Business Details
28 Years
experience
Your Trusted Dog Daycare & Pet Services in Vail, 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, they established a dog daycare facility in 2002 to provide a clean, safe, and loving environment for pets. The business emphasizes exercise, discipline, and socialization through structured playgroups and outdoor activities. Merrill and Marisa actively participate in professional development through APDT conferences and maintain close relationships with veterinarians and trainers. Their approach prioritizes individualized care, with all boarding dogs sleeping in their home and staff trained in dog behavior.The facility features the largest fenced-in play area in the Vail Valley, accommodating diverse needs from rehabilitation to high-energy play. Transparency and communication with clients ensure behavioral issues are addressed collaboratively. The Lahmans personally oversee all services, including mobile hiking, daycare, and overnight care, maintaining a 24/7 presence for supervised boarding. Their commitment to continuous learning and hands-on management has made Walkin' the Dog a trusted local service since its inception.
Services
Dog Daycare
Hiking Programs
Overnight Boarding
Cat Care
Hydrotherapy Treadmill
Details
- Year established: 1998
Highlights and features
- We have 20+ years of hands-on experience in dog behavior and care
- All boarding dogs sleep in our home with 24/7 supervision
- Our facility features the largest fenced play area in Vail Valley
- We maintain a 1:5 staff-to-dog ratio for personalized attention
- Participate in APDT conferences for ongoing professional development
What people say
Ecstatic in the car
Frame worthy photos
Best dog daycare
In good hands
Loves her extended family
Services
Dog Daycare
Our Vail Valley facility offers structured socialization with the region's largest fenced play area. Dogs engage in supervised group activities promoting confidence and appropriate play skills. Staff maintains a 1:5 ratio for personalized attention while emphasizing safety and behavioral guidance through consistent leadership.
Hiking Programs
Group hikes in Vail Valley's natural terrain provide physical conditioning and mental stimulation. Certified handlers lead dogs on scheduled treks through scenic trails, focusing on obedience training and pack behavior. Private walks accommodate special needs pets with individualized 20-30 minute sessions including feeding assistance.
Overnight Boarding
Dogs sleep in our family home with constant supervision rather than kennels. Each guest receives personalized care in a home environment, with access to our large fenced yard. We maintain small groups (max 10 dogs/night) to ensure individual attention and social comfort.
Cat Care
Professional cat visits include litter cleaning, feeding, medication administration, and playtime. Our experienced handlers provide in-home care with flexible scheduling options. Multiple cat households receive customized attention through tailored visit durations and pricing structures.
Hydrotherapy Treadmill
Computer-controlled aquatic treadmill builds muscle strength while reducing joint stress. This low-impact conditioning benefits dogs recovering from injury, managing arthritis, or needing weight control. Sessions use adjustable water levels to customize resistance and buoyancy for individual rehabilitation needs.
People
Merrill Lahman
Co-Owner
Co-founder with 20+ years of dog behavior expertise. Oversees mobile services and hiking programs. Trained in veterinary techniques and active APDT conference participant. Personally supervises all boarding dogs at home.
Marisa Lahman
Co-Owner
Co-founder managing daycare operations and staff training. Specializes in dog socialization and behavioral guidance. Maintains daily client communication and facility standards. Shares home environment with boarding dogs for personalized care.
Questions
What services do you offer for dogs?
We provide daycare, hiking programs, overnight boarding, and hydrotherapy treadmill sessions. All services focus on physical activity, socialization, and personalized care.
Do you care for cats as well?
Yes, we offer in-home cat visits including feeding, litter cleaning, medication administration, and playtime. Services accommodate multiple cats with adjusted pricing.
What are your operating hours?
Open Monday-Friday 7:30 AM-6 PM, Saturdays during peak seasons. Closed Sundays and major holidays like Christmas and New Year's Day.
How do reservations work?
Advance appointments are required for all services. Daycare needs pre-screening and vaccination records. Overnight care requires prior meet-and-greet sessions with owners and pets.
What makes you different from other pet services?
We combine 20+ years of experience with home-based boarding, 24/7 supervision, and personalized staff training. Our facility has Vail Valley's largest fenced play area and specialized rehabilitation equipment.
