Packs are currently full. If you would like your dog to be considered for a space if one opens up in the future, please join the waitlist.

Your dog will be pre-assessed based on the information provided on the waitlist enrolment. If a space then opens up, and they're a possible match for that pack, they'll be assessed in person on one or more Trial Walks. If successful, they'll then be offered a space.

There are always several dogs on the waitlist at any one time, however my approach is to match dogs for the best fit if a space comes up. This means some spaces may be filled by those who have recently joined the waitlist, and others may have a much longer wait. Packs are now full so the wait relies on a dog leaving or reducing the number of times they go.

I'll only contact you if you have been selected or if I have further questions. The maximum I hold dogs on the waitlist for is 3 months. If you haven't been contacted within 3 months, please re-apply.

Dogs get the benefit from attending each week over the long term, with the same pack mates. It can be disruptive to the pack if dogs are coming in and out, and those dogs tend to need additional handling to get up to speed with the pack, so only weekly spots are offered. Casual spots may be available, space permitting, to dogs who have previously been on Adventures.

Sorry, no. Packs are full, spaces come up infrequently and there are council and personal limits of numbers walked. Where a space may open up, suitable dogs from the waitlist will be assessed based on the best fit for that particular pack and pick up location.

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Their regular day may also change over time as dogs come in and out of packs to maintain good pack dynamics.

Many reactive and anxious dogs improve in a pack experience with guidance and clarity, and the support of their pack mates. However, understanding where the reactivity is coming from or whether genetics is at play is an important piece of the puzzle, so I won't know until I have assessed your dog.

It's important to understand, if your dog does resolve behaviours with me, their reactivity may continue at home if owners haven't undertaken training sessions and/or continued with regular homework.

Dogs are only walked on their own when being assessed on Trial Walks and getting them up to speed to join Adventures or Walks. I am at capacity for number of days worked and how many kms I do, so there is no capacity for additional walks.

What I offer is quite different to your dog being in a confined space like daycare or the backyard. They'll be on the move (often in more challenging locations than their usual walks), getting to use their noses, interacting with other dogs and learning around distractions. Using their body and mind in those ways will use a lot more of their physical and mental energy than they would on a usual walk, a run at the dog park or spending all day at daycare, so they typically get tired after a few hours.

The old adage "a tired dog is a happy dog" isn't quite true. Dogs who just burn energy running round will be ready to go again after a rest, and will need more and more exercise to wear them out. If that's their only socialisation experience, it can also lead to unwanted behaviour when they see other dogs. On the other hand, dogs who get to use their brain, to problem solve and to expand their skills will learn how to slow down, to fully relax and regulate themselves better, to run around with other dogs without going too silly, and to have better social skills. This combination of both physical and mind work will lead to a more settled dog at home.

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As a general rule, no, unless I know the dog well and the neuter or spay will be scheduled within the first 3 months of starting. 

Please tell us when you join the waitlist or if you add a service after  joining. Going to several different services does introduce more risk of communicable disease, and some services have similar ways of operation and will complement what I do, however others don't have the same rules and can mean additional handling is required and/or your dog becomes less reliable with inconsistency of handling. In some instances, it may not be advisable for your dog to attend both.

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Sorry no, I don't offer discounts on dog walking services.

That's OK, many of our dog owners are unable to be there when I arrive or bring your dog back. As long as there is a secure place your dog can be collected from or left afterwards, you don't need to be there. Some dogs will be popped back in their yard, and some owners will leave instructions on where the spare key is to put the dog inside. Others give me a key to hold on to.

No. Much like putting groups of kids with different personalities together, some dogs just won't fit with others, so I best match the dogs on temperament, character, behaviour, likes etc.

We have many breeds interacting together, and it's not unusual to see little dogs who think they're big dogs joining a bigger dog group and keeping up, and vice versa, but this won't suit every dog. I spend considerable time building the packs to get the right group together and ensuring every dog is happy and comfortable with their crew.

It is important you tell us what you can about your dog to ensure all of the dogs are comfortable and compatible together.

All over the Greater Wellington region. We head to the bush, beaches, walkways, trails, up into the hills, over paddocks and into the city. Some popular, some off the beaten track for a unique adventure.

