If you love the outdoors – and living in paradise, it’s easy to do – dogs make excellent hiking and backpacking buddies. While we have mostly flat terrain in Florida, you may be thinking of bring your dog to the mountain retreat or on a outdoorsy vacation. But if your dog is not used to strenuous trails, steep inclines or traversing long distances, you may wish to prepare them before hitting the trails. Here are some tips to provide your dog with the proper gear and training so that you both have a safe, enjoyable trip.
Hiking, Climbing & Adventuring with Your Dog
Training: A hike is much different than a short walk on a path. A pup who tends to pull or lunge will tire both of you after less than an hour, so we recommend leash-training them before attempting a multi-hour hike. Teach your dog to sit while others pass by, and discourage hunting behavior to deter your pup from bolting after any prey it sees. Some breeds like hounds and terriers have been bred to have such a high prey drive that it cannot be trained out of them, though; in these cases, your dog may not be suited for long hikes. On a long trip, your dog carries their own items– you will already bear your fair share of supplies. Find a sturdy double-pocketed pack and make your dog wear it on walks to accustom them to carrying the pack’s bulk. Take them on walks of varying lengths so they learn to bear the pack. You also need to prepare yourself with knowledge of any threats to your dog while hiking. Our state has multiple venomous snakes including rattlesnakes, copperheads, cottonmouths, and coral snakes. We recommend learning to identify them so you and your dog avoid interacting with them while hiking. Before your trip, you should also research the trail difficulty and length to determine whether the trail is right for you.
Health: Both you and your dog should be in great health before attempting a difficult hike or backpacking trip. Visit your vet to learn what your dog’s ideal weight is and how to help them reach that goal. An overweight dog won’t last long on a trail, so set a rigorous exercise routine months before your backpacking trip to prepare each of you for the exertion. Keep Fido up to date on all their shots as well, as many states require a full vaccination report for your dog when crossing state borders. If you own a brachycephalic dog (aka squash-nosed dog) like a pug, shih-tzu, bulldog, or chihuahua, hikes are not in their best interest. Their nose has been bred to have sub-par breathability; too much exercise can result in them not being able to adequately breathe or cool their bodies.
Energy: When packing food, keep in mind that your dog will need to eat more often and more quantity of food than a quiet day spent at home. When in doubt, pack excess food and snacks for yourself and your dog. Plan to pause every couple of hours to refuel before hitting the trails again.
Gear:
Hiking with a dog adds a fair amount of gear to your supply list. Your dog should wear a pack containing water, a collapsible bowl, lightweight rain jacket, and any food or snacks your dog will need for the duration of your trip. When packing, balance the pack so it isn’t too heavy for your dog to bear.
If you are planning an overnight, you will need a tent big enough for both of you, as well as a pad and comforter your dog will need to comfortably spend the night.
Making sure your dog is properly trained is the key to bringing him along on safe vacations and adventures. If your dog needs to be trained for the first time, or his commands need to be a bit refined, give Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training a call. We are here to help Sarasota and Bradenton dog owners to help their canines experience their best life.
