Member guide

Getting Ready for Your First Behavior & Enrichment Walk

What to expect on the first few walks, how to set up treats and walking gear, and a checklist to run through beforehand.

The First Few Walks

The first few walks give your dog and their Care Team time to get to know each other.

Specialists pay attention to how your dog responds to their arrival, leaving the house, their walking gear, neighborhood activity, new places, and new kinds of engagement.

Expect a slower first walk that covers less ground. The Care Team uses that time to learn what makes your dog comfortable, motivated, and engaged, then plans future walks around that.

Treats & Motivation

Every membership walk is an R+ (positive reinforcement) walk, so treats are one of the main ways the Care Team rewards your dog.

We provide

A Pet Care Club treat pouch for your dog.

You provide

A supply of treats your dog loves, labeled with their name.

Where to keep itStore the pouch with your dog's walking gear and keep the treats close by.

Each walkThe Specialist fills the pouch before heading out and puts it back in the same place afterward.

Why treats come from home:Every dog has different tastes, dietary needs, and possible allergies or sensitivities. Using your treats means you control exactly what your dog eats, and it helps the Care Team learn what motivates them most.

How to Pick a High-Value Treat

High-value treats are the ones your dog gets most excited about, separate from their regular food and everyday treats.

Know their preferences Try a few textures (soft, chewy, crunchy) and flavors (chicken, beef, peanut butter) to find what your dog likes best.
Choose quality ingredients Look for treats without artificial additives, fillers, or added sugar.
Keep them small Pick treats that are small or easy to break into pieces so your dog stays motivated without overeating.
Check for allergies If your dog has food sensitivities, read labels closely and consider single-ingredient or hypoallergenic options
Rotate favorites Dogs can get bored of the same treat, so keep two or three on hand and switch between them
Soft treats for walks Soft treats are quick to eat and keep the walk moving. Save chews for longer rewards at home.

Some of Our Favorites

Canature NutriBites Freeze-Dried Beef Liver (Costco)

Dog Delights Chewy Lamb Sticks (Costco)

Other easy options from Costco: soft beef sticks, cheese sticks, or rotisserie chicken cut into small pieces with the skin and bones removed.

Harness & Leash Setup

The right gear keeps your dog comfortable and makes it easy for the Specialist to guide them safely.

Harness: you providea well-fitted Y-shaped harness for your dog.

Leash: we providea leash suited to Behavior & Enrichment Walks, so you don't need to buy one.

Choosing the Right Harness

Shape:A well-fitted Y-shaped harness lets the shoulders move freely, is hard to slip out of, and gives the handler clear communication with your dog.
Fit:Snug but not tight. Measure your dog's chest and neck, and look for adjustable straps.
Comfort:Look for padding at the chest and under the front legs, where straps tend to rub.
Strong pullers:Choose a harness with leash clips on both the front and back. The front clip helps redirect pulling.

Harnesses We Recommend

All three are Y-shaped, well reviewed, and come in sizes for small to large dogs.

Best all-around:

Ruffwear Front Range

Padded and easy to adjust, with front and back leash clips. Works for dogs who pull and dogs who don't.

View harness

For strong pullers:

2 Hounds Design Freedom No-Pull

Front and back leash clips to help redirect pulling, in sizes from mini to XXL.

View harness

For loose-leash walkers:

Made to Roam Explorer

A padded Y-shaped design with four adjustment points, available in seven sizes.

View harness

Before the First Walk

Your dog's profile and care instructions are up to date in the client portal.
Their harness and walking gear are clean and easy to find.
The Pet Care Club treat pouch is with their walking gear.
A labeled supply of treats is nearby.
Keys, lockboxes, door codes, and access instructions have been tested.
You've told us about any recent changes in your dog's health, mobility, medication, behavior, routine, or household.
You've shared any known triggers, fears, favorite activities, rewards, or neighborhood situations we should know about.

There's no need to tire your dog out beforehand.Keeping their day normal lets the Specialist see how they usually feel and respond.

What to Expect on Every Walk

At the start of each walk, the Specialist checks in on how your dog is feeling and decides what to focus on. A walk may include movement, sniffing, decompression, loose-leash and safety practice, enrichment, confidence-building, or watching distractions from a comfortable distance.

Walks change from day to day along with your dog's needs.

Afterward, you'll receive a journal with notes and photos from the walk. The whole Care Team reads the same journals, which helps them spot patterns and build on what they've learned from one walk to the next.

Questions?

If there's anything else we should know, send it through the client portal or contact the Client Experience Team at (206) 448-5854 or memberexperience@yourpetcareclub.com.(206) 448-5854 or memberexperience@yourpetcareclub.com.

Making Every Day Their Best Day.