Welcome to Adventure Dog Walking!

Adventure Dog Walking has been taking dogs to places they love to explore since early in 2004 and has enjoyed more than 1500 adventure hikes with our dog friends! Dogs love to use their noses and we take them to the best places available to do just that! We visit areas such as Mount Work, Thetis Lake, Durrance Lake and other local dog friendly parks and beaches. They get to enjoy the wilderness, the company of other dogs, and the adventure of being away for half the day!

Though we are not dog trainers, we do work with the dogs and their manners to ensure they have a safe and fun time with their friends. Generally all of the dogs are off leash. There can be special circumstances where dogs may need to be leashed; for example, a dog misbehaving, a recent surgery, or for reasons of safety. Dogs that do have a tendency to hunt are encouraged to stay with the pack through positive reinforcement techniques but may find themselves on leash if spending too much time foraging in the forest!

We believe that dogs need socialization. The ability to connect and socialize with others adds much value to a dog’s life, and contributes greatly to their emotional health. Several dogs in the community have joined our hikes and have formed a pack of doggy friends with whom they share exercise and adventure. Once per year we have a big family BBQ where all the dogs and their parents come out for some food, fun and socialization! For obvious reasons dogs with aggressive tendencies are not suited to this type of service.

We are flea conscious. This means we do our best to make sure that there are no flea outbreaks. We use a natural flea repellant in the vehicle and on the towels, and we require dogs to be on some sort of flea control, whether it’s holistic or medical is up to you.

We are committed to providing as conscious a service as possible. We do our best to meet not only the needs of the dogs and their parents, but also of the community and the environment in which we live and work. We use 100% biodegradable pet waste bags and are currently exploring opportunities to purchase carbon credits to offset the fuel consumed by the business. By consciously being aware of our impact on the environment, while still meeting needs of people in the community, we create a more sustainable approach to society.

Services

Adventure Dog Walking is a mobile service that picks dogs up from their homes or other and delivers them back after their walk is finished. The dogs are towelled off, given some cookies, and left with a note reporting their days’ activities.

Adventure Hike

The two hour hike takes place just outside of the city in the mountains behind Thetis Lake and Durrance Lake. The dogs explore the wooded trails and their noses are given an excellent workout as they expend their energy! This service is available to Vic West, James Bay, Fairfield, Fernwood, Oak Bay, Cadboro Bay, Gordon Head, Broadmead, Mayfair, Maplewood, High Quadra, Burnside, Tillicum and those areas in between. The dogs are away for approximately four hours including driving time. This service is offered Monday through Friday.

Rate: $26 + HST
Two Dogs: $40 + HST
Monthly (Monday through Friday): $425 + HST

How to Begin

Initially one of our pack leaders comes out to meet with you and your dog in your home or where you’d like your dog picked up from. This gives your dog a chance to become comfortable with us coming into his or her space as well as a chance for us to collect information about your dogs’ personality and medical history. You are free to ask questions and put your mind at ease about sending your beloved dog out with us. We also provide a list of references you are welcome to contact; other dog parents who were once in your shoes!

It is up to you how we access your dog from a locked home or place of business. Some people have a hidden key or have coded keypads; others have a key made for us. If this is the case, keys are stored in a locked key box and only a dogs name is written on the tag.

The pack is already relatively established with dogs that have known each other for a length of time and are comfortable in the pack. That being the case, it makes it easy for a new dog to enter as the pack is already established and it is only the new dog whose place need be determined. Upon the first pick up, the new dog gets to ride up front and then becomes acquainted with his or her new friends on the trails.

Invoicing

Invoices are emailed and based on one Calendar month, with payments due by the 15th of the following month. Dogs on a Monthly Rate are invoiced on the 15th of each month, payable by the 30th.

Payments can be made by cash, cheque or through PayPal with a major credit card.

" Phoebe, our 4-year old Whoodle, has been going to Adventure Dog since early 2006 and LOVES her adventures. Knowing Phoebe is getting lots of safe, healthy exercise with her buddies a couple of times a week takes the pressure off of us coming home tired or late from work.  And we know she is getting great socialization with a very eclectic collection of dog friends."

-Julie & John, Victoria BC