Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Hiking is a fun activity and it is even more exciting when it is done with your dog. Your dog may be your best friend and your buddy at home, but he would be more than happy to become your hiking partner as well.

Dogs love getting some good exercise. Hiking provides him with the perfect opportunity to exert his muscles, push his legs and enjoy the nature. Besides, hiking together can ensure that the two of you get some quality time together, play a bit, and strengthen your bond with each other.

Before setting off on an adventure though, you need to ensure that the following considerations are met.

Health Check

Not all dogs are fit to be taken on a hike. Your dog might be eager to go and might be extremely playful and energetic otherwise, but going on a hike with barely sufficient resting spots in between, on rough, unknown terrain, and in unknown weather conditions is another ballgame altogether. A visit to the vet must be made, where your vet can assure you whether you dog are fine and fit to make the challenging journey up the mountains. If there are issues, they can be pointed out and treated and all precautions taken before setting off on the hike.

Some might know this but not all breeds of dogs are hikers. Some (like the pug and boxers) are not made for such rigorous exercise and might not be the best companions on a hike. If you have a short-muzzled dog, it would be best to leave him behind while you hike.

Deal with dog poop

Dogs are supposed to poop outside, so why bother picking it up when you are out in the nature? Absolutely not. You aren’t supposed to leave your dog’s business in the middle of a hiking trail to pollute the area and for people to step into. As a dog parent, it is your responsibility to clean up after your pet. You must always pick up his poop and discard it responsibly in a bin nearby. Make sure to take along dog waste bags, and keep them handy. Do not throw the bags into the forests and mountains. Rather, keep them with you till you can find a place to get rid of it in an ethical manner.

Pack up Supplies

This goes without saying but pack up everything you dog might need on the hiking trip. This includes sufficient fresh water, and food. Though there may be fresh water streams that your dog can drink from when travelling, do keep your own too.

Hiking is a rigorous task and could dehydrate your dog, especially during the summers. You must always have water to quench his thirst and always have some kibble to satisfy his hunger and keep his energy high for the rest of the trip.

First Aid

Mountains are treacherous places. You need to be very careful when hiking climbing up jagged rocks, crossing heavy streams and travelling uphill. Not only can you sustain minor injuries along the way, there are also of course no clinics and hospitals on the way to help you.

You need to be your own doctor and your dog’s vet. Never forget to pack a first aid box when going on a hike with your dog. Keep ointments, band aids, bandage wraps, and other supplies so that you can take care of small injuries until you can reach a hospital. If your dog cuts his paw on a sharp edge, you can bandage it up and stop the bleeding and ease his pain till you return and take him to a vet. Never leave a cut or scrap untreated, as it might get infected.

Keep the dog on a leash

Dogs tend to get overexcited when outside. Make sure to keep your dog on a leash at all times to prevent him from running off where he shouldn’t. Not only would you be protecting other hikers, other animals and wildlife but you would also be protecting your own dog from hurting himself. Keep a tight hold of his leash as you go so he stays on the path like a good boy and does not stray where he doesn’t belong. There are hiking trail etiquettes that you must read up on and follow at all times. Not all trails are dog-friendly, and those that are also have a few rules that you must adhere to, lest you and your dog become a pest to someone else enjoying their hike.

Don’t disturb the wildlife

You might encounter several different species of life on your way up. Exotic birds, animals and unselects who call the mountain their home. Remember, you are merely passing through, while they live here. Make every effort possible to not disturb the wildlife in any way and do not interfere in their business. Keep your dog in check too as dogs can get excited at the sight of other animals and birds. Take care of the wildlife. It is your duty to.

Hiking is fun when done in the right environment. However, now even hiking trails and mountains are excessively littered and dirty and the wildlife is quickly receding. We must do everything in our power to save our mountains, our wildlife and our planet before it is too late.

Thankfully, there are organizations that are working to save these places, clean them up and restore them to their former glory. Donate generously to them and do your part in saving the trails. Raise awareness for the mountains by hiking with your dog for a cause.

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.