Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

By now, you may have read quite a handful of articles that tell you how hiking is only suitable for some dog breeds and not the others. You may also have noticed a pattern in them. Most of those dogs are big. Dogs like Siberian Huskies, Australian Shepherds, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are often considered the most suitable breeds for hiking.

So what about those who do not own any of these? What if you have an adorable chihuahua that longs for adventure as much as any other dog? Or what if you have a pug that needs quality time out with its owner? While it’s true that not every dog is built to handle the roughness of certain outdoor adventures, it’s also true that with the right measures taken, any dog can embark on a hiking adventure. Hence, here are 7 reasons why hiking with small dogs is actually better.

You’ll Have Greater Control Over Them.

Here’s the deal about hiking with a dog. There’s a greater probability that your hiking buddy will end up getting exuberant and excited the moment they step outdoors. Hence, being on rough terrains with them can put you in a pickle, especially when they start pulling on their leash.

This is where you have the edge over everyone else with big dogs. Not only will you be able to control them easily, but you also won’t have to play tug of war all day because let’s accept it: they are, in fact, small.

You Won’t Have to Pack Much.

One of the greatest necessities to carry with you while hiking is water. However, the bigger your dog, the more resources you’ll have to carry for them. This means more water, more food, and of course, bigger bowls to lug around on the hike when you’re already stressing your body out during the adventure. With a smaller dog, on the other hand, not only will you have to pack less, but they can also easily drink water from your hands.

You Can Pick Them Up Easily

It’s very likely for a dog to get tired, especially if the terrains are too steep and uneven. However, frequent breaks can unnecessarily prolong the journey, and even make it seem boring. Hence, to avoid it, you may have to pick your dog up at several points during the journey and continue walking along the trail. Which dogs are easier to pick up? Of course, small ones.

They Get a Much-Needed Workout Too

Small dogs often don’t get enough opportunities to go out or experience the world the way bigger dogs do. This means their bodies often don’t get the kind of workout they require. Therefore, hiking allows them to get that much-needed physical activity. However, make sure to expose them to some form of exercise before you take them for something as strenuous as a hike.

There Are Fewer Chances Of Confrontation With Other Dogs

Even though it’s recommended for dogs of all breeds to be exposed to some form of training or socialization, you can never know what type of training other dogs on the trail may have had. This means that there’s always a chance of unnecessary confrontations or fights on the way. Moreover, since trails are regarded as confined spaces, it’s pretty common for all types of dogs to act out as a result of nervousness or if they feel “cornered.”

Hence, it’s always better to take certain measures beforehand and avoid confrontations completely. All you have to do is pick your dog up the moment you see any oncoming chances of trouble.

They Cause Significantly Less Damage to the Environment

While environmental damage has more to do with people breaking the rules, animals can also leave an impact, especially if they’re big in size. A smaller dog means a smaller pawprint, which also means that even if they go off-trail, they’ll trample much less vegetation as compared to a bigger animal.

Another factor to take into account is that smaller dogs dig smaller holes. Moreover, even if they poop somewhere, it hardly comes into sight, thanks to their size that allows them to leave less water contaminating bacteria behind.

They Can Sometimes Be Great Conversation Starters With Strangers

Have you ever made conversation with a total stranger only because you found their dog cute? There are way too many instances of people socializing due to the one thing they share in common, owning a dog. However, a small dog on a trail isn’t a usual sight for most people, which means that there’s a greater chance that they’ll be deemed as unique and hence, help you socialize with fellow hikers.

For the most part, people are amazed to see how your dog made it this far despite its size. Again, the idea isn’t to take a small dog with you only so you get enough chances of making conversation or socializing, but instead see it as an added benefit of taking your Shih Tzu or chihuahua along.

What Additional Benefits Do You Get to Enjoy?

There are so many other perks you get to enjoy with a small dog, and they often go unnoticed, such as:

They are lightweight, so it’s easy for you to carry them across a stream
They bring less mud and dirt into your vehicle
There’s much less fur to groom even if they get muddy or dirty
They take up much less space, so it’s easier to move them and give other people some room

The Bottom Line

While most people prefer taking stronger breeds for an activity as tiring and physically demanding as hiking, it’s not entirely forbidden to take your smaller breed along. Again, make sure to have your dog evaluated by a veterinarian beforehand and take all the necessary steps to ensure that they’re fit to embark on a hiking adventure with you. Also, be mindful of the fact that some dog breeds are actually not suitable for hiking due to their small noses, and the lack of oxygen can be fatal for them.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.