Social Walks
Social Walks
Putting Social Skills Into Practice
£12.50 per dog | 1.5 Hours
Social Walks give dogs the opportunity to put their developing social skills into practice in more natural, real-world environments.
Unlike our more structured Social Foundations sessions, these walks provide greater opportunities for dogs to move, explore, communicate and interact while still having guidance and support available when needed.
The aim isn't for every dog to play with every other dog. It's about helping dogs navigate being part of a social group — learning when to interact, when to disengage, how to respect boundaries and how to enjoy shared experiences around other dogs.
Every dog's individual needs, communication and comfort remain at the heart of the walk.
What Social Walks Look Like
Depending on the dogs attending, walks may include:
Appropriate social interaction
Play and exploration
Walking alongside other dogs
Natural opportunities to interact and disengage
Reading and responding to other dogs' communication
Managing excitement within a group
Respecting social boundaries
Building confidence in real-world environments
Dogs aren't expected to constantly interact.
Sometimes successful social behaviour means playing together. Sometimes it means walking alongside another dog, having a quick interaction and moving on, or simply choosing to do their own thing.
Before You Join
All new dogs require a 1:1 assessment before joining Social Walks.
This allows us to understand your dog's behaviour, social experience, communication and individual needs and determine whether Social Walks are the right environment for them.
Your dog may benefit from starting with Neutral Walks or Social Foundations before progressing to Social Walks.
Designed for Dogs with Big Feelings
Our services are designed with dogs with big feelings in mind — whether they bark, lunge, become over-excited, feel worried around others or simply need a little more space and understanding.
Muzzled dogs are always welcome. Dogs with a known bite or attempted bite history must be appropriately muzzle trained and wear a suitable muzzle during group sessions.
A muzzle isn't a judgement about your dog or a sign that they don't belong. It's simply a positive safety tool that allows more dogs to be included, supported and given opportunities to succeed safely.
Who Are Social Walks For?
Social Walks may be suitable for dogs who:
Are ready for greater social interaction
Have developed appropriate foundation skills
Are learning how to communicate around other dogs
Need opportunities to build social confidence
Benefit from practising their skills in real-world environments
Are ready to progress from Social Foundations
You don't need a "perfect" dog to join.
Dogs are individuals and social skills develop at different rates. One dog may enjoy playing with others, while another may prefer walking alongside the group and occasionally choosing to interact.
Both can be successful social experiences.
Before You Join
All new dogs require a 1:1 Skills & Confidence Assessment before joining Social Walks.
£30 | 45 minutes
This is the same 1:1 service as our Get Ready for Our Walks session and gives us time to meet you and your dog before joining a Social Walk.
We'll look at how your dog responds around other dogs, their communication, confidence, arousal levels and ability to engage and disengage. It also gives us an opportunity to understand their individual needs and how we can best support them within a group environment.
Following the session, your dog may be ready to join Social Walks, or we may recommend starting with Neutral Walks or Social Foundations first.
The aim isn't to pass or fail your dog. It's about making sure we're putting them into an environment where they can feel safe, be supported and have the best opportunity to succeed.
Social Walk Information
£12.50 per dog
Duration: 1.5 hours
New dogs: £30 | 45-minute 1:1 Skills & Confidence Assessment required before joining
Reactive dogs must be muzzle trained and wear a suitable muzzle
Important Information
Social Walk Assessment
£30 | 45 minutes
All new dogs must complete a 1:1 Social Walk Assessment before joining our Social Walks.
Our Social Walks give dogs opportunities to interact, communicate and socialise with other dogs. Before joining a group, we need to understand how your dog communicates during real social interaction.
During the assessment, your dog will meet and interact with one of Emily's own dogs. Introductions will be managed carefully, allowing us to observe things such as:
Approaching and greeting another dog
Body language and communication
Responding to another dog's signals
Recognising and respecting boundaries
Engagement and disengagement
Excitement and arousal during interaction
Moving away and giving space
Recovery following interaction
How much support your dog needs from you
Muzzles & Safety
As the assessment involves direct interaction with another dog, safety is our priority.
Dogs with a history of biting, snapping, attempted bites or other behaviour that could present a bite risk must be muzzled during interaction.
We have a range of spare muzzles available and can help with fit where appropriate. Please let us know beforehand if your dog has never worn a muzzle or is uncomfortable wearing one.
Wearing a muzzle does not automatically prevent your dog from joining our Social Walks. Some dogs may simply need to remain muzzled during group interactions.
What Happens Next?
This isn't about expecting perfect social behaviour. The assessment helps us understand your dog's individual social skills and what support they may need.
Following the assessment, they may be ready to join our Social Walks, or we may recommend building their skills through Neutral Walks or Social Foundations first.
£30 | 45 minutes | Required before joining Social Walks