🐾 How to Prepare Your Dog for Their First Pack Walk (or Any Pack Walk!)

 

Listen Here (or read):

By Jennifer, Founder of Ugly Dog Adventures

Whether it’s your dog’s very first pack walk or they’ve been part of the crew for a while, this guide will help you understand how to set them up for success. At Ugly Dog Adventures, our structured pack walks are designed to bring out the best in every dog—building confidence, promoting calmness, and giving them a consistent outlet for mental and physical balance.

We’ve been leading these large-scale, structured walks for over 17 years, and we’ve helped thousands of dogs become calmer, more focused, and more confident in the world. Here’s what to expect and how to make your dog’s pack walk experience as smooth and beneficial as possible.

🐶 Step 1: First Walk Happens at the Park

For your dog’s first official pack walk, you’ll bring them directly to us at Grijalva Park in Orange. This helps us start them off in a controlled, focused environment. After that, if you’re located within one of our pickup zones, we’ll take care of transportation for future walks. (We’ve likely already discussed this with you, but if not, just reach out and we’ll confirm!)

💩 A quick note: Please make sure your dog has gone potty before drop-off. This helps them ride more comfortably in the van with their new pals.

🎒 Step 2: Gear – What to Have Ready

We may adjust your dog’s gear depending on what will help them walk best with the group. When we pick up your dog, we may switch out equipment or introduce new tools to support their training and comfort in the pack.

That said, we ask that your dog always wears a flat, regular collar with your phone number and their name clearly listed on the tags. Please also ensure the collar is tight and secure before the pack walk—we want to keep your dog safe and prevent any slipping out of gear.

 

🍽️ A Quick Note About Feeding (or not feeding your dog before the pack walk.)

We recommend not feeding your dog before their pack walk. Just like with humans, it’s best for dogs to exercise first and enjoy their big meal after the activity. A walk on an empty (but not starving) stomach can help avoid digestive issues and allows your dog to stay focused, calm, and comfortable throughout the experience.

 

🧘‍♀️ Step 3: Stay Calm and Keep Goodbyes Low-Key

One of the best things you can do during drop-off is to keep the handoff calm and smooth. Dogs feed off your energy, and when goodbyes are emotional or drawn out, it can make the transition more stressful for them.

A simple, relaxed handoff—without too much buildup—helps your dog shift into “adventure mode” more easily. We know it can be hard to let go (especially on those early days), but the quicker and more neutral the goodbye, the better your dog usually does. Just hand them off, give a smile, and let us take it from there—they’re about to have a great time.

⏰ Step 4: Give It Time

Our pack walks aren’t just a way to burn energy—they’re a structured training experience. We focus on calm energy, boundary work, group awareness, and impulse control. Some dogs adapt quickly, while others need a few walks to find their rhythm. That’s totally normal. What matters most is consistency, and that you trust the process. Structure is what allows these dogs to grow.

🚐 Step 5: Pickup & Drop-Off

Once your dog has been cleared for group walks, we offer pickup and drop-off—as long as you’re within one of our service areas. Our routes currently cover Orange, North Tustin, Santa Ana, Villa Park, and Anaheim Hills, and we also do scheduled pickups in the Newport Beach/Irvine area at Turtle Rock Community Park on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If we’ve confirmed you’re within one of these zones, you’re all set! If not, just reach out and we’ll see what’s possible.

💬 Step 6: Communication Is Key

Have questions? Text us anytime. Whether you’re wondering how your dog is doing, what gear we’re using, or how they’re progressing in the group—we’re always happy to keep you in the loop. We’re a small, hands-on team, and we genuinely care about every dog we work with.

If you’d like to schedule time to talk with Jennifer about training or any specific issues you’re experiencing, we’re happy to set that up. She’s available for short meet-ups at noon on weekdays after the pack walk at Grijalva Park.

Our pack walks have helped transform thousands of dogs over the years—from anxious to calm, reactive to respectful, and overstimulated to focused. With structure, consistency, and the right guidance, your dog will thrive—and we’re honored to be part of that journey.

Welcome to the pack.

— Jennifer

Founder & Head Pack Leader – Ugly Dog Adventures