Safety Tips For Hiking With Your Dog

If you are anything like me, you love exploring the outdoors and viewing the incredible sights that the wilderness has to offer. I am constantly looking for new trails and paths to go for a hike on and see what amazing things I might see. When I go on hikes, I am never alone; my dogs always go along with me, and they get to enjoy these trails as much as I do.

A dog’s life is as big and exciting as you make it. Most of the time, dogs are confined to a house, yard, and the six-foot limit of their leash. Let’s change that and get them out exploring the world right alongside you. Taking your dog out on hikes is an amazing opportunity to let them explore – however, many people find themselves worried about taking on this adventure due to many reasons, some of which may include; not trusting your dog’s recall, injuries along the trail, or the dangers of running into wildlife.

Let me help you with some of these fears by giving you the tools and knowledge you may need to ensure a safe and enjoyable hiking experience.

The number one tip for safer hikes with your dog

No matter if you are going on a short half-mile loop or training to take on the 486-mile Colorado Trail, it is important to take safety measures and be prepared for any situation. The number one most important part of going hiking with your dog is training. Training either on or off-leash behaviors is so incredibly important.

Having your dog trained off-leash is an amazing way to give your dog the ability to explore more. Off-leash training is important because then you know that you have a very reliable recall in any situation. I recommend finding a professional trainer to assist you in getting the amount of reliability that is needed when out on the trail. You never know what circumstance you might find yourself in.

Training does not just mean recall, sits, and downs, but also training your dog to be comfortable with all kinds of handling. If your dog were to ever get hurt on a trail it is important that they are comfortable with you carrying them in multiple positions, to ensure you don’t injure them more as well as not causing harm to yourself, messing with their limbs, and any sort of poking and proding you may need to do. Training this before the hike is incredibly important because of the fact that dogs are more likely to bite and lash out when they are hurting or uncomfortable. Due to this fact, handling your dog when they are in a comfortable state of mind will help tremendously in any emergency situation.

Another good idea when training is to implement some sort of muzzle training for the reason listed above, dogs often bite when in pain or uncomfortable, so for your safety it is smart to get your dog used to the muzzle prior to using it to ensure in the case of an emergency you are not adding more stress than you need to by muzzling for the first time.

What to include in a first aid kit for your dog

Another crucial part of taking your dog with you on the trails is to have a first aid kit on hand.

Along with the kit, be sure that you do some canine first aid courses in order to know how to handle many different situations – as mentioned before, anything can happen and you should always be prepared for the unexpected.

The supplies you pack in your first aid kit may vary from all of the areas you may hike. Ensure that you have specific supplies you need for the area you are in, do some research about what may await you on your next trail. Some of the basic and necessary supplies include the following;

Bandage Material
Gauze pads
Rolled Gauze
Vet Wrap
White Athletic Tape
Bandage Scissors
Antibiotic Ointment for minor cuts and scrapes
Antihistamine medication for any allergic reactions
Thermometer
Gloves
Slip Leash
Muzzle
Syringes to administer oral meds or clean wounds
Styptic Power or some sort of bleed stop powder
Sterile saline
Tweezers
A waterproof bag to keep all supplies

Additional items to bring on your hike

In addition to those essential first aid items, there are some other supplies that are important to keep on hand when you think about hiking with your dog.

Water: When going on any hike, it is extremely important to pack extra water both for yourself and your dog. I have heard it time and time again, “No, I don’t need to grab water for my dog, we will be right next to a lake/river/stream/or other body of water.” This is a huge misconception; many diseases and viruses can spread through water. In order to keep your pup safe, pack some extra, clean water for them as well. You may find that on the trail, it is harder to find a way to offer your dog this water, and metal bowls are not the easiest things to pack along with you. An easier and more efficient option is a collapsible bowl that is lightweight and can easily fit in a hiking pack.
Dog and Hiker identification: When going out, be sure to have some sort of identification on your pup. Personally, I have a tag on my dog as well as have them microchipped. The tag is easy to see and easy to read, however, they can fall off/get ripped off, so having a second form of identification is smart just in case they get away from you and someone finds them. It is also important that you have some sort of identification on yourself for any emergency situation where you suffer an allergic reaction or pass out.
Extra leash: We mentioned earlier that in your first aid kit, you should have a slip leash available. However, this is not the only extra leash you should have on hand. Equipment failures can and will happen; buckles can snap, material can tear, or your dog could possibly chew right through your leash when you are not even looking. It is important to prepare for these scenarios. Along with an extra leash, it is a good idea to have an extra collar with identification as well for the same reasons.
Personal protection (bear spray): Hiking is an amazing way to get out and enjoy nature and explore the great outdoors. The views and experiences you can achieve when hiking are unmatched. When exploring these amazing places, there is always the chance to see some incredible wildlife. It is important that you know the proper ways to go about any and all wildlife encounters. Research the area you’re hiking, and determine what you may run into and what could be a threat if you were to run right up on it. It is smart to carry something with you to protect yourself at all times. Bear spray is an easy-to-use solution for this. Many types of wildlife can charge or attack when provoked or when they feel uncomfortable, so it is important to know how to safely get yourself and your pup out of these encounters.

The safest thing you can do is stay on marked trails and respect the local wildlife in their space. If you encounter something that might be dangerous, just try to swiftly and safely remove yourself from their space. Again do your research on your area and know the animals you could encounter as well as the safest way to avoid them and get out of any encounter with them.
Extra Clothes or Weather Gear: It has happened to me often. Unexpected storms roll in, or you fall into a creek or any body of water, so it is important to prepare for these situations as well. Pack some rain gear and extra socks and other clothes if you would like. I also take a towel for my dogs to have the ability to dry them off a bit if that is something that is needed.

In conclusion

Always be prepared – no matter the distance, difficulty, or conditions of your hike, anything can happen and it is always better to be prepared for the worst than have the worst happen and have no way to get out of a situation.

Take the extra precautions and do some research on the area you are in. Now go out and explore! Enjoy what the great outdoors have to offer you!