GETTING STARTED
Puppies may begin our Adventure service at six months of age. Before this time, dog guardians are encouraged to enroll their puppy in Dog Adventures Northwest's Puppy Play & Learn program, as well as to work with us through Private Training.
Dog Adventures Northwest LLC does not offer Adventure, Puppy Play & Learn, Adventure Boarding, or Board & Learn services to aggressive or reactive animals (neither human- nor dog-directed aggression/reactivity). This is because these services all include close contact with other dogs. Pups in our care must feel either happy or at least neutral about spending time with other dogs. For our Adventures and Adventure Boarding services, dogs ride together in the close quarters of a vehicle, walk on-leash together to the off-leash location, stay close together during the hike, and are given treats in close proximity to one another. For overnight services, we almost always have a resident dog or dogs, so there would still be close contact. The takeaway—are unfortunately unable to accommodate pups who don't feel safe or comfortable sharing space and resources with other dogs, or who negatively affect the experience of other dogs in our care through actions such as pinning, humping, instigation of fighting behavior, obsessive following, etc. We are happy to consider aggressive or reactive dogs as a part of our Pet Sitting and Private Training services.
As a Dog Adventures Northwest client, you agree to honestly represent your dog’s history, and to disclose any history of biting and/or threatening behavior to a person or animal. You are responsible for all costs (including, but not limited to, medical care, legal fees, etc) if your dog bites a person or another animal while they are in our care. You are also responsible for contacting Dog Adventures Northwest if you notice any significant behavioral changes in your animal; Dog Adventures Northwest agrees to do the same.
We require that all dogs have had their core puppy vaccines (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, and Rabies), and that they either receive boosters or titers at the recommendation of their vet. Dogs who participate in Adventures, Adventure Boarding, Puppy Play & Learn, or Board & Learn must additionally be on monthly preventative flea, tick, and heartworm treatments. Though the Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Canine Influenza vaccines are not required, they are highly recommended for dogs engaging in services. To start services with Dog Adventures Northwest, please send a digital copy of your dog’s vaccination records to woof@dogadventuresnw.com.
Please be sure to inform us of any health condition your dog may have, including food allergies. Note that brachycephalic dogs, puppies, and geriatric dogs, and those with laryngeal paralysis or Addison's disease may require additional precautions and closer attention. Dog Adventures Northwest LLC cannot provide service to any pet that has any form of contagious illness. For the safety of our trainers and the other dogs in our care, please let us know if you need to suspend service due to animal illness.
Clients are responsible for supplying a flat collar with identification, a harness, a leash, and any necessary medication. Dog Adventures Northwest will supply every off-leash dog a Garmin T20 satellite tracking collar for adventures and will charge a one-time equipment maintenance fee of $50 for this service. Dog Adventures Northwest LLC will not employ the use of any aversive equipment, such as choke chains, pinch collars, tightly fit Martingale collars, or e-collars. Please note that Dog Adventures Northwest LLC is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged leads, collars, tags, clothing or any other item left with their dog.
Intact males and females are welcome to join our services, provided they are deemed safe by Dog Adventures Northwest LLC, and that their intactness does not adversely interfere with another dog's experience. Excessive mounting, indoor marking, aggression, obsessive following/licking, and bullying are not allowed, nor are females that are in heat or carrying puppies.
COMMUNICATION
Please communicate with us in the way that is most convenient for you. In order to keep everyone in the loop, however, we will update your Time to Pet conversation feed and/or Time to Pet profiles with any important info. This allows us to have all communication in one place. The information contained in Time to Pet can be viewed by all Dog Adventures Northwest trainers who care for your dog, so this is the easiest way to make sure we have all of the relevant info on-hand.
At the end of every service, you will receive a report card of your dog's time with us, including a write-up and photographs.
SCHEDULING
All of our services provide pick-up and drop-off at your home or office, with the exception of our Puppy Play & Learn and Boarding services. Due to the unpredictability of traffic and the pick-ups and drop-offs of your dog’s Adventure buddies, we cannot guarantee arrival at your home at an exact time. The times listed as pick-up and drop-off times are approximate. If a trainer is going to arrive more than an hour after the approximate pick-up time, they will communicate via phone call or text.
