The Hiking and Social Group at Finlayson's is exclusively for Finlayson's Pet Care Center clients. Most hikes are moderate to easy difficulty. All hikes are planned and scheduled by Mary Finlayson year round. Everyone who is on the Hiking email list receives an email about each hike. Some are flat with little to no elevation and some are hikes up mountains with views. Our social group will also include patio dinners at local restaurants and social fun gatherings with dogs. Even if you are not a hiker there will always be activities to join in on so sign up for this group today!! To be part of this group you must be a client at Finlayson's Pet Care Center. Please check one or more of the boxes under Services used. Do you want to join but you are not a client? You can take any class to join the group for 2021.
This year I have big plans for the group so I am hoping for some great weather! I am looking into beaches in Maine that allow dogs. I will also look at places to eat that we can spend time on the patios as well as lodging/ camping as well.
Rules and Trail Etiquette of the Hiking group
We have had many compliments on how well behaved our dogs are in the group. I want to maintain this status when we are out hiking and out in public.
1. Off Lead dogs - Most of the dogs are on lead. Well behaved dogs are off lead. Unfortunately many people think their dog is better off lead than they really are. Please read the following.
a. Off lead dogs always come when called even if they see a person, dog or wild animal. They will always return to the owner when asked.
b. If your dog is off lead please respect others space and their bubble. Whether it is another member of the group or other people on the trail never let your dog approach another dog or person randomly. This is one of the biggest issue we have with loose dogs on a hike. Your dog should hike no more than 20 feet away from you. If your dog approaches a strange dog on leash that dog could very well be dog aggressive. You will be at fault if your dog gets in a fight. Your dog maybe friendly but not every stranger on the trail will want to pet your dog or be jumped on by them. If you need help with your off lead skills you can take the off lead class. I absolutely do not want a bunch of out of control dogs taking over all the trails and areas we visit.
3. Leash control and the Bubble- As I have mentioned all dogs and people deserve a bubble. Whether off lead or on, letting your dog leave your space and randomly jump all over another dog or person can be very annoying and dangerous. Always have a conversation with other owners first to see if their dog would like to visit. As we hike with many of the same people you and your dog will make friends with others. These owners and dogs often hike close to each other.
Do you have a difficult time with leash control? Possibly your dogs drags you? You can't stop your dog when they want to go in a specific direction? If this is the case you need to take a class. Classes that can help are Canine good citizen, Urban Dog and Off Lead or even a basic Level I class.
4. -Pre Hike Meeting - We will always have a pre -hike meeting at the location before entering the trail. Dogs that need a bubble will wear a bandana in a specific color. Green for dog sensitivities and orange for people sensitivities. These are not dogs that are attacking and out of control. They do, however, need their space and are not comfortable with people in their face or other dogs jumping all over them. They are happy and content when walking and hiking in their own space.
We will also break up into mini groups to hike. Some hikers are faster than others. If your dogs have buddies that they like, they can hike with those owners. People who are hiking up front can inform on coming hikers with dogs that other dogs are coming. This will allow them to put their dog on leash or gain control.
Your dogs business - Please bring poo bags and something to carry full poo bags in. Leaving poo bags on the trail so you can return to pick them up later is not acceptable in this group. Many people forget and the poo bag could be stepped on by others. It also looks unsightly to see the trail littered with dog poop bags. Never think that just because it's in the woods that it is alright to cover it or just leave it. Even if it is off trail you will need to pick it up! Everyone must follow this rule to be part of the group!
Male Dogs - Marking - When we are in a pubic area such as a store, outdoor patio at a restaurant, please watch your male dogs for sniffing. Sniffing leads to marking. We don't want our dogs to pee on tables, chairs, people or inside a store at that allows dogs. We all want to be invited back to these spaces so it's important keep an eye on your dog! If your dog is in a store and pees on a retail item you will probably have to purchase it. Retailers who are nice enough to let people with dogs enter should not be hindered with the loss of inventory due to dogs eliminating on product.
Owner Responsibility - Owners and members are responsible for their dogs and guest actions. Mary Finlayson and Finlayson's Pet Care Center,llc , staff, owners and officers are not liable for any dogs actions or actions caused by guests. Members of this group are responsible for action by the guest that they bring including but not limited to, pets, family members including children and actions of guests who are not related to the member but accompanied by the member. This includes but is not limited to: dog bites, injuries from dog fighting, damage to property, injuries to dogs, member and guests.
