My First *Real* SDC Dog: Cinder

I got a notification from Rover on July 29th, 2023. It was a very exciting moment for me. Up until this point my dog packs had only consisted of dogs from relatives and friends. Cinder was my first real, official Meet & Greet. I arrived fifteen minutes early and waited in my car, mentally preparing myself to make this a success. Cinder’s owners were very kind to me and listened to what I had to say. He was a very happy boy. I was thrilled. 

There was just one major hurdle: Cinder refused to get in my car. I tried everything to encourage him: a long-leashed walk leading to the car, positive words of encouragement, running up to the car to encourage a big leap, I even tried throwing some treats in the car.

My first pup, a perfect fit, 10-month old Cattle/Aussie Shepherd mix was one jump away from kickstarting his SDC journey. Nothing worked. I left that day slightly defeated - I explained to the owners the situation but let them know that I would be back in two days for his first adventure and I would get him in the car then. 

I came back with a plan. I was gonna sit with Cinder until he was ready to get in the car. I opened all the car doors and brought a bag full of treats. Nearly thirty minutes later, Cinder still refused. I remember sitting on the concrete sidewalk, watching Cinder watching me with absolute refusal in his expression. I laid down a trail of treats starting at his feet leading all the way to the final treat in the back corner of my car. Cinder ate each treat, even two from the inside of the car, fully stretching his back legs to reach as far as he could without committing to the car. But he wouldn’t make the final leap of faith. At the end of this session, I had another idea. Cinder’s owners, thankfully, were willing to trust me enough to agree.

I came back two days later, leashed Cinder from his owner and brought him to the car, feeding him some treats on the way for preparation. I led him around to the back of the car, got him to sit, and he looked up at me thinking ‘I’ve seen this before buddy.’ I opened the back of the car and to Cinder's surprise, out popped my own dog, Frankie, who was ecstatic to meet this handsome boy named Cinder. Both dogs wagging and sniffing greeting each other with absolute joy. Once the excitement had settled - I instructed Frankie to get back in the car, she jumped back in and to my excitement Cinder hopped right in after her.

To this day this was one of the greatest feelings of success I have had in my business. Cinder trusted me and Frankie enough to get into the back of my car. The three of us went for a very happy off-leash walk that day. Frankie and Cinder chased each other for an hour and I got to return a very happily tired dog to his owners.

Cinder is still the happiest boy I get to walk every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. When I pick him up, I make my way to the front door, call his name through the closed door and immediately hear Cinder excitedly preparing himself for his adventure.

Cinder has grown up quite a bit over these last three years. He is specific about who he plays with, but for those he chooses, he really enjoys. He plays a big role in maintaining order, which is invaluable in our packs; he gently, but assertively, reminds them to take it down a notch when overexcited, to stay closer when they stray away, and to respect other dogs’ boundaries. He’s turned into a bit of a leader, but he still loves to run wild and aimlessly down a trail, with the pack, always circling back to check in with his pack leader. 

One of my favourite things about walking Cinder over the three years he has been a part of the Social Dogs Club, though, has to be watching Cinder and Frankie’s friendship develop. The joy of seeing each other has never faded. Over all the many walks, I’ve seen a special playfulness that is strictly reserved for each other. They understand each other's boundaries on a deep level – one that can’t be had from a handful of walks, but grown over weeks and months of adventuring together.

I’m so grateful that Cinder’s owners took a chance on me and my growing business all that time ago. It’s been an honour to get to grow with him. Cinder’s story is what I wish for all the social dogs to achieve: trust, happiness, and long-term satisfaction with their pack.

Jake is the founder of Social Dogs Club, an off-leash Pack Walk Adventure service based in Victoria, BC, where most days you'll find him out on the island's trails with a crew of five or six happy, social dogs. At SDC, we prioritize small packs, thoughtful pairing, and pack consistency. Join the Club.