Hiking Tips

As you can see in the picture above, we started hiking with Rowan when she was just four months old. Hiking is one of our favorite things to do, so it was vital to get her used to it as soon as possible! There are some trail manners that not everyone is aware of when hiking with dogs. We feel that it's extremely important to follow these "rules of etiquette" to make trails a good place for everyone, whether they have dogs with them or not.

• Always, always, always pick up the poo. Sadly, we see doggie doo a lot on the trails around here. Bring a few baggies with you and if you see someone that isn't picking up after their dog does their business, offer them one of your bags. We've also seen bags that are left on the trail, which is infuriating. It defeats the whole purpose of the "leave nothing behind" rule of being in nature. So, pick it up and pack it out with you.
• Only let them off leash if you have sight and/or voice control and if they stay on the trail with you. If they're likely to take off, go off of the trail or chase wildlife, then it's best to keep them on the leash. This preserves nature and can prevent disasters.
• When passing others, step off to the side and let them pass. This is especially important with horses since they can spook easily. Make sure your dog doesn't lunge towards the horse while they're passing. For the safety of everyone, including your dog, it's best to leash them when you see someone approaching.
• If you approach someone from behind, call out to them so that you don't surprise them.

There are also some things you should bring and do to make sure that you keep your pooch safe while hiking.

• Bring plenty of water and take water breaks often, especially if it's hot out. Even in the winter, dehydration can happen. Try to hike during the cooler times of the day.
• If you're in an area where there are plants or wildlife that can harm your dog, keep them leashed to prevent injuries. Check them over for injuries during water breaks, especially on their paw pads.
• Bring booties and a few basic first aid supplies along (gauze, antibiotic, tape for the gauze, tweezers) in case they hurt their paw pads, get a thorn in them, etc.. Some people also like to carry a muzzle in case they get injured and need to be carried out. Frightened & hurt dogs can bite, so a muzzle can prevent that.
• If you're going on a long hike, bring food that they can snack on.
• Watch for signs of fatique and stop for a while if needed.
• Spray their coat with a natural herbal bug repellent. Bring it along on longer hikes so you can refresh them with it.