Reactive Dog Pack Walks in Toronto

You’ve taken our Reactive Dog Group Class or had private lessons, and daily walks are much better. By managing the environment, and maintaining distance, most of your walks are peaceful and event-free.

But, if you’re like us, you might be wondering what’s next?

Is it possible for my reactive dog to actually go for a relaxing hike through a beautiful, wooded area with a pack of other dogs?

Sound impossible? It’s not.

Introducing our Reactive Dog Field Trips, lead by our resident reactivity expert, Rachael Johnston.

Let us be your trusted guide, and join our supportive community of other reactive dog guardians working together to help you and your dog learn it IS possible for your dog to feel comfortable and confident and even get to know other dogs again.

• Shy, sensitive, or confidence-lacking dogs who get overwhelmed by other dogs.
• Frustrated greeters who just want to say hello (but maybe too enthusiastically).
• Dogs who need a safe space to practice and build comfort around other dogs.
• Dogs of any size!
• Dogs who may have had minor scuffles with other dogs (muzzles are used when needed).
• Guardians who have participated in Reactive Dog Group Class, Private Lessons, or our other group classes and are committed to positive training methods.
• Guardians who are comfortable hiking in wooded areas for about an hour, and can physically restrain their dogs if they pull or have a reaction.

• Dogs that are so high energy that must run full speed 24/7 (they’ll get frustrated by being on a long line)
• Dogs that are highly aggressive towards strangers (being shy or needing space is OK)
• Dogs that have no working threshold around dogs at a distance (join Reactive Dog Group Class or Private Lessons first)

• A small group of about 6 dogs (and their guardians) for personalized attention
• A beautiful, natural setting that promotes enrichment for both dogs and people alike
• Positive training methods free from judgement or punishment (of both the dogs and people!)
• A supportive and understanding community that knows what it’s like to care for a reactive dog.
• Located in the West End of Toronto, accessible by car, with parking available.

• Expert Guidance – Rachael Johnston, our reactive dog specialist, will be there every step of the way, providing coaching and support
• Supportive Community – Connect with other reactive dog guardians who understand the struggle. No judgement, just mutual understanding and encouragement.
• Real World Practice – Practice leash and long-line handling, threshold management, and even controlled greetings throughout the hike.
• Compression and Enrichment – Let your dog experience the joy of nature as they sniff, explore, and relax and de-stress.
• Increased Confidence – Watch your dog become more confident and feel at-ease around the other dogs in the group.
• Reduced Reactivity at Home – Many participants report their dogs are calmer and less reactive on daily walks after attending field trips.
• Agency and Freedom – Give your dog the freedom to move and explore – a luxury often denied to reactive dogs in urban settings.

Our Reactive Dog Field Trip concept was created by Rachael Johnston (KPA CTP)

After running many successful sessions of our Reactive Dog Group Class, she created this format as the natural next step on the path to helping reactive dogs learn to be more confident and become comfortable around other dogs.