***For dogs 25lbs and over ONLY*** Dogs less than 25lbs can participate in our October Pack Walk.
Rules of Pack Walking:
Dogs usually need slow and proper introduction to each other before they can play together. In order to foster a safe, trust-building environment, please follow the following rules during the 30-45 minute pack walking.
- Your dog(s) must be up to date on shots. We won’t be responsible if they’re not up to date on shots.
- Dogs must remain leashed at all times
- Leashes must be 6 feet long or shorter. No retractable leash as this can hurt yourself, your dog and others.
- No nose to nose or butt sniffing during the pack walk. There will be time for mingling at the end of the walk.
- Keep your dog at about a 6-ft distance from others during the walk. A pack walk is not playtime and not all dogs can be approached right away.
- One dog per adult. If you have two dogs then bring your spouse or a friend.
- Clean up after your dog. Bring poop bags!
- If your dog is reactive, either muzzle your dog or communicate this to the other pet owners if they want their dog to approach yours.
After the 30-45 min pack walking, there will be mingling time- this is when your dog and others’ dogs can sniff each other’s butt and go nose-to-nose.
Schedule:
10:00am – 10:15am: Check-In
10:15am – 10:30am: Thank you remark from BARK Rescue’s President, Introduction to Beth from Beth K9 Training
10:30am – 10:45am: Demo by Beth K9 Training.
10:45am: Start pack walk, 2.1 mile walk around Lake Elizabeth
11:30am: Pack walk ends, mingling starts. There is an option to walk to the dog park on the north side of the lake.
What is a pack walk?
A pack walk is a structured group walking session that encourages dogs to walk in rythm. The dogs walk in leashes and keep a nice distance from each other. They’re close enough to experience positive interactions, but far enough away so they can’t physically interact. Pack walking is not playtime.
Why Your Dog Needs Pack Walks?
Social Skills: Pack walking helps your dog learn essential social skills. It helps your furry friend learn to read body language, practice polite play behavior, and master the art of dog-to-dog communications.
Exercise: Pack walking also provides your dog with a good workout. Exercise releases endorphins, which makes your pup happy!
Mental Stimulation: Pack walking helps to prevent your dog from getting bored as it’s an opportunity for them to sniff out new scents, listen to new sounds, and take in all the sights of the great outdoors.
Excellent Training Opportunities: Pack walks can help reinforce good behavior as dogs are more likely to behave well in a group. In a pack walk, your dog can learn to walk calmly on the leash and interact appropriately with other dogs and people. Pack walks can be very beneficial for reactive dogs as pack walks provide a structured and controlled environment for dogs to interact with other dogs and learn appropriate behavior. It helps reactive dogs become more comfortable and confident around other dogs, reducing the likelihood of problematic behaviors on walks.