Intrepid Tails

Claire is just amazing, and I cannot recommend her any more highly! I am a dog trainer, and when we started with her, we had two dogs with special needs, both behavioral but very different — and as a trainer (and former vet tech and dog walker), I am very picky! I was immediately impressed by how well Claire followed our behavior plans, and the judgment calls she occasional had to make while she was out with them were spot on. She got to know our dogs very well, and she did so quickly! Unfortunately, one of them became very ill shortly after we started with Claire, and I was so impressed that Claire came by to say goodbye to her. It has been apparent throughout our work with Claire that she truly cares about our pets, and she does a wonderful job taking care of them. I have found this combination of high-​quality care and true appreciation for their (and our!) unique personalities a hard thing to find.
I have also been impressed with exactly what Claire has offered. Our dogs get individual attention from someone who knows them well for a pretty impressive duration, and for less than the cost of dog daycare. Our pups were just as tired, but happier and less stressed out, than when we tried other dog care providers. The worst part of buying our new home was moving out of Claire’s service area — but we love that she is still willing to come for overnights. We are so lucky to have her!

Intrepid Tails is awesome! I looked for years for a good dog walker, and feel so lucky to have found Intrepid Tails. This is not a dog walker who takes your dog around the block for 20 minutes, or who is overwhelmed and walking too many dogs. Claire hikes with small groups of dogs up and down hills in the woods, in and out of lakes, getting into all kinds of fun.
My dogs need a lot to get tired. They are big, active, young dogs. With Intrepid Tails, they come home tired after their long mid-​day hikes. I run into people in the woods who know my dogs from seeing them around with Claire. They always have the nicest things to say about her — that she is very active with them, throwing sticks into the water, bounding up hills, etc. I run into Claire myself sometimes in the woods, when she is walking a few dogs, and am always amazed at how relaxed and happy everyone seems.
My dogs are always ridiculously excited to see Claire when she picks them up. I think that is a great sign. And Claire provides really insightful feedback. She notices the dogs’ personalities and moods, and tells you how the day went. Some dog walkers seem annoyed or frazzled with dogs. Not Claire. She seems very genuine and empathetic towards them, and has this calm, positive attitude, which is great to be around. The dogs pick up on this. She’s definitely a natural with animals.
She even posts pictures of their escapades on Facebook! Its really fun to be able to see the dogs on their adventures in the woods with their friends.
Plus, Intrepid Tails feels very professionally run. Everything feels very well organized, and communication is clear and easy.
I’m really picky about my dogs. Intrepid Tails is the best!

Our rescue, Nacho, is very fearful and nervous which can take the form of aggression with new people and dogs. That said, I’ve never seen him take to someone as quickly as he did to Claire. Her love and understanding of dogs comes through loud and clear. Hiking with Claire is also the best, and maybe the only, way for him to truly get his energy out– he is happy and exhausted when he gets back, which makes for a much calmer dog and happy dog parents. I feel so lucky that we found her. I’d give her ten stars if I could.

Our almost six year old dog is totally in love with Claire, the owner of Intrepid Tales.
He is so happy when he sees her that my husband and I are sometimes jealous.
We are pretty sure that she is a dog whisperer. She has made my life especially simple right now as I had knee surgery some months ago. During the grueling winter months she would arrive here to take our dog out to hike in the ice and snow. He unfailingly jumps with joy and arrives home happy and well exercised. Claire is extraordinarily caring and responsible. We had special issues with our dog’s hairy paws in the snow as they would collect ice balls. She made sure to provide Musher’s Secret or to deal with the various booties I tried to provide (which were always falling off).
I have been verbally recommending Intrepid Tales to everyone I know who has a dog. Now, here with this review, I am delighted to spread the good word about Claire and Intrepid Tales hiking excursions.
If you have a dog that likes to run and exercise, this is the outfit for you!

We have a young very high energy Pit Bull/​Border Collie/​Lab mix, named Magnolia. She was a rescue who came to us in bad condition and with some behavior issues that got her kicked out of the first two doggie day cares we tried.
We discovered Intrepid Tails Dog Hiking and couldn’t be happier. Claire has energetically hiked with Maggie for the last 6 months, 5 times a week and I could not recommend anyone more highly.
Magnolia can’t wait to see her and will sit by the window starting an hour before her pick up time eager for her fun. I can see why, because they have a great time: in the summer, she goes swimming, and all year round they hike in forests and trails, up small mountains and across streams… The company truly lives up to its name — INTREPID as they hiked all but a few days of this terrible winter and Magnolia loved every minute of it.
Magnolia is picked up at our home and delivers back 2 hours later happy and tired. This is exactly what we need since it is hard to give her enough exercise but she gets to romp with other dogs and it really helps her mood and her level of fitness. I trust Claire completely and she has our keys. Her prices are super reasonable and I find that saves me because I don’t need to hire someone to get Magnolia out to do her business in the middle of the day. For just a little more money than a regular around-​the-​block walk — she gets all of this exercise and socialization and comes home happy.
Claire cares for Magnolia as she does for her own dog (who is amazingly well trained and well behaved). I really like that she listens and follows our wishes. She approaches my dog’s care collaboratively and really sensitively. Claire offers super-​reliable, top quality care and she is a super attentive, awesome, dog lover.
I give Claire my highest recommendation (and I am a picky customer!).