings,
Goose
Susan and Wrigs says
March 11, 2013 at 9:21 AMIt’s great that you have an indoor place to go for walks when it’s cold, Sugar! You are one cool urban-dwelling pup! I think Wrigs and I would have to brush up on our etiquette before we could go somewhere like that. We’re used to gallivanting around in the back country where there aren’t many rules.
Susan and Wrigs
Jessica@YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner says
March 11, 2013 at 9:31 AMThat’s great that you can still get your walks in when it is too cold. We have a couple of dog-friendly malls but they are outdoor malls. It doesn’t get as cold and snowy here though.
easy rider says
March 11, 2013 at 10:18 AMGreat advice, Sugar …now I can go shopping… but I’m afraid in my case, my staff has to work in a coal mine for approx. 80 years to pay for my mischief in a shopping mall ;o)
Roxy the traveling dog says
March 11, 2013 at 10:21 AMThat is a great idea. I would so do that when walking outside is impossible.
Madi and Mom says
March 11, 2013 at 11:04 AMSugar
Thank you for sharing all the wonderful things Chicago does to make its residents and their furbabes happy.
We have often wondered about having a dog in a place where it is so cold for a long time.
Very very nice mall and as always you look beautiful
Hugs Madi your BFFF
Oz the Terrier says
March 11, 2013 at 11:13 AMOMD…you went walking (shopping) in the mall and the mall even has treat dispensers for dogs?!? we don’t have that here. Gosh, Sugar…you always find the best places.
*Cairn cuddles*
Oz
Reilly & Denny says
March 11, 2013 at 11:24 AMit is nice to have a mall that allows dogs……ours only allows service dogs (which means I can go there – but not the dweeb brother) All great advice you gave too
Murphy & Stanley says
March 11, 2013 at 11:27 AMWhoa – that is a cool mall! Thanks for those tips. It SHOULD be common sense but some people have bad manners! On our walkie yesterday mom was mad to see that this one trail was full of poops cuz peeps did not pick up after their dogs all winter long and now the snow melted and left tons of poops.
Your Pals,
Murphy & Stanley
Online Doods
Comedy Plus says
March 11, 2013 at 11:30 AMYou are so well behaved that you can go anywhere Sugar.
Have a woof woof day Sugar. My best to your mom. 🙂
Jen says
March 11, 2013 at 11:51 AMYour lucky to go mall walking Sugar! we don’t have any malls around here that allow us to walk in them!
Flea says
March 11, 2013 at 12:09 PMSugar, that purple looks pawsome on your wee pawz. Thanks for sharing the mall etiquette rules with us! We don’t have any dog malls in Tulsa, but we have plenty of dog friendly trails. You should come for a visit!
Snowieners says
March 11, 2013 at 1:10 PMHow wonderful that there are pet friendly malls, but even better that you have a wonderful mom that takes you everywhere. Have a great week!
Max's Mom says
March 11, 2013 at 1:53 PMHow great is that?!? We aren’t allowed to do that here in Houston but I have a rather stealth bag I can put Max in for short visits 😉
Emily @ Adventures of a Dog Mom says
March 11, 2013 at 2:14 PMA mall to walk in? That’s really nice for those cold days for you.
Thanks for the tips!
emma says
March 11, 2013 at 2:17 PMMakes me miss Germany where us dogs always went to the store with mom! By the way, can I have your cookie???
Callie, Shadow, and Ducky says
March 11, 2013 at 2:34 PMWoof-Woof!! Sounds awesome for you, Sugar! Our Mom HATES shopping malls. And South Carolina is not very dog friendly in general.
Molly The Wally says
March 11, 2013 at 2:50 PMHey Sugar you are so much more dog friendly where you are. That would never happen here. Glad you have somewhere to go when the weather is bad. Outside tonight it is brewing up a storm. Have a marvelous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
Dawn says
March 11, 2013 at 3:17 PMFun! I so wish we had a dog-friendly mall here. You’re so lucky, Sugar!!!
Ann Paws says
March 11, 2013 at 3:26 PMThat is so awesome that you got to go walk around in the mall! I’m not sure if the malls here are dog friendly… I have seen some dogs at the outdoor mall near my house though so maybe.
