It’s a Sunday morning. You got to sleep in for quite possibly the first time all week, you have a nutritious meal in your stomach, and you’re feeling energized and ready to take on the world. You peer over to your closet and see your hiking boots peeking out from the bottom of your shoe rack, inevitably calling your name. You think to yourself, “I really want to lace up my boots and go on a hike but I promised myself I’d take my dog on a long walk today.” Then you realize you can accomplish both by taking your dog on that epic hike you read about last week.
Hiking with dogs is not only a great form of exercise for you but also for your pooch. After a long, hard week of working you not only want to find a way to unwind but also find time to spend with your pet. Hiking provides you with this opportunity in a fun and adventurous environment. Not only will you get a chance to tackle fresh terrain but the steep inclines you will encounter combined with the longevity of the hike will be enough exercise to put your dog into a deep slumber the moment you get home. This means you can catch up on all your favorite TV episodes you recorded from the week before uninterrupted.
Old Mission Dam, Mission Trails | San Diego, CA
While hiking with your furry best friend may seem as easy as throwing on a pair of hiking boots and heading to the car, I’ve put together a list of 9 tips to keep in mind before hitting the road.
9 Tips for Hiking With Your Dog
- Consider The Terrain Of the Trail – Look for trails that will be friendly on the paws. Select a trail that will have relatively flat terrain with minimal jagged rocks that could end up injuring your dog’s paws. Shaded trails with soft, leaf or needle-covered terrain, or loose dirt are advisable. Surfaces that can get very hot should also be avoided. There are entire websites that are dedicated to providing you with dog-friendly hike options such as hikewithyourdog.com .
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Check The Trail Beforehand
– Many popular hiking destinations such as National Parks or monuments do not allow dogs. Check online beforehand to ensure that the hike you want to conquer is pet friendly. Parks, nature trails, and trails not maintained by a national service likely allow for dogs.
Sycamore Valley Park | Danville, CA
- Pack for Your Pooch – Just as you prepare for a hike by packing all your necessities it is crucial to do this for your dog as well. You’ll want to bring a leash, a water bowl, protective covering for your car seats, treats, and bags for when they do their business along the trail.
- Consider a Harness – It is a law in many states that your dog must be on a leash when hiking. While it is important to keep your dog restrained in instances where they come across other animals, or to avoid them venturing off to the side and coming in contact with poison oak or worse, a rattle snake, it is also important to keep in mind their comfort. Using a harness allows your dog to roam without the risk of getting choked. With plants and trees jutting out from along the trail, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
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Hike Often
– Build up to longer trips (with both full grown dogs and puppies) by taking a series of shorter hikes to toughen their paws and build stamina. Dogs, like people, need to work up to longer and more strenuous hikes. Speaking of puppies, wait until your puppy has received all of their shots before taking them on the trail. If the trail is dog-friendly, it’s likely you may run into other dogs along the way.
Danville, CA
- Doggy First Aid Kit – Just as you may get some scrapes and bruises on a hike, your dog may also get injured as well. Pack bandages and antiseptic for wounds, a liquid bandage (such as 3M Pet Care Spray-On Liquid Bandage; $9.79, 3m.com ) for split or cut paw pads, and tweezers to remove ticks (check your dog before you get back into your car).
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ID tags
– You’ve likely encountered a “Missing Dog” sign at a trailhead. No matter how disciplined your dog is or how familiar you are with the location, it is extremely important to have not only a collar around your dog’s neck but also up-to-date tags affixed to the collar. Bonus points if your dog is microchipped.
Mission Trails | San Diego, CA
- Bring Waste Pickup Bags – There’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve stepped in a pile of dog poop. Aside from your shoe smelling funky, you need to take the time to clean your shoe and it never truly seems the same. When you’re in nature, it can be tempting to allow your dog to poop and leave it behind. Respect the outdoors and pick up after your pup. Exercise the same care you would if you were taking your dog on a stroll through your neighborhood.
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Take Breaks
– Even if your dog loves to run laps around your backyard, breaks will still be necessary, especially if your hike is long and grueling. Dogs don’t always show signs of needing to stop, but even if yours doesn’t show fatigue, it is crucial to take a break every 20-30 minutes. Pull off into the shade and allow your pooch to take in some water.
Cowles Mountain | San Diego, CA
