Dog Business
Toronto’s Barkers and Shakers
Ready—Set—Hike!
K9 Expeditions provides a day out on the trails for the active dog
By Tom Sandford
As the owner of two German Shorthaired Pointers, Emily MacKinnon knows a thing or two about dynamic dogs.
“They need a job,” she says.
So it only seems fitting that the idea for K9 Expeditions came to Emily during one of her nature hikes.
“A year and a half ago was winding down a business and I had a little bit more time on my hands,” Emily says. “I was spending a lot of time hiking with my dogs and I realized that I‘d really like to take that love of working with my dogs and my love of hiking and form a business.”
The framework for K9 Expeditions really began to take shape after Emily noticed the increasing prevalence of high-energy dogs in Toronto parks. She feels that well-meaning owners of active breeds like Vizslas, Weimaraners and German Shorthaired Pointers aren’t always meeting the needs of their peppier pets.
“I understand the kind of physical and mental stimulation [high-energy dogs] need. A one-hour trip to the local dog park isn’t enough,” she says.
Accordingly, K9 Expeditions was created to provide perpetually adrenalized dogs with precisely this kind of mental and physical stimulation. After being picked up in the morning, dogs are taken on structured hikes to destinations along the Bruce Trail.
But Emily’s excursions are not akin to a wild pack of dogs roaming the Bruce Trail with impunity. Along the route, dogs are given opportunities to work on socialization and obedience. This is no free-for-all.
“In order for a dog to hike with me off leash they have to have a hundred per cent recall,” Emily says. “If they don’t, I work with my clients’ dogs to get them to that point.”
The dogs’ day out usually lasts anywhere from two to four hours, after which all hikers are inspected for cuts and abrasions, groomed and then returned home.
“We have a lot of fun,” Emily says.
K9 Expeditions can be contacted at info@k9expeditions.com, or go to either www.facebook.com/K9Expeditions or www.k9expeditions.com.
“They need a job,” she says.
So it only seems fitting that the idea for K9 Expeditions came to Emily during one of her nature hikes.
“A year and a half ago was winding down a business and I had a little bit more time on my hands,” Emily says. “I was spending a lot of time hiking with my dogs and I realized that I‘d really like to take that love of working with my dogs and my love of hiking and form a business.”
The framework for K9 Expeditions really began to take shape after Emily noticed the increasing prevalence of high-energy dogs in Toronto parks. She feels that well-meaning owners of active breeds like Vizslas, Weimaraners and German Shorthaired Pointers aren’t always meeting the needs of their peppier pets.
“I understand the kind of physical and mental stimulation [high-energy dogs] need. A one-hour trip to the local dog park isn’t enough,” she says.
Accordingly, K9 Expeditions was created to provide perpetually adrenalized dogs with precisely this kind of mental and physical stimulation. After being picked up in the morning, dogs are taken on structured hikes to destinations along the Bruce Trail.
But Emily’s excursions are not akin to a wild pack of dogs roaming the Bruce Trail with impunity. Along the route, dogs are given opportunities to work on socialization and obedience. This is no free-for-all.
“In order for a dog to hike with me off leash they have to have a hundred per cent recall,” Emily says. “If they don’t, I work with my clients’ dogs to get them to that point.”
The dogs’ day out usually lasts anywhere from two to four hours, after which all hikers are inspected for cuts and abrasions, groomed and then returned home.
“We have a lot of fun,” Emily says.
K9 Expeditions can be contacted at info@k9expeditions.com, or go to either www.facebook.com/K9Expeditions or www.k9expeditions.com.
