Hiking is already a fantastic hobby, what could make it better? The answer, hiking with dogs. Although you may treat your dog like royalty, don’t forget they still have the DNA of a wild animal. As wolf-blood courses through their veins, they desire to run in the woods. Help your pooch satisfy their craving to run through the woods by taking them hiking with you! Here are 5 Tips for Hiking with Dogs.
It’s a given that your dog should be well trained before you take them on the trail. They should be comfortable around other dogs and with people. And If you plan to let them off-leash make sure they will obey your commands.
With your well-trained buddy ready and impatiently waiting for you to open that car door at the trailhead, consider some of these tips to make the experience more enjoyable when hiking with dogs:
Tip #1: Get Your Puppy a Pack
You feed, bathe and pick up after your dog. It’s only fair that your dog repays you by carrying their fair share of the pack weight when you’re out on the trail. Have your dog carry their own water, bowl, and snacks. Just make sure both sides of the dog’s pack are weighted equally. The total load in the pack should not exceed one-third of your dog’s body weight.
Tip #2: Fuel Up Your Pup
Just like you, your dog needs food to keep their feet moving. Always bring snacks on your hike for both you and your furry friend. A good rule of thumb is one cup of food (or equivalent treat) per 20 pounds of dog. It is also wise to give your dog a small serving about an hour before hiking for extra energy. Bringing along a collapsible bowl make it much easier to present your dog a proper meal.
Tip #3: Track Your Dog in the Dark
Sometimes our hikes go a little later in the day than we expect. Just like you bring a headlamp to light your path, bring a glow stick necklace to keep track of where your dog is in the dark. If you don’t like this little ghetto hack, you also can buy dog collars with LED lights.
Tip #4: First Aid for Your Furry Friend
For long hikes, you should be bringing along a small first aid kit. Here are a few things to add to your outfit that can help your canine companion:
- Tweezers for tick removal
- Self-stick ace bandages
- Multi-Tool with Piers for stubborn thorns
Tip #5: Clean Your Canine
After a long exhausting day on the trail, the last thing you want to do is have to clean the inside of your car after you pull into your driveway. Bring a camp towel and brush to clean and dry your dog thoroughly before letting them into the car.
Our Dog Kona
We got Kona from a farm when she was 3 months old. As the shy and bashful pup of the litter, she turned out to be a ball of energy out on the trail. As with most border collies, she is wicked smart and needs to be worked nonstop. She is a hiking dog that loves rescuing sticks from lakes and refuses to get in a vehicle that doesn’t have 4-wheel drive. Sharing the trail with her is always a blast, but she is the worst when it comes to staying still and sleeping in the tent.
What advice do you have for hiking with dogs? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook!
Chad can be summed up by his idea of a perfect day: Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the mountains, warm cup of coffee in hand then grabbing his camera and fly rod, hitting the trail to explore some uncharted territory followed by cold beers and campfire steaks. Chad is often joined on his adventures by his wife, Tori, and their dog, Kona.
