1. Dog Eligibility & Fitness Requirements

How do you determine if my dog is a good fit for the hiking/running/jogging/walking service?

Owner Input & Health Requirements

Veterinarian Approval: We recommend confirming with your veterinarian that your dog is in good health and cleared for a running regimen, especially for older or larger breeds.

Age Requirement: We generally restrict running & hiking services to ensure their growth plates have fully matured:

• Dogs over 8 months for small to medium-sized breeds.
• Dogs over 18 months for large breeds.

Existing Experience: We assess your dog's current activity level and history with running to prevent overexertion and tailor a safe starting program.

Trial Session Observation: The mandatory Trial Session is crucial for our evaluation. During this initial meeting and walk/jog, our consultants assess:

• Leash Manners: We look for consistent, predictable behavior on the leash that minimizes sudden stops, pulling, or weaving near traffic.
• Endurance Level: We gauge the dog's starting fitness level and stamina.

How do you know if my dog is fit enough for a running session or a mountain hiking trail?

A: We don’t guess when it comes to your dog's health—we evaluate.

Before we ever lace up our running shoes or load up the adventure vehicle, every new pup undergoes a thorough, customized onboarding process. Our goal is to meet your dog exactly where they are physically and safely build their stamina over time.

Here is our step-by-step approach to ensuring your dog is ready for the trail:

• The Initial Consultation: We start by learning everything about your pup's history, including their age, breed, current daily activity levels, and any past injuries or medical conditions.
• The Baseline Walk Evaluation: Every dog's first official session with Denver Dog begins as a structured, moderate-paced neighborhood walk. This allows our experienced athletic handlers to closely evaluate their baseline cardiovascular fitness, gait, joint mobility, and overall engagement level.
• The Gradual Conditioning Ramp: If your goal is to get your dog trail-ready or jogging, we don't jump into a 5-mile run on day one. We gradually scale the duration and intensity over multiple sessions, tracking how quickly they recover afterward.
• Continuous Vital Checks: On every outing, our handlers continuously monitor for signs of physical fatigue, such as excessive panting, lagging behind, or searching for shade.
• Transparent Fitness Tracking: You will receive a detailed, GPS-tracked journal after every single session. We will explicitly tell you how your dog handled the workout, how their stamina is progressing, and when we feel they are officially ready to graduate to higher-intensity runs or off-road trail hikes!

I have a flat-faced breed (or we just moved to Denver). Are your high-intensity runs and hikes safe for dogs adjusting to the altitude?

Absolutely, because we never use a "one-size-fits-all" approach to canine fitness.

Safety is at the heart of everything we do. Whether your pup is a flat-faced breed (brachycephalic like Frenchies or Pugs), a senior pet, or a flatland transplant still adjusting to our 5,280-foot baseline elevation, we customize every single outing to match their specific tolerance levels.

Here is how we keep your dog safe and thriving in the Colorado climate:

• The Acclimation Pace: For dogs new to the altitude, we utilize a gradual conditioning ramp. We start with lower-intensity, structured neighborhood walks and gradually build up their stamina before introducing them to intense jogging or mountain trail hikes.
• Smart Breed Management: For our short-nosed, flat-faced friends who struggle to cool themselves down efficiently, we focus heavily on our popular Leisurely Walks & Sniffaris. These emphasize mental stimulation, sensory enrichment, and shade breaks rather than sustained cardio.
• Hydration First: Colorado air is incredibly dry. Our athletic handlers carry fresh water on every single outing, implementing mandatory hydration and temperature checks to prevent overheating and exhaustion.
• Real-Time Health Monitoring: Our experienced handlers are trained to recognize the earliest signs of altitude fatigue or heat stress. If a pup needs to slow down, we pivot immediately. You'll receive full transparency on how they handled the elevation right in your post-workout GPS journal!

Do you work with puppies or senior dogs?

Yes we do. However for puppies younger than 8 - 18 months (depending on the breed and size) and some senior dogs a 4 - 6 mile hike may be too much. For dogs that are too old or too young to hike 4 - 6 miles or run 2.25 miles or more we offer neighborhood Leisurely Walks & Fast Paced Walks.

