Welcome to Pups and Recreation

Wharton NJ Dog Walking  & Pet Sitting

Pups and Recreation is a family-owned dog walking, pet sitting, and adventure daycare company headquartered right here in Wharton, NJ. This is our home base, our office is in town, and our team serves Morris, Somerset, and Essex Counties. We're fully insured and bonded, our team is CPR and First Aid certified, and we have an ADB Certified Canine Behavior Counselor on call. We operate 365 days a year with no holiday, weekend, or credit-card surcharges. Call or Text (908) 340-0078 to schedule a free phone consultation or just click Get Started to book your free meet and greet.

450+

Clients Served

170+

5 Star Google Reviews

$72k+

Raised for Charity

85k+

Appointments

since 2022

Fully Insured & Bonded

CPR & First Aid Certified Team

ADB Certified Canine Behavior Counselor on Call

Serving Morris County Since 2022

Fully Insured & Bonded

CPR & First Aid Certified Team

ADB Certified Canine Behavior Counselor on Call

Serving Morris County Since 2022

Logo with adult hand holding a yellow dog's paw inside a blue and gold circle.
PSI logo with a fish in P, cat and dog faces in S, and a bird on I, house roof outline above.
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Why Wharton Families Choose
Pups and Recreation

Wharton is where we live, where our office runs from, and where our owners start every workday. Being headquartered in town means faster arrival times, better route coverage, and walkers who actually know your neighborhood, not workers driving in from thirty minutes away. Our familiarity with Wharton's grid extends from the Route 15 commercial corridor to the residential streets around Wharton Elementary and MacKinnon Middle School.

What sets us apart in Wharton:

  • We are the local option.

    Our office is in Wharton. Our owners live nearby. Response times for same-day requests, emergency drop-ins, and last-minute schedule changes are the shortest in the area.
  • Certified behavior expertise on every walk.

    ADB Certified Canine Behavior Counselor on call, free basic leash training on every walk, and specialty handling for reactive and rescue dogs.
  • Honest, published pricing.

    No holiday surcharges, no weekend premiums, no credit card processing fees. The rate you see is the rate you pay, every day of the year. That means Wharton families get expert care without the extra cost!
  • Open 7am to 9pm. 365 days a year. Our Team is available!

    We are there when you need it most. No need to check our availability or schedule! Whether its a same day appointment or vacation next year we can make it happen. Just simply book on our app and we’ll take care ofthe rest!
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Randolph's trail system runs a 16-mile course traversing five parks, the Clyde Potts Reservoir Watershed, and 2,000 acres of pristine open space. The trails link together schools with neighborhoods and connect to Patriots' Path at Combs Hollow and Old Brookside.

Randolph's trails should be viewed as a work in progress as we continue to pursue
easements and funding to expand our trail network. The township funds 90% of design and construction costs through state grants and developer contributions. To date, over $1.5 million in state grants and developer contributions have been invested in Randolph's trails.

Open year-round, the trails can be used from dawn to dusk and are closed at night. During the winter months, there is no snow or ice removal, providing a wonderful opportunity for cross-country skiers and snowshoe enthusiasts.

View a map of the Randolph Trail System (PDF). Prefer a hard copy? Printed maps are available at all of the trailheads, at the town hall, and at the recreation office on Calais Road.

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Wharton Parks
& Walking Routes We Know

We cover every Wharton street and trail. The most-requested routes from our Randolph clients:

  • Hugh Force Canal Park — Our most-walked Wharton location. Nine acres along one of the best-preserved sections of the Morris Canal, dating back to 1831. The park is the hub of the West Morris Greenway and the western extension of Patriots' Path. Flat towpath, historic lock, and shaded picnic grove. Excellent for senior dogs and puppies who need calm environments.
  • Hedden Park — 386 acres of trails, scenic views over Hedden Pond, and ourmost-walked Randolph route. Open dawn to dusk; we time our visits to avoid the busiest equestrian hours.
  • Morris Canal Greenway — Extends beyond Hugh Force Park along the former canal route. Popular with our adventure walk clients who want longer, mostly flat trail distance.
  • Patriots' Path (Wharton segment) — The western terminus of this 35+ mile trail system runs through Wharton and connects out through Kenvil and beyond. Mixed surface (crushed stone, dirt, boardwalk) and dog-friendly the entire length.
  • Rockaway River corridor — Neighborhood sidewalks along the river offer quiet, shaded walks for dogs who prefer low-stimulation routes. Ideal for reactive dogs and older dogs.
  • Downtown Wharton sidewalk loops — Central Ave, Main St, and the streets around Robert Street Park work well for short potty visits and mid-day lunch break walks. This is where we walk our own dogs!
  • Avalon Wharton Apartments — Residential dog friendly apartments where we not only live, but work each day. Plenty of access to sidewalks and trails just minutes away. Plus you get to see our Satos Barry and Steve!

Whether your home is near East Dewey Ave, or you're closer to Randolph Ave we have the team members ready to take care of your pets any time you need us!

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What Our Clients Say

Our Causes

Each month we fundraise for one of these great causes and donate what we can to help them save as many lives as possible. We host Walkathons every year on various Holidays where we donate our entire day to one of these causes, with 100% of all proceeds going directly to them. Since 2022 we've raised over $72,000 and have helped hundreds of pets find their furever homes!

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Pricing as Easy
As a walk in the park

  • No Holiday, Weekend, or Nightly Rates!

  • Add an Additional Pet for just $5.00 per appointment!

  • Free Cancellations with 48 hours notice.

