This post was sponsored by Mirum.
Want to go hiking with your pup? Here's 6 essential tips for hiking with dogs!
Hi guys!
When I first brought home Makena Rose, I had big dreams of running and hiking with her across the beautiful mountains. Since she's a larger breed, I had to wait until she was almost a year old so her bones and joints could grow properly, but now that she's nearly 19 months I've been fulling embracing taking her along for my adventures. She's a natural athlete with running and she simply LOVES to be outside and hike. She is always wanting to go farther and faster. If only I had her energy!
With spring hiking season coming up, I know a lot of you might be considering taking your pup on the trails with you too. You might think it's a pretty straightforward thing to do, but there are some essential tips for hiking with dogs. There are everything from trail rules, common courtesies and protection for your pet that you need to remember. I'm planning on doing a lot more hiking with Makena this summer, so I thought it would be good for all of us to brush up on these tips!
6 Essential Tips for Hiking with Dogs
Follow the Rules
Each trail has different rules about what is allowed and what is not. In general dogs are not allowed in many U.S. National Parks, but there are lots of other dog friendly trails around. If dogs are allowed there will most likely be some sort of leash law, so make sure to know what it is and follow it. Your dog may come on command, but you never know what other type of animal or unfriendly dog may be ahead. You might also scare someone else on the trail who is not comfortable around dogs if yours is not on a leash.
Also remember to bring poop bags like you would at the park!
Train Your Pup Too
Would you go out and do a six hour hike with no training or endurance built up at all? Probably not and neither should your dog. If your dog is already fit enough to walk several loops around the neighborhood, start with hikes less than an hour and build up to longer day hikes... just like you would train yourself! This is especially important for really young or older dogs.
First Aid Kit
If you are going somewhere rugged, consider brining a small pet first aid kit with you or even leave it in the car. Pets can get hurt on the trail just like humans can.
Food & Water
If your hike is long enough to pack food and water, your pup will need some too! Bring extra water and a collapsible bowl for your dog on almost any hike and on longer hikes bring some extra food for them. You might even consider giving them some treats along the way to keep their energy levels up. Don't let your dog drink from water sources along the trail.
If you are hiking a lot on longer trails, you can even train your pup to carry their own pack! You don't want to put much in it, but they usually can carry their own food and some water depending on how large they are and how fit they are.
Watch for Overheating
With their fur coats, dogs are even more susceptible to overheating than us. Dogs also don't sweat like us, making it harder for them to cool down. Watch your pet carefully and give them a rest if they are looking overworked.
Flea & Tick Prevention
The great outdoors is gorgeous, but there are more than a few dangerous bugs that could hurt your pup. Fleas and ticks are at the top of the list. It's always mega important to keep up year round with flea and tick medications, but it becomes even more important if you hike with your dog.
PetArmor Plus provides excellent vet-quality protection for your dog from fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, ticks and chewing lice. It's easy and affordable to get at Walmart! I love how convenient it is and how it doesn't cost me an arm and leg!
PetArmor Plus can be used for protection, prevention and/or treatment of fleas and ticks. You may think you just need to use it in the summer, but fleas and ticks can be around year round... even in cooler climates. They can lay dormant for several months before hatching, so it's best to treat your pup 12 months a year. Using PetArmor Plus as directed can STOP infestations and help prevent reinfestation.
It can be applied easily at home and even Makena loves it because it means she can safely go on adventures with her parents!
The fast-acting, waterproof formula helps break the flea life cycle by killing flea eggs and larvae for up to 12 weeks as well as kills ticks that may transmit Lyme disease.
You can even save $3 from now until September when purchasing PetArmor Plus using the ibotta offer! Whether you are a hiker or not, you've got to start using it for your pet.
Here's to a season of pretty trails and epic views. Happy hiking!
If you are looking for some great hikes to try make sure to check out my hiking page!
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Your turn!
Do you hike with your dogs?
dog counsel says
Excellent piece of advice! Being a pet parent I also first either do a dry run of the place or ask somebody who has frequented the trail to take into cognizance all the potential dangers that the pet could encounter in form of dangerous wild animals or even some trekkers unleashing their big dogs on the way.
Stephanie says
There is so much fun in hiking with our beloved pet. I miss those wonderful days when I used to go out with my puppy. These tips are superb and very helpful to pet owners.
Madhu says
These are awesome tips. Never thought you could take your pup on a hike. This is such a great idea.
Holly says
Ohhh Makena Rose is just gorgeous! Do they make Pet Armor for humans?? 🙂 Because Lyme disease is no joke! Love that you're thinking ahead and protecting her.
Shopdealman says
The absolute essentials would be “come” and “leave it”. Being able to come when called and leave a potential hazard alone can save your dog’s life. At the very least, it can save them from an upset stomach or a face full of porcupine quills.
Erin @ Suburban Simplicity says
Our pup is a fluffy golden doodle so we only get out and hike when the weather is nice. Otherwise, he'd come back unrecognizable 🙂 Thanks for the tips. Your dog is adorable!
Kristy from Southern In Law says
These are such great tips!
I wish I could hike with our pups but they’re too little and definitely not built for walking!
Becca | Rabbit Food Runner says
I never would have thought of the first aid kit!
