🐾 How to Handle Aggressive Dogs at the Dog Park – Real Advice from Dog Owners
Visiting the dog park can be a joyful activity for both you and your furry friend—but aggressive encounters can quickly […]
Discover the perfect spot for your pup to swim, exercise, and socialize at the Doggy Paddle Aquatic Center for Dogs in the heart of Chicago, IL. As one of the only specialty indoor dog swim centers in the city, Doggy Paddle offers a safe, climate-controlled environment where dogs of all sizes and personalities can enjoy aquatic fun year-round. Friendly, knowledgeable staff help ensure every dog feels comfortable—whether recovering from surgery, learning to swim, or just splashing for fun.
Pet parents love the clean facilities, designated areas for both nervous and playful dogs, and added comforts like warm towels, ear cleaning supplies, life vests, and free parking. Group swim sessions, plenty of toys, and instructors in the pool mean dogs get attention tailored to their needs. The indoor waiting and drying areas are spacious and welcoming, making this location a favorite dog park alternative for rainy or cold Chicago days.
My pup Coconut always has a great time at doggy paddle. She learned how to swim here years ago and continues to come a few times a month! We love it here.
My pup Coconut always has a great time at doggy paddle. She learned how to swim here years ago and continues to come a few times a month! We love it here.
I’ve been attending doggy paddle for three years, 8 classes a month for about NULL a month. They informed me a couple of months ago that they are doing a price increase in July. (Understandable with what’s going on in the world so not upset about it) I was going to move down to 4 classes instead to continue coming to my dogs favorite place. Leading up to my last month before the price increase, I had cancelled a class at 7:04pm the day prior to my 7:45pm class. The manager, Mallory, had informed me that they took the class off my account since it was not a 24 hour notice. I sent her a message stating that it was a little over 24 hours and she let me know that she did not receive the message until the following morning. After providing screen shots of the timestamps she continued to take the swim off my account. I’ve had many issues with the same person which is unfortunate because the rest of the staff is 10/10. It is terrible that I’m giving them a one star as this is my pups favorite place but if your strict about your policy you should specify that you need to receive the message 24 hours prior as they communicate with text message with their computer and they didn’t receive my message until they turned it on the following morning. I’ve always been so kind to staff/owners by gifting them as well & it’s unfortunate how years of great memories has come down to an angry goodbye.
I also see that you reply to reviews, please don’t bother contacting me. Thank you.
I’ve been attending doggy paddle for three years, 8 classes a month for about NULL a month. They informed me a couple of months ago that they are doing a price increase in July. (Understandable with what’s going on in the world so not upset about it) I was going to move down to 4 classes instead to continue coming to my dogs favorite place. Leading up to my last month before the price increase, I had cancelled a class at 7:04pm the day prior to my 7:45pm class. The manager, Mallory, had informed me that they took the class off my account since it was not a 24 hour notice. I sent her a message stating that it was a little over 24 hours and she let me know that she did not receive the message until the following morning. After providing screen shots of the timestamps she continued to take the swim off my account. I’ve had many issues with the same person which is unfortunate because the rest of the staff is 10/10. It is terrible that I’m giving them a one star as this is my pups favorite place but if your strict about your policy you should specify that you need to receive the message 24 hours prior as they communicate with text message with their computer and they didn’t receive my message until they turned it on the following morning. I’ve always been so kind to staff/owners by gifting them as well & it’s unfortunate how years of great memories has come down to an angry goodbye.
I also see that you reply to reviews, please don’t bother contacting me. Thank you.
Looking for a way for my dog to get exercise after surgery and Doggy Paddle provided it. Took 3 visits for Coco to feel completely comfortable getting in and out of the pool but she took to swimming right away. The staff is amazing, very kind to dogs in and out of the pool. Highly recommend!
Looking for a way for my dog to get exercise after surgery and Doggy Paddle provided it. Took 3 visits for Coco to feel completely comfortable getting in and out of the pool but she took to swimming right away. The staff is amazing, very kind to dogs in and out of the pool. Highly recommend!
All three of my dogs LOVE Doggy Paddle Aquatic Center. They have done several group swim sessions together now and I can’t wait to take them again! The staff is super friendly and nice (and clearly all dog lovers) and they make sure all of them have a chance to try to get in on their own, they help them swim across (my two nervous ones) and back in the large pool. They have ear cleaning solution and cotton balls, and they also bring fluffy warm towels to dry them off 🥹 oh, and they have life vests if you don’t have any!! If you are considering taking your dog to Doggy Paddle for a test swim, DO IT! Your dog will feel right at home with their help and tons of toys to chase after ❤️
All three of my dogs LOVE Doggy Paddle Aquatic Center. They have done several group swim sessions together now and I can’t wait to take them again! The staff is super friendly and nice (and clearly all dog lovers) and they make sure all of them have a chance to try to get in on their own, they help them swim across (my two nervous ones) and back in the large pool. They have ear cleaning solution and cotton balls, and they also bring fluffy warm towels to dry them off 🥹 oh, and they have life vests if you don’t have any!! If you are considering taking your dog to Doggy Paddle for a test swim, DO IT! Your dog will feel right at home with their help and tons of toys to chase after ❤️
I’m glad to have learned about this place! I got my dog at the shelter and so she has never had exposure to swimming or just wading in water, even tho she is a lab mix and has webbed paws. I wanted her to get familiar and comfortable with the water since I want to be able to take her out on the lake in the summers, and so this place was great. The lobby and check in areas are clean and there is an indoor “park” for before your time slot as you wait with coffee tea and soda. Then this area can also be used after the swimming session as a place to continue to dry off. The swimming session was also really organized , for beginners or just more timid dogs, there is a calm pool, whereas for other dogs there is the play pool. Before entering the pool area, my dogs paws were rinsed off. There was an instructor in wetsuit who helped get my dog into the water and then helped her get used to swimming with support and then later on her own. In 30 mins my dog definitely learned new water skills and got a great aerobic workout! After swimming, there is a small stall that you can use to dry off your dog and also blow-dry. The whole experience was fantastic and am already looking forward to the next session! Also, free parking available in top floor garage.
I’m glad to have learned about this place! I got my dog at the shelter and so she has never had exposure to swimming or just wading in water, even tho she is a lab mix and has webbed paws. I wanted her to get familiar and comfortable with the water since I want to be able to take her out on the lake in the summers, and so this place was great. The lobby and check in areas are clean and there is an indoor “park” for before your time slot as you wait with coffee tea and soda. Then this area can also be used after the swimming session as a place to continue to dry off. The swimming session was also really organized , for beginners or just more timid dogs, there is a calm pool, whereas for other dogs there is the play pool. Before entering the pool area, my dogs paws were rinsed off. There was an instructor in wetsuit who helped get my dog into the water and then helped her get used to swimming with support and then later on her own. In 30 mins my dog definitely learned new water skills and got a great aerobic workout! After swimming, there is a small stall that you can use to dry off your dog and also blow-dry. The whole experience was fantastic and am already looking forward to the next session! Also, free parking available in top floor garage.