Frequently Asked Questions
What are the requirements for dogs to join your pack?
- Pickup locations are in the West end of Ottawa and Nepean.
- Dogs must be friendly with people and other dogs.
- Our walks are generally off-leash, so your dog must be reliable to come when called.
- Dogs must be comfortable travelling in the car.
- Your dog must be fully vaccinated including bordetella. Vaccination against giardia is also recommended.
- Your dog must be on a flea prevention program from May to November.
What safety precautions do you take with the dogs?
- I carry a pet first aid kid with me at all times.
- I carry a cell phone and keep each dog's emergency numbers with me.
- I have each dog's veterinarian information with me so that I can get any needed treatment started in the event of an emergency.
- I practice recall with each dog on every one of our walks. I want each dog to come reliably when called and I work to maintain that every day.
- I put a brightly coloured extra collar on each dog with my cell phone number on it so that I can be contacted immediately if a dog gets lost at the park.
I am very safety conscious and believe in covering all of the bases. I have never actually had any lost dogs or emergencies, but I like to be prepared just in case!
Do you walk in all kinds of weather?
Absolutey! We go on our walks rain, snow or shine, all year long. In very rare circumstances, I will have to shorten or cancel a walk because the weather presents a safety issue. Some examples are:
A thunderstorm occurs closeby. I follow the "30-30" lightning protocol, which means that if the thunder occurs more than 30 seconds after the lightning, it is at a safe distance and we can continue our walk.
- Extreme cold. I watch the dogs closely when it's very cold to make sure they're still comfortable and able to continue walking. Shortening the walk generally occurs when it's colder than -25.
- Extreme heat. I watch the dogs closely for their safety in the heat and will shorten the walk if needed. We tend to stick to the more wooded areas on very hot days. I also bring a water mister to cool us all off on hot summer days.
- Torrential downpour. If it's raining so heavily that it's difficult for the dogs to hear or see me, the walk will be shortened.
- Unsafe driving conditions. If extreme weather (freezing rain, blizzard, etc.) makes driving too dangerous, the walk will have to be cancelled.
Do I have to sign up for every day of the week? What if I only want my dog walked once or twice a week?
This service is offered on weekdays, with the exeption of Tuesdays. Depending on availability, you can have your dog join our pack 1-4 times per week. Our walks take place in the early afternoons.
Do I leave you my house key and/or entry code?
You can provide a copy of your key to me, or leave it in a secret location or lockbox to be picked up. If you have an alarm system, you can provide the entry code for your home, or have a secondary one assigned.
For security purposes, the addresses, passcodes and keys are all stored separately, and the keys are "anonymous" without any identifying marks on them.
Alternatively, you can arrange to have someone be at home when I come to pick up your dog for their walk.
I have very reasonable rates and offer reduced rates for ongoing bookings and multiple dogs. Please contact me for a specific rate based on where you are located, how many times per week you wish to have your dog walked, and whether or not you will be booking by the week or by the month.
Do you provide treats?Yes. I provide all-natural dog treats. For dogs who are not particularly food motivated, or for those on a special diet, I can provide specific treats. I try to balance the need for positive reinforcement and rewarding good recall at the park with not overindulging the dogs.
If your dog has dietary issues and you would prefer that they not receive treats, we can discuss what else might provide positive reinforcement for them (a special toy, tennis ball, frisbee, etc.).
Do you "pick up" after the dogs?
Of course! I use either reclaimed bags (bread bags, etc.) or biodegradeable poop bags. I'm very conscious of leaving the park cleaner than when we found it.
No. This service is strictly for dog walking.