How to Safely Hike with Your Dog

Your dog can enjoy a hike in the great outdoors as much as you. It gives them a chance to exercise and experience new smells they don’t have on their daily walks. By observing a few simple steps, you can be sure that you, your dog, and the environment stay safe while hiking.

Protecting Your Dog

Keeping your dog safe involves knowing about dog physiology and monitoring them during your hike. When hiking with your dog, you should:

Know Your Dog - Dogs of different breeds and ages have different hiking abilities. Realistically decide what kinds of hikes your dog is capable of and check in with your veterinarian to ensure they are ready to hike.
Train - If you are planning on longer hikes, work up to them slowly with some shorter trips.
Bring Food and Water - Dogs do not sweat as humans do, so they need sufficient water to help them keep cool. Bring water and a container for them to drink out of, and make sure they drink regularly. Also, bring a few treats, and even a meal if it will be a longer hike.
Have the Right Equipment - Depending on your dog and the hiking you plan on, it can be worthwhile to invest in a strong leash, a harness, a first aid kit, a dog pack so your dog can carry their own food, or booties to protect their feet.
Keep Aware of Hazards - Research your hike before leaving to learn about any wildlife threats, bacteria in the water, heartworm, and how warm it will be.

Hiking regularly provides needed exercise for your dog. You should keep aware of their condition while hiking, however, to ensure there are no health problems.

Protecting the Environment

When hiking, minimizing your and your dog’s impact on the environment helps maintain the beauty of trail systems. To do this:

Keep Your Dog Leashed - Your dog should stay leashed and under control while on the trail. This keeps them safe, as well as other people, dogs, and wildlife your dog might chase after.
Pick Up Waste - Practice the “Leave No Trace” principle and pick up after your dog. Poop bags should be carried out on day hikes. For overnight trips, bury pet waste in a 6 inch hole 200 feet away from trails and water sources.
Stay On Trail - Both you and your dog should stay on the marked trail. Going off trail can damage plants and cause erosion.

Also remember trail etiquette when hiking. Your dog should be well socialized and obedient before heading out on the trails. He should also walk well on a leash and have a strong verbal recall. Additionally, not all trails welcome dogs, so check with the park management service before choosing your hike.

If you'd like to help teach your dog how to walk on a leash, contact us today to learn more about our dog training services - in person in Chicago, or via Zoom for those outside of our local area.

Calvin and Colleen Sheehan (Assoc. Producer - The Oprha Winfrey Show)

Marc Goldberg with Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"

Our Philosophy & Goals

Our philosophy is simple. Improve the life of both dog and family. All too often, unruly dogs do not fully enjoy life because their families constantly become upset and frustrated with them. This is difficult for both family and dog.

Our mission is simple. Make both dog and family happy.

What does is take to make your dog happy? He will thrive when you give him leadership and attention.

Making the family happy is a bit more complex.

Families typically want their dog to:

Come when called, every time, on or off leash
Walk nicely on a loose leash without pulling
Sit until released
Down until released

Families also want their dogs:

Not to jump on people
Not to charge through doors
Not to dig in the garden
Not to bark and chew inappropriately
Not to climb on furniture you prefer they avoid
Not to sniff and eat off the table and counters.
Not to be wild and uncontrollable
Not to ignore you when you want their attention