Squirrel Academy

Squirrel Academy Professional dog walking service, specializing in off leash walks.

Second to last walk with the Sunny boy ❤️
12/16/2022

Second to last walk with the Sunny boy ❤️

I’ll give you the good news first, Im moving to Kelowna!! 🍷🍷🍷🍷Bad news 🫣…🐿️ is closing 🥹It’s just crazy that I’m announc...
12/06/2022

I’ll give you the good news first, Im moving to Kelowna!! 🍷🍷🍷🍷

Bad news 🫣…

🐿️ is closing 🥹

It’s just crazy that I’m announcing this on Squirrel’s 6th birthday 🎂
Everything really does come full circle.

To everyone that supported me these past 6 years, thank you ❤️

I’m sure google photos will keep sending me curated photo albums of all of our adventures through the years 😝

On to new endeavours 👋

HBD to Chuck! 🥳❤️ We had a great birthday walk earlier today. I’m pretty she smiled the whole time, except when ther...
11/02/2022

HBD to Chuck! 🥳❤️



We had a great birthday walk earlier today. I’m pretty she smiled the whole time, except when there were butts and grass to sniff 😜






















🌾 SUNNY 🌻This guy will melt your heart. His humans have done such a great job with him. Their commitment to Sunny is jus...
11/01/2022

🌾 SUNNY 🌻

This guy will melt your heart.

His humans have done such a great job with him. Their commitment to Sunny is just so beautiful

They’ve recently moved and have noticed some new undesirable behaviours. Note, Sunny is STILL a good boy, despite this change in behaviour. It’s just the only way he knows how to express himself.

They needed some guidance and support, and we’re thrilled they chose us to help 🥰

While out in walks with Squirrel, here’s a few things Sunny can expect…

👉 sniffing grassy areas for treats (when it’s safe to do so without other dog groups around)
👉 jumping up on almost anything, logs, boulders, benches, etc.
👉 recall with the cue “touch” (or whistling, calling his name, or running like a lunatic in the opposite direction while making funny noises 🤪 bc I want to be the most interesting thing at the park to him)
👉 safe distances from dogs (and humans) who are unpredictable. The safer Sunny feels with me, the more bonded we will be.
👉 short periods of time where we just have a relaxing, slow walk, with little verbal direction from me, which encourages independence and calm behaviour.

Can’t wait for more Sunny time! ❤️






















6th Reason: socializationSocialization is a tricky one. I’ll give you an example. Thomas (hi thomas’ fam jam!), a beaut...
10/27/2022

6th Reason: socialization

Socialization is a tricky one.

I’ll give you an example.

Thomas (hi thomas’ fam jam!), a beautiful red headed field retriever, started walking with me back in 2017, when I used to hike on the North Shore mountains. This service provided the dogs with 90 minutes of continuous hiking, only stopping for brief moments. A perfect service for most dogs with great recall.

Unfortunately, driving to the mountain was no longer feasible and my service switched to Vancouver’s urban parks and beaches.

Even with all my efforts, this meant that my groups would be forced to socialize with dogs from other groups. Thomas enjoyed it because of two reasons, there was still water for him to swim in and he could still hang out with his lady furiends. This was his version of socialization.

Then…

The parks and beaches started becoming very busy with new dog walkers, covid puppies and people taking a midday break with their dog while working from home.

I could no longer guarantee a safe walk for him and he was perfectly happy moving to private walks.

Over time, he began to trust his surroundings again, with small amounts of dog socialization that he preferred. We showed him the tools to succeed, so when he was put in an uncomfortable position unexpectedly, he could regulate himself and look to his handler for direction.

At Squirrel Academy, we’ve had over 8 years of experience with dog socialization and understand dog behaviour.

Walking with us, you can always trust that we provide your dog with their preferred socialization and nothing else.

5th Reason: retiredWe noticed one thing in common with all of our retired clients; they understand the importance of sus...
10/27/2022

5th Reason: retired

We noticed one thing in common with all of our retired clients; they understand the importance of sustaining their dog’s needs and will do whatever it takes to have them met.

Here are some reasons why some of our retired pawrent clients have hired us to walk their dogs:

- They’re schedules are full with new projects, volunteering, social events through out the day
- They’ve just gotten a puppy or rescue and need help with some extra walks or socialization
- Their dog has become too strong for them
- Family isn’t around to help out with their dog
- They’ve become injured recently and cannot walk their dog
- They no longer have a driver’s license but still want their dog out on the trails

Whatever the reason is, Squirrel Academy is here to help!

