So you want to take your Dog Hiking?

In the ever expanding Pet Friendly Universe, there’s hardly a place where you pet’s can’t gain access. The question becomes not IF they can go but, instead, SHOULD they go. Therapy and Medical Companion dogs aside, does “Mr. Fluffers” or “Ben Rufflessbarker” really need to tour the museum of Natural History, take in a show at your local theater, or shop at Target? Realistically, no… they don’t need to hang or be taken out to the ball game (unless its a Pet Night Promotion). WANT TO vs. HAVE TO has become a national debate that has put your pets in the center of the conversation.

As much as we love our animals, consider them family, and hate to exclude them from group outings, not everyone shares the same joy in hearing barks, or seeing butts, or having their privacy invaded by “Dr. Chewlittle” when they are having a beer at the local watering hole. In the case of a Pet Friendly establishment, everyone knows what they are potentially walking into.  However, an unexpected encounter with an over friendly pet can ruin someones dinner, much like an uncontrolled kid at the movies, or a baby that won’t stop crying on an airplane. So, be a mensch and consider the impact on others before you bring “Drooley Andrews” with you on an outing.

One place you would think a dog would belong is on a hiking adventure. After all, who loves hiking as much as you do? Dogs have that natural curiosity, deep love of nature, and the legs (all 4 of them) to hang with the most dedicated hiker on even the most difficult trails… at least most of them do. Just like parents with human kids, pet parents can overestimate the limits of your fur kids endurance or physical limits. Frankly, as much as you might want it for them, the great outdoors may just not be fun for some dogs. In addition, it can be dangerous for your four legged friends.

Backpacker.com did an in-depth study on hiking with your dog and discovered that there are multiple dangers that should be considered before you expose your dog to the trails.

As a loving parent and responsible owner you need to consider the following…

  • Turning the Hunter into the Hunted – Let’s say you are at your local state park with your dog, hiking a medium difficulty trail. Your dog is having a blast sniffing, exploring, digging and running when… suddenly… you both are face to face with a porcupine! You, being an intelligent and quick acting person, back away and flee the scene. On the other hand, your dog will have one of three reactions. 1) They will see a potential friend and attempt to engage with normal dog rituals of butt sniffing and get curiously close. 2) they will see a potential enemy and want to protect YOU by attempting to engage the animal. 3) FLEE! Dogs, like humans, have a “Fight or Flight” instinct. If your dog feels threatened and considers themselves the lesser of the two opponents, they will run, with reckless abandon and no immediate thought of you. In all three of these scenarios, somebody is getting a taste of the porcupines quills. At any time the dog can become the featured item on a wild animals dinner menu. Large animals like bears, mountain cats, or wolves, see your dog as a meal and not a threat. Smaller dogs make an especially great sized meal for a variety of predators out on the trails.

  • Walked Right into THAT One – Not all trails are regulated by national or local officials. You could find a great trail that is actually a hunting ground. Your pet could run across a snare, leg hold, dead drop, or pit trap meant to capture or kill wildlife. Keep in mind that these traps are purposely hidden and they often are baited with ‘smelly stuff” to draw attention to them. In some cases humans set traps, like those mentioned above, illegally in areas that are well traveled or popular. If a person is “Poaching” they are more likely to do it close to the start or end of a trail where they can have quick access to their traps, then get out before they can be identified or caught.

  • Don’t Drink the Water – As humans, most of us know not to drink water from a stream without first boiling or using some other means to filter.  Your dog doesn’t have the understanding that sick animals could have contaminated that water, or used it as a toilet, or died upstream in it, or that there could be hidden dangers in the stream… they just see water and are thirsty. Animals do have a stronger immune system that can ward off some types of bacteria or parasites, but there are limits to what they can naturally filter. Some parasites can even be passed to human companions.

