FAQ

Things to know before we get started

A few of the most common questions about adventures, lodging, safety, scheduling, and what to expect.

Adventures

  • Each adventure includes two hours of outdoor activity. With pickup, travel, and drop-off, your dog will typically be away from home for around three hours.

    If you have a specific timing need, just let me know and I’ll do my best to accommodate it.

  • I keep adventure groups small, with a maximum of four dogs at a time. This gives me more time to focus on each dog, build a balanced group, and make sure everyone gets the attention, guidance, and space they need to have a successful adventure.

  • Absolutely! Your dog's safety is our top priority. We assess each dog's energy level and abilities, tailoring the adventure to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. We also limit the outings to a max of 4 dogs at a time under a certified trainer’s supervision.

  • They can be. Every new Explorer starts on a long line while we build trust, recall, and check ins together. Off leash freedom is earned over time based on the individual dog.

  • Adventures are a chance to practice real world skills in real environments. We work on recall, name recognition, check ins, leave it, and increasing focus and responsiveness around distractions. The goal is to help dogs stay connected and engaged while still giving them plenty of freedom to move, sniff, explore, and have fun.

  • Yes. Adventures happen year round and in a variety of weather conditions, including rain and snow, as long as conditions are safe for the dogs.

  • Yes. Pickup and drop off are included for adventure clients within my Portland service area.

  • Please give at least 24 hours’ notice if your dog won’t be joining their scheduled adventure. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, including same-day cancellations and missed pickups, are charged at your dog’s usual adventure rate.

    Each spot is reserved for your dog, and last-minute cancellations leave limited time to fill it. Thank you for respecting the time and planning that go into every adventure!

    If an emergency comes up, please reach out. If I need to cancel an adventure, there is no charge.

Lodging

  • Lodging takes place in my Portland townhouse, where dogs stay in a comfortable home environment with personalized care throughout their stay.

  • I take up to two lodging dogs at a time. Keeping stays small allows me to give each dog more individual attention and adjust their routine based on their personality, energy level, and needs.

  • Lodging includes walks, enrichment, play, downtime, personalized care, and photos from their stay. Activities are adjusted based on what each dog enjoys most and what helps them feel comfortable and engaged.

  • Adventure Lodging combines an overnight stay with one of The Canine Explorer’s outdoor adventures. Dogs get the same home style care as regular lodging, plus time to hike, explore, move, and work on real world skills outdoors.

  • Yes. You can mix and match regular Lodging and Adventure Lodging days throughout the same stay. This makes it easy to give your dog a balance of adventure days and more relaxed home days.

  • Every day looks a little different depending on the dog. A typical day may include walks, enrichment, play, meals, downtime, and time to relax around the house. Adventure Lodging days also include an outdoor adventure. I adjust the day around the dogs in my care rather than following one rigid schedule.

  • Yes! I’ll share photos from your dog’s stay so you can see what they’ve been up to.

  • Please bring your dog’s food, any medications or supplements they need, and anything else that is important to their normal routine. I can provide the basics here, so you don’t need to pack their whole house.

  • I don’t offer full grooming services, but baths can be added to your dog’s stay for an additional fee.

Safety

  • Safety is built into every adventure. Groups are kept small, new dogs start on long lines, and I adjust outings based on the dogs, weather, trail conditions, and environment.

  • That’s completely fine. Every new Explorer starts on a long line while we build trust, recall, and check ins together. Off leash freedom is earned gradually and only when I feel the dog is ready.

  • Yes. Every dog wears a Garmin GPS tracker during adventures so I can monitor their location while we’re out exploring. The trackers are used for location tracking only and do not use shock, vibration, or sound.

  • Yes. The Garmin system uses satellite based tracking rather than relying on cell service, so I can keep track of the dogs even in areas with little or no reception.

  • Yes. I am certified in Canine Wilderness Emergency First Aid and carry first aid supplies on outings.

  • If an emergency happens, I will assess the situation, provide first aid when appropriate, and contact you as soon as possible. If veterinary care is needed, I will prioritize getting your dog the care they need.

  • Groups are matched thoughtfully based on personality, energy level, play style, comfort around other dogs, and overall fit. Keeping groups small makes it easier to create a balanced and safe experience for everyone.

Get Started

  • Use the Get Started form to tell me a little about your dog, the service you’re interested in, and what you’re looking for. I’ll follow up with next steps and availability.

  • Not every dog is the right fit for every service. I look at each dog individually and consider their behavior, social comfort, activity level, and overall needs before determining the best fit.

  • No. Dogs do not need perfect recall before joining adventures. Every new Explorer starts on a long line while we build trust, recall, check ins, and responsiveness together.

  • A meet and greet may be recommended depending on the dog and the service. It gives us a chance to get to know each other, talk through your dog’s routine and needs, and make sure the fit feels right.

  • Yes. A second dog from the same household is 50% off for both adventures and lodging.

  • The sooner the better, especially for lodging and popular travel dates. Availability can vary, so reaching out early gives us the best chance of finding dates that work.

Still have questions?

Tell me about your dog, and we’ll figure out the right fit.

Get Started ->