Marielle Altenor says
Tick and fleas would be something I would worry about if taking a dog on a hike. Especially where there is tall grass. Good thing you are prepared!
Kim G says
Love these tips! I don't have a dog but many of my friends do so it would be great to do a group hike with my friends and their dogs!
jill conyers says
I have family members that will love these tips. I'm going to send them the link.
Tami says
It would be a wise idea to take my dog hiking with me. I'm always afraid to go alone. These tips will make it a wonderful experience for us both.
Qamar javed says
wow. Your dog is very good . i wish i had pet like that. You explained all the things very well. It s an good hiking partner.
Holly says
Makena is just the cutest! Do they sell Pet Armor Plus for humans cause I could use that kind of protection!
Mikki says
What a great post! I don't think I would have thought about the first aid kit.
My pup is an old guy now and can't do hikes like that, but I can see this helping a lot of people.
Mary Jingjing Lopez says
Not really a hike, I and my husband used to walk with our dog in the Park and he enjoyed it there too. He's a lab.pitbull mix Rio, very active and for sure h will love to hike too next time.
Alisa Fleming says
Such a fun post and your dog is adorable. I wish I had a dog to hike with!
lb gulley says
What a great product when you are hiking with your pup! I need to take my dog for more hikes and plan to once the weather warms up! He's high maintenance.
Christina Bauer says
These are great tips! It's especially important to remember to prepare your dog the way you prepare to hike or run long/tough distances. If you're going to be hungry, so will the pup 🙂
Christine says
We don't have a pup, but hope to adopt one in the near future. This post is perfect for how much we love the outdoors! Saving for later!
Scott says
We used to take ours hiking in the Angeles National Forest. We always made sure we had fresh water, because you never know what is in the streams!
Kelly says
I go hiking with a friend and her dog so will be sure to pass these on. Great tips!
Sarah says
Missing hiking with our puppies, they're getting too old but we still take them for short walks and treks through the woods on occasion with the one.
Neely Moldovan says
One of my best friends is a huge hiker with her dog. I will send her this!
lorie says
Took my dog on a hike recently and totally forgot water. That hike was cut very short. Oops.
Jessica Levinson says
Great tips for hiking with dogs! Your Makena Rose sure is a cutie! I'm sure you enjoy your time outside with her!
Brandy says
These are really great hiking tips to hike with your doggy. My dog, Jenny the pug, has too short of legs to hike with us but someday we'll have another doggy that can enjoy hiking.
Erinn says
Aww Makena is just precious! I LOVE taking Kimber on hikes with me, so far we've done 3 major hikes and a ton of shorter trail runs. She is a natural on any terrain...there's just no way I can keep up with her 😉
Pam says
What a beautiful pup! She sure looks like she is enjoying herself. These are all great tips, especially making sure they are protected from fleas and ticks. That is so important! My sister and her husband live in the southwest and they also took their dog through rattlesnake avoidance training and gave her the vaccine for that also. Just something to consider if you live in that part of the country.
Amy Gorin says
Love these ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Elysia says
Great tips! I don't have a dog at the moment but when I get one I'll definitely keep these tips in mind!
Carrie says
These are fabulous tips and your dog is so cute!!
Deborah Brooks says
Aww I bet she just loves to have the chance to head out with you on hikes too!
wendy says
My first dog was named Amber Rose 🙂 She was so good! We could take her off leash out hiking without issues. Training properly and good tick prevention are absolute musts as you say!
Nicole @ Fitful Focus says
Moose LOVES hiking with us! We try to go on shaded trails where there is fresh water for him to jump in and cool off. He looks like a swamp monster after our hikes with his long, wet hair haha.
Heather Johnson says
My hubby and I used to hike with our oldest dog when he was our only dog. A good flea and tick medicine is a must for being out in nature!
Abbey Sharp says
Can't wait to take my little pup out hiking! Awesome post love
E says
Your girl is so cute!! I told my son that when he learns how to read he can get a dog 🙂 This will come in handy in the future, thanks Julie!
Annmarie says
These are all awesome tips - cannot wait until it gets a little nicer here. Going to bring Mister Beefy on ALL the hikes!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
I wish we had trails closer to where my parents live so we could take the dog. We still have a flea collar for her though. Never can be too careful.
Deryn says
These are really great tips. I think people forget about pup safety on hikes sometimes. We especially have to watch for overheating with our Boston. I love hiking with our dogs though. A little sketchy in bear season but we're usually ok.
Anna says
Also, remember to give heart worm medications year round and be aware that you may encounter snakes on the trail. In some areas you should consider rattlesnake vaccinations. Dogs with white coats and fair skin can also get sunburns and even skin cancer. Sunscreens for children can be safely used on dogs. Consult your veterinarian for more information before heading out. Happy hiking!
Peter says
Great set of tips. I remember when I wasn’t younger walking my dog through three adjoining parks. There were many a time that a first aid kit did come in handy
Terri says
Some very good information. Thanks for sharing.
Wendy says
I love how Makena is staring at the medication like it's a treat! Too cute!
Emily @ Pizza & Pull-Ups says
Great tips, our dog is a Yorkie mix and probably would not enjoy a hike, we used to love taking our lab on easy hikes though.
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real says
Definitely going to use these tips once Bailey is older. I think she would love a hike!