Are there breed or size restrictions for your services?

Hiking Service: To ensure all dogs fit comfortably within their van crates during transport, we must adhere to a shoulder height restriction. The maximum allowed shoulder height is 30 inches (or less), corresponding to the capacity of our largest crate.

Running & Walking Services: We can service any size dog.

Banned Breed Policy: The owners of DD strongly object to breed bans. However, due to limitations of our insurance policy, DD cannot service banned breeds.

Restricted Breed Policy: Ordinance sec 8-67: In Denver, certain dog breeds are considered "restricted" and require a Breed-Restricted Permit, including American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, and Staffordshire Bull Terrier, but they are not outright banned. A Restricted permit is required for these breeds.

Do you offer services for dogs with behavioral issues (e.g., reactivity)?

Hiking Service: All participating dogs must be friendly toward both people and other dogs. This is essential to ensure the safety of our team members, other trail users, and all pack mates.

Running & Walking Services: All dogs must be people friendly to ensure our team members or other trail users do not get bitten. But if the dog is reactive to other dogs or wildlife, we can take steps to avoid those situations.

Will my dog ever be grouped with other, unfamiliar dogs (group vs. solo services)?

Hiking Service: Dogs using our hiking service are screened before introducing them to the pack. All dogs in the pack are expected to be screened and well-socialized dogs.

Running and Walking Service: Dogs using our Running and Walking service will only be serviced with other dogs from the same household.

2. On the Trail & Road: Service Details

What distance do you cover?

Hiking Service: We will hike between 4 - 6 miles for two hours. Trail and weather conditions and pack member ability will impact the distance.

Running & Walking Services: Walks start from 1 mile and runs can be scheduled for between 2 - 6 miles.

How do you track the route and time of the service?

Hiking Service: Every session is recorded using a GPS tracking app. The complete route and photos from the session are posted in an online journal. You will receive one ETA and two automated notifications:

• Around 6:15 am you will receive an ETA with a time window when to expect the van driver.
• Then one when the team member has arrived.
• Around 12 pm you will receive an ETA for drop off.
• The final journal post with photos and a GPS route of the hike once the session is completed.

Running & Walking Services: Every session is recorded using a GPS tracking app. The complete route and photos from the session are posted in an online journal. You will receive three automated notifications:

• One when the team member is on their way.
• One when the team member has arrived.
• The final journal post once the session is completed.

3. Safety, Weather & Emergency Protocols

Do you service dogs in all types of weather (snow, heat, rain)?

Hiking Service: We hike dogs within a safe temperature range of 15°F to 80°F. When temperatures are expected to exceed 80°F, we strictly limit hikes to a maximum of 60 minutes to prevent overexertion. For services during snowy conditions, we will service pups if we can safely and reliably drive to the client's home. Basically if the client can get to their place of work, we should be able to get to their home to service their dog.

Running & Walking Services: We jog dogs within a safe temperature range of 10°F to 89°F. When temperatures exceed 80°F, running distances are strictly limited to a maximum of 2.5 miles to prevent overexertion. For services during snowy conditions, we will service pups if we can safely and reliably drive to the client's home. Basically if the client can get to their place of work, we should be able to get to their home to service their dog.

What safety measures do you take when servicing my dog in different weather conditions?

During periods of extreme cold, we utilize client-provided winter jackets. Throughout the warmer months, we schedule mid-session water breaks and utilize shaded areas to ensure proper hydration and prevent overheating. Team members are required to wear microspikes in icy conditions. This mandatory measure prevents slips and falls, thereby ensuring the handler maintains control and does not compromise leash safety.

Hiking Service Add-on: Additionally, for dogs identified as needing extra protection, or when client gear is not available, we carry and provide supplementary jackets kept in our transport vans.

How do you handle emergencies or injuries during a service?

In over 15 years and more than 150,000 sessions, serious injuries or medical emergencies have been extremely rare. Should an emergency occur, our procedure is clear:

• Our first priority is to immediately transport the dog to a qualified veterinarian for urgent medical care.
• All hikers carry an emergency dog sling (allowing them to carry a dog backpack-style) to facilitate rapid, safe transport from the trail.
• While the dog is en route to the clinic, our office will immediately contact the owner.

