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Hiking can be a rewarding experience for both you and your dog. It allows you to explore a new area and get closer to nature while providing great exercise. If you feel as though you and your dog have gotten into a rut when it comes to your daily walk, hiking can be a great way to shake up your routine a little.
A hike is generally understood to take place in an area that is a little more out of the way than the walking routes around your neighborhood. Therefore, it requires a little extra planning to keep your dog safe and comfortable while the two of you enjoy a nature walk together. Here are some tips for planning a fun hiking excursion with your dog.
1. Be Aware of the Rules
Even if a trail is advertised as pet friendly, call ahead of time to verify the rules. If leashes are required, make sure you have a sturdy one. If you would like to take your dog off-leash, first make sure that this is permitted and then verify that your pet is adequately trained to respond consistently to recall commands.
2. Leave No Trace
Preserve the cleanliness and pristine beauty of the natural area where you are hiking by bagging up your dog's waste and disposing of it, along with all other trash, in the proper receptacles. Most trails and hiking areas have rules about cleaning up dog waste, plus it is just a common courtesy to other hikers and part of the responsibility of being a dog owner.
3. Check Your Dog's Identification
A pleasant hike can become a nightmare scenario if your dog gets lost in the wilderness. Even if you have him on a leash, there is still a possibility that he could get loose and run off. Make sure your dog has an ID tag with your name, cell number, and any other relevant information on a collar that won't slip off easily. If you are hiking in an area with cell service, someone should be able to contact you right away if they find your dog. Make an alternative plan if you are hiking in a remote area where cell coverage is not available.
4. Be Aware of the Weather Forecast
Before you and your dog set out hiking, you should know what the weather is expected to do so you can plan accordingly to keep you and your dog safe regardless of the conditions. If the weather is going to be cold, your dog may need a jacket or coat, especially if she has thin fur. If conditions are expected to be bright and hot, your dog may benefit from pet sunscreen, goggles, or perhaps a shirt to protect against ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
5. Bring Plenty of Water
If you and your dog are exerting yourselves, there is a risk of becoming dehydrated. The risk is greater if the weather is hot and humid, but dehydration can occur in any weather. You should bring enough water for both you and your dog to drink while you are hiking. Don't let your dog drink from natural bodies of water, such as lakes or streams, as these could be contaminated with dangerous parasites.
6. Carry a First Aid Kit
If you or your dog get hurt while hiking, it can be difficult to get medical attention. A basic first aid kit has the supplies you need to deal with most minor medical issues you and your dog may experience on the trail. If the issue is more serious, first aid supplies can at least stabilize the condition until you can get help.
7. Let Your Dog Share the Load
Between the first aid kit, the bottled drinking water and pet dish for your dog, extra clothing and sun protection, and bags for dog waste, you have to carry more gear on your hike than you may have anticipated. However, you don't have to carry it alone. Dogs are able to carry up to one-third of their body weight and like to have a job to do. You can purchase a dog backpack and load it up with some of the gear to let your pet help.
8. Take Your Dog's Condition Into Consideration
If your dog has physical disabilities, it may still be possible to take him hiking. You may need a stroller, wheelchair, or other mobility aid. If using a wheelchair or stroller, you have to find a trail that accommodates it.
Your dog may be healthy, but you may not be sure that she has the endurance to handle a hike. Choose trails with difficulty levels that you believe are appropriate to your dog's condition, as well as your own skill level. Start building her stamina with long walks around the neighborhood at first, then short hikes to see how she does.
9. Be Aware of Flora and Fauna
Be sure your dog is trained to respond to commands to leave wild animals alone. Most wild animals will keep a safe distance, but bears may be an exception. Protect yourself and your dog when hiking in bear country by carrying bear spray and putting bear bells on your dog. Check yourself and your dog for ticks after you have completed your hike. Make sure you can recognize toxic plants, such as poison ivy, and keep your pet away from them.
Hiking can be part of a fun vacation with your dog, but you don't necessarily have to travel to enjoy it. Chances are, there are interesting hiking trails just waiting to be discovered within a short distance from your home.
