Cricket Hill Hounds
Small packs. Big adventures. Chicago dog daycare done differently.
Daily Adventure Outings
What would you rather do — spend your days inside a crowded warehouse, or head out with a few friends for a new adventure? Did you pick adventure? Your dog would too!Cricket Hill Hounds takes a maximum of three client dogs at a time and gets them out into the world — beaches, forest preserves, trails, parks and anywhere else worth exploring. They run, sniff, walk, swim and play for hours, with a different experience from day to day. Then we bring them home tired, clean, happy and ready to relax.Safety comes first on every outing — groups stay small, every dog wears GPS tracking, and off-leash comes only after I've worked with your dog and know their recall is solid.
A Typical Day9:00-9:30 I pick up your dog either on foot or in my vehicle depending on where the day's adventure takes us.We’re off! Where we go depends on the day, the weather and what sounds fun. Montrose Dog Beach, hiking in the forest preserves, Chicago dog parks and Prairie Wolf are just some of the places we’ll visit.During the day: Your dog gets plenty of real exercise. We’ll typically cover at least five miles on an outing — and your dog may cover considerably more once we reach an off-leash area and the running begins. They’ll have time to walk, run, sniff, explore, play and, when appropriate, swim. You’ll receive photos along the way so you can follow their adventure. And if your dog ends the day covered in sand, mud or lake water, they’ll get a rinse and towel dry before heading home.2:00-2:30: I drop your pup back off tired, clean, happy and, in all likelihood, ready for a very good nap.
Safety First
Adventure Should Mean Freedom — Not Recklessness.I want the dogs in my care to run, swim, explore, make friends and have the kind of day dogs are supposed to have. But none of that matters if I can't bring them home safely. Cricket Hill Hounds is intentionally small, every dog is evaluated before joining the group, off-leash freedom is earned rather than assumed, and multiple layers of safety are built into every outing.
Not Every Dog Is a Cricket Hill HoundDaily Adventure Outings aren't the right fit for every dog, and that's intentional.This service is designed primarily for medium-to-large, active dogs that are social, reasonably well trained and physically capable of spending several hours walking, running and playing outdoors. Dogs need to be comfortable around other dogs and people and able to handle the stimulation of parks, beaches and other public environments.A dog does not need to arrive perfectly trained, and I don't expect robotic obedience. But serious aggression, uncontrolled reactivity, a strong tendency to bolt, or physical limitations that make an active day unsafe may mean this isn't the right program.I'd rather turn down a dog who isn't a good fit than put that dog, the rest of the group or anyone else at unnecessary risk.
Every Dog Gets an Adventure AssessmentBefore joining the regular group, every new dog spends a one-on-one Adventure Assessment with me and my dog Mabo.We start in a safely fenced dog park, where I can see how your dog behaves away from you and how they respond to me, Mabo, other dogs, unfamiliar surroundings and normal distractions. I pay attention to things like social behavior, responsiveness, recall, confidence, energy level and how easily I can redirect them when something more interesting catches their attention.If things are going well, we'll progress to a more challenging environment such as the dog beach.This isn't a pass/fail obedience test. It's a chance for your dog and me to get to know each other before I'm responsible for them as part of a group.No dog joins a regular Adventure Outing, and no dog is given off-leash freedom with me, until I'm personally comfortable that they're ready.Adventure Assessments take place on weekends and are required before enrollment.
Small Groups Mean Close SupervisionCricket Hill Hounds is deliberately not a large-pack operation.I accept a maximum of three client dogs at a time, plus Mabo.Keeping the group this small means I can actually know the dogs I'm handling. I can see changes in body language, notice when one dog is becoming tired or overstimulated, intervene before rough play escalates and keep track of what each dog is doing instead of trying to supervise a crowd.That's one of the fundamental differences between Cricket Hill Hounds and conventional large-group daycare.
On-Leash Until We're Safely InsideDogs stay on leash whenever we are outside a designated, contained off-leash area.That includes sidewalks, parking lots, trails where leashes are required, loading and unloading from the vehicle, and the walk between the vehicle and an off-leash entrance.When we're leaving an enclosed area, the leash goes back on before the gate opens.Once we're somewhere dogs can safely be off leash, freedom still isn't automatic. I decide how much freedom is appropriate based on the individual dog, the location, the other dogs present and the conditions that day.
GPS Tracking on Every DogEvery dog wears a dedicated Tractive GPS tracker throughout the outing.These aren't AirTags. Tractive uses GPS and cellular connectivity to let me actively see where each dog is located from my phone.When dogs are off leash, I use LIVE Tracking, which can update their position every few seconds. I can also establish a Virtual Fence, or geofence, around an area. If a dog crosses that boundary, Tractive alerts me so I know immediately that something has changed.The system also retains location history, which means the route from an outing can be reviewed afterward.GPS gives me another layer of protection if something unexpected happens — but I don't treat technology as a substitute for supervision.A GPS collar is a backup. It is never permission to stop watching the dog.
Prepared for EmergenciesI am trained in both canine CPR and human CPR, and I carry emergency supplies with me on every outing.My gear includes a canine first-aid/CPR kit, water, extra leash equipment and other basic supplies.I also carry an air horn and citronella spray. These are non-contact deterrents intended for situations such as an unfamiliar loose or aggressive dog approaching the group. The objective is to create distance and stop a confrontation before physical intervention becomes necessary.Emergency contact and veterinary information will also be kept on file for every dog in the program so that I am not trying to track down basic information if something ever does go wrong.
