Pack Walks: The Good, the Bad, and the Overstimulated

Pack walks look dreamy on Instagram, dogs frolicking in nature, tails wagging, ears flapping in slow motion. But behind the edited reels and filtered photos, there’s a truth no one talks about: not every dog should be in a group walk… and not every walker should be running one.

Is a group walk situation a good idea for you and your pooch?

The short answer? Maybe. Maybe not.

Like most things, the real answer lives in the grey area. Let’s unpack it.

Pack Walks Can Be Amazing! For the Right Dog...

When group walking is done right, with a professional who understands dog behaviour, psychology, careful group dynamics, and a great safety managment system, it can be an incredibly fulfilling experience.

• Dogs get to move their bodies and release pent-up energy.

• They learn important social skills like turn-taking, recall, and how to chill around other dogs.

• And for the right dog, it’s a chance to just be a dog, roaming, sniffing, exploring, having fun in a way that feels free and natural.

At our sister company Pooped!, we see dogs flourish in our groups. We’ve got dogs who’ve gained confidence, dogs who were once reactive or anxious now feeling safe and supported in a group. A safety in numbers energy.

BUT, and it’s a big but, group walks aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution.

Not Every Dog Is Ready for the Group Chat

Here’s the thing: not all dogs should be in group walks. Some dogs don’t need more excitement, they need more structure.

If your dog struggles with:

• Over-arousal or getting hyped too easily

• Reactivity (barking, lunging, growling)

• Poor impulse control

• A history of traumatic or negative dog interactions

... then dropping them into a high-energy group walk might actually make things worse.

Think of it like this: if a human’s nervous in crowds, we don’t shove them into a music festival and hope they “figure it out.” We work on the underlying stuff first, confidence, self-regulation, trust. Dogs are the same.

Learning to regulate their emotional state is one of the most important life skills a dog can have. And it’s nearly impossible to do that in a walk that feels more like a free-for-all than a learning opportunity.

At Pooped!, We Do Things Differently

We’re not here to just “get dogs tired.” That’s not the goal. The mission is to give dogs meaningful, positive experiences, and that starts with understanding who they are and what they need.

That’s why every single dog that joins Pooped! goes through a careful assessment process. We don’t take every dog. We take the dogs who want to be there, and thrive because of it.

If your dog doesn’t pass the assessment, it’s not a fail. It’s just feedback: “Hey, maybe I need something different right now.”

And that’s where Click! comes in.

Click! Training: Support for the Dogs Who Need More

If your dog isn’t quite group-walk ready, that’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.

A one-on-one Click! coaching session helps you understand why your dog’s struggling in stimulating environments, and gives you practical tools to build their confidence, impulse control, and trust in you.

We can work on things like:

• Teaching your dog to check in with you (even when excited)

• Helping them settle and regulate after big feelings

• Building safe, structured routines that give them a sense of calm leadership

Because a dog who can regulate themselves? That’s a dog who’s set up for success everywhere, not just on a walk.

In Summary: It’s Not About “Good” or “Bad” Dogs. It’s About Fit.

Group walking isn’t a moral test. It’s not about whether your dog is “good enough” or “too much.” It’s about making thoughtful, compassionate choices based on your dog’s needs and where they’re at in their learning.

Some dogs need the freedom and social buzz of a group. Some dogs need more boundaries, one-on-one time, and structure. Most dogs need a bit of both.

We’re here to support either path, with expert guidance, kindness, and clarity.

Keen to Chat About What’s Right for Your Dog?

👉 If you think your dog would love group walks, book an assessment with Pooped!

👉 If they need some extra coaching first, flick us a message at Click! and let’s get started.

Every dog deserves a walk that is good!

for them.