| Package of Five (10% off) | $45 per hike |
| Package of Ten (15% off) | $42.50 per hike |
| Package of Twenty (20% off) | $40 per hike |
| Single one off hikes | $50 per hike |
*Packages to be used within three months of purchase. I also offer Frequency Pricing which enables regular hikers to pay on a weekly basis while locking in the discounts of package pricing. Please inquire about Frequency Pricing Terms and Conditions if you are interested. | |
| Dog Pet Sitting in your home | $95 per night |
Benefits of Hiking
Off leash adventure groups are a fantastic way to achieve the combined benefits of socialization and exercise in one outing. Canine senses are engaged in the sights, smells, sounds and movement of the natural environment as well as each other. This is a lot like the canine version of the internet – important news pertaining to current events and entertainment can be found there! The result is a fulfilled dog who is not driven to create mischief at home due to boredom and restlessness. The ripple effect is pressure relief for busy households where getting the dog out for consistent exercise is difficult.
The land is a combination of gentle slope and flat terrain; it varies between forest and cleared pasture land. Recall, proactive check-in's, attention to the handler, robust but polite play and the capacity to ignore distraction when asked are all aspects of off leash adventure groups that are reinforced consistently. The dogs are always working towards reinforcement by engaging in good behavioral choices either by their own accord or when asked. In addition, unique canine personalities abound and are freely celebrated! Each dog has their own way of relating to the world at large and quite frankly there is much joy and humor in observing them be themselves.
In addition, off leash groups are pretty much all weather. Barring high winds, thunder/lightning conditions, flooding or excessive snow/ice/rain - groups go out for hikes. While most dogs are not enthusiastic about traipsing down the sidewalk on leash in the rain, off leash dogs seem to enjoy the textures and smells the weather brings out in the natural environment as it differs considerably from dry conditions. They also seem to LOVE the rushing streams of water pooling and spilling down over the landscape features. These streams often end in irresistible pools and puddles that beckon to be splashed in. Its the canine version of a water park!
How Hikes Work
Hiking service is structured in the following ways:
- On your dogs scheduled day or days I pick her/him up between the general hours of 9am and 3pm, take them out hiking on our trails for one hour and then drop them back home.
- The amount of total time that your dog is out of the house may vary depending upon where in the transport route you are located. However, while the drive time may fluctuate your dog will always get at least one hour outside hiking on trail – that will not vary.
- Groups are structured first and foremost according to age, activity needs, play style, sociability level, size etc. Typically, I run multiple groups a day. The pickup/drop off process includes your dog and up to five other canine buddies. The driving routes are often sequenced in an order that does not solely maximize route optimization for whoever is scheduled on a given day. The most important thing to me is proper personality matching within groups versus what makes the most sense according to where everyone is located. As a result flexibility is needed on your part with respect to pickup/drop off timing. However, if you have special needs around timing please let me know and I'll do my best to accommodate!
- I put preliminary schedules together for the week on the Sunday before. If you have a day and/or AM, PM time slot request kindly weigh in as soon as you can by no later than Sunday afternoon. If you have an emergency and need last minute add-ins I'll do my best to accommodate. I need flexibility when scheduling. I am happy to field requests and do my best to build schedules around what you, as the owner need but I cannot lock myself into exact times.
- AM time slot: Pickup is anytime between 9am and noon
- PM time slot: Pickup is anytime between noon and 3pm
- Please keep in mind that an AM pickup usually means an early afternoon drop off and dogs who go out in the “AM group” are usually quite restful well into the afternoon/evening as a result of the activity.
- This is a hands-off type of service in that I don't need you to do anything at all. Simply give me access to your house (either a spare key or hide-a-key), instructions if necessary for alarm and/or access codes and preferences (if you have them) for where you'd like your dog returned to (in a crate, a specific room, behind a baby gate etc.) and let me do the rest. You do not need to be home in order for me to fulfill the service and if you are home please be aware that the process goes smoother and quicker with minimal involvement from you. If I do encounter you upon pickup or drop off please understand that I am usually on a schedule and our social interactions may be brief (not that I don't want to catch up with you!)
- Grooming: Please take a look at the following two photos of our beloved client Mr. Brady:
This is my definition of a dirty pup! I will definitely NOT return your dog home looking like this. If your dog loves to put a mud coat on as part of their hiking experience rest assured I will hose and towel them off before returning them home. However, I cannot offer any type of grooming service beyond emergency mud coat situations. Dirt and dampness on paws, coat and/or plant burs or brush in fur within normal tolerances are part of a good hiking experience and should be expected. If you are worried about cleanliness please consider using covers on furniture or baby gating your dog in a particular section of the house where they have access to a dog bed and their water bowl. Short coat dogs naturally shed excess dirt and oil pretty quickly. They also dry fast. Just in case you're curious here's a good article on dog bathing:
https://www.ccspca.com/blog-spca/education/how-often-should-you-bathe-a-...
If your dog exhibits signs of illness, soreness/physical sensitivities or seems "not themselves" in any way please alert me immediately. Physical ailments can alter behavior in ways that are unpredictable. Sickness may also be contagious. For everyone's health and safety please sit your dog out of group hikes if they are not themselves.
Daycare services: I do not provide daycare.
Criteria For Off Leash Adventure Groups
In order to qualify for off leash adventure groups a dog must be “well-padded”. Basic training (such as a beginner obedience class) is certainly helpful but not necessarily required. Your dog should be comfortable:
- Interacting with and/or ignoring fellow dogs as well as people.
- Riding in the car with other dogs without guarding space or being overly anxious/nervous to the point of making the car environment difficult for everyone else.
I have some basic ways to separate one or two dogs from the others during transport (crate, front seat etc.) but I cannot separate everyone. Car riding with others is introduced in stages to maximize comfort level.
Spay/Neuter is mandatory if your dog is older than six months. Contact me if you have any questions about your dog as a possible candidate for group off leash hikes. If you know your dog is perfect for this service and would like to get started with hikes immediately please fill out and submit the online Canine History and Behavior questionnaire located here.
Dogs with bite histories, either with fellow dogs and/or people are generally not a good fit for the off leash hiking groups. Dogs who resource guard are also generally not a good fit for the off leash hiking groups.
Pet Sitting In Client Homes
I offer pet sitting in client homes for all different kinds of dogs. My specialty is care taking dogs with fear based aggression who have bite histories with people and/or other dogs. If you have a dog who will not pass assessment at a commercial boarding facility or cannot be entrusted with friends, family or professionals with basic skillsets as it pertains to behavior - I am happy to meet you and your dog. My process for introducing myself and building a bond is slow and low pressure. Feel free to email me if you have questions and/or want to discuss pet sitting service for your special needs dog.
I also have trusted, vetted, experienced individuals that work with me to provide pet sitting in client homes for dogs who are not special needs.
Service Area
Currently seeking hikers residing in the following neighborhoods: North Asheville, West Asheville, RAD, Kenilworth/Mission Hospital area, parts of Leicester and Woodfin
Note: If you are located outside the service area but would still like your dog to participate in hikes I am open to meeting you at a public location within the service area for pickup and drop off. This will require flexibility on your part as the pickup time range is established the day-of-service and can be variable. You are also welcome to bring your dog out to Leicester (where the property is located).
