Frequently Asked Questions
We love our dogs, and we know that you love your dogs too. We do not consider ourselves a traditional dog daycare, but rather think of ourselves as a transformative place for dogs and their humans. We pride ourselves on working with each individual dog to make them the best versions of themselves. Please see our list of frequently asked questions before making any inquiries about our program to ensure that we are the right fit for you, and vice versa.
What is Off-Leash Excursions?
Off-Leash Excursions started as a strictly hiking/dog walking service in the North End of Boston. Our offerings have now grown to services including boarding, training, and community events. We like to advocate for responsible dog ownership, and consider ourselves stewards for proper off-leash etiquette and training on the South Shore and, via social media, a wider audience. We want people to enjoy life with their well-behaved dog!
I’m interested in your day camp program. How will my dog spend their day at Off-Leash Excursions?
Your dog will be picked up in the morning between 7:30 – 9:30 AM. Please have them ready to go with their collar and biothane leash ready by the door! (We offer training collars and biothane Leashes for order if needed!)
Upon arrival, your dog may jump right into training or head out on an excursion, but we strategically practice training throughout the day. Our primary areas of focus for all of the dogs include impulse control (via the “place” command), proper socialization, confidence building, and recall (the “come” command). We also utilize our close proximity to Marshfield Center to take trips to the skate park or Lowe’s to practice our training in real-world settings. Teaching a dog to be calm in various environments, regardless of the stimuli going on around them, is the secret to having a well-behaved dog.
We wrap up for the day around 2:30 PM, and your dog will arrive home between 3 – 4:30 PM. It’s a full day of mental and physical stimulation!
My dog has never been off-leash before. Can we still sign up for your program?
Each dog and their human is required to come in for a one-on-one training session before signing up for camp. During this session, we will see where your dog is on their training journey. We may recommend more training before coming to camp, and are always available for additional help.
It is important to note that our day camp is not a substitute for training. We highly encourage all clients to reinforce what the dogs practice during the day at home for the best results. You get out what you put in!
How old does my dog need to be to participate in your program?
State law requires that all dogs have their final round of rabies vaccine before participating in any group activities with other dogs or people. This is usually around 6 months of age, but we are happy to get you started with training ASAP! It’s never too early to start training, and is always best to be proactive rather than reactive.
What about ticks?
Lyme disease is a big concern of ours! We have the acreage outside of our facility sprayed by Oh Deer, an all-natural, essential-oil based tick repellant service. We also use Wondercide repellent on ourselves as well as the dogs. However, we do require that all dogs be on a tick preventative to ensure their safety and ours.