Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Dog Safe During a Hike | Over the last few years, the amount of momentum hiking has gained has been unmatched. One of the reasons for its growing popularity is that it’s accessible to almost everyone and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, unlike several other activities. However, when it comes to taking your dog along, taking some extra precautions is incredibly important.

Before we jump into how you can keep your dog safe during a hike, we must have some equally important background work sorted. Your dog needs to build its physical strength and endurance before embarking on a journey as strenuous as a hike which is why you must condition them days before the activity takes place. It’s also important to note that dogs such as overweight, elderly, or flat noses aren’t meant for long hikes.

Don’t forget the first aid kit.

We all may find the idea of minimal packing very tempting, but emergencies don’t come announced. Your dog is especially more vulnerable to getting injured or falling sick if it’s their first time, so the least you can do as a dog owner is to bring a first aid kit along.

However, be mindful that using the same products on a dog as you use on yourself could be harmful and may cause an adverse reaction. Always keep supplies like bandages, gauze, and tweezers in the kit, and try to keep dog-specific products at your disposal at all times.

Bring ample food supplies.

It’s always better to take more than less, especially when you take a pet along. Since your dog won’t follow their usual routine, you don’t know how the body might react. Estimate the quantity you may need and add more to it just to be safe. Additionally, hydration is more important than keeping yourself full so take more than enough water for you and your pet as you both will be shedding more calories than usual.

Ensure some form of identification

No matter how well-trained your dog may be, never underestimate its power to get lost. Every dog needs some form of identification, especially when they’re out and about. Some people prefer microchips, but if that doesn’t seem like an option, the least they should have is a collar with your contact details.

Don’t be too lenient with the leash.

Every public place has some rules and regulations. The chances are that there will be more individuals on a trail, so keeping their space in mind is also necessary. While we don’t recommend keeping your dog leashed at all times (at least if they’re trained enough), it is important to do so in the presence of other people or wherever it’s required.

If you feel that your dog isn’t a good listener, it’s important to have some form of control over them, and collars can get uncomfortable. Therefore, always use a harness over a collar.

Stay vigilant at all times.

Taking a dog along on a hike is the same as taking a child. In fact, it can prove to be much more draining both physically and mentally since a dog’s reaction to people, actions, or other animals can’t always be predicted. So think of it like a toddler who will never survive on their own and will need constant adult supervision to perform even the most basic tasks.

A trail can have many potentially poisonous plants on the way, and your dog may try to eat them. So, keep them away at all times and also be very careful with untreated or spilled water, as it can lead to several substantial illnesses.

Make sure they’re fully vaccinated.

Dogs are susceptible to catching several flu-like diseases, and unfortunately, Leptospirosis is one found in stagnant water and contaminated soil. So, if your dog is not vaccinated against it, you may be taking them to their death row in the name of a hike.

Now that you know how important it is to keep your dog vaccinated, you should schedule it way ahead of time. Speak to a veterinarian and see when it’s the right time to vaccinate them. Typically, you should get the procedure done at least two weeks before the scheduled hike.

Keep a check on the weather.

You don’t necessarily have to get your dog a raincoat but sleeping with a wet dog in a constricted space is definitely something you want to avoid. If there are chances of rain, keep a set of boots made specifically for dogs in the bag pack.

Also, there are many lightweight jackets made specially to keep them warm and protected. On the other hand, if there are signs that the weather may get hot and sunny, you may want to keep sunscreen in the pack. Generally, you should apply it to their ear tips, noses, and any other exposed areas to keep them protected from the harmful rays.

The Bottom Line

The bottom line is that your dog needs as much protection as you do. They may need more, too, but hiking is known to take a toll on even the most active animals. Therefore, make sure to know how much physical exertion their body can handle. It may vary based on their breed, overall health, weight, and, most importantly, their age.

However, this is not it. Even if all the factors are in favor, keeping the weather in mind is crucial, which is why we don’t recommend going hiking on hot days as your dog can easily overheat.

In the end, having a dog comes with a lot of responsibility, whether it’s at home or at a trail. If you’ve spent enough time deciding what breed to get, it’s only reasonable to understand what each breed can handle physically.

Dogs like pugs and Boston terriers, for example, can have a hard time regulating their breath if exposed to hot weather for long. Therefore, some breeds are always better off staying home while others can be taken out but with all the precautions followed.

by Maria A 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.