I follow Becky's Instagram and enjoy seeing her dogs out on their adventures. She and her daughter, Kate, run Tails & Trails Dog Training in Somerset, Massachusetts, where structured pack hikes bring training onto the trail.
Meet Becky and Kate
Tails & Trails is a small, family-run business offering pack hikes, private training hikes, and obedience training. Becky describes herself as the "founder, trainer, and trail guide." Kate is a trainer too, and they run the business together.
Becky explains how it began: "what started as daily hikes with my own dogs turned into a passion for helping other dogs build confidence, structure, and real-life skills out on the trail." That connection between hiking and training is what I appreciate about their work. The outdoor activity gives dogs a place to practice the skills they're learning.
Training That Goes Beyond the Backyard
Tails & Trails focuses on leash manners, impulse control, and recall. Leash manners help a dog walk with a handler without pulling; recall means coming back when called. Those skills matter on everyday walks as well as hikes.
The trail adds distractions that a backyard may not offer. Practicing around other dogs and outdoor activity gives the trainer a chance to work on those skills where they'll be used. Exercise is part of the outing, but so is learning to respond to a handler.
Small Packs, More Individual Attention
Becky sums up the approach as "smaller packs, more structure, and training that actually sticks." Keeping a group small gives a trainer more opportunity to pay attention to each dog and guide how the dogs interact.
Pack hikes include practice with impulse control and recall around other dogs. Private training hikes offer one-on-one work tailored to an individual dog, including dogs who need more support before joining a group. Becky and Kate can explain which service fits a particular dog and how the family takes part.
More Than Just a Walk
A structured pack hike combines a group trail outing with training. An ordinary dog walk can include training too; at Tails & Trails, that practice is an explicit part of the service.
Becky and Kate describe their approach as structured freedom: room for dogs to explore, with clear expectations and guidance. The hikes include on-leash and off-leash skills, rather than simply giving dogs time to run together. Ask them how they assess readiness for group hikes and off-leash work.
Their photos show dogs sitting together on a wooded trail and walking through an open field. I like seeing outdoor activity and training treated as part of the same outing. Dogs get exercise while practicing skills their families can keep working on at home.
Photo: Tails & Trails Dog Training
Safety Is Part of the Plan
Tails & Trails is CPR/First Aid certified, insured, and bonded. Those are practical details to check when choosing someone to take a dog out on the trail, along with how they manage the group and respond to an emergency.
Most of the dogs in these photos wear orange vests. Becky's pack wears SafetyPUP XD, and it's satisfying to see our vests being used out in the field. Bright orange helps dogs stand out against trees and grass.
My dogs Luna and Merle have different coats that can blend into outdoor backgrounds: Luna is black, and Merle is deer-tan. I've written more about those differences in Black Dog Visibility and Deer-Colored Dogs. Visibility is one part of a hiking plan, alongside training and supervision.
Photo: Tails & Trails Dog Training
For more on trail, road, and woodland safety, see The Ultimate Guide to Dog Safety Outdoors.
Getting Started With Tails & Trails
Dog families interested in training or hikes can contact Becky and Kate to talk about their dog's needs. Ask about group suitability, the service area, and pickup and drop-off arrangements before booking. Pickup and drop-off are included within their service area.
You can also follow @tails_and_trails_dog_training for pack hike footage and training tips. I enjoy following their adventures, and I appreciate the attention they give to training along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tails & Trails and Pack Hikes
What should I ask before booking a pack hike?
Tell Becky and Kate about your dog's training history and behavior around other dogs. Ask how they assess dogs for a group, what the hike involves, and what to work on between outings.
Can I join my dog on a private training hike?
Ask Becky and Kate how families participate in private training hikes. Confirm who attends and how the skills practiced on the trail can be continued at home.
Does pickup and drop-off cover my address?
Pickup and drop-off are included within the Tails & Trails service area. Contact Becky and Kate with your address to confirm coverage and arrangements; an exact list of towns is not included here.
Find Tails & Trails Dog Training
- Website: tailsandtrailsdogtraining.com
- Instagram: @tails_and_trails_dog_training
- Facebook: Tails & Trails Dog Training
- Phone: 774-627-5404 · Email: tailsandtrailsdogtraining@gmail.com
Contact Becky and Kate through these links to discuss training or a hike. Thanks, Becky and Kate, for sharing your pack's adventures. For dog families interested in the gear shown here, the SafetyPUP XD Original Reflective Dog Vest is the one I put on Luna and Merle.