Walks as Calendar Blocks: The Unofficial Guide to Owning a Dog at Kellogg
- Cathy Campo
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
By: Shade Bullock, co-Editor-in-Chief
Owning a dog in your late twenties feels like a rite of passage. Somewhere between getting your first “real” job and realizing you now own multiple matching sets of Tupperware, you also decide you are emotionally and financially ready to keep a small creature alive.
I got my firstborn, Bernard, when I was 25. My husband had just deployed to Syria, and we had moved into the first house he’d ever bought. It was quiet. Too quiet. I had a lot of time alone with my thoughts—which is exactly how people end up adopting a Shih Tzu.
Bernard’s primary job at the time was emotional support… and home security. I figured if an intruder broke in and killed me, at least my Shih Tzu would be there too. Not that Bernard would actually do anything about it, but moral support counts.
Fast forward two years and life got a little chaotic in the best way—I found out I had been accepted to Kellogg. Suddenly my husband and I were packing up our house in Sango, a suburb of Nashville, into a single trailer along with Bernard and heading to Evanston for business school.
We had legitimate concerns about whether Bernard would adapt to his new life as a “business school dog.” I knew I’d be busy. My husband works full-time as a government consultant. Bernard was about to downgrade from a backyard to a balcony, from a three-bedroom house to a one-bedroom apartment, and worst of all, he would have to say goodbye to his best friend, an Australian Shepherd named Hershey.
Naturally, we assumed the transition would be hard on him.
Instead, Bernard immediately became a Kellogg socialite, perhaps more popular even than the latest hot take.
Turns out business school is actually an incredible environment for a dog. There are endless walks along the lake, plenty of stressed MBA students thrilled to pet something that isn’t a recruiting spreadsheet, and a surprising number of classmates who carry treats.
All our worries disappeared within the first few weeks.
Fast forward again, and apparently we got too comfortable with this whole MBA dog parenting thing because this past month, we adopted a second Shih Tzu puppy named Herbie. Bernard is adjusting to his new role as an older brother, life mentor, and unwilling participant in puppy chaos.
I’ve also noticed something else: a lot of my classmates, especially second years, are adopting dogs too. Which makes sense. By year two, you’ve survived recruiting, learned how to navigate group projects, and feel emotionally stable enough to introduce a small dependent into the mix.
So at this point, I’d consider myself somewhat of a pro at balancing b-school and dog-mom duties.
Which brings me to my unofficial guide to owning a dog at Kellogg:
Tip #1: Potty Training
We are currently in the trenches of potty training our second Shih Tzu, and I can confirm: it still sucks. I had completely forgotten how hard this phase is. Puppies have the bladder control of a thimble and the confidence of someone who definitely knows better than you.
As a business school student, getting your dog on a schedule is essential. Your calendar is already chaotic—classes, group meetings, recruiting, club events—so the more predictable your dog’s routine is, the better.
Bernard, our seasoned professional, now goes out three times a day: around 8 a.m. before I head to class, around 3–4 p.m. when his dad usually has a break between meetings, and right before bed.
We’re also lucky enough to have a balcony, which has been a game changer. If you’re living in an apartment, I highly recommend getting a grass potty pad. Chicago weather is brutal, and there will absolutely be days when neither you nor your dog want to trek outside in a negative wind chill just to pee.
Trust me, your future self will thank you.
Tip #2: Turn Walks Into Your Mental Health Break
Walks aren’t just for your dog—make them a break for yourself too.
Between classes, group projects, recruiting, and everything else going on at Kellogg, it’s easy to stay glued to your laptop all day. Walking the dogs has become one of the best built-in resets in my schedule.
It’s also how I manage to hit my step goal most days. I’ll throw on an audiobook or podcast, call my mom or a friend, or just take a lap around the neighborhood while Bernard and Herbie sniff every blade of grass like it’s brand new.
It’s multitasking at its finest and honestly one of the best mental health breaks you can give yourself during business school.
Tip #3: Getting Your Dog Around
Bernard is what I would call an avid flier. The guy has a rolling dog carrier and everything. If we’re traveling, there’s a very good chance Bernard is coming with us.
That said, flying with a dog can get expensive fast. Most airlines charge around $200 for a pet ticket, which adds up quickly if you travel a lot.
If you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, we’ve found that Amtrak is actually very pet-friendly. Just make sure to check the routes and policies ahead of time since there are usually time limits for pets on certain trips.
And for getting around Chicago, the CTA allows dogs too, as long as they’re in a carrier. Which means your dog can technically commute just like the rest of us.
Tip #4: Find Your Dog’s “Kellogg Aunties and Uncles”
Business school has a funny way of creating an entire village around your dog.
Bernard has somehow accumulated a rotating cast of Kellogg babysitters—friends who are thrilled to watch him for a few hours (or an evening) in exchange for some puppy time.
Most MBA students miss their own pets back home, so they’re usually more than happy to volunteer. Bernard now has multiple “aunties and uncles” across Kellogg who spoil him with treats and attention. It’s basically his own little daycare network.
Another hidden gem for dog owners is the #kelloggpaws Slack channel. It’s a great place to find classmates willing to help with doggy daycare, coordinate pet sitting when people are traveling, set up pet playdates, or even pick up gently used pet supplies from other Kellogg dog parents.
Think of it as the unofficial support group for anyone balancing MBA life with furry responsibilities.
Tip #5: Take Advantage of Evanston’s Dog-Friendly Spots
One of the underrated perks of having a dog at Kellogg is how dog-friendly Evanston is.
If your pup has energy to burn, the Evanston Dog Beach is a local favorite (hint: check #kelloggpaws for the gate code). It’s one of the few places where dogs can run freely along the lake, perfect for sprinting around, swimming, and making some dog friends. It’s also a great excuse to get outside and enjoy Lake Michigan when the weather cooperates.
For days when your schedule is packed (or the Chicago winter is doing its thing), Dogtopia in Evanston is a great daycare option where your dog can play all day while you’re in class or stuck in a long meeting.
And if you’re working on training, Unleashed Evanston is a great local resource. They offer everything from puppy preschool to training classes for adult dogs, which can be incredibly helpful for things like leash skills, socialization, or basic obedience.
Business school is busy—classes, recruiting, clubs, travel—but having Bernard (and now Herbie) along for the ride has made the experience even better. They’ve turned stressful days into walking breaks, introduced me to new friends, and reminded me that sometimes the best thing you can do during business school is close your laptop, step outside, and take the dog for a walk.