Cancellation fees for Adventures and Day Camp are as follows:
- 50% of the cost of service if cancellation occurs within 24 hours of service
- 100% of the cost of service if cancellation occurs within 3 hours of service
Cancellation fees for Private Training are as follows:
- 50% of the cost of service if cancellation occurs within seven days of service
- 100% of the cost of service if cancellation occurs within three days of service
Deposit and cancellation information for Pet Sitting, Adventure Boarding, and Adventure Board and Train is as follows:
- a 25% deposit of the service total is required to reserve dates for overnight care
- this deposit will be fully refunded if service is cancelled six or more weeks before the first date of service, or if the cancellation occurs within three days of the initial request
Exclusions:
- sudden animal sickness or injury within cancellation window
- extreme weather that makes driving dangerous
- public health emergencies
Our cancellation fees are not at all meant to be punitive; life gets in the way sometimes and we totally get that! The fees instead only serve to cover the trainer's missed earnings. If we have enough notice of a cancellation, we can make sure our trainers' schedules stay full. In the event of a late cancellation, however, we don't have time to fill that spot, and our trainers—who all work on commission—are not able to make up those funds. Thank you in advance for your understanding!
In the event that we cannot provide a substitute trainer, clients are credited using the following guidelines:
- If a trainer-initiated cancellation occurs the day before an Adventure or Puppy Play & Learn reservation, the client will receive $25 off of their next service. (Clients who pay in advance for recurring services will have their next invoice credited for the missed service and an additional $25.)
- If a trainer-initiated cancellation occurs on the same day as an Adventure or Puppy Play & Learn reservation, the client will receive $50 off of their next service. (Clients who pay in advance for recurring services will have their next invoice credited for the missed service and an additional $50.)
Note that Dog Adventures Northwest will provide the cost of the credit from company overhead, and that the cost will not fall to the trainer directly.
If there is snow falling or snow/ice on the roads, we may need to cancel. It is up to each individual trainer as to what feels safe to them, and whether to offer services when the roads may be dicey. If your trainer does not feel safe venturing out, but you would still like service, we will do everything we can to find a substitute. If your property is likely to be impassable in the event of snow or ice, please keep us in the loop when it comes to driving conditions in your area on the day of your pup's Adventure. In the event of severe weather after an Adventure has begun, the service schedule may be changed, interrupted, altered, or cancelled at our discretion. In the unlikely event that your home is no longer reachable due to extreme weather mid-Adventure, your trainer will work with you and the Dog Adventures Northwest Manager to develop a plan.
Trainers occasionally need to take time away due to sickness or scheduled vacations. Trainers will give clients as much notice as possible for these times. When a trainer cancels, clients can either choose to skip the service or request a substitute. Clients may also request a free meet-and-greet with the substitute trainer if schedules allow.
PAYMENTS
Payment for all regular and recurring services is automatically run on the first of every month for the upcoming month’s services, unless alternate arrangements have been made.
For Pet Sitting, Adventure Boarding, and Adventure Board & Learn reservations, 25% of the invoice is due upon receipt to hold the dates, and the balance is due the day before your trip.
Dog Adventures Northwest LLC will charge the card on file for services on behalf of all clients. If you do not wish for us to run your card, please let us know, and you can individually pay on every invoice. We can also arrange our automatic payment system to charge you on a different schedule. You can view all upcoming invoices at any time through the Time to Pet portal. Please note that automatic payments are opt-out only. Unless you specifically request to personally pay on every invoice, Dog Adventures Northwest LLC will process payment on your behalf.
If a cancellation on a prepaid service is not subject to the Cancellation Policy (under "Scheduling"), clients will see a credit on their next invoice for the price of the cancelled service. If there is no upcoming invoice, clients can choose to receive a refund or hold the amount as credit on their account.
If a client opts-out of automatic billing and is more than two weeks past due on an invoice, Dog Adventures Northwest LLC reserves the right to suspend service until payment is received. For payments more than two months overdue, Dog Adventures Northwest LLC reserves the right to employ a collection company to collect payment and fees.
While we are a service-based business, our trainers are paid fairly for their work and do not expect tips. If you would like to thank your trainer for exceptional service, however, tips are gladly accepted. Please reach out if you'd like to help adding a tip to a specific invoice or if you'd like an auto-tip on all DANW invoices.
