Choosing the Right Trail for Your Dog: Tips and Tricks
My dog Sprocket is my best friend. He makes me the happiest and I love going hiking with him. It delights me to see him all excited during the hikes. Hence, whenever I and Sprocket go hiking, I make sure to choose a trail that suits his needs as well as my own the best.
When choosing a trail to hike, the first and foremost thing is- to know your dog well. That will help you in choosing the right trail for your buddy. Apart from that, here are five tips and tricks that will help you in picking up the right trail.
- Be Well-Versed with Your Dog’s Fitness Levels
While deciding if the hike should be long or short, or the terrain steep or flat, consider your dog’s fitness levels. A dog cannot tell when they are tired and most of the time, they keep going on to keep up with you, even after being tired.
The best you can do to keep their fitness levels high is to make them play and run outdoors, which will help increase their stamina. Sprocket has gotten very picky with age and doesn’t prefer being leashed while running outdoors or going through town. So, to keep him fit for the hikes, I take him out on runs every week.
- Thorough Research of the Terrain
The terrain is very important during hikes. But since we are taking our four-legged friend with us, it is important to see that the terrain is not too undulating. An uneven terrain will leave your dog with tender or sometimes, bleeding paws. Also, see the type of terrain that your dog is comfortable with. If your dog is scared of steep terrains, it would be better to hike through the woods rather than alongside a cliff.
- Keep an Eye Out for the Weather
Observe what temperature or weather conditions are your dog comfortable being outdoors in. Sprocket loves being out in the rain and can endure outdoors until the mercury crosses over 75-degrees. So for us, morning hikes at high elevations work the best. In the same manner, figure out these things about your dog so that you can have a swift hike. During the hike, if your dog feels any discomfort, feel free to retreat at the same instant.
- Be Sensitive Towards the Fauna
Hiking alone or with your pet, the principles of “Leave No Trace” applies to both conditions. We must try not to disturb the flora and fauna of the area we are hiking in as much as possible. Your pet might love chasing squirrels, butterflies, and birds, but if this habit is very prevalent, then it's better if you leash them up during your hike. Sometimes, chasing animals can bring a lot of trouble for your dog and things can get messy between your dog and the wildlife of the place.
- Carry Poop Bags for Your Dog
Remember that it is only your and solely your responsibility to clean up and carry your dog’s poop. Often, we think that we will clean it up during the return journey, but that doesn’t usually happen. I carry a duct tape covered ziplock that stores his poop bags securely and prevents the stinking smell from escaping, making my adventure enjoyable throughout.
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