Service area, health requirements, weather policy, and how the whole thing works. Don't see your question? Just ask.
I cover the area from Fairfax to Corte Madera, and into San Rafael west of 101 and south of Mission Ave. That includes Fairfax, San Anselmo, Ross, Kentfield, and Larkspur along the way.
If you're close to those edges, just ask. If I can make the route work, I will.
It starts with me meeting your dog. Usually that happens at your place, but it doesn't have to. If it's easier, we can meet somewhere else, or on the trail, and run through the questions over the phone instead.
The part I won't skip is meeting your dog in person before they join a group. From there we schedule a first hike.
Dogs need to be fully vaccinated, including the complete puppy series, before joining group hikes, plus current flea and tick prevention and an established vet.
We'll go over all of it at the meet & greet. In a group, every dog's health depends on everyone else's.
Fewer than you've probably seen out there. Some walkers run packs so big they can't keep track of them all, and it shows on the trail. I keep mine small enough that every dog stays under voice control and I can watch all of them at once.
No. A lot of services make you commit to two days a week so the dog stays consistent. I've been doing this long enough that I can bring a once-a-week dog along just fine, so book what actually fits your week.
Rain or shine, like the post office. Most dogs love a wet hike, and I have a killer rain suit. You're getting a muddy dog back either way, but I'll hose them off and towel them down first.
The afternoon hike moves to a shaded route when it's hot. I carry water on the trail and have more waiting at the vehicle, and I watch the dogs the whole way out and back. If they've had enough, I call it.
By the night, like a hotel. $95 per night, and each day of your dog's stay includes a spot in the group hike at no extra charge — weekend hikes are just for the boarders.
When the stay ends on a weekday, I'll drop your dog back at your door in the morning, free. If it ends on a Saturday or Sunday, pickup is at my place — I don't run routes on weekends. Daycare works the same way by the day: $85 until 5pm, and after 5pm it simply rolls into the boarding rate.
Most family dogs fit right in, and that's who I mostly hike. The meet & greet is where I figure out whether a group is the right setting for your dog at all. If it isn't, I'll say so and help you find a pet care professional who may be a better fit. I'd rather tell you that up front than find out on a trail.
Nothing to prepay and nothing to subscribe to. We'll sort out the details at your meet & greet.