The Evening Before the Hike:
Clients can expect a personalized message from their dog’s assigned hiker the night before the scheduled hike. This message includes an introduction and a link to the hiker’s bio on the Active Dog website, so clients can learn more about who will be caring for and adventuring with their pup.
Active Dog shares a special introduction post on their Facebook page to welcome the new pup to the pack. These posts are always a highlight, filled with fun facts that owners submit about their dog—like what snacks they love most, their favorite spot to nap, any impressive tricks they know, and even quirky personality traits. It’s a fun and engaging way for the Active Dog community to get to know each new hiker.
The Morning of the Hike:
On the morning of the scheduled adventure, clients receive a text message with an estimated time of arrival for pickup. Active Dog provides a 1–2 hour window, allowing flexibility and planning ease for the day ahead.
Pickup Process:
When the hiker arrives, the dog is picked up right from home and escorted to the van—no need for the owner to be there. Active Dog understands how busy life can be, which is why they’ve made pickup and drop-off seamless. Many clients provide access via a hidden key, garage code, unlocked door, or concierge/key fob arrangements for apartments. Hikers will simply pop their heads in, call for the pup, and head out on the adventure.
Dogs ride in specially outfitted Active Dog vans with 8–10 other dogs, all eager for the day’s hike. The ride itself is part of the fun, as dogs begin to bond and settle into their pack for the day.
The Hike:
Hikes take place on Active Dog’s private, fully fenced-in hiking properties located in Pawling, NY and Bethlehem, CT. These secure, spacious lands are designed for safe, off-leash exploration, giving dogs the freedom to roam, sniff, run with the pack, and even take a splash in the on-site streams.
Each hike lasts 60–90 minutes and is always supervised by experienced handlers. Dogs are carefully monitored throughout the adventure to ensure they’re safe, comfortable, and having fun.
If a dog is new to off-leash experiences, no problem—Active Dog is committed to setting every pup up for success. Each dog’s recall and comfort level are evaluated before they are allowed off leash. Some dogs remain on leash for several hikes before they graduate to full off-leash freedom with their new fur friends.
Post-Hike & Drop-Off:
After the hike, dogs are loaded back into the van and dropped off one by one back at home. The total time dogs are out of the house is typically between 3–5 hours, giving them valuable time outside, mental stimulation, physical exercise, and socialization. By the time they return home, they’re ready for a cozy nap and some rest.
End-of-Day Report:
At the end of the day, clients receive a full report about how their pup did on their first hike. This includes a written summary, along with photos and video links showcasing the dog’s adventure on the trails. It’s a wonderful way to feel connected to the experience, even if the owner isn’t home for the pickup and drop-off.
Whether a dog is new to hiking or already a trail pro, Active Dog is committed to making every hike a safe, enriching, and joyful experience—for dogs and their humans alike
Active Dog's top tips for a healthy and happy summer!
- Kiddie pools, cooling mats and splash pads can be a super fun and safe way to keep your pup cool.
- Don’t let them drink from stagnant water sources or water that looks like it has algae on it.
- Get outside early or late afternoon (our trails are shaded so a good opportunity to send them for hikes with us if it’s hot).
- Make sure to scope out your yard or trail for any Poisonous mushrooms, posion Ivy/oak, snakes.
- Bring water for both you and your pup! If they have just done some heavy exercise, let them gradually cool down before giving them too much water.
- Stay cool and know when it’s too hot out. For the bigger dogs like Bernese mountain dogs, they can buy those cold vests that go into the freezer.
- Tick checks. Ticks are rampant this time of year. Always make sure to check your pup (and yourself!) for ticks!
- If hiking on an unfamiliar trail, make sure you check if dogs are allowed and if they need to be on/off leash so you can prepare accordingly.
Active dog offers a variety of services from boarding to neighborhood walks to private individual hikes. We have 14 years of experience and we strive to offer a personable approach! We use user-friendly software that makes scheduling and communication simple—even for clients who aren’t tech-savvy.
We are open every day of the week, rain or shine except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Before anyone becomes a client, we individually meet every single dog and client to ensure this is the right fit for all of us. activedog.org