ANIMAL CARE
All Dog Adventures Northwest trainers who drive dogs as a part of service carry valid driver's licenses and insurance. Note that trainers transport dogs to and from Adventure locations safely, using tethers, grates, crates, and/or dog restraint systems.
We keep our pups happily hiking and playing during their time with us. The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on their age, breed, and health. Please speak with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s ability to go adventuring. Exercise modifications may be avaialable for senior dogs or pups recovering from injury or illness. Note that no dog will be pushed to exercise if they show any signs of fatigue, and that rest stops and water breaks are part of every Adventure.
If your dog does not come when called, you can book Private Training with us to train recall in a controlled setting before we venture into the wilds. If you are unsure of your dog’s recall, we can also schedule a one-on-one Trial Adventure with a trainer for further assessment. Our Adventure leaders are all dog trainers, and will be able to appropriately assess your pup’s tendencies, and also to teach your dog a reliable recall while out on the trail. Note that most dogs—while they may rove and ramble—have little desire to actually run away. Even so, for safety's sake, all dogs wear a Garmin satellite GPS tracker, provided by Dog Adventures Northwest.
We teach and actively practice recall while out on the trail through positive reinforcement training. We additionally reinforce desirable dog behavior (sit, down, come, drop-it, leave-it, stay, etc.) and manage undesirable behavior (jumping up, resource guarding, leash reactivity, mouthiness, bullying, mounting, etc). We absolutely refrain from positive punishment or negative reinforcement operant conditioning, either through training or management tools.
It is essential that your dog is socialized to other dogs if you would like them to adventure with us. Your dog doesn’t have to be the life of the party, but aggression issues will not be accommodated. Dogs go out in groups of no more than four dogs to one trainer to ensure everyone has a good time and is kept safe. Dogs on a weekly schedule go out with the same group, and often become good friends with their other adventure buddies.
Your dog will likely get a dirty on their Adventure. No dog will be kept from getting dirty if that is in their heart’s desire. All dogs, however, will be returned with clean paws and a towel-dried coat. Dogs who love mud can also get hosed off outside of your home. (If this is your preference, please detail the location of your spigot and hose to your trainer, and be sure it is in proper working condition.) Please note that we do not offer dog bathing, though we are happy to drop off your pup at the groomer’s instead of your home.
Please let us know if your dog has any allergies, and also list this information in your pet's profile. We can accommodate basic food allergies by using alternate treats. For more significant allergies, however, we may ask you to supply treats for your pup. Dogs that experience anaphylaxis under certain conditions cannot be accommodated by Dog Adventures Northwest
Dog Adventures Northwest LLC is happy to follow all provided instructions to administer medications but cannot be held responsible for complications that arise as a result.
We will notify you if your animal vomits, has loose stool, has a notable change in behavior, or appears sick in any way. Please note that we cannot care for any animal that has any form of active contagious illness. If a Dog Adventures Northwest contractor is bitten or exposed to any disease or ailment received from client animals that have not been properly or currently vaccinated, you will be responsible for all costs and damages that may be incurred as a result.
RISKS
Dog Adventures Northwest LLC takes every precaution to ensure your dog’s safety. Your dog will be kept on leash from your home to the car and from the car to the trailhead/park entrance. On our adventures, no dog is pushed beyond his or her physical comfort zone, and rest stops and water breaks are part of every adventure. All dog play is carefully monitored to avoid injury. Even so, scratches, cuts, punctures, torn ligaments, or other injuries may occur despite the best supervision. Because Dog Adventures Northwest is not financially liable for any injury your dog may sustain on the trail with us, clients are advised to insure their dog through Trupanion, Healthy Paws, Pets' Best or another highly-rated pet insurance company before adventuring begins.
Giardia is a microscopic, contagious parasite common in the Pacific Northwest. It causes the gastrointestinal illness known as giardiasis, resulting in diarrhea and vomiting. Giardia cysts can live for many months in the water and soil, as long as it is relatively cool and wet. Cysts are acquired from fecal-contaminated water, food, objects, or self-grooming. While Giardia is common and very treatable with medication, it is highly contagious in dogs and no fun for anyone. Dogs exhibiting symptoms of Giardia will not be allowed to adventure with Dog Adventures Northwest LLC until they are cleared by their veterinarian.
