8/13/2019 12 Tips for Hiking With Your Dog
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12 Tips for Hiking with Your Dog
by Jean Hofve, DVM
One of the best things about sharing your life with a dog is
always having a
buddy available for hiking! But before you hit the trail, here
are some tips tokeep in mind
Make sure you"re both in shape for your planned hike# $he first
hike of the
season probably shouldn"t be %& miles, uphill both ways!
'our dog will
follow you anywhere, but he (an"t tell you when he"s getting
tired or if
his paws are sore# )tart with shorter treks to help your pal
prepare for
more strenuous a(tivities#
Be aware of the laws and regulations in your hiking area# $hey
are there to
prote(t you, your dog, the wildlife, and other hikers# *e are
fortunate inBoulder to have mountain parks where dogs (an be
off+leash as long as
they are under voi(e (ontrol-# But this is not the (ase
everywhere, though,
so please be (onsiderate#
Make sure you have the right (ollar or harness, and a sturdy
leash# )tudies
have shown that e.(essive pressure from a ne(k (ollar (an damage
a
dog"s tra(hea windpipe-, so a head (ollar or walking harness may
be a
better (hoi(e for dogs that pull# )mall dogs do e.(eptionally
well with
supportive harnesses su(h as the /+in+% Vest Harness that also
doubles as
a se(ure seatbelt for (ar travels# 0arry a few (lean+up bags, in
(ase your dog gets the urge to eliminate in the
great outdoors#
Bring water and a travel bowl for your dog1 dehydration (an be a
serious
problem#
2se appropriate mos3uito and ti(k repellents# Most human
mos3uito sprays
(an be used on your dog, but prote(t the nose and eyes while you
apply
them# 4f you"ll be hiking in ti(k (ountry, there are natural,
non+to.i(
repellents available, su(h as Only 5atural 6et Herbal Defense
Oil Blend
and Vetri+7epel 8lea and $i(k 7epellent *ipes# )uns(reen may be
needed for dogs with white fur around their fa(e and ears#
9reas where the fur is thin and the skin is whitish or pink (an
get
sunburned, so be (areful about e.(ess sun e.posure# 'ou (an use
a human
suns(reen or sunblo(k produ(t but be sure to (lean it off when
you get
home-, or get one espe(ially made for pets, su(h as )olar 7.,
whi(h is
green, vegan and (hemi(al free# :now what to do in an emergen(y,
su(h as a (ut paw pad whi(h is more
(ommon than you might think!-# 0onsider (arrying a pet first+aid
kit#
:eep in mind where the nearest ranger station or emergen(y
veterinary
hospital are lo(ated# 6rogram a poison+(ontrol hotline and
yourveterinarian"s (onta(t info into your (ell phone#
