Is Your Dog Ready for Off-Leash Adventures? A Checklist for Victoria Dog Owners
Victoria is a dream for dogs who love off-leash freedom. With incredible trail systems like Thetis Lake, Mount Douglas, and Elk Lake, there's no shortage of places where your pup can run, explore, and just be a dog. But before you unclip that leash, it's worth asking: is your dog actually ready?
Off-leash time is one of the greatest gifts you can give an active dog, but it comes with responsibility. A dog who isn't quite prepared can end up in unsafe situations, stress out other trail users (and themselves), or develop bad habits that are hard to break.
So how do you know if your dog is ready to join the off-leash club? Here's what we look for at Social Dogs Club when assessing dogs’ readiness for our pack walk adventures.
The Off-Leash Readiness Checklist
✓ Reliable Recall
This is non-negotiable. If your dog won't come back when called, they're not ready for off-leash time — especially on shared trails in Victoria where they might encounter other dogs, cyclists, or wildlife.
What reliable recall looks like:
Your dog responds to their name or a recall command at least 80% of the time
They'll come back even when distracted by interesting smells, other dogs, or squirrels
You can call them back from a distance, not just when they're right next to you
How to test it: Practice in a safe, enclosed area first (like a fenced tennis court or baseball diamond). Call your dog from increasing distances with distractions present. If they're not consistent, keep training before hitting the trails.
If recall is still a work in progress, that's okay. It's one of the most important skills to invest time in. Consider working with a trainer or starting with a long-line leash (15-30 feet) to practice on trails while keeping your dog safe.
✓ Basic Socialization with Other Dogs
Off-leash adventures often mean encountering other dogs, whether it's on the trail or in a pack walk setting. Your dog needs to be comfortable and polite around other pups.
Green flags:
Your dog can greet other dogs calmly without lunging, barking excessively, or showing aggression
They can read social cues and back off if another dog isn't interested in play
They're comfortable being around dogs without needing to interact with every single one
Yellow flags:
Overexcitement that crosses into rudeness (jumping all over other dogs, not respecting boundaries)
Fear or anxiety around unfamiliar dogs
Reactivity on leash that hasn't been addressed
If your dog struggles with socialization, off-leash time can actually make things worse. The good news? Once they have the basic skills down, pack walks with a structured group and experienced handler can help dogs improve these skills in a controlled way. We often see major improvements within a few months of regular outings with us.
✓ Trail Etiquette and Awareness
Off-leash doesn't mean off-duty. We spend most of our time on sparsely-used, adventurous trails, but coming across other trail users (even occasionally) means that your dog needs to understand basic trail manners.
What good trail etiquette looks like:
Your dog doesn't regularly jump on, bark or growl at strangers or other trail users
They stay relatively close to and check in with you (even if they range ahead)
They don't chase wildlife, bikes, or runners
Victoria’s trails are beautiful. In order to preserve our dog’s access to them, it’s important that we all contribute to a good reputation for off-leash dogs. Long-line leashes and lots of treats are great tools to work up to fully off-leash adventures.
✓ Basic Obedience Foundation
You don't need a perfectly trained dog to enjoy off-leash adventures, but they should understand basic commands like "sit," "stay," and "leave it." These aren't just party tricks, they're safety tools.
Why it matters:
"Stay" keeps your dog safe if you need them to wait while you navigate a tricky section of trail
"Leave it" prevents them from eating something gross (or dangerous) on the trail
"Sit" or "wait" helps manage excitement when greeting other dogs or people
If your dog has the basics down, they're already in good shape.
✓ Comfort with Independence
Some dogs thrive off-leash because they love the freedom to explore. Others find it stressful to be away from their person. Neither is wrong, but it's important to know which camp your dog falls into.
What to watch for:
Does your dog naturally want to explore when given the chance, or do they stick to your side like glue?
Are they confident in new environments, or do they need a lot of reassurance?
Can they handle being in a group without you present, or do they have separation anxiety?
If your dog is nervous about independence, that doesn't mean they'll never be ready. It just means they might need a slower introduction with a handler who understands their needs. We’re happy to take it slow and pair them with a group that will ease them in to the experience.
What If Your Dog Isn't Ready Yet?
Here's the thing: most dogs aren't born ready for off-leash adventures. Recall, socialization, and trail manners are all skills that take time and practice to develop. If your dog isn't checking all these boxes yet, that's completely normal. Don’t stress.
The good news is that many of these skills can be built through consistent training and the right kind of exposure. Working with a dog trainer, practicing in controlled environments, and gradually increasing distractions can make a huge difference.
Not sure where your dog falls on the readiness spectrum? That's exactly what our Meet & Greets are for. We’re here to help you.
Not Sure? Let's Assess Together
At Social Dogs Club, we never just throw a new dog into a pack and hope for the best. Every dog starts with a free Meet & Greet where we get to know them, assess their readiness, and determine which pack would be the best fit — or whether they need a bit more preparation first.
We've worked with hundreds of dogs across Victoria, Saanich, and Langford, and we've seen it all: the perfectly polished pups, the works-in-progress, and everything in between. Our goal is to set your dog up for success, whether that means jumping right into pack adventures or building skills first. We have friends across the industry who we can connect you with, to ensure that your dog gets exactly what they need.
If you're curious about whether your dog is ready for off-leash pack walks on Victoria's trails, we invite you to book a Meet & Greet with us. We'll give you an honest assessment and a clear path forward. No pressure, just expertise and a genuine love for helping dogs live their best, social life.
Social Dogs Club offers adventure pack walks for dogs in Victoria, Saanich, Langford, and surrounding areas. Our licensed, certified Pack Leaders provide safe, engaging off-leash adventures that tap into your dog's natural instincts and enrich their quality of life. Our pack sizes are smaller than average (just 5-8 dogs at a time) to ensure every dog receives the care, attention, and experience they deserve.