Get the Dog and Take a Hike

SUMMER HIKING TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG:

You guys. Summer is full swing and will be drawing ot an end sooner than we expect.

It happens so quickly!!

Winter takes AGES.

But summer?

Gone in a flash.

But, we still have a month or so! We love doing stuff outside all summer long… reading on the porch, swimming, wogging (walking + jogging), grilling out…

Most of all, we love hiking.

Why is hiking a family fave?

Well, for one thing, it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors without being in direct sun. That’s a big one for me, and it’s especially important now that Violet hikes with us because she can’t wear sunscreen until she’s six months old! Being out of the sun is great for Cooper, too, because he stays cooler than when we’re out in the open.

Plus, it’s a relaxing way to be active!

It’s so peaceful to get out in the woods with Coop. We can walk along, breathe in the fresh air, listen to the birds’ chirp, and unwind as we get exercise.

We’ve done a ton of hiking–from simple, flat trails to strenuous “what were we thinking” ones–and have gleaned a handful of tips over the miles.

HERE ARE OUR BEST SUMMER HIKING TIPS FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG.

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GET THE GEAR

You don’t have to spend a lot to go for a walk in the woods. There are a few things, though, that make the activity more comfortable. For you, the human end of the leash, get decent shoes and a hat. That’s about it. For your pup, the list is a little longer. In our experience, a harness is your best bet. We like this Ruffwear harness because it’s reflective and because it has a handle in case we need to assist Cooper over a fallen tree or another obstacle, or a Kong paracord harness for simple, short trail walks (the one he’s wearing in the pic above… this is his everyday harness right now).

We always take one big Nalgene water bottle for us to share on a short, easy walk. More if we’re doing harder/longer/hotter. Then, we have a little pop-up water dish that has a carabiner on it. It clips right to Cora’s harness, she carries the bowl and Cooper carries the water in his backpack!

Depending on where you live, you might want to consider insect repellent. Where we are in Indiana, ticks are a major problem, so we double up. Cooper and Cora have medication for this, but then they also wear an Insect Shield bandanna.

I’d also add a squeeze treat to the list if you have a reactive dog like Cooper and need an emergency reward/distraction on the trails…

PLAN FOR THE WORST AND EXPECT THE BEST!

This one sounds maybe a bit over-the-top. But here’s the thing: You just never know. Toss a first-aid kit in your car. Throw a towel in your trunk. Stash some extra bottles of water, a tube of sunscreen, and a map. A paper one. (Seriously, I can’t tell you how many times we’ve decided to try some new set of trails only to discover there’s no cell signal in the remote spot, and we didn’t actually write down directions to the trailhead because we thought our phones would get us there. We keep a road atlas in my car.) A backup leash can’t hurt either.

Obviously, hiking is super fun, but you want to be prepared for those just-in-cases. If you never touch any of those backup plans, great, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re there.

It is best to be ready before you have to be, If you would like to learn more about this check out this post I have on another site.

FOLLOW THE LEASH LAWS

That’s it. Seriously.

Oh, and pick up after your pup, too. It may be gross but I know I get angry when I happen upon a pile that someone didn’t!

GET IN TRAIL SHAPE

Everyone can and should get outside and enjoy the great outdoors. But if you and your pups are couch potatoes, start at a reasonable pace. Pick easier trails that are close to home and gradually build up to harder, longer, more adventurous hikes.

A big part of being in trail shape–and I feel like we intuitively all know this, but it’s far easier said than done for us humans–is good nutrition. Good nutrition is really the cornerstone of any active lifestyle. You can’t have fun being active unless you’re taking care of your body!

The same goes for our pets, and luckily for them, we’re able to learn about what’s best for them and their bodies. For Cooper, you guys know he has such a sensitive system, and food has always been a challenge for us. Plus, he’s turning 7 in a few short weeks, so keeping him lean and strong while supporting his joints is paramount.

I THINK THAT SUMS IT UP: HAVE THE RIGHT GEAR, BE PREPARED, FOLLOW LEASH LAWS, AND BE IN GOOD TRAIL SHAPE!

What are YOUR tips for fun, safe summer hiking with your dog? Anything I missed here or any questions YOU have about hitting the trails? I’d love to share and learn in the comments below!

If you would like to get a pic of you and your coolest dog on the planet hitting the trails on my site, fill out the form here and upload a pic. I will post it in the gallery!

Gallery Entry
Pics of all the coolest dogs on the planet!
Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Thanks,

Chad

4 thoughts on “Get the Dog and Take a Hike”

  1. Wow, I need to take my dog on longer trials. He only goes on short walks around the block and is a bit outa of shape. I’m going to try your tip to get him in trail shape. 

    I also hate it when people don’t clean up after their dogs. It’s not gross cleaning, you’re not touching the poop, you’re using the bag and grabbing it and flipping it inside out. 

    Reply
    • Hello Karan,

      I am glad you came here, it seems you are into the idea of getting your dog out more. I am sure it would be good for the both of you! 

      Yes, it is the thought of poop that most people can’t get past. It is nasty if you have an accident because it wasn’t handled properly but getting the right tools helps. I have used the regular poop bags for years and typically have a larger bag inside the dog’s pack to put them in until they can be disposed of properly. Not that tough!

      If anyone needs these bags, here are the ones I use. They are biodegradable too.

      Good luck to you and our coolest dog on the planet!

      Thanks, 

      Chad

      Reply
  2. Hello, Chad.
    Thank you for this great article; summer can be a lot of fun if we know what to bring on our summer walks with the dog and family. I took a closer look at this Ruffwear harness, and it appears to be a decent fit for our dog, with a handle for assistance and a side bag for a few carry-around goods. Even though I am a dog lover, I had never had a glimpse on this one and I feel other pet owners will appreciate this tips in your blog. I’ll be watching for your next post.

    Reply
    • Hello Mr. Archibong!

      I am glad you found something here that is useful! I know we have several different kinds of harnesses for our dogs. I do like the Ruffwear, it is great on those hotter days. If it is cooler out we have ones from Onetigris that have more storage on them. They cover a lot more area though so you can’t use them if it is too hot. 

      It has been raining here for days and don’t think we will get a break this weekend so I may just have to resort to curling up on the couch with my pile of puppies for now.  we will be in the smokey mountains in two weeks though, plan to do some serious hiking!

      Posting again soon! 

      Chad

      Reply

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