What To Expect

Nature hikes are a great way for your fur baby(s) to get enrichment, exercise, training, and socialization opportunities!

Solo and group Nature Hikes are both available. If you want your dog to enjoy company with fellow dog pals out on the trail, an appropriate date will be determined according to the combined availability of the dogs among my group Nature Hikes requests!

These hikes are available only for dogs with no history of bites towards people or dogs.

General Info:

  • I will pick up your dog(s) in the morning (11am or earlier). I will inform you of the time window to expect your dog back. I do my best but cannot guarantee the accommodation of very specific pickup or drop off times. Drop offs begin immediately after the hike ends.

  • Hikes last about 1-1.5 hours, and your dog will be gone for about 1.5-2.5 hours

  • Group Hikes are 4 dogs maximum

  • Your dog(s) must have spayed or neutered

Documentation Requirements:

  • Prior to the first hike (Solo or Group) you must provide proof of the following up to date vaccinations:

    -(a) Rabies

    -(b) Distemper, including Leptospirosis (usually denoted as DHLPP = Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza and Parvovirus)

    -(c) Bordetella

    -(d) Canine Influenza Vaccine (you must specifically as your vet for this one. It is denoted as CIV, and is a separate vaccination from Parainfluenza)

Off-Leash Hiking Requirements:

  • Your dog will be kept on a 6, 15 or 30 foot leash until they can demonstrate excellent recall.

  • To be eligible for off-leash hikes, I must observe your dog on at least 1 leashed Nature Hike to ensure that they meet East Bay Regional Park District’s requirements:

    “Dogs must be kept in view and under voice control at all times and must return to leash when called. Dogs are presumed to NOT be under control when they:

    • Threaten, harass or chase other wildlife

    • Display threatening behavior

    • Physically harm people directly or indirectly by their actions

    • Touch or jump on other park users who have not invited or engaged in interaction with the dog

    Failure to control your dog is a violation of EBRPD Ordinance 38.”

Hike Safety:

There is an inherent danger to spending time in nature! I do my best to avoiding dogs to overheat or come into contact with ticks, rattlesnakes, poison oak, and foxtails, however there is no guarantee your dog won’t come into contact with these. For this reason, together we will take these precautions:

Heat Exhaustion:

  • We begin hikes in the mornings to avoid the hottest part of the day, and take regular breaks for water and shade.

  • If your dog is exhibiting signs of heat exhaustion, I will wet them with water, move into the shade and end the hike for urgent vet care (no refunds for incomplete hikes).

Ticks, Fleas, Heartworm & Parasites:

  • Keep your dog(s) up to date on their flea, tick, heartworm & preventative treatments. Topical treatments must be applied at least 24 hours prior to group Nature Hikes because it is toxic to other dogs. Oral meds are safest and have least side effects.

  • Take your dog for vet check ups every 6 months and follow their recommendations for health screenings

  • I scan dogs throughout the hike for ticks, and afterwards do a brief look-over. If I remove a tick, I will keep it in case you wish to have it identified as a potential carrier of lyme disease. For Solano Count tick identification and testing, click here. For Contra Costa County tick identification, click here.

  • Have your dog professionally groomed every 3 to 6 weeks to make sure any missed ticks are removed. A short coat isn’t required outside of foxtail season (see more about that below), but it makes it much easier to find potential ticks (and foxtails).

Rattlesnakes:

  • I will have completed a Rattlesnake Avoidance workshop in April 2025. In the meantime, I stay alert to hear or see snakes, and dogs aren’t allowed off-leash until they can demonstrate perfect recall.

  • In case I cannot reach you or your emergency contact at this time, please consider filling out my Urgent Veterinarian Authorization Form, which permits me to authorize your veterinarian to give emergency medical treatments up to a certain dollar amount of your choosing. Your emergency contact should also be authorized to make medical treatments decisions on your behalf; please use my form as a template.

Poison Oak:

  • I keep an eye out and guide dogs away from poison oak. I try to find trails without poison oak, however it is present at nearly every park and trail.

  • Before returning home, I spray your dog down with a 1:10 rubbing alcohol and water solution to help remove potential urushiol oil.

Foxtails:

  • Please strongly consider purchasing a foxtail hood, such as those by OutFox Field Guard. Your dog can breathe and drink normally through it, however they will need to be desensitized to the new sensations. It will usually take several walks with the hood for them to acclimate. They should preferably be used to the hood prior to a Nature Hike.

  • An embedded foxtail requires urgent vet attention. If I see symptoms of an embedded foxtails during a hike, the hike will immediately end (no refund provided). In case I cannot reach you or your emergency contact at this time, please consider filling out my Urgent Veterinarian Authorization Form, which permits me to authorize your veterinarian to give emergency medical treatments up to a certain dollar amount of your choosing. Your emergency contact should also be authorized to make medical treatments decisions on your behalf; please use my form as a template.

  • Know the symptoms of an embedded foxtail (click here to learn). If you notice these symptoms, your dog requires immediate vet attention. Foxtails can be drawn into the blood stream and go to the heart.

  • During foxtail season (May through November) your dog must have a very short coat, so that foxtails and potential embeddings can more easily be identified and removed.

  • Have your dog professionally groomed every 3 to 6 weeks to help identify any missed embedded foxtails (and ticks).

A meet & greet is required before booking a Nature Hike :)

Please reach out to me by text, phone, email, or my website’s contact form, so that I can learn more about your dog(s) needs. From there we can schedule a Meet & Greet in your home with your pup(s).

Pricing

$40 for 1 dog, lasting about 2-3 hours (depending on drive time)

+$30 per additional dog

+$8 to cover the bridge toll if you live in Vallejo or Benicia