We are starting to see a rise of both fleas and ticks in the Pacific Northwest. Our adventure leaders will do a once-over at drop-off, but it is also good for pup parents to be on the lookout. While not required for adventuring, preventative flea and tick medication is highly recommended. Note that preventative flea and tick medication is required for all Boarding reservations.
Salmon poisoning is caused by a bacteria/parasite combo that can infect wild fish found in coastal streams of the Pacific Northwest (primarily salmon and some kinds of trout and salamanders). While it is unlikely that a dog on an Adventure will take a bite of an infected fish, we take the possibility of salmon poisoning very seriously. In the event that a dog does ingest any part of a fish while out on an Adventure, we will secure all dogs away from the fish, take a photo for future identification, and hike in a different direction. We will then notify you to watch out for signs of infection (decreased appetite, lethargy, weight loss, vomiting, and diarrhea), in which case you should take your animal to the vet for antibiotics and a dewormer. Fortunately, salmon poisoning has clear symptoms and is highly treatable with proper care.
Grass awns are dry, barbed grass seeds that can get into a dog's skin, eyes, and ears. We've had foxtails in our area for a long time, but climate change has also brought about a proliferation of cheatgrasses, which can also cause infection. We check for grass awns at the end of every Adventure, but it's good for our clients to be aware of awns as well. Please watch for signs of irritated skin (especially around paws), acute head shaking, sneezing, or gagging. If a vet visit seems to be in order, please keep us in the loop, and make sure to let your veterinarian know that your dog has been hiking in tall grasses.
Our trainers will take the following precautions when leaving dogs in vehicles during pick-up and drop-offs on hot or cold days:
- for outside temperatures between 70 degrees and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, dogs will be left in a locked vehicle with all windows open a minimum of three inches for no more than ten minutes; no car will be parked in direct sunlight; in the event that shaded parking is not available, all windows receiving direct sunlight will have reflective shades
- for outside temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit and above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, dogs will be left in a locked and running vehicle for no more than ten minutes with the air conditioning or heat on (trainers will have a second set of keys)
- all dogs will be kept away from car controls via a secure a grate, crates, tethers, and/or dog restraint systems
- all dogs will have access to water to drink
- a sign will be left in the window, listing the conditions inside the car, the trainer's estimated time away from the car, and the trainer's cell phone number
The above is the default practice. If a trainer does not have air conditioning or heat in their vehicle, they will make specific and alternate plans with both you and the Dog Adventures Northwest Manager. Modifications may include meeting the trainer at the door if you are home at pick-up and drop-off; ensuring that dogs who live in downtown apartment buildings are the first pick-up and the last drop-off; bringing the dogs who are already in the trainer's vehicle into your backyard while the trainer is picking up or dropping off your dog; heating/cooling pads; reflective window coverings; extended screened windows; fans; and remote temperature monitoring. Even with these modifications, no dog will be left in a vehicle alone for more than ten minutes. Also note that every dog handles temperature differently. Miniature breeds such as Chihuahuas, Toy Poodles, and Yorkies and short-haired breeds such as Whippets, Greyhounds, MinPins, and Rat Terriers are more susceptible to cold weather. Brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Boxers and thick-coated breeds such as Malamutes, Chow Chows, and Bernese Mountain Dogs are more susceptible to hot weather. Please consult with your vet to determine best practices for your particular dog on extremely hot or cold days. Cancellation fees will be waived if you choose to cancel in the event of extreme temperatures. If you would prefer to not cancel, we may make alterations to your dog's adventure, such as shifting the adventure time earlier, changing the adventure location, carrying miniature breeds in our coats in the event of cold, or encouraging dogs to swim and lie in the shade in the event of heat.
OVERNIGHT CARE
Dogs who stay with us for any of our Boarding services will be housed in a trainer's home and will become a part of the trainer's family during their stay. They will sleep inside, and in a location that is either the same or resembles their sleeping space at home (ie crate, pen, bed, etc). Dogs will be kept on-leash outside of the trainer's property or on a Garmin satellite tracker, with the exception of fully fenced areas.
When we are staying in your home, please be sure to let us know where we should sleep and bathe, and please supply clean linens and a clean towel. We will bring our own food, and will not eat or drink anything we find in your home.
