SOCIALIZATION

COMMUNITY DOG WALK

Owners know their dogs enjoy their walks. Dogs are social creatures that love to explore and meet people and other pups.

Exercise is so important for both our fur family and us, so we are hosting Community Dog Walks.

Our Community Dog Walks allow pet parents and their fur family to experience the energy only felt in a group walk!

These walks are a time to strengthen your bond with your pup and with other people. It allows us all to ‘get social’ and experience a structured group walk.

Community Dog Walk

What is a Group Walk? 

A group of pet parents walks together in a structured environment. A group walk is good for most dogs as they feed off the energy of the pack (if you’re unsure if your dog is one of them – just ask us!). Our Community Group Walk is a way to exercise and properly socialize your dog so they are safe and have a fun adventure. Whether your dog is small or large, dogs are always happy to walk, so be sure to join us!

What creates a structured environment? 

  • Dogs walk in a long line at first. By the end of the walk, some dogs group together as walking buddies, and some dogs just enjoy the camaraderie of the walk from a safe distance.
  • To avoid any scuffles we do not allow dog introductions face-to-face, even if you have the friendly, nicest dog!
  • The key to a successful community walk is the rhythm of the walk – as long as we’re moving things will go great! We move at a casual pace that works for most fitness levels.
  • Following the rules will guarantee a successful experience (see below).
  • Every dog is different: some dogs will walk side-by-side after the first 15 minutes, but other dogs may need a few group walks to get there. No judging here!
  • Our Community Group Walks will be approximately 30 minutes in duration and will only take place in milder weather where the temperature is between 0° and 25°C.

What are the Guidelines?

To enjoy the walk and set our dogs up for success, we need everyone to know and follow the guidelines.

  • Safety is a primary objective of the Community Walks, and weather plays a factor. Community Walks will only take place in mild weather where the temperature is between 0° and 25°C. We will send an email if a Community Walk is canceled due to weather.
  • We require everyone to register in advance so we know the number of people and dogs to expect. We also require all Community Walk participants to complete our waiver prior to attending the Community Walk. Completing the waiver once is sufficient for attending as many Community Walks as you’d like. Our waiver is available on your Propet Account here.
  • No face-to-face introductions ever. No sniffing. We promise that just being near each other will be good enough. Dogs should have minimal interaction with each other because they should be focused on their people and where they’re going.
  • One dog per handler, the handler must be an adult (18+). Other family members are welcome to join the walks, but only one person is allowed to handle the dog for the duration of the walk.
  • No retractable leashes – maximum length 6-foot leash only
  • Respect everyone’s space during the walk.
  • As per the Ontario Health Association’s covid restrictions, masks are optional while outside. Any activities conducted indoors will require masks as long as they are mandated.
  • Community Walks are weather-dependent. A social media post will be made at 4pm each walking day if the walk is being canceled due to weather.
  • You’ll receive a 5-minute warning before any water break so you can spread out again in your 6’ bubble while we stop to have a drink. Even dogs who were walking side-by-side are still not allowed to greet each other during the water break.

What do I do when I arrive?

  • Community Walks will start at 6:05 pm sharp on Wednesdays – please ensure you are outside of the facility and ready to walk at 6:00 pm so we can ensure your waiver is complete. Please arrive early if you still need to sign your waiver.
  • Remain outside in a dedicated space with your dog ensuring you do not allow face to face interactions with other dogs waiting to walk.
  • Some dogs will become very anxious or excited while waiting, but once the group gets walking things will calm down.
  • When the group walk starts, a Muttz with Mannerz™ Leader will guide you on your walk, please maintain a single line for the first 5 minutes to see if your dog wants to walk alone in the pack or with a buddy
  • All of our group walks will begin and end at the Muttz with Mannerz™ facility.

What should I bring?

  • A small backpack or fanny pack.
  • Water bottle or water dish for any scheduled water breaks.
  • Poop bags
  • Proper harness or collar, and leash (no longer than 6 feet)
  • High value treats (cheese, jerky, lunch meat, etc.)
  • Wear comfortable clothes and proper running shoes.
  • Make sure your dog is healthy and able to be around other dogs.
  • Your camera or phone! We definitely approve of you promoting the experience and bragging about our Community Group Walks on your social media.

What if I’m running late?

In order to respect everyone’s time, we will depart for the walk at 6:05 pm sharp.

We need to start the walk as organized as possible, so we are unable to accommodate late additions or drop-ins that arrive outside of our check-in time. We need to ensure all group walkers have completed the waiver to participate in the walk. We appreciate your understanding.