Hayley Mattoon is the team manager at Dana Point’s OC Pup Scouts, and here are her favorite trials for walking dogs.

What’s your job as a team manager?

I consider it as one of the best jobs you can find around the world. We do free dropoff and pickups in Orange Country for our structured pack walks. It also involves slight training that includes teaching dogs leash manners. It is why we do not allow leading or pulling. We work out with a lot of under-socialization rescues. It includes the people who have lived under-socialized in their lives. It is the reason why the presence of dogs may make them nervous. Since dogs are social creatures, they learn from each other as it helps them to build confidence.

What do you think about leash pulling?

The biggest tip for you is not to follow a dog who has any tension on the leash. The reason is that if you continue forward when there is tension on the leash, the dog will learn that pulling gets rewarded. A reward doesn’t need to be a treat for them; it could also be the light post where other dogs peed on and they pull you to it.

Name some of your favorite dog-friendly trails

We look for walking locations that are safe for our dogs. We go to places where we can take a break and cool off in the shade. We look for places where they could get to relax, drink some water, and practice being calm in a stimulating environment. My usual preferences are Aliso Creek Trial, Talbert Regional Park, Newport Back Bay, Foxborough in Aliso, Shady Canyon Trail, Heroes Park, Jeffrey Open Space Trail, Huntington Beach Central Park, Bonita Creek Park, Beach Trail in San Clemente, Moulton Meadows, and Laguna Niguel Regional Park.

Each trial is a bit different. Some trails have a lot more people and dogs out that I think is great. Laguna Niguel Regional Park has a lot of geese, so it is good for dogs to practice prey drive, that struggle with a prey drive. Some of them are amazingly gorgeous like Moulton Meadows has amazing views of the ocean.

Source: Orange Coast