Social Pups Pack Walk

This group is designed for guardians and their pets to promote more socialization through scheduled pack walks. I want to promote a sense of happiness and acceptance for any parent at any stage of socialization skills! Having social activities with your dog is a one of the five basic enrichment needs and it’s time we give it to them. Anticipate us meeting rain or shine (extreme weather conditions omitted) so that our dogs have their set schedules. This will help to lessen anxiety long term as they learn to have a scheduled walk.

So, if your dog is in training and wears a muzzle at this stage of socialization, please bring them. If your dog is a barker and wants to walk up and introduce themself to everyone, bring them. Maybe your dog gets spooked around strangers and exhibits stress, please bring them. Maybe your dog is highly social and loves to walk? Bring them.

This group is for everyone.

I own a cattle dog myself and have worked for a long time for him to understand that I advocate for him and through trust and understanding, we work together. I think everyone deserves to have that experience and I believe this group is much needed! Let’s do it.

I f you need guidance, I recommend a book called, ‘Control Unleashed’. A woman who trains highly reactive working and sporting breeds gets dogs up to sporting competitions using games and fun! Training should be fun right? Let’s treat them with respect for their decisions and provide work at the same time.

Please use appropriate distance for our walks. If your dog is intently pulling, growling, barking, lunging, whining, licking their lips, raising their paw, hackles raised, or greeting another dog without permission, take a few steps back and use appropriate distance. We want them to notice others and still be willing to offer “work”. Work is defined as recall games, acceptance of treats, able to respond to our requests for performance like sit, down, shake, etc. without feeling the need to get to excited. It’s okay if you need to walk 25-30ft away. This is the time you need to advocate for your dog and that’s what this is all about.

This is an outdoors group so anticipate greenways, hiking areas within an 1.5hrs of the Madison/Huntsville area.

Areas like: Blevins gap, Sipsey, Indian Creek Greenway, Cane Creek Canyon, Walls of Jericho, Monte Sano, Green Mountain, Chapman Mountain and if you have a request let’s hear it!

I would prefer areas where the dogs can drop off to go puddle and cool off. With the intense humidity of the summers here, we must afford our pups the comfortability to cool themselves. We may walk for 2mi to 10mi depending on the location.

Even if it feels embarrassing, work with your dog. The more you play and engage with them, the more the relationship thrives! Dogs play as a means to alert others nearby that the area is safe. And this is a safe space. All dogs must be on leash, prepared to pick up poops (I will call you out on not picking it up as we enjoy wildlife, we must respect wildlife), enjoy and meet others in our community and teach our dogs to thrive.

It’s time we honor community and strive for not the perfect dog, but a most loyal companion.

Come join us!