We love retired pawrents, they’re some of the most loyal and dedicated clients at Squirrel Academy.
Ask about our senior discount.

4th Reason: work/school Looking back at the first reason to hire a dog walker, we’re reminded that there’s no room for g...
10/27/2022

4th Reason: work/school

Looking back at the first reason to hire a dog walker, we’re reminded that there’s no room for guilt or shame when it comes to pawrenting our dogs.

You are allowed to do human things without feeling like you should be doing dog things. Sometimes those human things are necessary in order to be the best dog parent you can be.

In fact, we encourage it.

Long day at the office? Hire a dog walker.

Stupid long commute home? Hire a dog walker.

Boss is relentless and schedules a 4:30 mandatory meeting that you know will take longer than it should? Hire a dog walker.

Hungover after the work party? …we got you.

You get the point.

We see you, we understand you, and Squirrel Academy would love to walk your dog to help you out.

3rd Reason: destructive behaviourMy childhood dog, Winston, chewed everything. From my brother’s hearing aids, to the n...
10/27/2022

3rd Reason: destructive behaviour

My childhood dog, Winston, chewed everything. From my brother’s hearing aids, to the newspaper delivered that morning through the door slot. He even somehow got into the pantry once while we were all sleeping and ate an obscene amount of kibble.

He was bored and we had no idea. He was a Labrador retriever, a working breed with no work assigned.

When a dog is excessively chewing on things or being destructive, it typically means they’re bored, anxious or stressed*.

An experienced dog walker will help give your dog a well-rounded walk, including both physical and mental exercise. They should also be familiar with dog behaviour and help manage social interactions, providing your dog with the best experience possible.

At Squirrel Academy, we know how to help you and your dog, send us a message to find out more!

*this does not include teething puppies, but we can help with this too!

2nd Reason to hire a dog walker: new babyListen, I am not going to pretend I know what it’s like to have a baby.But, I h...
10/26/2022

2nd Reason to hire a dog walker: new baby

Listen, I am not going to pretend I know what it’s like to have a baby.

But, I have heard they’re a lot of work and things with less priority (obvs keeping a little human alive is top priority), like our family pets, get put to the way side.

We get it, no judgment, Squirrel Academy is here to help!

Did you know that having a well exercised dog, both mentally and physically, can help reinforce a happy and calm dog? Well, when they run around, sniff, and jump up on things, they are releasing energy that can get pent up.

It’s similar to cabin fever for humans. As soon as we get out for a walk, we feel lighter, happier and able to self regulate ourselves more efficiently.

Squirrel Academy can help, send us a message to chat about our service options.

1st reason to hire a dog walker: Rain (bleh!)The story: It’s raining, actually, it’s been raining for a few days. You’r...
10/26/2022

1st reason to hire a dog walker: Rain (bleh!)

The story: It’s raining, actually, it’s been raining for a few days. You’re over it but you’re dog isn’t. Your dog needs to run around, jump on logs, sniff some butts, eat some p**p, whatever their little heart desires.

You’re feeling guilty because you didn’t take them out yesterday on a long walk, so you “should probably go today”. The guilt trip circles around in your brain. That’s not healthy, we don’t want you feeling guilty or ashamed.

We want you to be at your best for your dog.

In order to help you, Squirrel Academy has doubled down on their Vitamin D supplements, have some warm, waterproof dog walking attire, and a mug of hot coffee waiting for us after the walks.

We are ready to step in when you need us.

A very common question, “Why should I hire someone to walk my dog when I can do it myself?”That’s a fair question. Befo...
10/25/2022

A very common question,

“Why should I hire someone to walk my dog when I can do it myself?”

That’s a fair question. Before becoming a dog walker 8yrs ago, I used to wonder the same thing.

The truth is, dog walkers know that (most) people can walk their own dogs.

At Squirrel Academy, we’re not just walking your dog, we’re helping to supplement your dog’s regular routine so that you all can thrive together.

✨In the next few days, I hope to clear up some reasons why a person could hire a dog walker. I want to really tease these reasons out a bit and offer some benefits.✨

Can you think of some reasons❓❓

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Kelowna, BC

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

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