Smart Walks
More than “just a walk,” Smart Walks involve a certified trainer working with your dog on maintaining skills you’re building, increasing confidence in shy or timid dogs, and helping reactive dogs get the mental exercise they need. Best of all, these walks are one-on-one - your dog doesn’t share the time with anyone else - they’re the absolute focus of the walk!
What a is a smart walk?
It’s consistency for dog parents working through reactivity or other behaviors with their dogs
It’s more enrichment for your dog
It’s a bathroom break during a busy day
It’s a confidence-building outing
It’s help to maintain and build useful skills on leash
What is your dog missing from their day?
Who benefits from smart walks?
People with busy schedules who need help getting their dog adequate exercise and mental stimulation from a certified professional
People with leash-reactive dogs who are working through these behaviors with a trainer and would like some help making sure their training efforts are consistent even with a dog walker
People who work from home with excited adolescent dogs who need more mental stimulation
Dogs for whom doggy daycare is not an ideal environment, but whose people would like help meeting their exercise needs
Dogs who like daycare but get too tired going every day, but who still need an outlet on those “off” days
Dogs who are highly distracted when working outdoors
New puppy pawrents whose pup can’t hold their bladder for a full work day
We can also work on socialization to novel stimuli with puppies during these sessions!
Dogs with separation anxiety whose people are actively working with a trainer to manage and treat behaviors, but who work longer hours than they’re able to leave their dog alone for
Anyone who wants to add a bit more fun and training to their dog’s day! Your dog will thank you for it (with naps!)
Getting started
Enrolling in the Smart Walks program includes a short meet & greet with the trainer so she can get to know you, your goals, and your pet. You’ll also fill out a history form before this meeting to give us adequate info about your pet’s preferences.
Rainy Day Plans
If the weather prohibits a walk on the day yours is scheduled, there are still plenty of options for your dog to have fun! The benefit of hiring a trainer instead of a dog walker is that we can offer trick training, working on skills in the home, and playing fun games with your dog to help meet their needs on days when it’s too difficult to get outdoors. No more cabin fever!
Accommodations for fearful pets, hyper-vigilant dogs, etc
Does your pet prefer to stick closer to home? We can work to help timid pets build confidence in their neighborhoods, help hyper-vigilant dogs learn to settle in their surroundings, and more!
Timeframe
Our trainer will arrive midday to take your dog on a fun outing while you’re working. Arrival times will be between 10:30am and 2:30pm
Scheduling will be within said window of time, days of the week may be chosen by client as long as the schedule allows
Duration
Each visit will be 30 minutes of fun for your pet(s)!
Want to book an hour? Please let us know and if it works in our daily timeline we’ll do our best to accommodate!
Frequency
We can discuss this with you to find a frequency that works for you and your pet. We have clients who prefer every other week, once per week, or multiple times per week.
Minimum of two Smart Walks per month must be completed to maintain enrollment in this program.
Location
We come to you! No need to drop your dog off or pick them up!
This service is offered within a 10 mile radius of Warner Park
New! If you’re just outside this range but located in Sun Prairie, we are offering Sun Prairie Smart Walks on Wednesdays!
Just outside the range in a different direction? Get in touch and we can see if you’re near other clients and if we can make a coordinated effort to provide this service.
Cost
$40 for one dog for a single 30 minute Smart Walk
50% additional fee for any additional pet (e.g. 2 dogs = $60 per visit if both dogs are involved)
1.5x fee will apply for a 60 minute Smart Walk - (e.g. 1 dog = $60 for a 60 minute session, 2 dogs = $90 for a 60 minute session, etc.)
What Smart Walks are not
Smart Walks are not meant to be a singular solution for addressing leash reactivity, phobias, inter-dog conflict in the home, or aggression issues. While we have experience handling dogs of many temperaments, we recommend working with our qualified behavior consultant, Sarah, to help you actively work to address these concerns through our private training sessions.
If your dog exhibits the above behaviors, Smart Walks may still be an option after a behavior modification plan is in place - please contact us to discuss