Noreen says
March 11, 2013 at 3:52 PMHi Sugar, I think this is a perfect alternative to going outside in the cold. Of course, Hunter is not that well trained yet-he heals in class and if I have treats but if he sees another dog forget it.
Thanks for sharing the etiquette with us. Hope you have a warm evening.
Hugs, Noreen
Daisy says
March 11, 2013 at 4:55 PMWhat a fantastic place! Some people know how we dogs should be treated. But SHE says we don’t behave well enough to follow the rules. We tend to get excited when we go somewhere with all that stimulation!
XXXOOO Daisy, Bella & roxy
Sorry we’re a bit late commenting, but we’ve been having National Napping Day(s).
Bert says
March 11, 2013 at 5:34 PMI am not surprised at all that you draw a lot of attention anywhere you go, after all you are “Sugar” and the world loves you. I know we do.
Bert and My Vickie
Misaki says
March 11, 2013 at 6:32 PMYou are so lucky, doggies aren’t allowed in shopping centres here:-(
Two French Bulldogs says
March 11, 2013 at 7:42 PMThis is the coolest thing ever!!
Benny & Lily
BeadedTail says
March 11, 2013 at 7:51 PMThat looks like a big mall and a great place to walk inside when it’s not great weather outside! Our sisfur Sadie would have flunked mall walking though which is okay since we don’t even have a mall in our town. We’re glad you do so well everywhere though!
Abby Dabby Doo says
March 11, 2013 at 8:08 PMI would love to go mall walking, but our mall does not allow dogs. If I were you, I’d lose those boots!
Amy@GoPetFriendly says
March 11, 2013 at 8:33 PMWhat a fantastic post, Sugar! You clearly have wonderful manners and are a great dog ambassador. It would be awesome if more malls were so pet friendly.
Jackie Bouchard says
March 11, 2013 at 9:49 PMHow fun! Most of our malls here are dog-friendly, but it’s San Diego, so all of our malls are open-air malls and there are little patches of grass and whatnot. Didn’t know indoor malls allowed dog-walking! Cool!
BJ Pup says
March 11, 2013 at 10:32 PMYou are a very lucky Golden to have a mall to walk in when the Chicago winters kick in. And we all get that you are there temporarily and want to go home. On the other hand, you are a lucky dog to have traveled so much.
Licks and Ruffs.
KB says
March 11, 2013 at 10:41 PMIt sounds and looks like you had lots of fun, Sugar! We have an outdoor mall here that is very very dog friendly, and I agree with your etiquette hints!
Amy and Toby says
March 12, 2013 at 8:27 AMChicago must be very doggie friendly. I’ve never heard of a mall that welcomed dogs. Your purple paws look stylish and are a smart choice in a strange building. You don’t know what they clean the floors with. Also many strangers tracking in whatever on their shoes. Don’t worry about stares. Would those people walk the mall in THEIR bare feet? I think not! Happy Monday Sugar!
Gracie says
March 12, 2013 at 1:18 PMAwww Sugar, I wish we had an animal friendly mall! Maybe I should write to the local mall and see if they will let dogs in before the mall opens like they do for the human walkers!
Ann says
March 12, 2013 at 6:51 PMIt’s great to hear about pet friendly places like this. Duke is not allowed in the mall we have here
Dolly the Doxie says
March 13, 2013 at 11:26 AMThanks for the great tips Sugar! Mom hasn’t been to North Bridge in awhile, or since I arrived, so we can’t wait to check it out! Right now she is having a bit of old lady memory trying to remember the name of a dog walking group in town that goes to all of the dog friendly business. It may be Allrovertown she’ll let you for sure if you are interested. Also, mom has a part time job a Bobbi Panter Pet Products on Grand Ave. so she plans to visit North Bridge after work one day when I come with her. If you haven’t been visit Tails in the City its a great store! Love Dolly
Maggie says
March 14, 2013 at 9:50 AMI really like Mall walking too! Except last time, I helped myself to a stuffed toy and ripped its tag off. So I’ve been banned by my peep for awhile. Think I’ll check out your notes and remember for next time. Thanks for sharing.
Maggie