  • Admitting De Feet – Any trail can have hidden dangers to your pets foot pads. From the scorching red-hot parking lot blacktop, to the searing sand of a beach, to a dirt path with sharp sticks, jagged rocks, unsuspecting acorns, to thorny branches laying on the trail, your dogs feet are always at risk of taking a beating while hiking. There’s nothing like being a half mile into a walk and your dog comes up lame because of a hurt paw. It’s a long walk with the added weight of carrying your best buddy the entire way back up the trail.

  • Snakes & Snails Bite Puppy Dog Tails – Well, maybe not snails… but snakes are always a real threat in the wilderness (or your own backyard), as are spiders, certain types of ants, scorpions in some regions, and the ever popular ticks. If your dog is off leash, you might not be aware of the bite until your dog starts to show symptoms, and then you have no idea what bit them.

  • What’s the Buzz, Cuz – Flying things can get you too. Bee’s, for instance, can be a threat if your dog is stung. The allergic reaction to a bee sting can cause swelling, difficulty breathing, shock, and even death if your dog has a severe allergy. Things can sting, bite, burrow, into your dogs body and pass disease or parasites.

  • Oh Ro you Dent’nt – Rodents and small animals, like squirrels, could carry disease like rabies. In the Western United States, there are random reports of the Canine Plague (also know as distemper) was a major threat to dogs in the 1920s. Luckily, if your dog has had a distemper vaccination they should be protected from this easily passed illness.

You must also consider the temperament, physical condition, and personality of your dog before you take them on the trail. Some dogs just have zero desire for that type of physical type of walk. A walk in the park, or a quick run through your back yard is one thing but a full out long walk in the woods, over rocks, through streams, and down paths, is a completely different experience. The funny thing is, it’s not always about the size of the dog on the trail. It’s often about the size of the trail desire in the dog. We’ve seen Pekingese sized dogs that love a good hike, and Shepherd sized dogs that just hate it.

You know your dog and you know how they act on and off leash. You should have good idea if they have the mental and physical toughness to be out for an hour or more in all kinds of conditions. Don’t ask your dog to do it if you have even a hint that it’s not in their wheelhouse of fun activities. They will quit on you and you’ll have to carry them part, most, or all of the way. Stick to what they can handle, start slowly and ease into a longer walk if they love it. Myopencountry.com lists the following breeds as “The Top 10 Most Trail Ready”;

  • Border Collie
  • Coonhound
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback
  • Australian Shepherd
  • German Short Haired Pointer
  • Jack Russell Terrier
  • Miniature Pinscher
  • Bernese Mountain Dog
  • Siberian Husky
  • Labrador Retriever

You’ll note the variety on that list ranges from GIANT sturdy dogs to high energy small dogs. Again, the point is that certain dogs are born to hike, but any dog could have the desire to hike. Judge your dogs interest, consider their physical limitations, look at the history of their health, and know their personality. Just because you want them to love the outdoors as much as you do, doesn’t mean they will.

So You Decide You’re Taking Your Dog on the Trail

That’s great! If you’ve done your research, pondered the welfare of your fur kids and then decide that you’re going to take them out on the trail… good for you. It’s liable to be a memorable, challenging, fun, and very physical adventure you can share. Before you pack up the pooch and head out to the wilderness, make sure you’ve packed everything you could need. It’s better to be over prepared than to be stuck in an emergency situation and not have what you need. Know the area, the native wildlife, and the trail before you go. Check the weather and pack accordingly. The internet is your best friend and can give you fill information about the trail conditions, trail difficulty, and recent issues or dangerous wildlife spotted. Do your homework to protect your pet and assure you’re ready.

Here’s a short list of items you’ll need to consider “must have” in your hiking backpack;

  • Poop Bags – Use the mantra, “Leave the trail better than you found it” as your guide. Pack those poop bags, nobody wants to step in, see, smell, or encounter your dogs droppings. Bag it and dispose of it properly.

