“It was four very intensive days, “ Morgan said, “We spent hours learning about things like dog body languare, socialization, aggression, and pack management.” After completing the course work, passing a written test, and a field test, Morgan is a Certified Dog Walker. She is also trained in canine CPR and first aid.

For years, health experts have preached the important role that exercise plays in maintaining people’s health. The same holds true with dogs, Morgan said.

“A tired dog is going to be more relaxed at night, and happy pets make happy people,” she said.

After completing her schooling, Morgan also decided to change the focus of her business.  Rather than arranging to take a single dog for a walk, she now focuses on offering hour-long adventure walks, in which she takes up to six dogs at a time on jaunts through open areas where they can roam and explore, but remain under Morgan’s voice command.

In an effort to maintain canine bliss, Morgan keeps a written profile of each dogs she walks.

“I ask how your pet reacts if you take a toy away, how your dog is with children,” she said. “I ask a lot of questions because it lets me know if I have a socialized dog or if they have asocial tendencies such as resource guarding,” which is growling or snapping to protect food or a toy. She also asks whether a dog has a history of biting people or other dogs, whether it enjoys riding in cars or whether it scavages.

“The goal, of course, is to develop a pack that has good group dynamics. I am looking for dogs that I can put together, not for just ‘good’ dogs, or dogs that don’t have issues, but dogs that can be put together.”

For example, it’s not a good idea to mix a dog with asocial tendencies with a young, high spirited dog that lacks social skills, she said.

Likewise, Morgan won’t put a Great Dane and a miniature poodle in the same pack. According to her guidelines, if the largest dog in the pack weighs 60 pounds, she won’t include one that weighs less than 30 pounds. Sometimes a large dog can injure or even kill a small dog.

“It doesn’t mean that the big dog that did it is bad or aggressive. But the little dog may have been squealing or shaking and set off the prey instinct in the larger dog,” Morgan said.

During walks Morgan carries throw toys and treats to keep the dogs engaged and to reward good behavior. Dogs that seek out dead animals or other nasty things are deterred with a high-quality treat. She doles out treats and water at the end of the walk in order to ease the process of getting in and out of the car.

Ginny Mermel, one of Morgan’s clients, said she can tell the difference when her dogs, a Dalmatian named Tucson and a mixed breed named Maggie, get regular exercise.

“I work from a home office as a medical writer, and I am used to having my dogs with me. But when I’m on a business trip it’s not fair for them to be alone,” Mermel said. “Our one dog likes to dig, and even though she is in a kennel it will make a mess. But she doesn’t do it if she gets walked.”

“Tracie is truly good with them,” Mermel said. “They mind her in many ways better than me. Tracie has blended them with other dogs, and she lets them off lead when they go for walks.”

Morgan is a former case worker for a state agency. While pondering a career transition, she decided to take up dog walking.

“I’ve always been a dog person, and this gives me a chance to do what I love,” she said.

For more information on Dogs ‘N Sync, LLC contact Morgan at 406-697-2077 or go to www.dognsync.com.