The Manual: Take your dog hiking.
Backpacker; Jun2009, Vol. 37 Issue 5, p42-42, 1p, 1 illustration
1 Find a canine-friendly trail Look for places that are "easy on the paws," advises Best Hikes with Dogs Inland Northwest author Craig Romano. Pick shady trails with soft, leaf- or needle-covered terrain; avoid paths littered with sharp rocks, off-trail routes with steep drops, or any surface that gets very hot. "Stay away from areas with heavy horse use and mountain bikes," he adds. Search by state at hikewithyourdog.com.
2 FIT & LOAD HIS PACK Adjust the harness on your dog so it's snug but won't chafe (remove saddlebags first, if the pack allows). You should be able to fit two fingers under it. Load the bags with dog food, treats, water (some packs come with hydration bladders), bowls, and extra gear for you — this is the time for beer or another pillow! Make sure both sides are weighted equally; total load shouldn't exceed one-third of your dog's body weight.
3 Make your own dog booties Prevent paw-pad cuts and scrapes with this easy DIY project. You'll need fabric (midweight nylon, fleece, denim) and 1-inch-wide Velcro strips.
WATER Use your own thirst as a guide and offer water when you stop to drink — every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on trail difficulty and temperature. And yes, dogs can get Giardia. In high-risk areas — lots of cattle or campers — limit drinking from lakes and streams with a leash, voice commands, and a ready supply of treated water.
TRAINING Build up to longer trips (with both adult dogs and puppies) with a series of shorter hikes to toughen paw pads and develop stamina. Richardson advises waiting until your puppy has received all his shots (about five months) before taking him on the trail, and keeping hikes shorter than one hour to start.
FIRST AID Pack bandages and an antiseptic (such as iodine) for wounds, a liquid bandage (such as 3M Pet Care Spray-On Liquid Bandage; $9, 3m.com) for split or cut paw pads, and tweezers for tick removal (check your dog each night).
1 Find a canine-friendly trail Look for places that are "easy on the paws," advises Best Hikes with Dogs Inland Northwest author Craig Romano. Pick shady trails with soft, leaf- or needle-covered terrain; avoid paths littered with sharp rocks, off-trail routes with steep drops, or any surface that gets very hot. "Stay away from areas with heavy horse use and mountain bikes," he adds. Search by state at hikewithyourdog.com.
2 FIT & LOAD HIS PACK Adjust the harness on your dog so it's snug but won't chafe (remove saddlebags first, if the pack allows). You should be able to fit two fingers under it. Load the bags with dog food, treats, water (some packs come with hydration bladders), bowls, and extra gear for you — this is the time for beer or another pillow! Make sure both sides are weighted equally; total load shouldn't exceed one-third of your dog's body weight.
3 Make your own dog booties Prevent paw-pad cuts and scrapes with this easy DIY project. You'll need fabric (midweight nylon, fleece, denim) and 1-inch-wide Velcro strips.
- Cut two rectangles of fabric. Width should be 1 inch wider than paw; length should be 5 to 8 inches, depending on size of dog.
- Cut a strip of Velcro. Length should be the circumference of dog's ankle plus 1.5 inches.
- Sew rectangles together on three sides, leaving a .25-inch seam.
- Turn right-sideout. Sew 1.5 inches of Velcro to top of bootie, hook side up. Sew the rest loop side down, leaving enough extra Velcro to secure bootie around dog's ankle.
- CAMP WITH FIDO
- Keep dogs leashed around other hikers, bikers, horses, and on steep or slippery terrain (so they don't knock anyone over). Step aside and yield the trail to all others.
- Pack out poop on dayhikes (double-bag it!). On longer trips, follow LNT regs and bury away from the trail and water sources.
- Bring a camp towel and brush to clean and dry dogs thoroughly before letting them in the tent. Trim nails pretrip to prevent rips in the tent floor.
- Pack a foam pad for sleeping, and a wool or down blanket in cold weather.
- Keep track of dogs at night with LED lights or glowstick bracelets on collars.
- Keep your pet healthy
WATER Use your own thirst as a guide and offer water when you stop to drink — every 15 to 30 minutes, depending on trail difficulty and temperature. And yes, dogs can get Giardia. In high-risk areas — lots of cattle or campers — limit drinking from lakes and streams with a leash, voice commands, and a ready supply of treated water.
TRAINING Build up to longer trips (with both adult dogs and puppies) with a series of shorter hikes to toughen paw pads and develop stamina. Richardson advises waiting until your puppy has received all his shots (about five months) before taking him on the trail, and keeping hikes shorter than one hour to start.
FIRST AID Pack bandages and an antiseptic (such as iodine) for wounds, a liquid bandage (such as 3M Pet Care Spray-On Liquid Bandage; $9, 3m.com) for split or cut paw pads, and tweezers for tick removal (check your dog each night).
Source: 636.7 Enc The Encyclopedia of the dog / Richard Marples, general editor. New York : Crescent Books, 1979.
192 p. : ill. ; 31 cm.
192 p. : ill. ; 31 cm.
