Pack Walking Update FAQ

I have pre answered what I expect to be the top concerns with this change. Please read through and reach out if you still have questions!

Wait — my dog was in the Half Day program before. Am I now paying the same amount for less service?

We completely understand why it may feel that way at first glance, especially if your dog is out of the house for less total time than they were before.

The important distinction is that your dog is not receiving less actual Pack Walking service.

Previously, a big portion of the “half day” structure included transportation logistics. We would do one round of pick-ups, go out for the first portion of the day, then do another round of drop-offs and pick-ups in the middle of the day before going back out again.

That meant some dogs were out of the house longer, but a lot of that extra time was spent in the van.

With the new structure, we are removing that midday transportation loop. Dogs will be picked up, brought to one location, split into groups based on needs and capability, and spend their time walking, working, training, taking shade breaks, and getting appropriate enrichment with the pack.

So while some dogs may be gone from home for fewer total hours, the amount of time spent outside of the van being exercised, structured, and fulfilled will remain the same.

The goal is to conserve gas, energy, and timing without sacrificing the quality of the service.

My dog was previously a Single Walk dog. What if they cannot handle more?

Your dog will never be asked to do more than what is appropriate for them.

One of the benefits of this new structure is that we will have more flexibility to split the dogs based on what they actually need that day. Not every dog needs the same amount of distance, intensity, stimulation, or challenge.

Some dogs may walk farther. Some may do a shorter walk with more training drills. Some may need more breaks, decompression, sniffing, or shade time. Some may benefit from being in a slower or calmer group.

The goal is not to turn every dog into a high-output hiking dog. The goal is to give each dog the right amount of movement, structure, socialization, and mental work for their age, ability, temperament, and current skill level.

If your dog has been successful in our Single Walk program, we will continue to be mindful of their limits and needs within this updated format.

Why not just get another vehicle?

This change is not simply about not wanting another vehicle.

It is about looking honestly at what is most sustainable for the dogs, the team, and the business long term.

Running multiple vehicles with multiple rounds of pick-ups and drop-offs requires a lot of gas, a lot of tight time management, and a lot of the dogs’ day being structured around transportation. As our program has grown, we have been wanting to create a framework that allows for less time in the car and more intentional time with the dogs.

This new structure allows us to simplify the day, reduce unnecessary driving, and make more thoughtful decisions about how the dogs are grouped and what each pack needs.

Rather than replacing the old van and continuing the exact same system, we are using this moment to build a more efficient and flexible version of Pack Walking.

Will my dog still be getting exercise?

Yes. Your dog will still be getting structured exercise, movement, socialization, training reinforcement, and outdoor enrichment.

The format may look slightly different, but the purpose of the service is the same: to give the dogs a safe, structured, fulfilling pack experience.

Will all the dogs be walking together?

Not the entire time.

Because the dogs will be based out of the same location, there may be parts of the day where the full pack is together for things like settling, transitions, shade breaks, or a group photo.

However, most of the active portion of the day will be split into two groups so we can personalize the experience as much as possible. Leanna and Kasey will divide the dogs based on temperament, energy level, physical ability, training needs, social dynamics, and what makes the most sense for that day’s pack.

The goal is not to have every dog doing the exact same thing. The goal is to give each dog the right amount of movement, structure, socialization, and support.

Will my dog be in the car less?

In many cases, yes.

One of the main goals of this change is to reduce the amount of unnecessary time dogs spend in the van. By eliminating the midday pick-up and drop-off loop, we are making the day more efficient and reducing transportation-heavy downtime.

Depending on where your dog lives in the route, some dogs may still be out of the house longer than others. Dogs picked up earlier or dropped off later may naturally have a longer total window, while dogs who live closer to the trail or are picked up later may be gone for less time.

That variation is normal and route-dependent.

Is this change permanent?

For now, we are treating this as a summer trial.

We believe this structure will be a positive change for the dogs, our team, and the long-term sustainability of the program, but we will be watching closely, adjusting as needed, and checking in again in the fall once we have had time to settle into the new rhythm.

What do I need to do right now?

Nothing unless your dog’s schedule needs to change.

We will continue to communicate through Time To Pet and will keep you updated as we move through the transition.