Hiking can be a great way to expose your dogs to new scents and environments, burn off energy, and bond by doing something fun together. But before you lace up your boots, grab your dog’s leash, and hit the trails, it’s important to be prepared. In your efforts to be active and adventurous, you also want to be safe.
Considerations Before Hiking
Build your dog’s stamina. If your dog tends to be relatively sedentary during the day, is overweight, or is older, they may not be able to jump right into walking for several miles. Start slowly by increasing the length of your walks around the neighborhood first to build up your dog’s stamina and endurance. If they tire too quickly on the trails, you may be carrying them back!
Pay attention to the weather. Does your dog get frightened by thunder or hate walking in the rain? Check out the forecast so you can pick a day with sunny skies. At the same time, you don’t want it to be too hot or your dog could experience heat exhaustion.
Make sure the location is dog friendly. National and state parks and forests often have different rules. Verify that dogs are allowed on the trails and see if there are any other restrictions in place, such as having to keep them on a certain length leash.
Protect them from fleas and ticks. Make sure your dog is up to date on their flea and tick medication before you leave. Bring tweezers or a tick removal tool along with you, and do a thorough check of their entire body when you get home.
What to Bring on Your Hike
As you prepare to head out, make sure you’re packing the essentials:
- Fresh, clean water and a collapsable bowl to put it in.
- Food or treats depending on the length of your trek.
- Booties to protect your dog’s paws in rough or hot terrain.
- A pet first aid kit with bandages, disinfectant/antiseptic, gauze, scissors, and tweezers.
- Waste bags to pick up after your dog on the trail.
- Harness/collar, leash, and identification tags. It’s a good idea to have your dog microchipped as well.
During Your Hike
Even if the park, forest, or nature reserve says that dogs are allowed off leash, it is better to keep your dog on their leash. This allows you to maintain better control, especially if your dog gets spooked, sees a wild animal, or is attempting to eat potentially poisonous plants and needs to be redirected. It can also keep them from wandering too far ahead or lagging behind, and it allows you to keep them out of the way of other hikers.
Make sure you clean up after your dog and leave no trace that you were there. Don’t leave dog waste in the woods, as this can create a foul-smelling situation and be unsanitary.
Take frequent breaks to give your dog water and let them rest. If they appear uncomfortable, tired, hot, or dehydrated, it may be time to head back home.
Do you love hiking, but your dog isn’t really the outdoorsy type? Or they’re unable to keep up with the distance you’re traveling, especially in the heat of the summer? Give them an adventure of their own while keeping them safe by boarding them at Lake Wylie Pet Resort. They can run and play with other dogs while having access to an air-conditioned space with plenty of water. Contact us today to book your dog’s stay!