Trail adventures

Mornings on the Escarpment

A small group, a long leash and a couple of hours on the trail. For fit, friendly dogs who come home happily tired and sleep through your afternoon.

Who can come

Trail mornings are hilly, muddy and social. To keep them good for every dog in the group, each dog needs to tick all of these.

Over a year old
Eighteen months for big breeds, whose joints are still growing.
Fit for hills
Up for 90 minutes of climbing. Not sure? Ask your vet before you sign up.
Easy with dogs and people
Friendly with other dogs and relaxed when hikers pass.
Good on a long line
Walks on a 5 m line without dragging, and comes back when called.
Shots and tick prevention
Vaccines up to date, and flea and tick prevention from spring to late fall.
Two trial walks
Two calm neighbourhood walks with us first, so we know each other.

We do not take dogs with a bite history into any group, adventures included. A solo walk may still work, so ask.

8:15
Pick-up
From your door into our van, one dog per crate.
8:45
Trailhead
Usually the Dundas Valley, the Spencer Gorge side or a Bruce Trail section near Ancaster. We choose by weather and mud.
9:00
On the trail
About 90 minutes at the group's pace, with water stops, sniff breaks and a creek when there is one.
10:30
Back at the van
Water, a towel-off and a tick check for every dog.
11:15
Home
Dropped off as clean as we can manage, with trail photos in your messages.

Four dogs, one leader: Never more, whatever the demand.
Leashed the whole way: Conservation area and Bruce Trail rules require it. A long line still gives plenty of room to roam.
A heat cut-off: No outings when the humidex passes 26 °C. We switch you to an early neighbourhood walk instead.
A full pack: Water, a pet first-aid kit, spare leads and towels on every outing.
Tick checks: After every outing. If we find one, we tell you, and any health worries go to your vet.
We stop if it is not fun: Not every dog is a trail dog. If yours is not enjoying it, we say so and suggest something else.

Trail pass

About three hours door to door, with 90 minutes on the trail. Pick-up and drop-off included anywhere in our areas.