about
Welcome to Wagnificent! I’m Alyssa Berkovitz, leader of the pack and proud mom to a 7y/o Great Dane service dog / therapy dog / certified Canine Good Citizen, Kernel. I started Wagnificent in 2017, after a few fun years of on-leash dogwalking. Many dogs I walked had good recall skills and were eager for more exercise, including Kernel. This inspired me to start a physically and mentally stimulating program for dogs, where they are rewarded with privileges for exhibiting good behavior. Hiking off-leash with the pack gives each dog a sense of confidence, friendship and EXHAUSTION! I build trusting relationships with every pack member by routinely practicing basic commands and using positive reinforcement.
CONTACT
wagnificentco@gmail.com
CONNECT (kernel & the pack are famous!)
IG | kernelthegreatdane
TIKTOK | kernelthegreat
FB | kernel the great dane
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2023 seRVICES & RATES
1 hour off-leash hike, ~1.5-3hr roundtrip | $40 one dog (+$25 for each add’l dog)
pickup & drop-off included, (add $5 for dogs off route)
15-20 minute visit | $25 (add +10 for each add’l dog)
includes a walk, feeding, etc. (add $3 for dogs off route)
boarding at your home | $125/full day and overnight (add $35 for each add’l dog) | $75/full day (add +$25 for each add’l dog)
includes 1 hour of daily off-leash play
training, ~1.5hr (facetime training is available) | $125
teaching you and your dog the skills to communicate effectively and strengthen your bond with positive reinforcement
pet photography, ~1.5hr | $500
shot by alyssa b. photography (that's me!) at your favorite local spot
35-40+ edited, full res photos
online album to share with family & friends
custom designed, professional quality framing and albums
portfolio at alyssabphoto.com
faq's
Where do you take the dogs?
We hike all around the town of Weston, which has over 100 miles of trails! I have a license to hike with 6 dogs off-leash at a time. Every now and again, we hike at The Sheepfold in Winchester, MA, where I have a license to hike with 8 dogs off-leash.
What areas do you service?
I service parts of Allston/Brighton, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, Waltham, and Weston.
What is your hiking availability?
Mon - Fri pickup time:
Pack 1 | 10a–11:30a
Pack 2 | 11:30a–1:45p
What if you're unavailable?
If I’m unavailable for hikes, you will receive as much advanced notice as possible.
My dog is not ready to be off-leash. Can he/she still enroll at Wagnificent?
I will recommend training with us prior so your dog can learn the skills needed for off-leash hikes! I also would advise you to buy an apple tag for your dogs collar, so in the event of an emergency, they can be located quickly. All dogs start with us on-leash and get promoted to dragging leash, and then fully off-leash, as they exhibit good behavior to show that they’re ready.
My dog is usually friendly, but has had some fights in the past. Do you think he'll do ok?
I would like to train and evaluate further. While it may sound intimidating, I require the use of a basket muzzle if a dog has shown aggression in the past (i.e fighting and biting hard enough to break skin, acting unpredictable, etc). This responsible and humane decision will ensure that everyone stays safe and in good standing at Wagnificent. It also helps desensitize the muzzled dog to situations that trigger him/her. Weston dogwalker's are required to report bites to Animal Control, so it's better to stay safe than sorry!
How long are the dogs out for?
The full trip with pickups&dropoffs can be up to 3 hours. We hike for one hour, weather permitting, and pickup/drop-off dogs along our route from Brookline to Weston.
How do you keep track of all the dogs?
Some dogs train with us prior to gaining their off-leash privilege. While the dogs are out, we’re consistently practicing positive reinforcement to ensure good recall and overall behavior. Dogs who will not come for a tasty treat must train with us and/or walk on-leash.
What if the weather is bad?
In inclement weather, the pack will either hike briefly or group walk on-leash around the neighborhood. If these options are unsafe, the hike will be cancelled and a short visit will be offered to allow your dog a chance to go potty.
Do you have insurance?
Yes, Wagnificent is fully insured.
How do you accept payment?
Cash, check, Venmo, Zelle. You can pay by credit or debit card on Pet Pocketbook as well (a small processing fee will apply).
sign-up forms
TESTIMONIALS
I sought out Alyssa’s help with training when I noticed my dog, Addie, was becoming more reactive on leash. I wanted to stop those behaviors before anything bad happened! Alyssa has done an amazing job working with Addie and has taught me many strategies to use when Addie gets nervous on walks. I love that she still encourages socialization with other dogs and uses attention training to ensure that Addie is desensitized to anxiety inducing situations. Since I have started training with Alyssa, my bond with my dog has only become stronger!
-Stephanie P.
After two major surgeries, six months of bedrest, and some lax training, our one year old hound mix puppy was a “drunkwalking loose cannon,” and we needed training just as much as he did! Alyssa was really helpful in getting us all on the same page, to get Mookie where he needs to be with walking and general manners. She addressed everything that we’ve either let slide or didn’t know how to address, and I can’t wait to see how he does from here!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!
-Shannon S.
Wagnificent offers the perfect service for my active 2 year old Australian Shepherd. Off-leash hiking at beautiful Cat Rock Park! It's a dog's life for sure. She comes home happily exhausted. Alyssa is lovely to work with-responsive, attentive, courteous, and reliable. She takes extra care to ensure that her "packs" are comprised of dogs with the right temperament to make the experience social and safe. I've also used Alyssa for some full-day care when I've needed to go out of town and for boarding on several occasions. It's really worked out very well. I love seeing the posts and videos on insta so I get to join in the fun vicariously!
-Jennifer G.
My energetic Golden Retriever has loved off-leashing hiking with Alyssa and the Wagnificent pack! He’s a very social dog, so it’s been great for him to get some time with other dogs, especially out in the woods. He comes home happy and tired—and even on the wettest days, toweled off! Alyssa is communicative, helpful, responsible, flexible and dedicated to making sure the dogs stay safe and have a good time. If a problem of any kind comes up (my dog went through a stick-eating phase, for instance), she figures out a creative solution. She’s also a lovely person and often sends short videos, so I can see how much the dogs are enjoying themselves. I highly recommend Wagnificent!
-Suzanne B.
Our Golden Doodle, Henry, has been a part of Alyssa’s pack for about 2 months now and we could not be more satisfied and grateful for her services. We are avid hikers, but also work full-time, so knowing that Henry gets outdoor, off-leash exercise and much-needed doggy socialization during weekdays makes us (and him!) happy. He comes back one tired pup! Alyssa is professional, friendly, flexible and, trustworthy. We love Wagnificent!
-Laura K.
I was referred to Alyssa by my daughter’s friend. My 13 1/2 yr old dachshund has never been to a kennel when we travel, Alyssa took him on a one night trial to see if he got along with her great dane, Kernel. Apparently, despite the size differential - which is substantial, they hit it off, and he was able to stay there for a few days in early July. Alyssa has been most accommodating of my elderly dog, who is no longer able to take long hikes with the other dogs. She administers his medications, makes sure he is fed, taken out, comfortable and most importantly loved. She is highly reliable. She also does pick ups and drop offs, which is hugely convenient. I can highly recommend her and Kernel - a Wagnificent team!
-Linda K.
Thank you so much for introducing Kenya to pack walks. She has become more confident and engaged when with other dogs, and she has learned to trust another person enough to take treats. She comes home so tired and it makes her well behaved for my older parents. Additionally you have come to the rescue when I’ve had heath problems and couldn’t exercise her. I’ll always text you if I’m in town to get Kenya out with the pack! Thank you so much!
Lindsay C.
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