Frequently Asked Questions

Meet & greets

  • Getting set up with us is easy. Sign up for a meet and greet consultation that fits your schedule, and complete the form with as accurately and detailed as you can. You’ll get a confirmation email for your appointment. We occasionally have to reschedule, but we provide lots of notice. You’re also welcome to reschedule your meet and greet visit if your schedule goes awry. From there, we’ll get you set up with contact info, forms, and other details. We’ll also provide info for you to set up with PetPocketbook, the app that we use to manage appointments.

  • We schedule a free meet and greet to get to know you and your dog, discuss their routine, and answer your questions. It helps us build trust, assess their needs, and determine the best care plan moving forward. We curate packs for ideal hiking vibes, and we’re probably already thinking of which dogs in our care your pet will get along with best.

  • We assess each dog individually during your meet and greet. Dogs should have basic obedience, good recall, and be non-reactive toward other dogs. If your pup prefers solo time, we also offer private dog walks.

  • On your pup’s first walk with us, if in a group setting, we take special care to introduce them to their new pals in the most natural, least intimidating way possible. This may mean riding shotgun en-route to the park so they can meet in an open setting, though we also understand that some pups are more comfortable riding in the back. In this case, we’ll leash and introduce them to each adventure buddy individually as we do our pick-ups. 

    Once we arrive at the park, we’ll keep your pup on the long line to gauge how they interact and respond to us before letting them off-leash.

  • PetPocketbook is a pet care app we use for scheduling, invoicing, messaging and (best of all?) report cards! Within the app, you have the ability to manage your dogs' schedule and can request, modify or cancel their appointments as needed. It also offers instant messaging and invoicing and provides a thorough pet profile for keeping track of your pup, their health, and any specific needs or recall queues they may have.

Schedule a meet & greet
Services & pricing

  • Hitch-a-Hike Victoria primarily offers group dog hikes and private walks. Pet sitting or day care services are limited to current clients and subject to availability.

  • Our off-leash dog hiking services take us to dog-friendly and scenic spots, like PKOLS (Mount Doug) or Thetis Regional Park. These spots are perfect for dogs who love adventure and social time with other pups.

  • We service most of Greater Victoria, including Fernwood, James Bay, Fairfield, Saanich, and surrounding neighbourhoods. If you're unsure whether we cover your location, contact us for more info.

  • We try our best to accommodate dogs who require medication, mobility support, or other special care. We’ll go over your dog’s needs in detail during your meet and greet to determine the best plan.

  • Hitch-a-Hike Victoria offers consistent care from a trusted & experienced team. Our core values of being Fear/Force-Free means that we are doing everything we can to ensure your pup always feels safe and at ease during their adventure with us. We also use our own app for scheduling, messaging, invoicing, and sending report cards following your pup’s outing!

  • Our group hikes range from $37.50 to $42.50, plus tax. Lower rates reflect ongoing service commitments.

  • We have a few vehicles we use to pick dogs up, and we plan driving routes efficiently to minimize the time your dog spends driving with us. We typically arrange a key or passcode setup so we can pick your dog up after you’ve left for the day.

  • Pet sitting starts at $70 for 7 hours on weekdays. Prices vary depending on the length of care, boarding needs, and other factors. Contact us for more info. Pet sitting is also limited to current clients, but you can schedule a meet and greet to see if we’re a good fit.

  • Maybe! Pet sitting services are always subject to availability. Let us know how many animals you have, and we’ll create a custom plan and quote based on the level of care needed.

  • While we have some understanding of the world of dog training, we emphasize that we are not trainers. We are proud to work with a network of Fear/Force-Free (R+) trainers within Victoria, from basic obedience or puppy training to niches such as separation anxiety, recall or reactivity. We'rehappy to refer you to a trainer within our network.

  • Safety is our top priority. We limit group sizes to six dogs and carefully curate our groups by size, age, and temperament. We monitor body language consistently, use secure gear, avoid potential triggers and never leave dogs unattended.

  • We use our own custom, secure, and durable leashes. We prefer to use your dog's harness over their collar, and pups should wear their registration tag as well. Our dog walks always include poop bags, water, and hypo-allergenic treats, and we tailor gear choices based on your dog’s needs. We do not use aversive tools such as prong, choke, or shock collars. 

  • We walk rain or shine — we couldn’t call ourselves a PNW company if we didn’t operate in a wide range of weather conditions. If snow or other conditions make it unsafe or logistically impossible to complete scheduled walks, we’ll provide you with as much advance notice as possible.

  • We help reinforce leash manners and polite walking behaviors. Your dog should already have basic obedience ahead of their time with us.

  • You'll get updates in the form of report card notifications following your pup's time with us, either through Pet Pocketbook or email. We take photos of their adventure, let you know if they’ve done their business while out with us, and provide any other relevant updates. We love hearing how receiving your pup's report card brightens your work day!

Group hikes
Scheduling

  • We recommend booking at least 1–2 weeks in advance, especially during holidays or vacation seasons. For recurring walks or midday visits, we can often accommodate short notice once your dog is registered with us.

  • Yes! Midday dog walks are ideal for working pet parents in Victoria. We offer flexible scheduling Monday through Friday to give your dog exercise and enrichment while you're away earning their snack money.

  • We offer different group pack hiking packages with flexible scheduling and lower rates. Whether you need daily visits or a few times a week, we’ll help you build a consistent routine that suits your dog’s lifestyle.

  • We offer weekend and holiday care, subject to availability. These timeframes are in high demand, so we recommend inquiring about service well in advance.

  • Yes, but we can’t guarantee availability. If we have space for your pet, we’ll squeeze them into our schedule. Please note that requests made less than 24 hours in advance are subject to an additional 10% fee.

  • We appreciate as much notice as possible and have a 50% fee for cancellations made less than 24 hours in advance. If we arrive at pickup and your pup is unable to join, our full service fee applies. 

Team & qualifications

  • Yes, our professional handlers are trained according to Hitch-a-Hike standards for canine safety and responsible off-leash etiquette. We follow force-free and fear-free practices. We're a registered pet sitting business in Victoria and carry insurance for all our dog care services.

  • If you're passionate and knowledgeable about dog care, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about what we’re looking for in our handlers, or contact us directly.

  • Our team includes professional dog walkers, trained pet care providers, and experienced animal lovers.

  • While we do try to keep our groups consistent as much as possible, we can't guarantee a specific walker for every visit since we need to account for group dynamics and time management. What remains consistent is that your pup will be safe, loved and come home tired and happy after their adventure with any member of our team.