A black and white Siberian Husky and a tan Labrador Retriever puppy play together in the snow outdoors, with the Husky standing and the puppy sitting, holding paws.

Give your dog the life they deserve

  • Fun and Friends!

  • Outdoor Adventure!

  • Learning and Growth!

  • Relaxing outside!

All under the safe supervision of your trained and certified doggy adventure guide

Does your dog spend most of their day alone, waiting for you to come home?

Being a dog can be lonely work. While you are out having adventures, your dog is probably waiting in an empty room.

But what if your dog got to have their own adventures while you’re at work?

At Vermont Dog Camp your dog will get to meet new friends, be part of a stable pack, be outdoors as nature intended and run and play as much as they want. No more pining away at the window for you to come home!

You can be proud knowing that you are giving your dog their best life.

No more pet-parent guilt!

Two dogs running on a dirt path during sunset, one with a brown and white coat and the other with a fluffy gray and tan coat.

How does it work?

We pick up your dog at your home in the morning and take them on a two-hour, off-leash pack walk. At the end of the day, we drop them off, relaxed and ready for an evening with the family unit.

We take the time to get to know each dog as we slowly build up a stable pack. These dogs will get to know each other and play well together. We walk on private or seldom used public trails so we can avoid unplanned encounters with outside dogs. Your dog is free to frolic away from roads and other threats.

We incorporate exercises to help your dog play respectfully with others, regain calm after play, ride calmly in the car, and stay with the pack amidst distractions.

Is Vermont Dog Camp right for my dog?

  • Do you live in Middlebury, Bristol or New Haven, Vermont?

  • Does your dog do well with other dogs and humans?

  • Does your dog do well off-leash?

  • Can you commit your dog to at least one pack walk per week?

If the answers to these questions are yes! then fill out the form below and we can begin the application process.

Two dogs, a light-colored Labrador and a brown Australian Shepherd, running together in a grassy area with patches of snow during daytime.

Our Rates

Off-Leash Group Hikes
Vermont Dog Camp specializes in small-group, off-leash hikes in the Vermont woods and meadows. Dogs get to explore, socialize, and exercise in a safe and enriching environment.

  • Rates: $45 per day for a 2-hour hike, including pickup and drop-off.

  • Minimum: One walk per week commitment.

  • Schedule: Weekdays. We start pickups between 9 and 10 AM. Dogs are home by 4 PM.

FAQs

  • What vaccinations are required?
    All dogs must be up-to-date on rabies, distemper, and bordetella vaccines.

  • Do you accept all dog breeds?
    Yes, as long as they pass our behavior assessment and are comfortable in a group setting. In the end, its all about “fit”. A dog that does great in one dog camp might struggle in another. If Vermont Dog Camp is not the best fit for your dog, we will try to make recommendations for next steps: other dog camps, recall training, etc. Our goal is for your dog to have the best experience possible. We will not recommend VGC if we don’t think it is the absolute best choice for your dog.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    We hike rain or shine. This is Vermont after all. We do adjust the hike for safety and comfort on very hot or cold days. And, yes, if its thundering and lightning or blizzarding, we will cancel for the day.

  • How do I know if my dog will be a good fit?
    We start with an application and phone consultation, followed by a trial day to ensure Vermont Dog Camp is a great match for your pup.

Meet your dog’s new second favorite person…

A man smiling with a curly white dog with a red and black harness in the backseat of a car, visible through the open sunroof.

Hi I’m John.

I am a certified Dog Camp Leader and life long dog lover. Like many dog owners I know the guilt having to leave my dog at home while I go out to work. Dogs want to have a life just like we do. They want to run and play and make friends. But when you work all day, you barely have time to take care of your own needs let alone give your dog the kind of rich social environment they crave. It is unrealistic for most working pet owners to spend that much time outdoors with their dogs. But that doesn’t mean they have to be trapped inside.

I want to help you give your dog the life they truly deserve, so when you think of your dog at home, you know they are all tuckered out after having the best day ever with all their friends. They’ll be waiting for you to come home so they can tell you all about it. No more sad puppy eyes telling you your walks aren’t long enough. They’ll be healthier, happier, and better behaved. Your only regret will be that you didn’t start sooner!

How to Join the Pack

1️⃣ Submit an Application
Complete our online form to share some details about your dog.

2️⃣ Phone Consultation
We’ll set up a quick call to answer questions and learn more about your pup’s needs and personality.

3️⃣ Trial Day
Your dog joins us for a day to ensure Vermont Dog Camp is a great fit.


If it’s a match, we’ll welcome your pup to our weekly off-leash adventures!