The Ultimate Guide to Hiking With Dogs
Louie is a black Labrador-Retriever mix who lives with his best friend Henry. Together, they explore Ontario’s hiking trails.
It’s pure luck that I have my dog Louie. On the day I met him for the first time, I was visiting the Toronto Humane Society with the intention of adopting a different dog. When the pup I was hoping to meet was unavailable because it needed surgery, I stumbled upon Louie. His warm brown eyes and happy-go-lucky attitude was something that immediately caught my attention and made me fall instantly in love with him. I knew I had to act fast if I wanted to adopt him. Luckily, everything worked out. Louie only spent three days in the shelter before he permanently joined my pack. We became instant best friends despite having a challenging start.
Behind his gentleness lay a bit of fear. I am not sure what kind of life he had before he came into my life. But I don’t think he was well socialized with other dogs because he didn’t really know how to play. And when it came to walks, the word nightmare kind of comes to mind. Louie was fine indoors. He would often expose his stomach for belly rubs or nestle in his crate or on his favourite corner of my bed.
But outside on a leash was a totally different story. He would stop, and flop down whenever and where ever he wanted, including in the middle of the road. He would also bite the leash when he was spooked. Which was almost always. And if that didn’t work, he would bite my hand. During our first six months together, it would be a rare feat if I had made it home from a walk without any scrapes and cuts.
I love to hike and explore. I had hoped that Louie would be the perfect hiking buddy. But our first few months together didn’t give me much confidence that would ever happen. I didn’t know how to correct his behaviour or how I could help him feel safer during our walks. He is my first ever dog and I knew I was way over my head. I had read and watched as many videos as I could on leash biting and then someone mentioned that I should reach out to the Toronto Canine Centre for Education. It was the best advice ever. After a quick phone call, I had a few sessions booked to work on training Louie. Let’s be real here, the training was actually for me. Caryn, the trainer, was amazing. She was very patient and helped me learn some tips and tricks to read Louie’s body language, understand his cues, and learn how to calm him down when he got too excited or anxious. After putting what I learned to the test for a few months, Louie’s leash biting episodes decreased and I would come home from walks cut and scrape-free. It was an awesome transformation. Why am I telling you all of this? It’s because having control of your dog is one of the most important things when you are out hiking. Having him bite you or fight with you on hiking trails can lead to serious injuries. And depending where you are, help can be very far away or worse, unavailable altogether. Hopefully this guide will help you prepare for and get the most out of your hiking adventures with your four-legged best friends.
Table of Contents
Getting Ready for Hiking
Start with Obedience Training
Physical Training
Listen to your dog
Build in rest days
Out Hiking
Check the weather
Getting Your Dog Ready For Hiking
Start with obedience training
Before you take your first steps on the trail, plan to work on your dog’s obedience at home. Start indoors to limit distractions and work your way outside. The work you put in here will reduce the amount of frustration you will experience on the trails. Because no matter how much training you do, incidents will happen. But good training will make those moments less likely to occur. Training is also a great way for you and your dog to strengthen your bond together.
If your dog is like mine, then their attention span is quite limited. Luckily for me, Louie is a very food-motivated pup which makes training him less challenging. He gets distracted very easily so training indoors is critical, especially when it is something new. So, what should you work on? Mastery of basic commands like heel, sit, stay, and down and basic recall skills are key. Also, make sure you work on keeping your dog calm while on a leash. If they like to pull, like Louie does sometimes, try getting them to sit when they pull, and only allow them to continue moving when they have stopped. I have tried this with Louie and it has worked really well. He only pulls when he is super excited in which case I shorten the leash to remind him it is not okay and that seems to calm him down. Another thing I like to do with Louie is getting him to look directly into my eyes. With a treat in my hand, I say “look at me'“ and place one of my index finger in front of my nose for Louie to focus on. Like other commands, after a while, you can do it without treats. On walks, I do this when there are distractions around - people, other dogs, etc. It helps him focus on me and keeps him calm. I have to do this sometimes on hikes when he gets overexcited. Start training 5 minutes at a time several times a day if you can. As your pup masters the skills indoors, start training outside where there are more distractions. With a little dedication, your dog will be well trained and should respond to the commands while you are both out enjoying the trails.
Why does obedience matter? Depending on where you hike, the trails can be quite rocky, hilly, and narrow. A dog with a mind of its own poses a danger to you and others. Also, not everyone you come across is going to be a dog person, so having control over your pup is the best way to keep everyone safe and give all a chance to enjoy the great outdoors.
