One of the best ways to have fun in the great outdoors is hiking with your dog. There are many exciting aspects you get to experience when hiking with your dog such as fresh air mountain and views of the beautiful valleys. While you’re used to a normal walk or a day at the park, there’s a lot that goes into hiking with your dog. You must prepare adequately and ensure you have all the necessary safety gear that you will need out there. In this article, we have put together the dog hiking guide that includes the dog gear that will give you the confidence you need to get out and enjoy the great outdoors with your dog. So, read on to discover more.
Are you planning to go hiking with your dog?
Dogs are very important members of many families and they can make great hiking companions for many reasons. Dogs can improve your moods and help lower blood pressure and cholesterol. Exercising with your dog can help you deal with emotion and can even help with arthritis.
While taking your dog hiking can be enjoyable, it’s important to know that not all dogs are made for the trail. Hiking for long distances is more strenuous than walking, and not all dogs are suited for that. So, before taking your pooch on a hike, here are some important things you must consider to ensure that both of you enjoy as much as possible.
Familiarize yourself with the trail
It’s always a good idea to know the trail you want to hike as well as its rules and regulations. Some trails do not allow hiking with your dog, even a leashed one. In most trails, leashes are mandatory. Therefore, you must do your research to identify destinations that allow hiking with dogs on their trail systems and also familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations.
Also, you need to know what things you need to watch out for including the wildlife, or routes with sharp rocks or steep drops. Also, check the weather of the day of the hike to make sure you are well-equipped or save hiking for another day.
The size of your dog might influence the choice of your trail. Some trails can be easy enough for any dog to take, others can be to long or have high obstacles that can be difficult for smaller dogs to walk down. Healthy and physically fit medium and large dogs can do well on most trails.
Brush up on obedience training and trail etiquette
When you’re out on the trails with your dog, your responsibility increases. You must ensure that your dog is within your control at all times. Before taking him on a trail, make sure he correctly responds to your commands at all times, including come, sit, stay, and heel. Have him on a leash and make sure he can walk as comfortably as possible.
On the trail, you will possibly encounter other people, dogs, bikers, and other animals, and hence it’s important to ensure your dog is sufficiently well-behaved to avoid injury and give way to other hikers.
Visit your vet
It’s wise to visit your vet to get a health assessment before taking your dog on a hike. The veterinarian will assess your dog’s health to make sure he’s healthy enough to hike. Certain health considerations may affect a dog’s ability to hike. For instance short muzzles, nursing pups, or hip dysplasia.
Flat-faced dogs (brachycephalic breeds) such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Shi Tzu experience difficulty getting enough air, hence are not suited for long hikes.
Dogs that have certain health issues such as arthritis or hip dysplasia, or those that are extremely prone to hip dysplasia are not the best hiking buddies. Additionally, if your dog is overweight, he might not be physically fit enough to endure long hiking miles.
Your dog’s age also affects his ability to withstand strenuous long hiking miles. Therefore, you should not hike with a dog that’s too old or too young. A young dog’s bones aren’t fully developed, so you might have to wait for a while before taking him on his first hike.
During your vet’s visit, ask your vet what vaccinations or preventative measures are needed for the great outdoors including unwanted events like snakebites, waterborne pathogens, and parasites. Your vet will also advise you on whether your dog’s immune system is ready for a hike or not.
Essential Dog Gear for Your Hike
Here’s a list of all-important dog hiking gear that you need to bring with you:
1. Leashe or harnesses for hiking
Your dog may be well-behaved enough to walk down the trail without a leash. However, many trails require dogs to be on a leash and you should have your dog on a leash at all times, it’s just common courtesy. The best leashes for hiking are shorter, about 10 feet or shorter. Many harnesses for hiking eliminate the pressure from your dog’s neck and displace it throughout his chest and back.
2. Collar
Always have your dog equipped with a well-fitting and durable collar. The collar should have the proper tags that have your dog’s name and contact information. You can pack a cooling collar that helps in dissipating your dog’s heat, especially if he’s prone to overheating.
3. Dog backpack
It can always be a good idea to have your dog carry his own supplies by having him wear a dog backpack for hiking. The best hiking backpack for dogs should fit right. They come in different sizes and a lot of things can go in them including a safety kit, dog snack, collapsible water bowls, and so on. The backpack should not be too tight nor too loose. Also, it should not be lumpy or too heavy.
4. Dog first-aid kit
You need to bring both a human first-aid kit (for you) and a dog first-aid kit. You can find dedicated dog first-aid kits in pet stores. Also American Red Cross has a Pet First Aid App.
Check out 9 of The Best Apps For Dog Owners to learn more about pet first aid and other useful apps.
5. Dog booties
Dog paws are sensitive, hence you may need dog booties to protect his paws or in response to an injury to his pad or claw.
6. Water container
You must keep your dog hydrated with freshwater during your hike, hence you must bring a water bottle or a collapsible water dish.
Hiking with your dog can be enjoyable, but you need to prepare adequately and obtain the right dog hiking equipment to be confident of hitting the trail. It’s wise to get a health assessment of your dog to determine whether he’s fit enough for a hike. You need to pack all the necessary dog gear for hiking and make sure your dog is well-behaved. During your hike, keep your dog on a leash at all times to keep him safe and prevent him from drinking stagnant water or chewing wild plants and shrubs that may be poisonous.
Read our blog.