  • Same Day or Next Day Emergency Service with a 20% Gratuity Included

What you see is what you get- no hidden fees, no checking your calendar or clock for how much our services will cost! We don't believe in charging you for every little thing. Our rates are clear-cut and designed to help you save money!

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Free add ons to Services  like

Leash Pulling Training

Leash Reactivity Training

Feedings

Medication

Accident Clean Ups

Package Handling

Recycle & Garbage

Serving All of Randolph and Nearby Towns

We provide dog walking and pet sitting throughout Wharton and the surrounding Morris County area, including:

Join pupclub membership & get extra benefits

Step 1: Duration of Visit

15 mins
($25)
15 30 45 60 90

Step 2: Number of Dogs/Pets

1 Pet
($0)
1 2 3 4 5

Step 3: Frequency Per Week

1 Day
(5% off)
1 3 5
Total: $23.75

All you need to do is Book Any Service at least Once a Week on a Recurring Basis and Congrats! You and your pets are bone-a-fide Pup Club Members. Your Discount is based on your weekly frequency and now you’ll enjoy those discounts on all of your other Petcare Services with us!

  • Weekly Pack Walks

  • Behavior & Training Work

  • Monthly Doggy Field Trips

  • Monthly Doggy Socials

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Vacation Packages

Book a package to save big on your next trip!

Extended Stay Package

  • 20 Visits

    Book a Minimum of 20 Visits on any consecutive days, and receive 15% off your entire booking!

  • 15% Off

Vacation Package

  • 10 Visits

    Book a Minimum of 10 Visits on any consecutive days, and receive 10% off your entire booking!

  • 10% Off

Weekend Package

  • 6 Visits

    Book a Minimum of 6 Visits over a weekend, Saturday or Sunday, and receive 5% off your entire booking!

  • 5% Off

Pup Club Members get whichever discount is higher.
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        Dog walks & Drop In Visits (Standard)

Standard pricing for a single solo dog walk or Drop In Visit. Add $5 per additional pet.

$25

15 minutes

$35

30 minutes

$50

45 minutes

$60

60 minutes

$85

90 minutes

$150

3 Hours

Trail & Pack Walks

90 Minute
Solo Trail Walk

$85

One hour or more of one on one trail walking at a local park or trail near you!
Just your pup and one of our Walkers out in nature!  Perfect for dogs who prefer quality time with a human and need a good long walk for some exercise.

Pups just need to be well mannered in the car and have a harness for the ride there and back!

*Includes transportation to and from a local park or trail less than 15 minutes from your home! 

Neighborhood
Pack Walk

$50

60 minutes of pack walking in a neighborhood near you. Your pup will enjoy all the benefits of working as a team with their very own local dog pack! Have a neighborhood bestie? Invite them along and you both save $5!

Current Locations
Randolph, NJ
Wharton, NJ
Roxbury, NJ
Mine Hill, NJ
Rockaway, NJ

Pup Club Members Only*
Must be booked weekly.*Must be within 10 minutes of one of our pack walk members and be well mannered in the car with a harness.

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Adventure Daycare Pricing

The Fun Starts Here!

Weekly Adventure

  • 1 Trip Weekly


    - Includes a personalized harness for your pup.- Must be prepaid for the current month of service.- Must cancel within 48 hours to retain credit for the following month.

Bi-Weekly
Adventure

  • 2 Trips Monthly


    - Includes a personalized harness for your pup.- Must be prepaid for the current month of service.- Must cancel within 48 hours to retain credit for the following month.

Monthly
Adventure

  • 1 Trip Monthly


    - Includes a personalized harness for your pup.- Must be prepaid for the current month of service.- Must cancel within 48 hours to retain credit for the following month.

Adventure Daycare is for Pup Club Members Only.

All dogs must pass our screening which includes 2 solo 30 minute walksthe first week, (Current Pup Club members can skip this step), followed bya pack walk test with one of our current adventure daycare pups. Oncecompleted they'll join us for an introductory day to see if they are a good fitfor our pack.

Intro Days are $125 and include a personalized harness!

All of our Bi Weekly and Monthly Adventure clients must join our Pup Clubby booking a minimum of one walk per week on any off weeks they're notin daycare. This ensures all of our Adventure Daycare pups retain theskills they've learned and stay familiar to our walkers”

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Have a special case?

Or need answers to specific questions about your pet?

Book a Free Consultation Call to discuss your pet’s need in detail!

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Wharton NJ FAQs

Do you walk in bad weather?

Yes. We work in rain and snow with the same reliability. In extreme heat (over 90 degrees), we shorten walks and shift routes to shaded areas along the canal. In extreme cold, we use booties and paw balm for dogs who tolerate them. Safety comes first.

What's your policy on holidays and weekends?

We work every day of the year with no surcharges. Wharton clients get the same rate on Thanksgiving as on a random Tuesday.

Do you handle rescue dogs and dogs with anxiety?

Yes! Our owners Luigi and Alison have years of hands-on rescue work with Save the Satos and Eleventh Hour Rescue, and our team is trained on management protocols for reactive, fearful, and rescue-background dogs. This is one of our specialties.

What zip codes do you cover in Wharton?

All of 07885. Every neighborhood, every street, every apartment complex.

How quickly can you start service in Wharton?

Because Wharton is our home base, we can typically complete a free meet-and-greet within 24 to 48 hours and begin service the next day. Same-day emergency drop-ins are possible for existing clients.

Are you actually located in Wharton, or just serving it?

Headquartered in Wharton. Our office is here, our owners Luigi and Alison live and work from here. Wharton is our home base.