How to Hike With Your Dog

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Have you ever gone out on a hike by your lonesome – or with a friend – feeling guilty at the prospect of leaving Man’s Best Friend home alone?

There’s no reason to feel guilty, particularly as you can even start bringing your dog along with you on your hikes. Doing so will help you bond with your dog, bringing you both into a situation where you feel somewhat dependent on each other to keep going. With your dog with you, you won’t have to exit the house to the pattering of Fido scratching on the wall, hoping to come along.

But before you do bring your dog on a hike, make sure to follow these tips and guidelines:

• Make sure your dog has all the vaccination he/she requires. You might already have this covered, but it bears mentioning because of the unpredictability of introducing a dog back into the elements. If you’re not sure, make sure to call or check with a veterinarian before you bring your dog hiking with you.
• Get your dog in shape. Just like you wouldn’t expect yourself to tackle Mount Everest after many years as a couch potato, you can’t simply expect your dog will be in hiking shape, even if you take daily walks. Introduce your dog to hiking with a small hike to begin with – this will both help them get into shape and familiarize them with the environment you’ll be bringing them in to.
• Bring a leash. This is often required at certain hiking trails, but even if not, you’ll want to make sure you have control over your dog. You never know what kind of critter might come along and steal away your dog’s attention. Even if you have a good verbal command over your dog and leashes aren’t required, bring a leash the first couple of times just to be sure. You can always let go of the leash if the dog wants to go explore.
• Remember that you’re drinking for two. Don’t forget that your dog, just like you, will need to keep hydrated, particularly on hot summer days. This might mean a little extra packing. If your dog pants heavily, it’s a fair sign that he or she is already getting dehydrated and needs some water.
• Consider your dog to be like bring a smaller person along with you. How would you prepare to bring another person along with you? You’d need extra supplies of the same things like food and water, yes, but you’ll also need to be prepared with a first aid kit.

Following these simple guidelines a few times will get you used to the idea of taking your dog with you on your excursions into the woods and the great outdoors. But as with anything, make sure you and your dog are ready before you start embarking on your adventures.