We will always treat your home and your property with respect, and will follow all specific instructions for home care, including security requests (ie locking doors and setting alarms), retrieving mail, watering plants, turning on/off lights, etc. We will never drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or engage in any kind of drug use while in your home or on your property. If we are staying in your home, it is your responsibility to pet-proof any areas of your home and/or property to which the pet has access. This includes thoroughly inspecting fences, gates, latches, doors, and other devices meant to contain the pet or restrict access to specific areas. We do not assume responsibility and have no liability for any injuries your pet may sustain or property damage your pet may cause while in their own home/property.
On the last day of Pet Sitting service, we will leave your home as clean or cleaner than when you left. Unless previous alternate requests have been made, we will do the following: start (and finish and fold, if time allows) a load of laundry with any used sheets, pillowcases, and towels; neatly fold any used blankets; remake the guest bed if time allows; wash all used dishes, dry, and put away; wipe down all kitchen and bathroom counters; sweep/vacuum/mop floors and rugs if necessary; put all furniture and home supplies in the exact location they were in when we first arrived; take out the trash; and do a final and thorough sweep of every room to ensure we have not left anything behind.
Dog Adventures Northwest LLC reserves the right to deny service or terminate service because of safety concerns or inappropriate or uncomfortable circumstances. Please notify us if housekeepers, pest control services, realtors, friends, family members, etc. will have access to your home during your absence, and please notify these parties that we will be staying in your home. The police will be called on all intruders or suspicious acts without exception.
We will never invite or allow any other people onto your property or in your home. We will also not allow any animals other than yours into your home unless specific arrangements have been made with both you and the Dog Adventures Northwest Manager.
In the event that additional items need to be purchased in your absence (pet food, litter, cleaning supplies, or other necessary items that contribute to the health and wellbeing of your pet), we will purchase these items, retain a receipt, and include these charges on your invoice.
If you are going out of town, please call your veterinarian to let them know your dates of travel, that your pet will be in our care, and ask if they need to have specific paperwork in the event of veterinary care while you are away (other than the general vet release below). Please also be sure to put a credit card on file with your vet to ease financial logistics in the event of an unexpected vet visit.
For Boarding, please pack supplies needed for a successful stay. These items include: a flat collar with identification, a harness, a leash, meals, your pup's favorite treats, bedding, and any necessary medication. You may also want to bring your pup's crate if your trainer does not already have one that is a good fit for your pup.
In the unlikely event that a dog in our overnight care exhibits symptoms of a contagious illness or needs to be moved due to safety concerns while you are out of town, clients are asked to provide an overnight care back-up contact when they fill out their Time to Pet profile. This information can be changed from trip to trip.
Legal Releases and Policies
When you activate your account with us, you will be asked to sign the following liability waiver:
By my signature below, I authorize Dog Adventures Northwest LLC and the veterinarian at my dog’s regular veterinary clinic or emergency veterinary clinic to make medical decisions regarding the care of my dog(s) during my absence if I cannot be reached for any reason. Major procedures such as surgical correction of gastric dilation with volvulus, enterotomy to remove gastrointestinal foreign body, bone plating for fractures, and others are authorized as long as my primary veterinarian or emergency veterinarian believes there is a reasonable successful outcome. I agree not to hold Dog Adventures Northwest LLC, my veterinary clinic, or an emergency veterinary clinic liable for competently performing treatment that does not succeed. I also acknowledge that I am responsible for any veterinary charges and agree to reimburse Dog Adventures Northwest LLC for any expenses incurred in getting my dog(s) the medical attention they may require.
Dog Adventures Northwest highly respects our clients’ entrusting us with the care of their home and pets. All of your information will be kept private and confidential. All of our records are securely stored through the Time to Pet online management system. Sensitive information is hashed with a random salt and stored encrypted, and all traffic to and from Time To Pet servers uses the same 128 bit level encryption as most banks. Non-encrypted traffic is forced over to encrypted methods. Your data is stored on Time to Pet secure servers in data centers with 24/7 security and with redundant backup power supplies. Time To Pet has audit logging and strict policies for access of data by Dog Adventures LLC contractors. All personal client information is only accessible via authenticated methods.