Trails and short hikes are a great way to get out of the house with your dog and experience the outdoors. I’ve got fifteen tips to make your next mini adventure as enjoyable as possible. Don’t forget to check the end of this post for a list of resources!
#1) Gear Up Right
Before you embark on your little mini-adventure you need to think a bit about the stuff you’re going to wear, use, and bring.
Make sure both you and your dog are equipped properly for the day’s adventure. The regular hardware you use may not be the best thing in every instance. Be flexible and approach each adventure as it’s own little thing.
For dogs, you’ll want to use a flat collar or a body harness. Front hook harnesses restrict some motion in the shoulders so a body harness is the safest, most secure option.
If your dog doesn’t walk well, a front hook harness is a better option, in which case you’ll want to stick to flat trails on firm ground.
Use a solid leash. If your dog is well-trained a retractable leash will give them a little more space to have fun. There’s a caveat to using one though…
Now, a lot of trainers out there–and even on YouTube–say that the best way to use a retractable leash is to throw it in the trash. I personally think this is superficial problem solving. A retractable leash is a tool and like any tool there are proper ways to use it, and improper ways to use it. And there are skilled users, and there are ignorant users. YOU are going to have to consider your handling skills along with how well behaved your dog is, and choose accordingly. If your dog pulls, or doesn’t respond to commands, amidst distractions you should not use a retractable. Use a standard leash.
Also, use a seat cover and some kind of car restraint for your dog. This will keep your dog safe during the drive, and your car clean after the hike.
#2) Identify
Guys, things happen. Collars break, leashes drop, harnesses slip off. It’s critical that your dog is carrying ID at all times when they’re away from home so you can make sure they get back home safely.
#3) Obey Leash Rules
Leashes are required for several reasons. It’s for your safety, your dog’s safety, the safety of other people, and the safety of other dogs. There are countless variables in a public setting that you cannot predict. No matter how good you think your dog is, it’s not always about your dog causing the problem. Sometimes it’s other people, other animals, and factors you’ve never even thought of.
Also, just because your dog is friendly doesn’t mean every dog is friendly. This is called Normalcy Bias and we talked about it in our walking safety post.
Not everyone you meet on the trail wants to meet your dog. Some people don’t like dogs, or are afraid of dogs, or can’t physically handle being jumped on. Everyone has the right to walk in a public place without having to encounter your loose dog. The concept of Consent applies here, just as much as anything else in our lives.
Plus, a dog under your control is less likely to get into other things they shouldn’t.
#4) Critter Control
First off, know what kinds of wildlife you may encounter for your area. Here in upstate New York for example we have a ton of ticks. We’ve also got black bears and, in the hills here, rattlesnakes.
The best critter control strategy is being proactive. For starters, dogs should have a flea and tick repellents or treatment. You may want to consider vaccinating your dog against Lyme disease too.
Also, a bear bell is a good thing to clip onto your leash, your dog, or even your backpack. Most wildlife will beat it if they hear you coming.
#5) Consider a Trek Pole or a Walking Stick
Trekking poles and walking sticks not only help with balance, but also help reduce the wear and tear on your knees and legs while improving overall circulation.
This isn’t such a big deal on flat trails, but for hilly trails like this where it’s occasionally uneven, you might consider a trek pole or a walking stick just to give you some added stability, especially if you have a larger dog. I don’t know about you, but I like a walking stick even when I don’t have a dog with me!
#6) First Aid
A good first aid kit isn’t just for the dog; it’s for you too. There are occasionally going to be nicks and scrapes, bites and stings, and minor irritations. There may potentially be more serious cuts and scrapes if you or your dog take a tumble, which is always more likely if you’re managing a dog on a leash.
I’ve got an easily accessible trauma kit that’s attached to the back of my car seat that I have with me all of the time. You could also get a small kit at your sporting goods store and drop it in your pack, or stow it in the glove box of the car.
#7) Pack UR Poo
Dog poop is one of the most common carriers of parasites like tapeworms and roundworms, and bacteria like salmonella, giardia, and cryptosporidiosis.
In 1991 it was labeled a non-point source pollutant by the EPA, placing it in the same category as insecticides, oil, grease, and even acid drainage from old mines. Awesome, right!
I’m not trying to scare you. All of us dog owners deal with dog poop every day and if you’re smart by using baggies, disposing of it responsibly, and washing your hands you’ll be fine. But allowing many dogs to poop in an area that is not picked up can potentially lead to serious issues. Case in point: the EPA estimates that two or three days’ worth of poop from a population of about 100 dogs would contribute enough bacteria to temporarily close a bay, and all watershed areas within 20 miles of it to swimming and shell fishing.
Plus, dog poop doesn’t biodegrade like deer or squirrel poop does. And, it’s annoying to see, smell, and especially step in, when you’re out walking.
Bottom line: pick it up, pack it out, and dispose of it properly like a grown up!
