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Adventure Hounds www.adventurehounds.net

Denver Hound Hikers
www.denverhoundhikers.com

Go Dog Go Canine Adventures
www.godoggoco.com

By Tiffany Childs

After a long day at work, you come home worn out to find your canine pal… worn out, too? That’s the idea behind local programs that support personal training for your pooches.

All too often, dogs are anxious and excited when their owners come home from work, because they haven’t had the physical and mental stimulation they need to stay healthy.

Working dog owners who are hard pressed to find the time to give their pets the needed exercise can turn to Denver’s Adventure Hounds for a little help.

Adventure Hounds primarily focuses on getaways to the company’s private ranch for swimming, fetch and time well spent on the doggie playground. But they also offer hikes, if that’s what your dog prefers.

The private ranch features a lake as well as an agility park with tubes, tunnels and platforms designed to keep your dog in peak condition. It also has plenty of grassy and shady areas for well deserved rests.

The outings last half a day and include shuttle service to and from the dog’s house. Adventure Hounds’ Jill tells us it’s a “power workout” – even for very active breeds – that keeps the animals from becoming bored and destructive or overweight and unhealthy.

An average of eight dogs go to the park at the same time, so your pooches will have plenty of playtime with friends before heading home to show off their finely toned muscles to mom and dad.

Additionally, Adventure Hounds offers half-day hikes in the foothills. These usually include about four dogs in a pack and, if you have a well trained pooch, these outings can mean some off-leash time on the trails.

Jill keeps a Web page as well as activity books so you can monitor how the aerobic activities are treating your furry friend. You can reach Jill at (303) 477-7200. Sarah from Denver Hound Hikers offers a free, hour-long “getting to know you” session to discuss your dog’s temperament, health and current activity schedule.

This way, your dog is sure to find a group he or she fits in with well, based on personality and energy level. Once your pooch has settled into a group, the pack stays the same, so the dogs have a chance to get to know one another.

Denver Hound Hikers offers hikes on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, both in the morning and afternoon. This is a two-hour hiking adventure on moderate terrain with no more than four dogs in a group. Dogs love this trip, not only for the exclusive pick-up and drop-off service, but for the water and treats provided as well.

Lynn, from Go Dog Go Canine Adventures primarily services southwest metro Denver. She offers three levels of activities based on the dog’s age and fitness level, as well as the dog owner’s needs. The “great escape” is the shortest option, consisting of 30 to 40 minutes of walking, running and playing fetch or Frisbee in a neighborhood park or on a local trail system.

The “ultimate adventure” is 90 minutes of vigorous exercise, including hiking, swimming, snow shoeing and chuck-it at various dog parks and hiking trails.

Finally, the “all day getaway” is a full day of activities at a private dog park in the mountains, which can be equated to doggie daycare plus hiking, swimming and other outdoor activities.

Even with a backyard and a doggie door, pets can’t get adequate exercise and socialization by themselves. When your dogs have a personal training program, they return home feeling happy and tired. That means your dog is buttwigglingly happy to see you when you arrive home, but didn’t chew up your sofa cushions. And that makes both pooch and parent happy campers.