Business Details
28 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Dog Daycare & Pet Services in Avon, CO
Walkin' the Dog was founded in 1998 by Merrill and Marisa Lahman, lifelong animal lovers who transformed their passion for dogs into a dedicated career. With over 20 years of hands-on experience gained through veterinary education, collaboration with trainers and veterinarians, and daily interaction with pets, we provide comprehensive daycare, hiking, and overnight boarding services in the Vail Valley. Our facility features the largest fenced-in play area in the region, staffed by trained professionals who prioritize safety, socialization, and individualized care. We maintain a controlled environment where dogs develop confidence through pack interaction while receiving personalized attention to address behavioral needs.Our mobile services include group hikes, private visits, and transportation, operating three days a week. Overnight guests stay in our home with constant supervision, avoiding kennel isolation. We emphasize transparency, requiring pre-visit evaluations for all new clients and maintaining strict vaccination and screening protocols. Our commitment to continuous learning through APDT conferences ensures our practices remain aligned with modern canine behavior science. As a locally owned business, we combine professional expertise with genuine care to create a trusted environment where pets thrive.
Services
Dog Daycare
Hiking Services
Overnight Boarding
Cat Care
Play Cards
Hydrotherapy
Transportation
Private Visits
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years of hands-on canine care experience
- Our staff maintains 1:10 staff-to-dog supervision ratios
- We provide constant home-based supervision for overnight guests
- Our facility includes the Vail Valley's largest fenced play area
- We implement behavior modification techniques during group play
What people say
Best dog daycare
Loves the staff
Exhausted happy dogs
Photos are frame-worthy
Extended family atmosphere
Services
Dog Daycare
Our daycare provides structured socialization in the Vail Valley's largest fenced play area. Dogs receive 1:10 staff supervision, behavior modification guidance, and customized playgroup assignments. The controlled environment promotes confidence development while maintaining safety through constant staff oversight.
Overnight Boarding
Overnight guests stay in our home with 24/7 supervision. Each dog sleeps indoors in a family setting rather than isolated kennels. We maintain small group sizes (10 dogs/night) to ensure personalized attention and maintain regular check-ins with owners.
Group Hikes
Scheduled three days weekly, these hikes require dogs to demonstrate leash control and pack behavior. The privilege-based program focuses on off-leash exploration in designated areas while maintaining strict safety protocols for all participating pets.
Hydrotherapy
Our Tudor Treadmill system provides low-impact conditioning through adjustable water resistance. This service benefits dogs needing rehabilitation, weight management, or athletic training while offering fun interactive experiences for healthy pets.
Cat Care
Personalized home visits include litter cleaning, feeding, and medication administration. We maintain individualized attention through one-on-one interaction sessions while providing twice-daily check-ins for multi-cat households.
People
Merrill Lahman
Co-Owner
Co-founder with 20+ years of canine behavior expertise. Oversees daily operations, staff training, and mobile services including group hikes and transportation logistics.
Marisa Lahman
Co-Owner
Co-founder and primary caregiver with extensive veterinary technician training. Manages overnight boarding, behavior assessments, and client communication regarding pet needs.
Questions
What services does Walkin' the Dog offer?
We provide dog daycare, overnight boarding, group hikes, private visits, cat care, and hydrotherapy treadmill sessions in the Vail Valley.
How do I schedule services?
Call us directly at 970-476-8197 to schedule daycare, boarding, or mobile services. Reservations require advance appointments and pre-visit evaluations.
What are your operating hours?
Monday-Friday 7:30 AM - 6:00 PM, Saturday during peak seasons. Closed Sundays and major holidays like Christmas and New Year's.
Do you accommodate special needs pets?
Yes, we offer modified playgroups, private visits for older dogs, and medication administration for cats. Unneutered males receive specialized supervision.
What safety measures are in place?
We maintain 1:10 staff-to-dog ratios, require vaccination records, screen all new dogs, and provide 24/7 supervision for boarding guests to ensure safety.
