You feel each other, chase each other nicely and when you walk together even tens of kilometers seem like a piece of cake. Could it be that your best hiking buddy has four legs 😉? In that case, you have probably thought about taking your dog on a longer walk, for example a brisk (multi-day) hike in the mountains. You may still have doubts about whether this will really be a successful trip – for both of you. Let us help you make this consideration!
Dogs are generally excellent companions for us outdoorsmen. They do not complain, do (if all is well) exactly what you say and will not unnoticed eat the last energy bar from your backpack. Yet together with your dog, the wilderness is only super fun and bonding when 1) your dog is actually a suitable hiking candidate and 2) if you prepare your trip well.
Your dog: suitable/unsuitable for a hike or long walk?
A nice walk really demands something different from your pet than a (multi-day) hike abroad. Dogs are creatures of habit. Some adjustment is in principle possible, but then they must be able to: not all dogs are able to walk for a long time. Because they will always do their best to keep up with you – possibly even at the risk of their own life – you owe it to yourself to be realistic about what you ask of your pet. Take the following things into consideration:
Age is more than a number
Dogs that are too old and too young do not have enough strength and stamina for the journey. This lack of fitness alone could be tricky, but their (still, or now) weaker immune system makes them extra vulnerable.
Physical condition
Does your dog have health problems or is he/she for some other reason physically unable to trot all day long (in an environment where the temperature can also fluctuate), then unfortunately he/she may not be the best hike buddy .
Obedience
With dogs that aren’t properly trained and (therefore) can’t follow instructions or commands, you shouldn’t even want to go on a longer hike. They can pose a danger to themselves, you and other hikers and wildlife.
Adaptability
Many people tend to overestimate their four-legged friend’s abilities. That makes sense: we spend a lot of time with our pet and he or she regularly accompanies us on a brisk walk. But a different surface and new weather conditions can throw your dog’s performance upside down. So think in advance what the new situation will be like. Is the ground of your destination steep, jagged or slippery? Will it get extremely hot? Is there sufficient (opportunity for) shade? And so forth.
Medical checks
To be on the safe side, you can have a vet check your dog is ready for the trails. Make sure you know which vaccinations are needed. Also ask your vet for (preventive) medicines against pathogens from water and the treatment of snake bites and parasites such as ticks.
So you and your dog go hiking! Tips for preparation (and anticipation)
Once you’ve decided that your dog is the perfect hiking companion, you can start prepping your holiday. Here are a few important things you should know, do and don’t do to let both your dog and yourself enjoy an adventurous trip as much as possible.
Paw-Friendly Locations
Do good research on where you want to go hiking. On many routes (and campsites) your dog must be on a leash or they are not welcome at all. Also in most national parks dogs are not allowed, or only when they are on a leash and not off the paved paths. Figure out your route by ‘paw-friendliness’: shady paths with soft moss, foliage or coniferous terrain. Not fun for your dog are paths strewn with sharp rocks, steep slopes and any surface that gets very hot.
Tomorrows victory is todays training
Let your four-legged friend get used to what you are planning. Build up your walking time and intensity slowly. Start small and on a relatively flat and smooth surface, and monitor your dog’s reaction. If she still has energy after an hour, increase the difficulty of the next walk by adding elevation and distance.
No matter how well-trained your dog is, the new setting will probably make him or her so excited that a refresher course in obedience is not a luxury . During practice walks, make sure your dog (again) remembers how to follow, sit, stop and come back.
Realize that it’s your job to keep your pet close to you and to keep it under control – both on a leash and off-leash. Even if you don’t see other walkers, your dog should always be in your sight and stay close enough to hear your commands.
PROTECT NATURE (and your dog)
Don’t let your dog stray off the trail to chase animals, run through the foliage, or play in the water. The natural flora and fauna must be protected from the curiosity and enthusiasm of the animals we bring with us. Although walking around together is most fun, a leash (even if the area does not make it mandatory) can be a good aid. And besides, some plants are poisonous and some creatures bite back – or carry dangerous viruses or diseases.
Race (and instinct)
There are types of dogs that get wildly enthusiastic about nature, for example special scent and sight breeds, or dogs that have a strong prey drive. This isn’t always ideal during a walk in the wild – for all the obvious scenarios . Some species can be conditioned into this and learn to obey whistles and commands, but in general they will run off faster and ignore your commands. Not what you want.
Sidenote: ‘Short-mouthed’ species such as pugs, boxers, and certain terriers are less heat-tolerant and have reduced stamina. Their short snouts and narrowed noses make them less able to dissipate heat (from the outside and/or through their own exertion), putting them at a higher risk of heat stroke and exercise intolerance. Short trips are often fine, but be extra careful with these species on a longer trip.
Prepare those paws for longer distances
The small practice walks are also a good opportunity to harden your dog’s paws, or to get him or her used to those possible new walking gear that you have bought for you. A special paw salve can help keep the paws in optimal condition for those longer trips.
Are you already itching to get going? Keep the above tips in mind and go for it! Or, in his doggy style: live life like there’s no end to your leash 🐾🌾.
