Dogs
Dog Hiking
Send your dog on a safe and stimulating outdoor adventure! Choose between small social group hikes or solo hikes.
I am an experienced, professional, and dedicated dog walker who loves adventuring. My stimulating dog hikes help your hound burn off energy while improving their happiness level and health.
Whether your dog wants to run and chase others or simply mosey down the path sniffing bushes, my hikes provide fun and stimulation while building off-leash etiquette and social skills.
I pick up your dog from home or work and provide safe transportation to and from our hike location.
At the end of our adventures I provide a light towel drying. A quick hose-down is also available for an extra fee on really dirty days (provided your dog is okay with it and you have a hose easily accessible).
I will also follow any drop-off instructions you provide me, such as giving a favourite treat or finding a favourite toy.
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Social Hikes
For dogs who need an adventure in their day! Social hikes consist of groups of up to four. Your dog will make friends while they get their exercise, whether they run and play on the trails or just saunter slowly and sniff every bush. -
Solo Dog Hikes
For dogs who need a little more space or attention. Solo hikes can be 1-on-1, or I can bring along my dog or one of your dog's canine pals. We can also visit pets stores, go downtown, or head to a dog park to help your dog acclimatize.
Dee’s Dogs Hikes at a Glance
Safety
All dogs wear GPS tracking collars, and I practice safe recall exercises frequently to ensure all dogs are in sight and out of trouble.
Duration
Choose from long or short hike lengths. Depending on the hike length, location, and group on hand, your dog may be away for 1.5 to 4 hours.
Location
Hikes are tailored to your dog’s needs, energy, and personality. We may visit a swimming hole, hike a forested trail, or enjoy a logging road together!
Availability
I offer regular solo hikes and social hikes for groups of 4 or fewer Monday to Friday. Weekends may be available by advance request and premium fee.
Compatibility
For social hikes, I choose the group based on personality, size, age, and health. Having a compatible group ensures an enjoyable and safe hike.
Boundaries
I prefer to avoid the public, and focus on good manners to maintain rules and boundaries when encountering other hikers and dogs on our journey.
Meet Zoe The Adventure Dog
This is my hiking buddy, Zoe, aka The Adventure Dog. She's a mature 15lb Jack Russel/Shitzu who loves hiking with friends.
Zoe regularly joins me on social hikes, but does take time off to enjoy her semi-retirement.
“A dirty dog is a
happy dog.”
How It Works
1. Meet & greet
Before we schedule a hike we'll schedule a meet-and-greet. I will come to you, meet your dog and yourself, and ensure I'm a good fit. We'll discuss my policies so we're on the same page.
2. Pick up
I'll stop by your home, business, or other predetermined spot to pick up your dog on the way to our hiking spot. I come prepared with my own BioThane leashes, so you just need to provide the collar.
3. Hike
Hikes range in duration, with locations chosen based on your location and your dog's specific needs. Social hikes involve the same group of dogs as often as possible so play time is at the maximum.
4. Drop off
At drop off, I offer a light towel drying and get your dog settled in. I can put your dog back in their kennel or make a stop in your cookie jar for a favourite after hike snack you've prepared.
Looking for something extra?
For a small fee I can provide more during the drop-off phase:
- Giving your dog a proper hose-down on really dirty days*
- Preparing a meal for your dog**
- Filling KONG toys or similar toys with treats**
* A light towel drying is included in the cost of the hike.
** If you have a meal or treats prepped and ready for me to put out there's no extra fee.
Safety Benefits at Dee’s Dogs
Tracking collars
All dogs wear Garmin ASTRO 900 GPS tracking collars. During our hikes most dogs are off-leash, with the option of being on a long line or short leash upon request.
Quick leashing
During hikes I carry a multi leash attached to me. This allows me to quickly leash off-leash dogs for politeness or safety for ourselves and other trail users.
Vacc’d
Dogs that travel in my van must be up to date on their rabies and kennel cough vaccines. I highly recommend that dogs participating on hikes have flea and tick treatment.
