Walks are organized to take place at local parks, trails, etc. There is no cost, there are no lessons provided although trainer may offer advise where appropriate. This is an opportunity to walk with other dog lovers, dog enthusiasts, pet professionals etc. Participants may work on training and have some fun. Safety first Always!
Standard 6′ leash – no retractable leads please.
Your dog should be wearing appropriate training gear. This is an on-leash walk, no off-leash exercises permitted. Appropriate gear includes Flat Collar, Head Collar (Gentle Leader, Head Halti, Snoot loop or other), Front Hook Harness (Freedom Harness, Sensation, Wonder Walker or other). No aversive gear (slip collar, choke chain, prong or pinch collar, etc). If you have questions regarding appropriate training or walking gear for your dog, please do not hesitate to talk to Donna Savoie or our office manager or any member of our staff.
Come prepared to clean up after your dog, we don’t want to leave any messes behind.
Children are welcome and are the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Safety first! Children are welcome to participate but an adult will handle the leash at all times. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Children should not approach other dogs without asking permission first.
Bring patience, there is no agenda.
Got a puppy? This is a GREAT chance to socialize! Puppies should have had their full set of puppy shots, please ask your veterinarian if your new pup is physically and medically ready to walk 1.8 miles over manicured terrain with other dogs and where other dogs and other animals have eliminated. Puppy owners should be extra cautious and ask permission before greeting other dogs. Not all dogs like to be approached while on leash. Puppies MUST be guaranteed a positive experience.
Be considerate of other dog/handlers, not all dogs like to be approached; we discourage on leash greetings, it’s bad training and it’s unsafe. If your dog does not like to be approached, please raise your hand up like a “stop” and ask the approacher to stay at a suitable distance. Everyone who participates in the walk will understand and accommodate your dog’s needs.
Some Signals to Know:
Stop Sign – Put your hand up in a stop sign fashion to anyone approaching that may be getting too close for your dog’s comfort. If you see a stop sign signal, please move away from that dog/handler team.
Point to the left – because as a large group we can be an imposing sight for another dog or persons coming the other way, we want to move the entire group to one side or the other thus taking up less room and making it easier for oncomers to pass by. If the persons in front of you are pointing left, and moving to the left side of the path, please move yourself and your dog to the left side of the path. Or the person pointing to the left may need more space for thier dog and are asking for you to move around to the left.
Point to the right – because as a large group we can be an imposing sight for another dog or persons coming the other way, we want to move the entire group to one side or the other thus taking up less room and making it easier for oncomers to pass by. If the persons in front of you are pointing right, and moving to the left side of the path, please move yourself and your dog to the right side of the path. Or the person pointing to the right may need more space for thier dog and are asking for you to move around to the right.
High Fist – sometimes we need to stop the group, perhaps the persons in front of you need a moment to decide what side of the path to walk on, or perhaps the persons in front of you need to clean up after their dog and their dog won’t tolerate the group passing by at close proximity. There are many reasons why we may need to stop the group for a moment.
Yellow Ribbon – if your dog is fearful or reactive to other dogs or people, please put a yellow ribbon, yellow leash, yellow harness or other yellow gear on your dog. If you see yellow, please help that dog and handler have a good experience by giving them plenty of space.
Work your dog under threshold (this means to keep your dog at a distance from other dogs or people that is far enough that your dog can be relaxed, can think and can learn), if your dog needs to be 25 ft away from other dogs and handlers to be calm and to be able to think and learn, be sure you give him the space he needs.
When oncoming dogs and handlers approach our pack, please pull over to the side and give plenty of space to the oncoming team. So many dogs in a pack can be overwhelming to some dogs and persons and we want to be polite; we want to set ourselves and others up for success! We also want to set a good example for others. We have had anywhere from 2 dogs to 40 dogs on our walk!
If your dog is reactive or demonstrates aggressive behaviors toward other dogs and/or people, these walks may not be appropriate for you and your dog until conditioning and training programs have been implemented and a certain measure of progress made. If you are unsure of your dog’s ability to walk amidst other dogs and people safely, please schedule an evaluation with us. Dogs who are unsafe or over threshold will be asked to refrain from participating in the walk until completing a training program and until cleared by your trainer.
If you are a Pack of Paws Dog Training client, cleared by your trainer to work a reactive dog during the group walk, it is absolutely your responsibility to insure the safety of your dog and others. Your dog will be kept at a safe distance so that if he does make a bad decision, no contact is made with another dog or person. Dogs and handlers who cause an unsafe or stressful experience for their dog or the general group will be asked to continue their training work in a different environment. At no time should the general public be put at risk.
Pack of Paws Dog Training reserves the right to ask any participant to refrain from participating in the group walk for rules infractions or for any reason.
Pack of Paws Dog Training assumes no liability or responsibility for the safety and welfare of dogs and people participating in walks. Each participant agrees to take complete responsibility for the action of their own dog, self and family members, before, after and during walks. At no time will Pack of Paws Dog Training or Donna Savoie or any Pack of Paws staff be liable or responsible for the actions of each participant or any of the dogs. All participants will be considerate of any and all properties used and of other participants and their dogs.
Training with reactive dogs during the group walk may be possible after a full evaluation by Pack of Paws Dog Training. Our goal for you, your dog, other dogs and their families is safety and an appropriate training environment for stress-free learning.
Things to bring: Lots of reinforcers (rewards) for good behavior! Treats, tuggs, etc. | Water and a water bowl | Sense of Humor!
Direct any questions or concerns to Donna Savoie through our contact form or call 508-248-4677