What is your service area?
Four Paws Adventures currently serves Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe,
Ahwatukee, and Southwest Mesa. Some services may be available
in an expanded area for an additional mileage fee. Four Paws Adventures
is expanding to Scottsdale and the Northwest Valley soon - click
here
to receive an email when we expand!
What days do you offer walks and field trips?
Dog park excursions and hound hikes are offered Monday through
Friday.
What requirements do you have?
All new canine clients are evaluated in order to determine their
suitability to requested services and existing groups. All dogs
must be six months or older, be licensed, be spayed or neutered,
and have current vaccinations or vaccine titers. Dogs with worms,
fleas, and/or ticks are not accepted until successfully treated.
Dogs which have shown aggression toward other dogs are not accepted
for group trips.
What credentials do you have?
Four Paws Adventures is owned and operated by Melanie Barnes.
Melanie was a pet sitter from 2000 - 2006, is certified in pet
first aid through the Red Cross, is a member of Pet Sitters International,
and is insured and bonded. And Melanie is a dog mom herself, so
you can be sure she understands the special relationship you have
with your dog. Please visit the Testimonials page for references.
While
pet sitting, Melanie saw a need for a professional dog walking
service with the emphasis on exercise. She decided to get out
of pet "sitting" and into dog adventures in 2006. In
late 2006, she quit her day job and now focuses exclusively on
canine fitness and fun!
Do you offer
dog training?
Four
Paws Adventures does not offer dog training, but we will work
with you and your trainer to reinforce any current training which
you are working on. We offer fun and adventure but we always gently
encourage our canine clients to respect the pack leader and the
rest of the pack!
Are dog parks safe?
We've all heard dog park horror stories; however, dog parks are
much less crowded during the weekdays. We are experienced in handling
dogs, always monitor the situations to which clients are exposed,
and are specially equipped to break up doggie disagreements. Dog
parks that Four Paws frequents all have multiple enclosures so
that clients can be moved to a new area if there is another dog
which causes concern. Dog park groups are limited to three dogs
per trip, so you can be sure your dog is getting personal interaction
and supervision. Dogs are grouped by size and/or temperament.
Even small dogs can have their day at the dog park!
What about the heat in Arizona?
The Four Paws Adventures' Dog Bus is crate equipped, well ventilated,
and climate controlled. Every adventure includes plenty of fresh
water and the dogs are monitored closely for signs of heat exhaustion.
During the hot summer months hiking services are not offered,
but a trip to Cosmo Dog Park's doggie lake is a fun and refreshing
adventure!
Isn't hiking dangerous?
It is Four Paws Adventures' job to insure the safety of the pack.
Dogs are never let off leash during hiking trips - it is illegal
and dangerous. During rattlesnake season, hiking is limited to
well used trails where wildlife is frightened away from the trail
by continuous traffic. Trails are wide enough that the dogs are
always able to stay on trail and out of the brush and cacti. The
pack leader carries a canine first aid kit and knows the location
of the nearest veterinarian to each trail in case of emergency.
How do you pick up my dog while I'm not home?
Four Paws Adventures is insured, bonded, and reputable. You will
be asked to provide a key to your home or access to your yard
during the introductory meeting. This key will only be used for
scheduled visits and is never marked or stored with your name
or home address.
What types of payment do you accept?
Payments are accepted via personal check, cash, or PayPal. All
services are prepaid. Payment can be made with a credit card via
PayPal without having a PayPal account - just click on the PayPal
button at the bottom of the Services page.
What
if I need to cancel?
Because services are prepaid, Four Paws Adventures does not currently
charge a cancellation fee. Refunds are not offered, but your dog's
adventure will be rescheduled. If you do need to cancel, please
provide as much notice as possible. Four Paws' clients are on
regular schedules, but reschedules and last minute requests can
often be accommodated.
Why should
I hire a professional dog walker?
You can be assured of professional, insured and bonded service.
Unlike neighborhood kids or part-time dog walkers, we take your
dog's fun very seriously!
Why should
I choose Four Paws Adventures instead of doggie daycare?
Because we pick them up, tire them out, and drop them off! Four
Paws Adventures can also be a nice compliment to daycare services,
giving your dog a chance to have a more adventurous experience
and a different group of friends on non-daycare days.
How often should my dog go out with Four Paws Adventures?
That depends on your dog's condition and activity needs. Four
Paws Adventures can take your dog out five days per week or can
offer special "break-up-the-work week" outings.
How will I know if my dog had fun?
Check out the day's adventures on the Gallery page of our website!
Your dog will have his or her own photo album in the Gallery where
you can view photos of your dog in action!
How do I get my adventure hound signed up?
Call 602-617-6419 or click here
to request a free introductory meeting. The introductory meeting
takes about one half hour. Please be prepared to provide a key
to your home or yard, proof of current licensing, a veterinarian
receipt showing commonly accepted vaccinations or vaccine titer
due dates, and payment.
Do you have
a question that hasn't been answered?
Please click
here to email Melanie.
|