# 8) Watch For Signs of Heatstroke
If your dog’s internal temperature gets over 109° you’re going to have serious trouble. Know your dog’s limits and don’t allow them to over exert themselves. They’ll just keep on trucking to make you happy, so be sensitive and smart.
Signs of heatstroke:
- Deep, heavy panting
- Bright red tongue
- red or pale gums
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
If you see these symptoms, you should get into the shade, stop, and wet their chest and armpits. In serious cases heatstroke can be fatal; you may need to hightail it to a vet.
Best bet is to be proactive, though, so make sure you to take breaks…
#9) Take breaks
Whether or not your dog is getting overheated, it’s a good idea in any event to stop and take periodic breaks. Sit on a bench, hang out in the shade, and get a drink of water.
Breaks are good for you, too!
#10) Bring a Carabiner
There are plenty of reasons why you may want to be hands free for a moment. Being able to clip to your belt, backpack, a tree or a bench can be very beneficial. If you need to get something from a pack, get a drink of water, or just want to take a picture of something cool, being able to secure your dog for a moment is important.
Don’t cheap out on this. Do not buy one of those carabiners you find at Walmart next to the register to put your keys on. Those are not rated for weight and the pins fall out of the hinge easily.
Get a climbing carabiner with a locking gate. You can pick these up at outdoor stores for not a whole lot. I got one at Field and Stream for $16, and they’re available on Amazon too. I’ve got two more attached to D-rings in the back of my car for this exact reason.
#11) Train a Bombproof Recall
Having your dog come when you call is not just a basic skill, it’s a potentially life saving one.
A fun way to proof recalls is to have your dog come to you every so often during your walks. Every 100 yards or every ten minutes or so, stop, call your dog to you, and then reward them immediately with praise and the continuance of the walk. Treats aren’t necessary here because we’re using life rewards.
Practice this in large spaces with a lunge line or retractable leash and proof it with distractions BEFORE YOU NEED IT.
#12) Train a Bombproof Leave It
Out here there are mushrooms and fungus on the trail. And in the fall like this you may not see them amongst the leaves, but your dog’s nose will sniff it out. There’s also mistletoe, poison ivy and poison oak, sumac, not to mention the wildlife. Other dogs and hikers of course are also interesting things to your dog will want to investigate.
Don’t just practice your Leave It inside, in the kitchen. Proof it outside while you’re in motion so you’ve got it on voice control and at distance.
#13) Bring a Towel
If there’s dirt, mud, or snow on your dog, a brief toweling down will be a necessary step before they get into the car. Wiping them off is also a good time to do your…
#14) Post Adventure Assessment
Use this time to check for ticks, most of all. You should have a tick remover in your first aid kit, or at least one that you brought along.
Also, look for burrs, cuts, and allergic reactions. Immediate issues can be addressed with your first aid kit. Make a note of other stuff to take care of when you get home.
Make sure to look yourself over, too.
#15) Be an Ambassador
Finally guys the last one is just be an ambassador for dog owners. Don’t let your dog trample vegetation off the trail, don’t let them chase small animals, don’t let them harass other people out walking, and don’t let them leave poop everywhere. Having our dogs in places like this is a privilege and a responsibility, so we need to act accordingly.
Privileges can be taken away if there are too many incidents involving off leash dogs and dog poop being left behind. It’s up to us to be responsible and keep these places open to dogs. There aren’t enough places as it is, so set an example of what responsible dog ownership looks like.
Now Get Out There!
There you go, everyone. I hope you found those fifteen tips useful!
Question: what are some of your favorite tips for short trails and hikes? Let me hear from you in the comments.
Don’t forget to give the video a thumbs up on YouTube if you learned something useful and as always, keep learning, keep practicing, and we’ll see you next time. Thanks for stopping by!
RESOURCES & RECOMMENDATIONS
GEAR
Some of the links below are affiliate links. These won’t cost you anything, but the commissions we may earn through them help offset the cost of dog treats. Thanks for your support!
- Ruffwear Front Range Harness
- Flexi Vario Tape Retractable Leash
- Flexi Soft-Stop Belt
- Flexi Accessory Box (use it for Poo bags!)
- Tick Key
- Mighty Paw Car Safety Belt
- Lifepul Seat Cover
- Petzl Locking Carabiner
- Coghlan’s Bear Bell w/Silencer
- Nalgene Bottle
- Collapsible Silicone Bowl
- Small First Aid Kit (the one in the backpack)
- ITS Tall Boy Trauma Kit (the one in my car)
RELATED ARTICLES
“Hiking with Dogs” — An excellently detailed article over at My Open Country. Definitely worth a read.
“Pet First Aid Kit – What to Put In It” — Our article detailing the contents of good first aid kits, from compact to maxi!
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, Simpawtico Dog Training, LLC will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, we only recommend products or services we use personally, and that we believe will add value to our readers. We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” Your support in purchasing through these links enables us to keep simpawtico-training.com running so we can deliver great content to you free. Thank you!
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