Happy Hiking With Your Dog
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
If you, like so many others today, want to vacation and hike with your dog, there are some things you can do before you head for the hills that will help both you and your dog enjoy your outdoor vacation.
Conditioning
Just like humans, dogs need to be acclimated to the task at hand. Your inactive couch puppy cannot be expected to bounce from the easy chair in the den to a complete 3-hour hike. You should also make sure you're physically able to restrain your dog if confronted with distractions on the trail (like a scampering squirrel or a pack of joggers). So, taking your dog on short walks, outfitted with the right dog pack is a good way to get ready for upcoming hikes. If you increase the length of the walk just a little each day, your dog will be ready for the trail in just a few days or weeks, and so will you! It's a good idea to have your dog checked by a veterinarian before significantly increasing your dog’s activity level.
What to Take With You
These are the basics for taking your dog on a hike:
- Collar. It should not be so loose as to come off but you should be able to slide your flat hand under the collar
- Identification Tags
- Bandana. A brightly colored bandana can help distinguish your dog from game in hunting season
- Leash. Leather lasts forever but if there’s water in your future, consider quick-drying nylon
- Water. Carry 8 ounces for every hour of hiking
What About Dog Booties?
Dog booties can be an asset, especially for the occasional dog hiker whose paw pads have not become toughened. Many trails contain rocky terrain. In some places, broken glass abounds. Hiking boots for dogs are designed to prevent pads from cracking while trotting across rough surfaces, but they can also protect tender pads from these hazards. If you're not sure what type of terrain to expect, then a pair of doggie booties should be a part of your hiking inventory. Used in winter, dog booties provide warmth and keep ice balls from forming between toe pads when hiking through snow.
Take a Doggie First Aid Kit
Even when taking short hikes it is a good idea to have some basics available for emergencies:
- 4” square gauze pads
- cling type bandaging tapes
- topical wound disinfectant cream
- tweezers
- petroleum jelly (to cover ticks)
- veterinarian’s phone number
If you plan ahead before you leave on vacation, both you and your dog will have a much happier, relaxing time when you hit the trails!
