Frequently
Asked
Questions

For walks and hikes on the Boulder Open Space trails your dog must be registered with the city’s Voice and Sight program. To receive a Voice and Sight (V&S) tag for your dog (Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks OSMP), please register at https://bouldercolorado.gov/services/voice-and-sight-program. The program requires a mandatory online training (5-7 minutes), proof of rabies vaccination, and an annual fee ($15 neutered/spayed) to allow off-leash, voice-controlled access on designated trails.

We can still hike! We will simply stick to trails that allow “Leashed” dogs or stay within neighborhood limits until your pup is registered. 

With 25 years of rescue rehabilitation experience, I specialize in “slow intros.” We start with a 15-minute Meet & Greet in your dog’s comfort zone (your home or yard). We don’t rush the process; we wait for your dog to offer trust before we head to the trail. 

Trust is the foundation of every relationship with all dogs-rescue or pup. However with my rehabilitation experience, I closely observe a dog’s body language to ensure they never feel overwhelmed and always feel supported throughout the process. My approach incorporates a range of evidence-based training techniques, beginning with PATIENCE and thoughtful observation to identify the specific triggers behind anxious or reactive behaviors. Because each dog has a unique personality and life experience, I tailor methods to meet their individual needs. With anxious dogs, we prioritize empathy, and emotional safety. This may involve creating space on a trail, using a calm and reassuring tone, and/or quietly sitting with a dog while allowing other dogs and distractions to pass at a comfortable distance. By moving at the dog’s pace and reinforcing a sense of security, we help build confidence, resilience, and lasting trust.

Recall is your dog’s ability to return promptly and reliably when called. It is one of the most essential safety skills for any trail dog. Before our first walk, we assess your dog’s recall in a secure, enclosed (fenced) area to ensure they can respond consistently and safely. Recall is reinforced during every adventure with our off-leash dogs, always kept within eyesight and guided through positive reinforcement. By practicing regularly in real-world settings, we strengthen reliability, responsiveness, and your dog’s confidence on the trail.

As Colorado locals, we are experienced in walking in a wide range of weather conditions—including extreme winter cold and scorching summer heat. Both can pose serious risks to dogs. While Boulder dogs are resilient, safety is always our top priority. If temperatures fall below or rise above a safe threshold for your dog’s breed, age, or health, we adjust accordingly. This may mean shortening hikes to structured “potty and play” breaks or opting for a leashed walk in our adjacent park and lakes. Our goal is to ensure your pup safely expends their energy without the risk of frostbite, heat exhaustion, or other weather-related concerns.

We strictly respect local trail regulations. Many Boulder trails change status depending on the season or wildlife protection (like nesting birds). We stay updated on all OSMP trail closures and leash requirements to ensure your dog is exploring legally and safely.

Standard walks are often on sidewalks and leashed. Our adventures walks take place on Boulder’s beautiful trail systems, focusing on off-leash freedom (where permitted) and mental engagement.

We offer both but our focus is mainly with small, curated packs of 2–4 dogs with similar temperaments. This allows for social enrichment while ensuring we can maintain 100% focus on safety and recall. For dogs needing extra rehabilitation or training, we also offer 1-on-1 solo training/hiking sessions.

We currently provide dog walking and basic training services at Chautauqua, Mount Sanitas, Settler’s Park, Coot Lake, Twin Lakes, and Table Mesa such as (Shanahan Ridge). We also offer our off leash trails in the Lafayette, Longmont, Erie, Lyons and Louisville areas. Feel free to reach out with your dog’s favorite trails and I will try to accommodate our mountain neighbors wherever possible!