The Cheat Sheet for Dog Parents

This isn’t just another FAQ. Think of it as your inside scoop on how we roll — the details that keep our adventures smooth, safe, and way more fun for your dog (and less confusing for you)

Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. We’re closed on all regular BC stat holidays

Invoices go out on the 1st and 15th of each month (a bit earlier if those dates land on a holiday or weekend). You can pay by e-transfer or by credit card through Time to Pet, with the option to set up auto-charge so you don’t have to think about it twice.

  • For scheduled clients: We need 72 hours’ notice to avoid charges. Each month, you get the same number of cancellations as your weekly walk schedule (for example, 3 walks per week = 3 cancellations per month). Unused ones don’t roll over. For vacations, give us advance notice.

  • For drop-in clients: Once you book a walk, that spot is yours. If you cancel, the fee still applies.

We’re a small business, so empty spots hit us harder than most. When you book, we’re holding that time just for your dog.

Absolutely. We use treats as part of R+ (positive reinforcement) training. That means rewarding good behavior so your dog actually wants to repeat it. We stock unique proteins (cricket, bison, duck, fish) to avoid common allergens. If your dog has dietary restrictions, just let us know and we’ll make sure they’re covered.

No alpha nonsense here. Everything we do is positive reinforcement — science-backed, force-free, and fear-free. We reward what we want to see, so dogs learn with trust, kindness, and the occasional cookie.

Sometimes, yes. Forest trails and beaches are messy and we walk rain or shine. We’ll towel them off before bringing them in, but a bit of mud is part of the adventure. If you’d prefer your pup be left in a mudroom or outside space, just let us know.

Our sweet spot is 6 dogs. Occasionally we’ll add a 7th if a regular needs a last-minute spot, which is fully allowed under our insurance. Vancouver has no set limits outside Pacific Spirit Park, and we always keep our groups small enough for safe, fun adventures.

Our as-needed walks are a great option for clients who don’t need regular, scheduled walks but still want their dog to join the fun occasionally! These walks are subject to availability, and while we try our best to fit everyone in, we can’t always guarantee a spot.

To help us plan our routes, we ask that weekly schedules — including drop-in requests — be submitted by Sunday. The earlier you let us know, the better chance we have of accommodating your pup! Last-minute changes to pick-up locations cannot be accommodated on the morning of the scheduled walk, as we carefully map out our routes in advance.

Please also note that once a walk is booked, cancellations are non-refundable, and the full fee will still apply. This is because we reserve a spot for your dog and organize our groups accordingly.

If you’re looking for more consistency, a regular spot might be a better fit — but if flexibility is what you need, our drop-in option is the perfect way to give your dog an adventure when it works best for you!

it’s really hard for us to guarantee a specific time for our group walks. but we start our day at 9:00 AM, we end our first group walk around 1pm and then do our pick up and drops offs for our afternoon walk  and last dog is normally dropped off around 5:00 PM.

a key, lockbox or door code is required to use our services. Any keys given to Douglas Fur Pets are only named and have no other identification on it. And kept safe with a locked safe box when not in use.

In the event of extreme weather, we may need to modify our walking routine for your dog’s safety. We may shorten the walk, take frequent breaks, or play games indoors. We bring gear to keep your dog comfortable in all conditions, and we’re always happy to customize our services to meet your dog’s individual needs.

It’s a clever way of saying we aren’t certified trainers. However, if you are working with a trainer, we will join a session, or speak with them, in order to emulate the important training regiment  for your dog. If you do not have a trainer, we are happy to hear from you about what we should do!

FAQs are fun, but forest trails are better. Ready for your dog’s first adventure?

Start the Process

Douglas Fur Pets — Next to you, we’re your pet’s best friend. Vancouver’s go-to for epic group walks, It’s all we do, it’s what we’re best at and your dog’s about to be obsessed. 

We acknowledge we live and work on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and Sel̓íl̓witulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. We are grateful for their care and stewardship of these lands and waters — past, present, and future.

© Rain City Dogs Inc 2025