First aid certified
I am certified in Canine First Aid. Dee's Dogs is also fully insured to cover all liability issues.
“When I am walking,
I feel peace.”
Keeping In Touch
It's difficult to trust someone new with your 4-legged family member, and I'll do my best to keep your mind at ease.
For new clients
Families of new dogs taking part in my hikes get extra feedback, texts, and photo updates until your dog becomes a regular hiker with Dee's Dogs. I'll update you on moments such as:
- how pick-up went
- how your dog did in my vehicle
- how your dog is doing on the trail
- when your dog has been dropped off safely
- if there are any challenges we need to iron out
Once you're a regular client at Dee's Dogs I will communicate much less frequently during our hikes.
Social media
I enjoy sharing photos and videos I have taken during hikes to my social media platforms for everyone to enjoy.
During the intake process I will ask you if there's a specific #hashtag you'd like me to use to tag posts that include your dog so you can follow along with our adventures!
Dog Hiking Rates
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Short Social Hike
Hike length Price*45 min. $33 + gst -
Long Social Hike
Hike length Price*90 min. $43 + gst -
Short Solo Hike
Hike length Price*45 min. $43 + gst -
Long Solo Hike
Hike length Price*90 min. $53 + gst
Fine Print
- All rates assume one pet per household; please inquire about rates for households with multiple dogs/pets
- Services are subject to availability
- All clients are required to accept Dee's Dogs terms and conditions
- Weekends offered upon advance request and by availability
- Additional fees may apply to:
- Dogs with behavioural concerns
- Additional requested duties
- Holiday and weekend services
- Casual clients
- Rates posted online are subject to change and do not include GST
Dog Hiking FAQs
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Do you use electronic training collars?
Yes, but only at a client's request, and only if they have done basic balanced training exercises (not purely punishment based) with their dog and the collar. They can be useful in off-leash back-road scenarios to avoid dangerous situations.
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Will you take my dog to a city dog park?
Yes! I prefer using trail-type dog parks and designated off-leash dog beaches as opposed to the small, fenced yard style of parks. I also follow all City of Nanaimo bylaws, one of which limits the amount of dogs under the care of one human to only two dogs.
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Do you carry water on your hikes?
Yes! I carry plenty of water during the hot summer months, and during the very rainy season and winter months I intentionally go to places with fresh drinking water available for the dogs. And I always have one or two large, 64-ounce bottles of water in my vehicle.
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Will you provide extra services at pick up or drop off for dog walks?
Yes! For an extra fee I can let your dog's sibling out for a pee if they are not joining us, put out their meal, or administer eye drops or quick medications.
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Can you keep my dog on a leash during their hike?
Yes, though it depends somewhat on the type of hike you're booking.
During social hikes, I prefer dogs who are in the process of learning good off-leash recall with their owners. I prefer to only use long training leashes during my social hikes, and cannot often accommodate a short-leash dog during those hikes.
For any solo services it is the decision of the client as to what length and type of leash they would like me to use.
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Can you walk my dog regularly every weekend?
No. Although I do work occasional weekends, and I am open to advance requests for weekends and holidays, I cannot guarantee a regular weekly service as I do take time off to recharge.
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Can you bathe my dog at drop-off after their walk?
No, though I do offer a quick towel dry.
For an additional fee, I can also give your dog a quick hose-down after a really dirty day, so long as your dog is comfortable with it and you have an easily-accessible hose for me to use (which may not be the case during the winter months).
Either way, during our meet and greet I will solidify drop-off instructions to follow if your dog is very dirty from their adventure. For example, I will place them in their kennel, the garage, backyard, or mudroom, etc.
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Do you cancel walks or hikes due to the weather?
Not very often! However, there are instances where the weather can be dangerous, such as extremely hot/cold temperatures, or very windy/snowy days. In these cases I may choose to shorten or cancel services altogether depending on the circumstances.
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Will you walk my dog if I am sick with a contagious illness?
Yes, but only if contact-free pickup is available and your dog's collar any gate/touch surface is sanitized. I will not enter your home or use your leash, but I will pick up and drop off your dog from your secured yard.
