Hiking With Your Dog
Posted by Reed Coleman/DoveLewis Outreach & Communication July 16, 2008 15:36PM
DoveLewis technician Marilee Muzatko and I held our third "Hiking with your Dog" free clinic at REI last night. REI first invited us to do this at their Hillsboro store, and word spread throughout the organization. Last night we did our first event at the Clackamas REI. I cover all the great (and useful) hiking gear you can get for your canine companion on the trail, trail etiquette, and Marilee gives a comprehensive overview of pet first aid.
The clinic is well received, and we're very grateful to all the people at REI for giving us the opportunity. Probably the biggest mistake hikers make when they take their dog with them is misjudging their animal's fitness level. It's important to remember that unless your dog gets rigorous, regular exercise (the way you do in the winter when you climb onto that treadmill or stationary bike every morning), it's not a good idea to take a big, long hike with lots of hills right out of the gate. Take it slowly. Remember that your dog can't tell you, "Ya know, I really need to stop and take a break here. My feet hurt, and my heart is just racing." Most times, the way you'll find out about problems is when it's very serious. Dogs are stoic. They don't complain. They want to please you and if that means charging up the side of Dog Mountain (a pretty steep hike) they will. Start your dog on an easy, wide, and not-too-steep trail for beginners. Marilee will tell you to get a good idea of what your dog's vital signs are: heartrate, temperature, breathing rate. Talk to your regular veterinarian about how to accurately read these signs. Once you know your dog's normal vital signs, then you'll know when things change for the worse.
Basic pet first aid is a must for any animal owner, whether you hike together or not. DoveLewis offers free pet first aid classes on a regular basis. Our website has the details. The other essential tool for safe hiking is an obedient dog. Recall is your #1 most important obedience behavior. If your dog doesn't come back to you when you call, you can find yourself in a lot of difficult and possibly tragic situations. My dogs don't go off lead when we hike, unless we're on private property. But were one of them to slip their harness, I know they'd come back.
Hiking the trail with your dog can be a tremendous bonding experience
Making sure your dog carries current ID is also essential before you go hiking. Microchips are best (in case the collar falls off or the dog slips out), and in any situation where you get separated, it can mean the difference between a happy reunion and hours or days or months of heartache. Flea and tick medication needs to be applied to your dog a few days (not a few hours) before you start hiking. That ensures your dog is protected.
Some dogs are built to hike; others need more time. Be patient.
There's a lot of hiking gear for dogs on the market. Backpacks are great, but make sure the one you choose FITS. And remember, your dog might not like the pack when you first put it on, so don't make his or her first time the day of the hike. Let your dog wear the new pack around the house for several days. Make feeding time pack-wearing time, that way your dog will associate the pack with a good thing.
If you're wondering how much stuff you should pack into your dog's backpack, again, start out light. Put nothing inside the pockets at first. Everything depends upon your dog's size and physical health, but 25% of his or her weight is a good basic weight. 33% is probably the limit. And again, if you've got a small dog, like a Jack Russel, or a larger dog, like a Great Dane, the pack weight will vary. Booties are another great idea for hiking dogs. But like the pack, your dog will need practice. The first time you put protective booties on your dog, be prepared to watch him walk as though he's never met his legs or his feet before. It's a hilarious moment, but please do not laugh at your dog. They know when they're being laughed at, and that won't help you help them get used to the booties. It might take a couple of days before your dog stops walking funny, but it'll be worth it. Booties solved my dog Gracie's chronic problem of getting blisters on the trail.
Make sure your dog doesn't eat anything on the trail, or drink out of a stream. Otis loves to put stuff in his mouth. I have gotten really good at gently prying his mouth open and retrieving his prize. He gets a treat for giving up leaves, rocks, bugs, you get it. Hiking with your dog is great fun, but you should be prepared so your chances of visiting the ER are minimal!
Posted by Reed Coleman/DoveLewis Outreach & Communication July 16, 2008 15:36PM
DoveLewis technician Marilee Muzatko and I held our third "Hiking with your Dog" free clinic at REI last night. REI first invited us to do this at their Hillsboro store, and word spread throughout the organization. Last night we did our first event at the Clackamas REI. I cover all the great (and useful) hiking gear you can get for your canine companion on the trail, trail etiquette, and Marilee gives a comprehensive overview of pet first aid.
The clinic is well received, and we're very grateful to all the people at REI for giving us the opportunity. Probably the biggest mistake hikers make when they take their dog with them is misjudging their animal's fitness level. It's important to remember that unless your dog gets rigorous, regular exercise (the way you do in the winter when you climb onto that treadmill or stationary bike every morning), it's not a good idea to take a big, long hike with lots of hills right out of the gate. Take it slowly. Remember that your dog can't tell you, "Ya know, I really need to stop and take a break here. My feet hurt, and my heart is just racing." Most times, the way you'll find out about problems is when it's very serious. Dogs are stoic. They don't complain. They want to please you and if that means charging up the side of Dog Mountain (a pretty steep hike) they will. Start your dog on an easy, wide, and not-too-steep trail for beginners. Marilee will tell you to get a good idea of what your dog's vital signs are: heartrate, temperature, breathing rate. Talk to your regular veterinarian about how to accurately read these signs. Once you know your dog's normal vital signs, then you'll know when things change for the worse.
Basic pet first aid is a must for any animal owner, whether you hike together or not. DoveLewis offers free pet first aid classes on a regular basis. Our website has the details. The other essential tool for safe hiking is an obedient dog. Recall is your #1 most important obedience behavior. If your dog doesn't come back to you when you call, you can find yourself in a lot of difficult and possibly tragic situations. My dogs don't go off lead when we hike, unless we're on private property. But were one of them to slip their harness, I know they'd come back.
Hiking the trail with your dog can be a tremendous bonding experience
Making sure your dog carries current ID is also essential before you go hiking. Microchips are best (in case the collar falls off or the dog slips out), and in any situation where you get separated, it can mean the difference between a happy reunion and hours or days or months of heartache. Flea and tick medication needs to be applied to your dog a few days (not a few hours) before you start hiking. That ensures your dog is protected.
Some dogs are built to hike; others need more time. Be patient.
There's a lot of hiking gear for dogs on the market. Backpacks are great, but make sure the one you choose FITS. And remember, your dog might not like the pack when you first put it on, so don't make his or her first time the day of the hike. Let your dog wear the new pack around the house for several days. Make feeding time pack-wearing time, that way your dog will associate the pack with a good thing.
If you're wondering how much stuff you should pack into your dog's backpack, again, start out light. Put nothing inside the pockets at first. Everything depends upon your dog's size and physical health, but 25% of his or her weight is a good basic weight. 33% is probably the limit. And again, if you've got a small dog, like a Jack Russel, or a larger dog, like a Great Dane, the pack weight will vary. Booties are another great idea for hiking dogs. But like the pack, your dog will need practice. The first time you put protective booties on your dog, be prepared to watch him walk as though he's never met his legs or his feet before. It's a hilarious moment, but please do not laugh at your dog. They know when they're being laughed at, and that won't help you help them get used to the booties. It might take a couple of days before your dog stops walking funny, but it'll be worth it. Booties solved my dog Gracie's chronic problem of getting blisters on the trail.
Make sure your dog doesn't eat anything on the trail, or drink out of a stream. Otis loves to put stuff in his mouth. I have gotten really good at gently prying his mouth open and retrieving his prize. He gets a treat for giving up leaves, rocks, bugs, you get it. Hiking with your dog is great fun, but you should be prepared so your chances of visiting the ER are minimal!
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