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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.
