Despite the popularity of hiking, not everyone understands how to ensure their dog behaves properly during the trip. The first thing to do is to ensure that your dog knows what conduct is expected of them and is given ample opportunities for mental and physical stimulation while on the hike.
Remember that hikes can be pretty exciting for dogs, so they may not want to stay by your side the whole time. This is why it’s essential to train them and teach them obedience skills before you head out for a hike. Ensure that your dog understands what’s expected of them and has ample opportunity for mental and physical stimulation while you’re out there! That way, no matter where this journey takes you or which type of terrain it includes, both of you will enjoy yourselves.
Here are some other things to keep in mind while you’re out on the trail with your dog:
- Keep an eye on your dog at all times. If it seems like your dog is getting tired, start heading back to where you parked your car or look for a nearby resting spot. Some people choose to carry their dog on their shoulders or in a doggy backpack the entire time, but this isn’t always advisable.
- If it’s too challenging to watch your dog from afar, consider strapping a leash to its back and attaching the other end to your belt loop for close monitoring.
- Make sure you keep up with all of your dog’s needs. Make sure it has enough to drink and take care of any other carnal business before leaving. Never let your dog run out of food, as this could lead to problems later on.
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- At the same time, never give your dog water or food while running alongside you. Doing so will likely only serve to distract it and cause it to lose focus.
- Know when to call it quits. This is where a leash attached to your belt loop can come in handy, as it will allow you to quickly grab your dog’s attention and let it know it’s time to head back. If you’ve run out of any food or water for your pup, make sure you go back to where you started and give its belly a rest.
- Never force your dog to continue if it seems tired or worn out. This will only serve to frustrate both of you and cause your dog distress, so save this for another day when it’s in a better mood.
- On a related note, make sure you start this journey on a perfect day. Allot several days to complete your hike, pack plenty of food and water for yourself and your dog, use the latter’s leash properly, and give it ample opportunities for mental and physical stimulation before you head out onto the trail. If all goes well, both of you will have an enjoyable time, and you’ll hopefully want to go back again and again.
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- Protect your dog’s paws. Ensure your dog always has a spare pair of booties for tough terrain or a more leisurely hike. Otherwise, its paws will become damaged from walking on rocks, dirt, twigs, etc. If they’re already wearing them, ensure they’re tight enough to stay put and not cut off circulation.
- If you notice redness on your dog’s feet after a hike, apply gentle pressure with a cotton ball soaked in hydrogen peroxide or water. You can then carefully wrap gauze around its paw to cover the wound and clean it until it heals. This will help speed up the process and prevent dirt or other particles from getting into its skin.
- It’s also important to watch for signs of dehydration in your pup, so keep an eye on the colour of his tongue and gums. If they aren’t pink, your dog could be dehydrated and require immediate veterinary care.
Other than that, you should be good to go! You and your dog can now enjoy some fun out on the trails, so get ready for an exciting time!
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Conclusion
If you’re one of the lucky few who get to spend time outdoors with your dog, make sure that both of you are prepared for an enjoyable and safe trip. You’ll want to take plenty of water and food along on this journey, as well as a leash or harness in case they try to run off while out on the trail. It’s also important not to forget about your pup’s paws: if possible, carry some booties in case it gets too tricky terrain; otherwise, keep them wrapped up until we return home, so they don’t get injured by rocks or other debris. Make sure you pay close attention when we start hiking so that there won’t be any surprises later on!
