5 Great Tips for Hiking with Dogs

• Keep family dog in shape with a day hike
• Ensure family dog knows trail etiquette
• Bring this gear for family dog on day hikes
• Outfit special first-aid kit for dog on hike
• How to speak canine on the trail

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Bring this gear for family dog on day hikes

Taking the family dog with you on a day hike can be lots of fun. Running about and sniffing, your pet likely will enjoy being outdoors as much as you and the kids. As a member of the family, your dog will help create experiences that make the hike memorable for your children.

But don’t send your dog naked onto the trail. Like you, Rex or Queenie probably needs some hiking gear. Here is some dog gear you may want to take:
g Collar – All dogs should have a collar, with a name tag (giving owner’s name and contact info), that a leash can be hooked to. Consider getting a collar that doesn’t absorb water in case your pet jumps into a stream or gets caught in the rain.
g Leash – A walking leash is a good idea in case your pet begins to misbehave by wandering or chasing other animals. Don’t get a long one, though, as this invites all kinds of entanglements with trailside brush and trees.
g Crushable food and water bowls – Your pet probably will need to drink and eat on the trail, just as you will. Crushable bowls are lightweight and easy to pack.
g Doggie first-aid kit – Pets have different needs than humans for first-aid care. Carry a first-aid guidebook for dogs, iodine solution, liquid bandage (for paws with cuts and scrapes), and saline solution as a minimum.
g Dog pack – If your dog is mature and strong enough to carry its own food and water on a hike then have him or her do so. Stay away from those packs with pockets and extensions that can snag on branches.
g Flotation device – Should a mid-hike swim be part of the day’s plans, consider bringing a flotation device for your dog, especially if it doesn’t know how to swim or if there is a potential that you’ll be near fast or rough currents.
g Dog tracker – This is a collar and device that looks like a walkie-talkie so you can find dog for several miles around. You probably won’t need one unless your dog has a tendency to wander off (in which case, you then should put it on a leash).

Read more about day hiking with children in my Hikes with Tykes guidebooks.

Keep family dog in shape with a day hike

Taking the family dog with you on a day hike can be lots of fun. Running about and sniffing, your pet likely will enjoy being outdoors as much as you and the kids. As a member of the family, your dog likely will help create experiences that make the hike memorable for your children.

Perhaps most importantly, hitting the trail also is good exercise for your dog – and all too often our pets are overfed with too little physical activity, leading to obesity and associated illnesses later in Rover’s or Queenie’s life.

When deciding if the family dog should go on a day hike, though, consider these variables:
g Location – Most national and state parks don’t allow dogs on trails. National forests and county parks usually are more lenient, through there may be restrictions such as the dog must be on leash.
g Age – Young dogs shouldn’t go on long hikes until they’re at least a year to 15 months old, as the distance will overtax their growing and developing bones and muscles.
g Size – Likewise, smaller dogs shouldn’t go on long hikes. Larger dogs, however, need longer trails to really get a good workout.
g Surface – Avoid trails with hard surfaces as they can damage dog’s joints, especially on young pets. If the trail surface is asphalt or concrete, ensure that there is grass parallel to the trail for your dog to run on.
g Temperature – Be wary of cold weather. While you can dress up, your dog cannot. If you need a jacket or gloves, then the hike may be too cold for your dog if it’s small or short-haired.

Read more about day hiking with children in my guidebook Hikes with Tykes.

Enlist a 'sherpa' when hiking with kids

If you have a lot of children to watch or an injury that prevents you or a child from carrying a backpack, that doesn’t mean the hike is over. Instead consider enlisting a “Sherpa,” or a friend who accompanies you to carry items.

You do run the risk of talking with your Sherpa rather than bonding with your kids the length of the hike, though. Perhaps if you have teenagers among your children, one of them can act as Sherpa.

Another option is to bring a dog that can carry items, though this is not always practical, as it may not be suited for such work. A lot of places you might hike won’t allow dogs. In addition, if you bring a dog, you’ve got to plan for its food, water and potty needs as well, which only adds to what must be carried.

Read more about day hiking with children in the guidebook Hikes with Tykes.