Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

It’s that time of year when the weather is warm and the days are longer. For many people, this means it’s time for a hiking trip with their pets. You’ve probably seen those adorable videos of dogs jumping in streams, running through tall grasses, and chasing squirrels as they go on adventures outdoors. Dogs are always excited about exploring new places while spending quality time with their owners.

However, if you have never taken your dog on an outdoor hike before or don’t know how to train your dog for an outdoor hiking trip, we can help.

In this blog post we will discuss some tips and tricks on training your dog for a safe and enjoyable outdoor hiking experience.

Visit Your Vet

When you are going to take your dog on a hike, it is important that they have all the necessary precautions taken before doing anything. Especially if this will be their first trek in an unknown territory which could pose many different dangers for them.

First and foremost, you need to consult with vets about how much energy your dog has had recently so there won’t be any surprises when hiking. You’ll also need to make sure that your dog stays safe while out on hikes and also that he gets conditioned enough beforehand.

Thus, you need to get your dog’s stamina built up well ahead of time since some good conditioning can help ward off fatigue during those treks and keep your dog safe in the long term. Also, to ensure that your dog stays happy throughout the trail do not forget to keep plenty of goodies you can offer him as treats.

Look For Dog-Friendly Trails

Before you and your dog head out, it is advised that you do some research to find nearby trails where your furry friend can come with. There are many hiking trails in the area which allow dogs on them but there are also quite a few hikes where they’re not allowed so make sure to check before getting too far ahead of yourself.

The hiking trails you can take to your dog will be limited if you are heading towards State or National Parks. You also need to look for trails that won’t turn out to be too tough for your dog. Ideally, you would want to stay away from dog trails that have sharp rocks that can prove to be tough for your dog’s paws.

Train Your Dog

Hiking is a great way to spend time exploring beautiful new places and enjoying some quality bonding time with our canine friends while getting in touch with nature. However, if we want this adventure to be as safe for us and dogs alike as possible it’s best that they are well-trained before going on any hikes.

Obedience training and puppy classes are a great way to train your dog, but as the novice owner of an adorable new pup, you may have some difficulty in adjusting. Luckily for you there is plenty of help available on this topic.

Books can be found that will guide owners through their dogs‘ entire life from potty training to walking manners. However, if reading isn’t really your thing or it does not work with other commitments then obedience courses might just do the trick. These training sessions can teach both humans and canines what they need to know about correcting bad behaviors.

You can also take advantage of socializing opportunities which will help puppies develop good habits around strangers early on so that when these little guys get older they’re less likely to show aggression.

You will want to be sure that you and your dog are in good physical condition before taking them out on the trails. This includes doing things like starting with short walks, gradually building up their endurance until they can make it through a daylong hike without tiring or suffering from any injuries.

Hiking Gear

Dog owners should always carry a harness and leash with them when they are out exploring the wilderness. For example, while the dog is wearing its special gear it will be much easier to grab onto if need arises.

Leashes can come in handy during some cases like going over rough terrain where you may want your pup on a short lead so that he doesn’t get too far ahead of you.

Food And Water

When hiking with your pup, make sure to pack enough provisions for both of you. Your pet will be spending much more energy during the day due to its natural instinctual behavior as well as from carrying items like backpacks or other gear. Thus, keeping him hydrated is important.

As a general guideline, larger dogs will typically consume around ½-1 oz. of water for every lb., which is about 0.02 gallons in total per day. Whereas the average dog that weighs less than 20 lbs would probably only require about ¼ oz.

Conclusion

It’s important to train your dog for a safe and enjoyable outdoor hiking experience. You can do this by following these tips, but you may also want to consult with an animal trainer or behaviorist who knows more about the training methods that work best for dogs in general.
Remember that every dog is different so what works well for one dog might not be right for another.

Whether you’re just starting out or have a few years of experience, we hope this post has given you some new ideas to take your hiking skills with your pup to the next level. While there are many more resources and tips available online than can be covered in one blog post, these five pointers should get you started on building a safe and healthy outdoor adventure for both yourself and your dog.

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.