So it’s not your doggo’s first rodeo when it comes to walkies. But there are walkies and then there are walkies, if you catch our drift. A walk around the block might not cut the mustard if your floof is of an especially intrepid ilk but luckily Aotearoa’s home to a treasure trove of dog-friendly walks and beaches.
And if your boss has got you practically chained to your desk, you can rest easy knowing there are a bunch of top-tier pack walking and adventure service providers who can keep your pup living the good life while you’re toiling away at work.
As a bonus, many of these dog walkers pepper their adventures with training for happy, healthy, well-adjusted mutts. Your inbox might be full of 99 problems, but your pup’s health won’t be one of them.
Here are Auckland’s best dog walkers and doggo adventures.
The Dog Squad
North Shore (excluding Devonport), Hobsonville, Whenuapai, Kumeu, Waimauku, Riverhead, Coastville & Dairy Flat, Auckland
Image credit: The Dog Squad | Facebook
Cool cats might be a thing (allegedly) but The Dog Squad is all about cool canines. A dog walking and adventure service, The Dog Squad is designed to meet all your pup’s fitness and socialisation needs with speciality squads available for older dogs, dogs with special medical needs, and small-breed dogs too.
Every walk is about 5-12km and at least two hours with locations varying daily, from forests to farmland and everything in between. This crew is so good at what they do that their packs are currently waitlisted but touted to be reassessing applications from June of this year so if this sounds like a bit of your doggo, get in, stat.
Wolfies Walkies
Otahuhu, Ellerslie, Penrose, One Tree Hill, Onehunga, Hillsborough, Epsom, Mt Eden, Eden Terrace, Auckland
Wolfies Walkies is a one-woman operation, run by Cara Thumath. Offering a cavalcade of services, from basic training to hone your hound’s leash walking, command responses, energy and impulse control; to dog washes, pack walks, and homestay, Wolfies Walkies is where it's at.
Cara holds certificates in Pet First Aid and Dog Psychology, Behaviour and Training, and has created Wolfies Walkies Care Range, a paraben and sulfate-free range of dog care products for squeaky clean mutts.
Paw Pack
Onehunga, One Tree Hill, Otahuhu, Mangere, Remuera, Greenlane, Ellerslie, Mount Wellington, Auckland
Image credit: Paw Pack | Facebook
Paw Pack’s schtick is fun, structured socialisation, training, and exercise for all dogs. Founder, Chloe, holds a Certificate in Animal Management (Canine Behaviour & Training) and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Animal Management & Welfare) and it shows—each doggo is assessed for strengths and weaknesses before joining a pack followed by bespoke training and behaviour modification and development to ensure your fur baby gets the most out of their dog walking time. Think of it as helping your pup step into its power—love that.
Paws On Tour Adventure Dog Walking Group
Wider Auckland
With ‘Scratch n Sniff’ half day and ‘Adrenaline Junky’ full day adventure walks on offer, your hound's sure to have a joyful jaunt with Paws On Tour.
Each walk is designed to ignite your canine's inner explorer with a smorgasbord of smells to sniff, sights to get excited about, and sounds to ponder along forested paths and urban tracks alike. Cute. We love that this dog walk and adventure service is earth-prioritising. They choose environmentally friendly pet equipment and transportation. Yas.
Sticks & Bones
Auckland
More of a boutique vibe, Sticks & Bones, specialises in urban adventure walks with mini packs of no more than four dogs. The dog walk and adventure service was created by Amanda and consists of a team of walkers all of which have completed a professional dog walking course and an induction with a senior handler. As a bonus, you’ll get real-time updates from your walkers. Gorgeous.
Dog Scouts
North Shore & West Auckland
Image credit: Dog Scouts | Facebook
Dog Scouts is aptly named—it isn’t just about fun-filled gallops out in nature (although there is plenty of that), it’s also about upskilling man's best friend. Head Dog Walker/Trainer, Ally, has over six years of dog handling experience and a Certificate in Vet Nursing so you can be confident your mutt will level up its knowledge base—from basic commands to impulse control—while being well-cared for. Dog Scouts can help with behaviour modification, homestays, 1:1 training in specific environments, dog pack walks, and more.
Zoomies Dog Walking
Auckland
Fabrizio has been swooning over hounds for as long as he can remember. After moving to Aotearoa from Uruguay in 2019, he became a professional dog walker and, shortly afterwards, started Zoomies Dog Walking.
Specialising in balance packs and big adventures around Tāmaki’s parks and beaches, packs are small—just five to six dogs—with pups paired based on their vibe and personality, and each session involves an hour of off-leash play.
Looking for more dog'spo? Check out:
- The Best Dog Accessories Your Dog Definitely Needs Right Now
- Bars & Barks: The Best Dog-Friendly Watering Holes In Auckland
- 50 Fun Things To Do With Your Dog In Auckland
Main image credit: The Dog Squad | Facebook.