Jane of All Trades Chicago

09/27/2024

This is Riley and she needs a new home. She is a 7 month old sweetheart and the owner is a friend of mine, so I can help connect anyone who has serious inquiries or you can email [email protected]. Please share!

10/09/2023

Want to get some fun treats for your pups, help support the amazing Girl Scouts organization and my daughter's troop at the same time? This year for their fall product sales, they have added Bark Boxes! For $20 you can get treats and a toy for your dog, all while supporting Reagan's troop who gives back so much to the community. Link to her website is below. 😀

https://www.gsnutsandmags.com/store/Landing/3/5756235a-692a-43a8-b1f1-14fa6b25e67c/en-US?storefrontfocustype=7

06/04/2023

My friend has this sweet girl available for adoption. 4 month old rott/mastiff mix. They think she’ll grow to around 70 lbs. Great dog just not right for their family and other dog. Spayed, vaccinated, crate trained, housebroken. $200 rehoming fee. On northwest side of Chicago. PM me if you're interested or for more details and I will have her get in touch with you. 🐕‍🦺

07/29/2022

Scrappy is a first time house guest this weekend and he reminds me sooo much of our old Parklin. I may or may not have snuggled with him and cried. Very happy to have this little guy staying with us. ❤

07/13/2022

I don't mean to only post my own dog, but she's so sweet I just can't stand it. ❤

07/02/2022

I know a lot of people use these, but I have never liked them and these are some compelling reasons.

STOP USING THESE!!!

10 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Leash:

1: The length of retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.

2: In the above scenario, or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises. It's much easier to regain control of – or protect -- a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he's 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.

3: The thin cord of a retractable leash can break – especially when a powerful dog is on the other end of it. If a strong, good-sized dog takes off at full speed, the cord can snap. Not only can that put the dog and whatever he may be chasing in danger, but also the cord can snap back and injure the human at the other end.

4: If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, "road rash," broken bones, and worse.

5: Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated trachea, and injuries to the spine.

6: Retractable leashes allow dogs more freedom to pull at the end of them, which can look like aggression to another dog who may decide to "fight back."

7: The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog.

8: Along those same lines, many dogs – especially fearful ones – are terrorized by the sound of a dropped retractable leash handle and may take off running, which is dangerous enough. To make matters worse, the object of the poor dog's fear is then "chasing" her, and if the leash is retracting as she runs, the handle is gaining ground on her – she can't escape it. Even if this scenario ultimately ends without physical harm to the dog (or anyone else), it can create lingering fear in the dog not only of leashes, but also of being walked.

9: Retractable leashes, like most retractable devices, have a tendency to malfunction over time, either refusing to extend, refusing to retract, or unspooling at will.

10: Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their very nature, retractable train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.

If your dog is well trained, gentle mannered and smart enough to master a regular leash and a retractable leash without being confused, you could be one of the rare guardians that can walk your pooch on any kind of leash without increasing risks to either one of you.

06/02/2022

A little late to the party, but wanted to express my gratitude to all who joined us and for being able to march in the 100th Norwood Park Memorial Day parade. We all had a great time and feel awfully special for having your support for over 12 years. We even have the support of our favorite local celebrity, Joe Sikora. Such an amazing day!

05/13/2022

Please share and help this sweet girl find a new home. Located in Chicago northwest suburb, this 7 month old pit bull/ cane corso mix can no longer stay in a condo. She's very friendly with kids and an attentive, sweet dog. She's obedient and knows the sit down, lay down, come here basic commands. She is taking an extra long time to potty train and needs a family or someone that could dedicate time for her. is neither up-to-date on shots nor spayed. They are asking a $250 rehoming fee and she will come with everything they already have for her (crate, collar, leash, food bowls, etc). Comment or pm me if you are interested.

09/18/2021

Grooming update: we are now scheduling appointments on Tuesdays only and we are not able to take on new grooming clients at this time. Thank you for your patience with our busy schedule and to everyone who has helped our business grow and thrive for so long.

09/16/2021

This week we lost a very dear and loyal friend after over 9 years of taking care of her. Safe travels over the rainbow bridge, sweet Moxie. You will be very missed, beautiful girl.

12/31/2020

Couldn't be happier to say goodbye to this turd of a year and welcome 2021 with open arms! I am very proud to say that Jane of All Trades Chicago has survived the pandemic, despite now having a fraction of the pets to take care of, and will not be one of the small business that Covid gets the best of. All of our walkers/sitters are still with us and we look forward to hopefully seeing more of everyone when the dust settles in 2021. Best wishes for a happy and healthy new year!!!

06/30/2020

We are so happy to have our house guests returning, but not as happy as Stella is to have her buddies back!

06/17/2020

Slowly but surely, we are very excited to be welcoming back our clients and seeing our favorite furry faces again! We're taking extra precautions with our daily walks and we are still offering our boarding and grooming services. Would love to help anyone who needs us!

04/30/2020

This isn't the handiwork of my 3 angels, but it could be...

04/27/2020

Yep, this is me in a nutshell!

03/20/2020

All true. Let your pup help you through this!

03/20/2020

03/13/2020

I've seen an overwhelming number of posts that have left me a bit depressed over the human race and their reaction to this virus. HOWEVER, as I checked my inbox this morning, I am overcome with gratitude for our wonderful clients and their kindness. Our business is indeed taking a hit with people working from home and canceling their vacations, but I have had multiple clients reaching out to me asking that we still charge them for cancelled walks or still have the walker come by even though they are working from home just to encourage our business during this time. That's the thing about being in business for 11 years... we've learned how to do it right and our clients are loyal, wonderful, and above all else, kind. Thank you for working with us and lifting up our spirits, and may the kindness spread to everyone in this challenging time.