The Weather Gets a VoteA typical Adventure Outing involves substantial exercise, but the dogs' safety takes priority over mileage or the day's original plan.Chicago weather doesn't always cooperate. Extreme heat, dangerous cold, thunderstorms, poor air quality, unsafe water conditions or other circumstances may mean changing destinations, reducing distance, spending less time outside or modifying the day's activities altogether.I also watch the individual dogs. Not every dog has the same endurance, and even an extremely athletic dog can have an off day.The goal is for your dog to come home tired and happy — not overheated, injured or pushed beyond what they should be doing.
Pricing
Rates are per dog, per day. The more consistent your dog's schedule, the better the rate — a regular spot in the pack is easier to plan around than a rotating one.
| Days Per Week | Rate Per Day |
| 5 Days | $60 |
| 3 Days | $70 |
| 2 Days | $75 |
| 1 Day | $80 |
Adventure Assessment — $75Required before enrollment. A one-on-one outing with me and Mabo so I can get to know your dog before they join a group. Usually scheduled on weekends.
BillingInvoiced at the start of each month for the actual number of outings that fall on your dog's schedule that month — not a flat rate. Some months have more Mondays than others, and you only pay for the days your dog actually goes out.
When the Weather Doesn't CooperateDogs need to get outside regardless of what Chicago is doing. On days when a full outing isn't safe — extreme cold, dangerous heat, storms, unsafe conditions — I come to your home instead and spend an hour with your dog, taking them out twice during that time. If that doesn't work for you I can just take your pup for a short walk. You receive a $25 credit per dog on the following month's invoice for each foul weather day.
Boarding
When you're out of town, your dog stays with me and Mabo in my home — not in a kennel, not in a room with fifteen other dogs. One dog at a time, so your dog gets a house instead of a facility.
| Rates Per Night | |
|---|---|
| Boarding + Daily Adventure Outing | $100 |
| Boarding Only | $60 |
Boarding + Daily Adventure Outing is the full package: your dog joins the pack for the day's outing and comes back to my place for the evening. This is the right choice for most dogs.Boarding only is for dogs who aren't part of the adventure group, or who'd rather stay home. Your dog will be on their own for roughly five hours in the middle of the day while I'm out with the pack, so this works best for a settled dog who's comfortable alone.How it worksYour dog sleeps in my home in East Lakeview, on the furniture or off it depending on what they're used to. Your dog will be walked several times throughout the day, and I'll send photos so you know how they're doing.Only one boarding dog at a time. No exceptions — your dog isn't sharing the house with strangers.Every boarding dog needs a meet-and-greet first, and dogs joining the daytime outings need a full Adventure Assessment before their stay.
Policies
VaccinationsEvery dog needs current rabies, DHPP and Bordetella vaccinations, and I'll ask for proof from your vet before the first outing. Bordetella matters here because the dogs spend the day in close contact with each other and with whoever else is at the beach that morning.Licensing and permitsYour dog needs a current Chicago dog license and a Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Area permit tag. The DFA tag is what makes Montrose Dog Beach and the other designated off-leash areas legal for us to use.Emergency veterinary careBefore your dog's first outing, I'll ask you to sign an authorization allowing me to seek emergency veterinary treatment if your dog is injured or ill and I can't reach you.I'll always try to reach you first. But if a dog needs a vet, I don't want to be standing in a waiting room trying to track down permission instead of getting them seen.I keep your emergency contact and your vet's information on file for every dog in the program.CancellationsYour dog's spot is reserved. Once you've committed to a schedule, those days are yours — I've turned away other dogs to hold them — so cancellations aren't credited or refunded. With only three spots, that commitment is what makes the rates work.If I cancel for any reason on my end, you're credited in full.HolidaysI don't work Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day/Black Friday, Christmas Day, or New Year's Day. Those days simply don't appear on your invoice.If your dog isn't feeling wellTell me. If your dog is sick, injured, or just not acting like themselves that morning, we skip the day. Missing one outing is a far better outcome than turning a small problem into a large one.Home accessI'll need a key, fob, or door code before the first outing. Access is kept secure and returned whenever service ends.PhotosI send photos from every outing, and I'd love to share some of them. If you'd rather I not post your dog on the Cricket Hill Hounds website, just tell me — no explanation needed.
Who We Are
Cricket Hill Hounds is a one-man, one-dog operation.There’s no rotating staff, no handoff from one walker to another, and no giant pack. It’s me, Jake, and my dog Mabo. I pick up the dogs, take them out, keep an eye on them all day and bring them home.For most of my working life, I was a teacher. I enjoyed it, but eventually I realized that the part of my day I looked forward to most was the part spent outside with my dog. At some point the obvious question became: why not build my days around that instead?Dogs have been a major part of my life for over 20 years. I’ve raised and trained my own, volunteered at an animal shelter, and even spent time working with wild animals — including pumas in the Amazon. I’ve learned a lot along the way, but probably the most important thing is simply to pay attention. Dogs tell you an enormous amount if you know them well enough to notice.That’s also why I wanted Cricket Hill Hounds to stay small. I’m not interested in managing a crowd of dogs. I want to know each one — what gets them excited, what makes them nervous, when they’re having a great time and when they’ve had enough. When someone hands me their dog in the morning, I take seriously the fact that they’re trusting me with a member of their family.I’m also an Eagle Scout and trained in both canine and human CPR. I spend an absurd amount of my free time walking the lakefront, exploring the forest preserves and looking for somewhere new to take Mabo anyway. Cricket Hill Hounds is essentially what happened when I decided to make a business out of the life I already wanted to be living.MaboMabo is my pit-whippet mix, adventure partner and unofficial assistant.He’s been exploring Chicago with me for years and will be part of many Cricket Hill outings. He’s also the first dog a prospective member of the pack gets to meet during the Adventure Assessment.Mabo loves to run, loves the beach and has yet to encounter a walk he thought was too long. In other words, he’s fairly well qualified for the job.
Contact Us
Questions about the service, or want to get your dog set up? Send me a note and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.
847-420-3034