Hiking With Your True Best Friend; Not Just Another Dog Day Afternoon

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Taking your dog with you on a hike can be quite enjoyable. Dogs need a lot of exercise and hiking is a great form of exercise for both owner and canine. Not only do dogs enjoy hiking, but they may also have you enjoying it more as well – their keen sense of smell may notice things around you that you wouldn’t notice on your own.

You know what kind of hiking gear you need for yourself, but your dog will require some hiking equipment as well. Let’s look at some of the things you’ll need to consider when taking your dog hiking:

• Choose a trail that is comfortable. for both of you You will have to gauge your dog’s stamina through the early part of the hike. Start out with a short distance to see how your dog manages the incline, terrain, etc.
• Check to make sure that dogs are allowed on the trail you’ve chosen.
• It’s your responsibility to control your dog. Keep your dog on a leash while hiking.
• If you’re unsure of water sources on the trail, pack enough water for yourself and your dog. Just like you, your dog needs to be hydrated often while hiking.
• Your dog should be fully vaccinated and in good health before taking them on a hike.
• Trim your dog’s nails before you go so that your dog will be more comfortable.
• You shouldn’t feed your dog right before your hike. Just like humans, eating right before a hike can cause them to become sick. Feed them after the hike when they’ve rested. You can have snacks for your dog while hiking, but be careful not to over-feed them.
• Hike in the early part of the morning or in the early evening when it’s cooler to help prevent your dog from overheating. Heavy coated or dark coated dogs overheat quickly.
• You need a dog first aid kit in your hiking equipment as well. During hikes, the most common injuries to dogs are to the pads of their feet; however you should be prepared for everything from splinters to broken bones.
• Take a towel along in your hiking gear in case you need to clean up your dog before going home.
• Clean up after your dog. Pick up feces with a bag and dispose of it in a garbage container. Zip-lock bags are great for these messes to keep from smelling while you enjoy your hike.
• Make sure that your dog is wearing identification tags in case he gets away. The dog tags should include information on your pet’s vaccination as well as your home address and phone number. Make sure the rabies tag that you received from your veterinarian is attached to your dog’s collar.

If you’re going on an overnight hike with your dog, there are other hiking gear necessities too. Think about everything your dog uses in a day at home. Chances are they will need them in the great outdoors too.  If you plan to have your dog sleep inside a tent with you, consider having a leash that can be comfortably attached to a tent stake or pole so that your pet cannot run away during the night.  A dog will hear noises in an unfamiliar place and may chase after them if not properly secured.  Do not leave your dog outside the tent unattended on a leash in case other animals come near your campsite.

Food is important and you need to remember that hiking will increase your dog’s appetite. Take more food than your dog would usually eat for the length of time you’ll be gone hiking overnight. They will eat considerably more if they’ve been hiking all day long.

For overnight camps, be sure to find out about water sources that are near by and if they are potable / drinkable. If they aren’t, be sure to include a lot of extra water in your camping equipment and hiking gear. Once again, your dog will drink much more than usual when expelling their energy hiking throughout the day.

Hiking with your dog is an incredible way to spend a weekend afternoon. Consider these easy dog hiking tips before your trip and you and your best friend will have an incredible time.

~Ben Anton, 2008
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