Do you want to Join in?
Sign up through Facebook to join our group. First you must like us on Facebook then look for the group Finlayson's K-9 Hikers. If you are a current client you can apply for the group! You will now get to see all the notices on hikes and outing. You will also be able to share all the photos that we take.
This year I have big plans for the group so I am hoping for some great weather! I am looking into beaches in Maine that allow dogs. I will also look at places to eat that we can spend time on the patios as well as lodging/ camping as well.
Rules and Trail Etiquette of the Hiking group
We have had many compliments on how well behaved our dogs are in the group. I want to maintain this status when we are out hiking and out in public.
1. Off Lead dogs - Most of the dogs are on lead. Well behaved dogs are off lead. Unfortunately many people think their dog is better off lead than they really are. Please read the following.
a. Off lead dogs always come when called even if they see a person, dog or wild animal. They will always return to the owner when asked.
b. If your dog is off lead please respect others space and their bubble. Whether it is another member of the group or other people on the trail never let your dog approach another dog or person randomly. This is one of the biggest issue we have with loose dogs on a hike. Your dog should hike no more than 20 feet away from you. If your dog approaches a strange dog on leash that dog could very well be dog aggressive. You will be at fault if your dog gets in a fight. Your dog maybe friendly but not every stranger on the trail will want to pet your dog or be jumped on by them. If you need help with your off lead skills you can take the off lead class. I absolutely do not want a bunch of out of control dogs taking over all the trails and areas we visit.
3. Leash control and the Bubble- As I have mentioned all dogs and people deserve a bubble. Whether off lead or on, letting your dog leave your space and randomly jump all over another dog or person can be very annoying and dangerous. Always have a conversation with other owners first to see if their dog would like to visit. As we hike with many of the same people you and your dog will make friends with others. These owners and dogs often hike close to each other.
Do you have a difficult time with leash control? Possibly your dogs drags you? You can't stop your dog when they want to go in a specific direction? If this is the case you need to take a class. Classes that can help are Canine good citizen, Urban Dog and Off Lead or even a basic Level I class.
4. -Pre Hike Meeting - We will always have a pre -hike meeting at the location before entering the trail. Dogs that need a bubble will wear a bandana in a specific color. Green for dog sensitivities and orange for people sensitivities. These are not dogs that are attacking and out of control. They do, however, need their space and are not comfortable with people in their face or other dogs jumping all over them. They are happy and content when walking and hiking in their own space.
We will also break up into mini groups to hike. Some hikers are faster than others. If your dogs have buddies that they like, they can hike with those owners. People who are hiking up front can inform on coming hikers with dogs that other dogs are coming. This will allow them to put their dog on leash or gain control.
Your dogs business - Please bring poo bags and something to carry full poo bags in. Leaving poo bags on the trail so you can return to pick them up later is not acceptable in this group. Many people forget and the poo bag could be stepped on by others. It also looks unsightly to see the trail littered with dog poop bags. Never think that just because it's in the woods that it is alright to cover it or just leave it. Even if it is off trail you will need to pick it up! Everyone must follow this rule to be part of the group!
Male Dogs - Marking - When we are in a pubic area such as a store, outdoor patio at a restaurant, please watch your male dogs for sniffing. Sniffing leads to marking. We don't want our dogs to pee on tables, chairs, people or inside a store at that allows dogs. We all want to be invited back to these spaces so it's important keep an eye on your dog! If your dog is in a store and pees on a retail item you will probably have to purchase it. Retailers who are nice enough to let people with dogs enter should not be hindered with the loss of inventory due to dogs eliminating on product.
Owner Responsibility - Owners and members are responsible for their dogs and guest actions. Mary Finlayson and Finlayson's Pet Care Center,llc , staff, owners and officers are not liable for any dogs actions or actions caused by guests. Members of this group are responsible for action by the guest that they bring including but not limited to, pets, family members including children and actions of guests who are not related to the member but accompanied by the member. This includes but is not limited to: dog bites, injuries from dog fighting, damage to property, injuries to dogs, member and guests.
Do you want to Join in?
Sign up through Facebook to join our group. First you must like us on Facebook then look for the group Finlayson's K-9 Hikers. If you are a current client you can apply for the group! You will now get to see all the notices on hikes and outing. You will also be able to share all the photos that we take.
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