We run pack hikes Monday - Friday pick up and drop offs are included in pack hikes. Our canine hikes usually last for 1 hour and 15 minutes. Total time away from home depending on location is 2 - 5 hours.
Prices
1 Hike Per Week - $32 per hike 2 Hikes Per Week - $27 per hike 3 Hikes Per Week - $22 per hike
30 Minutes Pet Sit - $15 per pet sit
Useful Information
Pick up & drop offs
We pick-up and drop-off from the owner’s home. The majority of owners give us a key for use when they are not home. Pick ups start at 8:30am and concluded at 10:30am. Drop offs start at 12pm and conclude at 2pm.
Adding a new dog
We require a introductory meeting prior to introducing a new dog to a pack. We meet with you and your pet and introduce them to 1-2 dog currently hiking with the pack. This will take about 30 minutes. Once your dog see that we require control and manners, your pet will begin to trust and respect us from day one. He is then ready to start hiking with his new pack.
How to schedule my dog
Generally, we prefer if the owner will tell us how many days a week they would like their dog to hike, and we will then recommend their dog a schedule based on his energy level, personality and location. Placing dogs in certain packs allows us to create balanced packs that have the right mix of dominant and submissive dogs, experienced adult dogs and puppies that need guidance, etc. This then allows all dogs to be helping guide each other toward balance and toward becoming well-adjusted and social adult dogs.
Holiday's & inclement weather
We hike in rain and snow, and most holidays (excluding Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas, New Years eve & New Years. In the case of inclement weather we will advise of cancelations by 8am. In rainy weather, we bring towels to dry the dogs off, though they will likely have residual dirt on them after the hike.
What we do when it's hot
When it’s very hot, we usually travel for about 30 minutes total, and let the dogs rest/explore for about 30-40 minutes in different shady locations. So, the hike turns into more of just an outing with the pack as opposed to a heavy duty trip. The car is also air conditioned and ventilated for the ride to and from the hike. On very hot days, we soak the entire blanket in the van with water, so that it is constantly evaporating and cooling the dogs in addition to the ventilation and air conditioning.
Transportation
We drive a 2003 Chevy Suburban with the rear seat removed. We also have1 crate in the back for dogs who feel more comfortable for nervous traveling dogs.
Will I see pictures of my dogs
We will take videos and photos of your dog’s first day to give you an idea of what his pack hikes will be like. We also add videos and photos of pack hikes to Facebook for owners to view.
Collars with tags
We ask that all dogs wear a collar with tags. We are always learning about dogs and dog behavior, but there is always a chance of a new dog running away and a collar with tags provides a layer of protection. If you prefer to leave a collar out, we are happy to put it on before the hike and take if off after.
Garmin tracking system
We currently are using Garmin Astro 200 system with DC30 collars.
Ticks, fleas, burs, & dirt
Dogs will come into contact with ticks & fleas, burs, and dirt. The burs are more likely to surface around late Spring through Fall, as the bur bearing plants grow in early spring and have burs ready by late Spring that retain their “sticking ability” through Fall. Dogs are also especially likely to become more dirty or muddy after it has rained, though there is always a possibility of them rolling in dirt or mud. If ticks or fleas become a problem, we recommend using a medication of your choice.
Areas covered
Old Lyme, Essex, Centerbrook, Old Saybrook, Ivoryton, East Lyme, Deep River, Hadlyme, Lyme, Niantic, Westbrook, East Haddam, Waterford, Salem, Oakdale, Clinton, Haddam, Quaker Hill, New London, Montville, Killingworth, Colchester, Uncasville, Groton, Madison, Gales Ferry.
Though we can accept dogs with problem behaviors, is much easier to prevent a serious problem behavior than to rehabilitate one. Most problem behaviors come from a dog not being raised in a natural pack setting, where they would learn how to behave and socialize properly from the older dogs. Our packs are places where dogs can get the leadership and socialization skills that they would have received naturally by living in the wild. A healthy pack setting helps ALL dogs to become more balanced, regardless of whether or not they have had a problem behavior in the past. Owners that are willing to make changes in their daily habits and work with us to help their dog will also see much more positive and lasting results. Once the dogs in our pack that used to have issues become balanced, they are then in a position to help new dogs learn to become balanced, and so the cycle of positive change continues.
Cancellations
Canceling a hike is not a problem and can be done up until as close as 30 minutes before we would usually pick your dog up.
Payment
We accept cash or check. We provide invoices via e-mail.