our training hikes
We offer pack and private hikes giving your dog the opportunity to explore, sniff and socialize in a natural setting while maintaining structure within the pack. While our adventures allow your dog to run and play, all our dogs are taught impressive trail manners, like falling in place beside us when passing others. We build a relationship with all the dogs we work with so they look to us for guidance in any situation, get the training and stimulation they need, and become better behaved at home as a result.
Our door-to-door service gives you more time in your day so you can focus on work and family with fewer interruptions from a dog that needs attention. Our adventures stimulate your dog both mentally and physically, so he comes home ready to relax, with better manners.
hikes include:
Pick up and drop off from home.
60 to 75 minutes of hiking, playing and exploring.
Positive reinforcement training on basic obedience commands and trail manners.
After hike once-over to remove foxtails, burs and ticks, with a towel dry as needed.
Frequent posts to our Instagram and Facebook accounts so you can see how much fun your dog is having.
WHAT YOUR DOG LEARNS
We teach these core behaviors to keep your dog safe and provide mental stimulation so you have a well-adjusted companion. We use rewards like verbal praise, treats or playtime to ensure a positive learning experience.
Sit + Watch Me
This is our default for calm, focused behavior. Your dog learns to focus attention on the handler instead of distractions on the trail so he can calmly wait while other dogs and people pass. We regularly get compliments from other trails users about how well behaved our pack is as they pass.
Wait
Our wait command is essential for your dog’s safety; it keeps your dog from dashing out doors at home or from vehicles, and tells him to stop until released while hiking.
Recall
This is our number one priority! We train for a solid recall so your dog will come reliably when called, giving him the freedom to have a fun and safe adventure every time.
Leave It
We teach your dog to refrain from ingesting or grabbing inappropriate items.
Let’s Go
Gets your dog moving along the trail and gives them permission to move ahead after being asked to wait.
we make training fun
We make sure your dog has an amazing pack hiking experience while getting mental stimulation at the same time. By playing training games your dog practices skills like come, sit, stay and wait for maximum safety, plus we teach manners like moving to the side of the trail to let other hikers pass. We always use positive reinforcement methods so your dog will not only return home happy and better behaved, but build strong relationships with us, looking to us for guidance when necessary. Because we keep training fun, our hikes alleviate stress, anxiety and channel your dog’s energy in a positive way.
our packs
With a maximum pack size of 6 dogs, your dog enjoys ample supervision and personal attention, bonds with other pack members and has space to spread out during transport to and from our adventure hikes.
Safety
Keeping your dog safe while in our care is our number one priority. Karen is a veterinary technician, so she is a pro at immediately recognizing a dog in distress and well equipped in case of an emergency. We take precautions on every hike to make sure your dog has a safe outing every time.
We carry a first aid kit on all our hikes and are certified in pet First Aid & CPR.
We monitor dogs for signs of overheating on warm days, such as offering water throughout the hike, wetting the dogs down or shortening our outing if deemed necessary.
We keep an eye out for foxtails, poisonous plants and other harmful substances.
We only hike on designated wide trails where visibility is optimum.
We only let dogs off-leash with your permission after we have established a strong recall, and never near roadways.
In addition to your dog’s own ID tag, during our hikes your dog will wear a tag with our cell phone number.
what our clients are saying
“Karen is amazing. She goes well beyond a typical dog walking service and provides truly unique experiences. I highly recommend her for her reliability, professionalism and that extra touch she puts in for the dogs she takes on awesome adventures.”
“Karen is one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever known about animals. I would trust her with no doubt in taking my dogs for a hike. Yes I would recommend Karen in a heart beat for anyone who wants their dog walked.”
“My dog Roxy has been with Karen at K9 hikes for a little over a year! Karen is responsible and all dog knowing. She’s been able to help my dog get her energy out as well as socialize with other dogs. I love that my dog can just be a dog. In fact I’m jealous of all the beautiful places they get to go! I now have a well rounded dog thanks to K9 hikes which is important in our busy household.”
Pricing
2-3 Hikes Per Week: $40
4-5 Hikes Per Week: $35
We offer discounts for households with multiple dogs, contact us to learn more about our group pricing.
service area
We pick up from Agoura, Oak Park, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park.
Benefits of Group Hikes
Exercise and mental stimulation.
Socialization with other dogs.
Coming home content and ready to relax.
Helps minimize destructive and undesirable behaviors due to boredom, anxiety and hyperactivity.
Owners can rest assured their dog has had plenty of exercise and best adventure each day.