Can you administer medication during the service?

No, our team members cannot administer medication.

What gear do you use (leashes, harnesses, etc.)?

We use a combination of gear that we supply and train our team members on, along with certain gear provided by the client. We always use our own custom-designed leashes, which are built to meet our specific safety needs.

4. Our Team & Staff Standards

What training do your Team Members have?

We leave no stone unturned to ensure we have the best-trained team in Denver.

Drivers: We prioritize safety. Drivers must have a clean 7-year driving record (no accidents or violations). We use real-time driver technology (DriverI) to monitor and coach habits like hard braking and speeding. Drivers must maintain a high safety score (above 935/1000) to keep their position.

Hikers: Our training is extensive. Hikers complete 3 hours of online training which requires a near 100% quiz score, 3 hours of 101 in-person training, and two full days of field shadowing before working independently. Training is reinforced with bi-annual online sessions, ongoing support and one annual in person safety training session.

Runners & Walkers: Training begins with 180 minutes of online instruction, which requires a near 100% quiz score. This is followed by 3 hours of in-person training to practice key techniques. New team members must then complete at least two sessions with a Field Trainer, who gives final approval before they service clients independently. Throughout the year, we maintain high standards through bi-annual online sessions, a yearly 90–120 minute in-person safety course, and continuous support from Field Managers for any dog-specific issues. Our Quality Controllers constantly review session journals to identify and address training needs, ensuring ongoing excellence.

Do your staff members undergo background checks?

Yes! All of our team members must pass a thorough background check for the following:

• County Criminal Records
• Nationwide Sexual Offender Index
• Social Security Alert
• Residency History

Is Denver Dog bonded and insured?

Yes.

5. Booking, Hours & Location Logistics

How do I book service?

Hiking Service: We begin with a trial session. To book a trial session follow this URL: https://www.denverdoghikers.com/trial-session. Once your trial session is completed and your account registered you can conveniently book sessions 24/7 through our scheduling software.

Running & Walking Service: We begin with a trial session. You can book this by visiting our Get Started page (https://www.denverdogjoggers.com/trial-run). If you decide to continue with our service afterward, we will send you an invitation to register your online account. Once registered, you can conveniently schedule service 24/7.

How far in advance do I need to book?

Once your trial session is complete and your account is registered, we can usually accommodate very last-minute service requests. However, for a guaranteed spot on the schedule, we highly recommend setting up recurring service.

What are your operating hours?

Our office is open from 6 am - 2 pm M - F.

Hiking Service: Pick up is between 6:30 am - 9:00 am. Drop off is between 1:30 pm and 3:30 pm.

Running Service: We service clients from 8 am to 2 pm.

Are you available on weekends or holidays?

As of 11/14/2025, we provide service Mondays through Fridays. We are closed on major public holidays:

• New Years Day
• Memorial Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas

What neighborhoods in Denver do you service?

We service Arvada, Denver, Englewood, Golden, Lakewood, Littleton & Wheat Ridge.

How do you handle house keys and home security?

To ensure security and seamless logistics, we do not keep physical house keys with our team members. We require a reliable form of keyless access, such as a door code or a key kept securely inside a high-quality combination lockbox.

6. Rates, Billing & Cancellations

What are your rates for services?

Hiking Service: Please visit: https://www.denverdoghikers.com/denver-dog-hiker-dog-hikers

Running & Walking Services: Please visit: https://www.denverdogjoggers.com/denver-dog-runner-dog-running

Do you offer package deals or monthly discounts?

We do not. Instead we offer reduced service rates for recurring schedules. As-Needed services are charged at the standard rates.

Is there an extra charge for multiple dogs?

Yes, although additional dogs are charged at a significantly lower fee.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards.

What happens if I need to cancel or reschedule?

We require cancellation or change requests to be received at least 12 hours in advance to avoid a cancellation fee. Cancellations made after a team member is already en route to your location will be charged the full service rate.