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I'm often asked where a location is, but I typically don't publish where we go to keep our adventures special for your dog and less populated.

If you need ideas of good walking spots, just ask. Or check apps like All Trails, Plan My Walk or Wellington Trails.

We go out in all kinds of weather, rain or shine (unless there is a serious weather warning).

The dogs take their cue from me & their packmates, so if we don't make a big deal about bad weather and keep the routine just as fun, they tend not to mind once we're going. It may mean your dog gets more wet and muddy than usual, but that's just part of our adventure life. They'll get a towel off at the end, and they'll get toasty and cosy with the heaters going and blankets in the back of the van on the ride home.

I start with teaching dogs the rules, building a bond with me, getting to really know each dog, and helping them develop good social skills and make good choices. I use leashes while training or if I'm around distractions and hazards and don't trust the dog to respond. regularly assessing the risks as we keep the dogs on the move.

I aim to keep the dogs moving to maintain focus and stay with the pack, and teach every dog the boundaries and expectations of working and staying with the pack.

By law, dogs must be under control, so it's important dogs understand they need to remain with us, and not bother anyone they shouldn't.

Dogs will be dogs. They'll jump, run, fetch, play and all of those activities can have the potential for an injury to happen, as they could when they're in your care. Whilst I do our best to minimise any risk and look after them as I would my own dogs, by sending them on a walk or adventure with me, you accept they might hurt themselves at some point.

If they do get injured, I'm certified in pet first aid including CPR for dogs (yes, it can be done!), and will ensure they get taken to a vet if required. I'll have your number handy just in case.

I recommend maintaining a regular exercise schedule. Dogs who haven't been out regularly typically have more pent up energy, and take longer to get into a rhythm with the other dogs.

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Use your judgement if they need more exercise later on an adventure day (most are happy to rest).

I'll assess the extent of pulling in one or more Trial Walks, however all dogs are taught to relax, look to their handler for guidance and reach a calm state while walking on a loose leash. Most can achieve this, however if they take awhile to settle, I may do additional Trial Walks before adding them to the pack, or recommend Training sessions and homework first.

I offer a calm and assertive approach, regularly handle different dogs including fearful or reactive, and can carry treats for a little encouragement if need be or help them in the vehicle if unsure, but ultimately it comes down to whether you think your dog will be at ease with me, and whether you think they'll benefit.

It can take some dogs a few weeks to settle in and get used to getting in another vehicle, but once they're used to the routine they happily jump in on their own.

If your dog is anxious, please ensure you tell me so I can spend more time putting them at ease before we leave. It's also a good idea you are there for the first pick up.

One of my personal dogs had extreme fear and noise phobia for years, so I'm particularly conscious of the care and caution required, and the need for them to feel safe with their handler.

Tell me more about what your dog is afraid of and the extent of fear, and I can evaluate if a walk or adventure would be suitable, or if some locations are more challenging than others.

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If I try them, I go slow and take extra care with leash work, settling the dog in, getting them comfortable with me and the other dogs to help them feel safe and minimise the flight risk.

As a general rule, my activity or packs won't be suitable for dogs who:

• get minimal exercise

• have difficulty breathing

• have mobility issues or injuries

• are aggressive

• are under a year (though we will take some by exception)

• get carsick, soil in cars or chew through restraints

• aren't social

• are entire

• haven't been immunised

• chase or attack stock, wildlife and moving targets or otherwise have a high prey drive

• have attacked a child, dog or person or been otherwise noted as menacing

• bark non-stop

• can't cope with long walks, harder terrain or the elements
   

Many breeds cope well with pack walks, however some of these aren't a good fit with the dogs in my packs. For this reason, I don't typically take Staffys, Bullys, Rottweilers, Dobermans etc.

I'm at capacity for small and large dogs, so won't be taking on new dogs smaller than a Blue Heeler or small Border Collie, or larger than a Shepherd or Huntaway.

Yes, however check whether it can be accommodated before booking your preferred day. One dog will be worked with at a time, and session times will typically run 30-60mins longer (at additional cost).

I have chosen to keep to one handler (myself) and limit the numbers of dogs. This helps me maintain the intended integrity of the pack experience, and ensure my focus is on the dogs in my care. For this reason, I don't employ other handlers, and don't envisage this will change in the near future.