Tom's Dogs
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Tom's Dogs
Tom with three leashed dogs on a wooded autumn trail

Signature service

A real trail outing with the right pack.

Structured small-group adventures for dogs who enjoy sustained exercise and can be comfortable around thoughtfully chosen companions.

See if your dog is a good fit

More than a walk around the block.

Pack hikes give suitable dogs time to move, sniff, explore, and engage with the outdoors. The goal is not a chaotic free-for-all. It is a steady, enriching experience with matched companions and clear expectations.

What happens

  • Pickup and safe transportation
  • About 60 active trail minutes
  • Small-group, on-leash hiking
  • Water, GPS route, photos, and a report

What we watch

Group chemistry, pace, stamina, leash skills, trail manners, prey drive, and how each dog responds as the outing unfolds.

Building the right local groups

Especially interested in dogs from New London, Groton, Niantic, and Mystic.

These are the communities where Tom's Dogs is actively looking to add compatible pack-hike members. A nearby address makes it easier to build a dependable pickup route, but every dog still starts with the same honest fit conversation.

A healthy, social adolescent dog with thoughtful prior training can be a promising candidate. It is never a shortcut around assessing handling, trail manners, energy, and group chemistry.

Real outings, real follow-through

A few days from the trail.

These are real Tom's Dogs reports. Open any card to see the full Walkies route, photos, timing, and updates.

Leashed dogs exploring a shallow woodland stream during a Tom’s Dogs pack outingReal Walkies report

Candlewood Ridge · August 12, 2026

Candlewood Ridge pack adventure

A long morning outing with six dogs moving, exploring, and checking in together along the trail.

  • 6 dogs
  • 1 hr 17 min
  • 2.1 miles
  • GPS + media
Open the full report (opens in a new tab)
Two harnessed dogs pausing together on a wooded trail during a Tom’s Dogs outingReal Walkies report

Southeastern Connecticut · August 5, 2026

A full hour on the trail

Four compatible dogs covered real ground while Tom tracked the route and shared updates from the woods.

  • 4 dogs
  • 1 hr 5 min
  • 2.5 miles
  • 5 photos
Open the full report (opens in a new tab)
Three dogs moving along a green woodland trail during a rainy Tom’s Dogs outingReal Walkies report

Connecticut College trails · August 3, 2026

Rain never cancelled the adventure

A wet-weather trail day with three dogs, steady movement, a recorded route, and a clear report afterward.

  • 3 dogs
  • 59 min
  • 2.7 miles
  • Photo + video
Open the full report (opens in a new tab)

Full reports open securely on Walkies in a new tab.

Five harnessed dogs walking side by side on separate colorful leads

Structured, not crowded

The group is built around chemistry.

Temperament, energy, size, play style, handling needs, and comfort all matter. Convenience does not make a match.

Honest about fit

A good match matters more than filling a spot.

A pack hike may fit when your dog…

  • Enjoys sustained outdoor movement
  • Can settle around compatible dogs
  • Can be handled safely on leash
  • Benefits from routine, exercise, and social structure

Another start may be better when your dog…

  • Is nervous or new to group care
  • Has significant reactivity or prey drive
  • Needs a slower or shorter outing
  • Would benefit from solo care or gradual introductions

Client case studies

Two dogs. Two different kinds of progress.

Wiggins and Leo came to the pack with different histories and needs. Their owners describe what consistent, carefully structured outings have meant over time.

Wiggins

Long-term routine

More than two years of showing up for the trail.

Glenn describes structured pack hikes as a consistent part of Wiggins’s life, combining real outdoor exercise, fresh air, familiar dogs, and a routine he still looks forward to.

“The progress in his behavior and demeanor has been significant, and it has clearly paid off in his day-to-day life at home.”
Physical condition
Glenn says Wiggins has stayed in excellent condition and continues to bring strong energy to pack days.
Calmer at home
He reports meaningful progress in Wiggins’s behavior and overall demeanor.
Still eager to go
After more than two years, Wiggins still gets excited whenever it is time for the pack.

Leo

Building confidence

From timid rescue to a dog who lights up on pack day.

When Lori first adopted Leo, she describes him as scared, timid, and considered a flight risk. She credits Tom with being a major part of his journey toward becoming a happier, more confident dog.

“Leo absolutely lights up when it’s Tom’s day to pick him up, and there’s no better feeling than knowing your dog is excited to go.”
A careful start
Leo’s comfort and personality were treated as individual needs, not something to rush past.
Safe social structure
Lori says the pack gave Leo a comfortable environment where he could socialize and build confidence.
Visible enthusiasm
Pack day is now something Leo recognizes, anticipates, and is excited to join.

These are individual client experiences, not promised outcomes. Every dog's comfort, safety, and group fit are assessed individually.

Questions

Before the first trail day.

New clients

Could your dog thrive on the trail?

Tell us the honest version—energy, social comfort, leash skills, triggers, and handling needs all help us make the right call.

See if we're a good fit(860) 625-2505