  • ID Tags – Make sure your dog could inform a stranger where home is. They need a chip, but more importantly they need an ID tag on their collar or harness. Make sure it has complete information like home phone number, your name, the dogs name, and even their vets number (if possible).

  • Extra leash and collar/harness – This may seem like overkill, until you’re out there and you have a canine wardrobe malfunction. Having a spare can keep your dog safe… and fashionable.

  • Portable water dish – regardless if its a belt clip, plastic cup or a portable fold-n-tuck bowl, have something that you can pour water into that your dog can get it out of.  Also, bring more water than you can drink, in case of emergency. It’s better to have too much than to be stuck out in the wild with an injury or caught having to stay out longer than expected and NOT have water.

  • Snacks and Treats – Get trail ready with easy to dispense treats that keep in the heat. Don’t over feed on the trail, because a wicked case of the poops can set in. If it’s a long hike, consider a sample size bag of dog food (or plastic baggie full of their regular kibble).

  • Pet First Aid Kit – They make them, you need one. You can pay from $15 to $300 for a pet specific first aid kit. The American Kennel Club states that any pet first aid kit should have Gauze, Non-stick bandages, adhesive tape, cotton balls, hydrogen peroxide, antibiotic spray or ointment, milk of magnesia, a pill box for any meds they take (bring a 2 to 3 day supply), scissors, tweezers, magnifying glass, plastic syringes (they have multiple uses including wound flushing, eye washing, forces water intake, giving oral meds), towel.  You can even purchase and carry a dog EpiPen, in case of an allergic reaction to bee stings or bug bites. Is it a lot… yes, but isn’t being able to treat your pet in an emergency worth the effort?

Lastly, be sure to know your dogs tolerance for strangers. On the trails you’ll likely encounter other dogs and pet loving people. Understand that not all dogs are friendly, not all people want to be approached by a dog due to fears or that they are just “those kinds of people”. Conversely, you know your dog and how they react around strange animals and people. Don’t be afraid to simply state, from a comfortable distance, “Please understand that my dog is weary of strangers” or “He/She does not play well with strangers.”  Also, don’t be afraid to ask them if their dog is friendly. It’s always better safe than sorry and easier to announce intentions than have regrets.

Our favorite trail story is one about a man who owned a Japanese Chin dog (you can see her picture on this blog entry). The little, fluffy, designer dog love to see people and be outside, so the man decided to try her on walks. Walks in the neighborhood turned into walks in the park, which turned into walks on the beach, which turned into an attempt to walk in the woods. That first successful trail hike turned into a lifelong series of adventures out in the world, the two traveling to state parks and wooded trails all over the Midwest. Strangers would stop and marvel at the 12lb bundle of energy and wonder as she stopped to smell every blade of grass and animal scent that she crossed. This successful relationship lasted well into the dogs senior years. It just goes to show that it’s not about breed, it’s about desire. Some dogs are just born with the need to explore.  So, know your dog and their limitations. You could just be in for the adventures of your lifetime!

That’s it for this week’s Dog Blog. We hope that our efforts might trigger a hidden desire in some dogs out there to take to the trails and explore the great outdoors… and maybe keep one or two safe and happy in their homes, away from the stress of a walk they wouldn’t ever love.

That’s it for this week’s Dog Blog. We hope that our efforts might trigger a hidden desire in some dogs out there to take to the trails and explore the great outdoors… and maybe keep one or two safe and happy in their homes, away from the stress of a walk they wouldn’t ever love

If you like our blog, please feel free to look through our library of pet friendly writings at the following link FREDDIE SEZ – Freddie’s Place (freddiesplaceanimalhospital.com). We hope you’ll find something of interest and read more!

Join us again next week as we tackle another burning question, or common problem or concern, in the ever expanding world of pets. Till then, as always, we wish you love and luck, lick and laughs, all the hugs a fur parent can sneak from their beloved animals, and above all else that you stay Pet Friendly, #FreddieSez