Adventures
Spending time in nature offers numerous benefits for dogs, including improved
physical health, mental stimulation, and emotional well-being. Outdoor adventures provide opportunities for exercise, allowing dogs to run, jump, and play, which is essential for maintaining their physical fitness and stamina. Additionally, the sights, sounds, and smells of nature can reduce stress and anxiety in dogs, promoting relaxation and emotional balance.
Studies have reported that regular exercise helps to improve comfort and function in dogs with arthritis, as well as reducing the risk of obesity in all dogs. It has also shown to enhance mental stimulation in all dogs and combat against cognitive decline in older dogs. Being out in nature is likely to extend your dog's lifespan and slow ageing.
Exercise, enrichment and socialisation are important for well balanced dogs and I strive to provide environments that encompass all of these aspects. Taking out clients dogs in well considered packs that suit the individual dogs personality and needs are a large part of my operation. We have fun adventuring in nature, mostly off lead with freedom to run and explore this beautiful Central Otago landscape.
With a range of options in our Walking’ the Bark service I offer pack walks, limited private walks and adventure play days to keep your dogs happy and stimulated. I keep our pack sizes small and intimate to ensure every dog has the best time and also stays safe.
All dogs start on lead and work their way to off lead freedom. This comes by me building a relationship with your dog and can take one walk or many. I use leads, long lines, GPS tracking collars, treats and cuddles on our adventures. I strive to gain your dogs trust and become one of their favourite people.
Adventure play Mondays aka MadVenture Mondays are a high energy highly play driven experience. Combining adventure with play, play with friends, and play with toys for high level stimulation balanced with sniffing, exploring and cuddles for some low level stimulation. We will often be in the same location but will still be switching it up in different places to make sure no-one gets bored or complacent. This is a great pack for those dogs who like to be involved and have some fun in a stimulating and safe environment with others. This pack is out for approximately 3 hours in duration.
My Monday afternoon pack, is our ‘Golden Oldies’ pack and is dedicated to the senior dog. I love our senior citizens and know they require special care. This pack is a safe environment for our seniors to get out without the worry of being bothered by our younger dogs. I value how much getting out can do to keep their body and mind healthy, so I strive to provide a space where our cherished elders can get out in nature to explore and sniff, at their own pace. Senior dogs receive a free massage each year and discounted Dog On Life family rates on massage or nutritional advice (consults). This pack is flexible which is great for our senior dogs who sometimes may not be up for their adventures and need to stay home. Though I ask for regular attendance in the pack I understand things can change at a moments notice and no charges will be incurred for last minute cancellations. We adventure for approximately 1 hour.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings are our high energy off lead adventure pack walks where we venture to various different places to sniff, run, explore and have fun in a social pack environment. This combines both high stimulation and low stimulation for a balanced adventure leaving your dog happy and content to relax for the rest of the day. Morning adventures go for approximately 1.5 -2.0 hours of Central Otago adventuring epicness.
My Tuesday afternoon pack is for the dog who loves to get out and explore but needs to take life at a calmer and slower pace. Dogs in this pack are carefully selected to keep the energy balance and safety aligned. This is perfectly suited for smaller or younger dogs who can be nervous, dogs who have recovered from injuries and simply need to take life at a little bit slower pace. This pack is flexible which is great for dogs with health issues who sometimes might not be up their adventure(s) and need to stay home. Though I ask for regular attendance in the pack I understand things can change at a moments notice and no charges will be incurred for last minute cancellations. We adventure for about 1 hour.
Wednesday afternoon the pack is very similar to my morning packs, high energy and on the go. This is often where I will start dogs while waiting for a space to be available in my morning packs, in essence the ‘waitlist’ pack. We adventure for approximately 1-1.5 hours.
Private adventures, private walks are for dogs who just do not suit the pack environment. We offer full private adventures for the dog who is simply better by themselves.I also offer a private adventure along with my own dogs. This is perfect for a dog who may have a quirk which prevents them from enjoying the full pack environment. This adventure is carefully managed, allowing everyone to still have fun. (e.g. possession issues, we can eliminate access to what the dog is possessive over). Private adventures go for approx.1 hour and have limited availability. These can be done on a flexible basis.
Throughout the year I also offer some Friday fun adventures. Often trips up to play in the snow or full day hikes. I offer these to clients via our Facebook page. It is a mix ‘n’ match pack of whoever wants to join in. All details for the fun will be given at the time.
Unless specified as a flexible pack we ask for regular/permanent attendance. Due to the carefully selected packs when your dog is placed in a pack it becomes their pack and I don’t often chop ‘n’ change. There is no charge for sick days or holidays as we appreciate that you do ‘have a life’ but we otherwise ask for regular attendance.
To join our packs please get in touch. I will share our very thorough questionnaire and a liability waiver and then set up a ‘meet and greet’. This gives us a good understanding of who your dog and what pack is best for her/him. We place dogs using a ‘best fit’ method to ensure everyone’s safety and enjoyment.
Prices:
All adventure pack services are $47.5
Adventure Play Monday pack $55
Private adventures $50
Friday fun adventures $50
Initial Meet & Greet $10
* Pick up & drop off is included in the
price (but not the adventure time).
* I offer discounted rates for multi dog homes, and multiple trips per week.
* I also offer nail trimming to keep
those feet healthy for adventure fun,
this service costs $5.
* I charge extra for ‘out of town’ collections and drop offs, dependent on distance.
Perks of becoming a Dog On Life family member:
* Kids (dogs) get a free
trip for their birthdays.
* Discounted family rates for
massage and nutrition consults.
* In pack or in house nail
trimming services.
* Having another mum to look out
for their well-being. I will
always communicate back to you
any concerns that may arise.
* The ultimate enjoyment of getting
out and having fun exercising in a
fulfilling and enriching environment.
kind words..
Stef is so knowledgeable and is happy to share that knowledge with you especially when you have concerns about your dog. I work 3 days a week and live on a 10-acre block so time is short, having Stef run the girls twice a week is magic.
Originally, they joined to improve their recall, it is a wonderful way to socialise your dogs too. She will even clip their nails when asked. The photos she produces are priceless. I cannot recommend her enough. You will not regret it.
Pip, Frieda and Lucy, Alexandra
