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Trial Walks - From $50

Before joining pack walks, we require dogs to complete at least one trial walk. This ensures safety, suitability, and positive experiences for both your dog and the existing pack. It also allows me to build a bond with your dog and introduce our pack rules and expectations.

The assessment begins with me collecting your dog from your home. You are welcome to be present at pickup to ask any questions, discuss your dog’s behavior, and show me where your dog will be collected from.

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From there, your dog will join me for a structured trial walk, allowing me to observe how your dog responds to other dogs, new environments, guidance, and social interaction. This gives me real insight into your dog’s confidence, arousal regulation, social skills and overall behavior in a pack setting. It also allows space for us to build a connection and shared language.

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The Trial Assessment is not about passing or failing your dog — it’s about me understanding your dog’s needs and setting them up for success.

What skills are expected?

Your dog doesn’t need to be ‘perfect’, but they should have a basic understanding of:

  • Name recognition

  • The ability to hold a stationary position until released (sit stay, down stay or stand stay)

  • Recall

  • Walking on lead and responding to leash pressure

  • Polite behaviour with new dogs and the ability to adjust their behaviour appropriately

What behaviours may prevent pack placement?

Some behaviours may indicate that pack walks are not currently the right environment for your dog, including

  • Overt nervous or fearful behaviour

  • Consistent overexcitement with no ability to settle or regulate arousal

  • Defensive or reactive behaviours

  • Lack of basic obedience or engagement

  • Inability to adjust behaviour appropriately around other dogs

If pack walks are not suitable intially, I will always discuss alternative options and support pathways, to help your dog build the skills they need.

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