Physical training
Ever been out on a long walk or grueling hike? It’s tiring, right? Our dogs get tired too. Like humans, dogs need to prepare for hikes. And, like humans, dogs can build endurance over time. Before you decide to take your pup on a 15-kilometre hike, make sure they can handle it. If you don’t walk much, start with a short distance and build up. As you increase the distance, you and your dog will both gain endurance. Try to build up to the distance you want to do on a regular basis. For example, if your goal is to go 5-kilometre hikes try to get up walking that distance regularly. It will make easier for both you and your dog. Put in the work to build up your physical fitness. You and your dog will find hiking trails much easier and more fun which most likely will mean you will do it more often. Try smaller hikes or longer walks during the week and tackle longer trails on the weekends. Over time, you will be able to comfortably complete longer and more difficult trails.
During our hikes, I take notes of the terrain and obstacles like ladders, narrow bridges among others that we have to cross. With this in mind, I plan some training for Louie so he can easily navigate these the next time we are out. For example, we like to hike the Bruce Trail. There are several sections where you have to climb over small ladders. I am working on teaching Louie how to climb similar objects in preparation for our next adventure. I have also been working on teaching him to jump over things on command. Which has been a huge benefit. Sometimes there are fallen trees on the trails and the only way to get around them is to go over them.
Listen to your dog
You have heard the saying “listen to your body”. This applies to your dog as well. Look out for signs that they are tired, anxious, or scared. Pay attention to their body language. They will slow down when they are exhausted or pant heavily. Plan out regular stops for water and rest. Don’t push yourself or your dog too hard. Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and pack some snacks to refuel. I usually bring about 1.5 litres just for Louie when we do our 10 km hikes. I also make sure to have some snacks for him. I usually pack baby carrots, cucumbers, and a bit of kibble in Louie’s hiking pack and give him something to nibble on throughout our hikes. I bring along two collapsible bowls for water and food. I am a big fan of the soft bowls made by Outward Hound. They are lightweight, easy to pack, and quite durable.
Build in Rest Days
Getting adequate rest helps your body rejuvenate. The same principle applies to your dog. After a day on the trails, it is critical to give your body time to recover. If you are on a multi-day hike, make sure to build in some days where you’re resting and relaxing. This will help give you and your pup an opportunity to refresh before you tackle the next leg of your journey.
Preparing for Hikes - Be prepared for weather
Hiking can be a strenuous activity. Depending on where you go, it may require climbing up and down steep slopes with considerable elevation change throughout the trail. This takes a toll on you and your dog. So, before you head out on the trails make sure you and your pup are physically healthy to take on the challenge. If you or your dog are feeling unwell, stay home and plan to hit the trails another day when you are both back to good health. Make sure your dog is up-to-date with its vaccinations and is on flea and tick meds.
Hiking is an excellent activity that you can do all year round. But you should take extra precautions when it comes to weather. Every season comes with its own set of challenges and requires slightly different preparation. Hiking with a dog is different than hiking by yourself or with a group of people. Give your pup the chance to sniff and explore. Don’t rush them. Take your time. After all, hiking is something you are doing together.
Spring Time Hiking
It’s fun to hike during the springtime. As the ice and snow begin to melt you will start catching signs of life as trees start slowly start to bud, and various plants start to sprout leaves. Hiking during the spring is usually fairly muddy from the melting ice and snow and from rain. The wet ground can make the ground difficult to walk on. It’s easier to slip and lose your footing. So, assess the trail. If you are not confident you and your dog can comfortably complete the trail, stop, turn back and come back another time. Hiking is fantastic, but it is not worth doing if it means risking getting hurt or worse. The weather is still quite cool in the early spring and in Ontario, Canada it rains quite often. Wear waterproof clothing and boots. If you have a small dog, you may want to put in a light jacket to keep their bodies nice and warm.
Summer Hiking
The hot summer weather can pose serious health challenges for your dog including heatstroke, dehydration, or even death. It is important to take note of the weather before you set off on your hike and pay close attention to your pup throughout the hike. To avoid the scorching sun, try hiking in the early morning when the temperature is significantly cooler. I personally, enjoy hiking in the early morning because people are generally still sleeping and the trails are nearly empty. Some Ontario Parks like Mono Cliffs require you to book time slots. Try to book the earliest time possible. It usually means empty parking lots, cooler temperatures, and smaller crowds. It’s a win-win.
I plan my hiking trips based on the seasons. During the summer, I tend to opt for trails with water access and plenty of tree coverage for shade. There is a noticeable difference in temperature under tree coverage than in direct sunlight. You and your dog will definitely notice it. To stay out of the heat, try to avoid fully exposed trails. Also, try to avoid trails that are mostly rock or with lots of pavement because they can heat up quickly that can lead to burns on your dog’s paws. How do you know if the ground is too hot for your pup? Try putting your hand on the pavement or rocks. If it is too hot for you to touch, then it is too hot for your dog.
Signs of Heatstroke
Dogs, like humans, can suffer heatstroke if they are exposed to excessive heat. If left untreated, it can lead to serious health complications and potentially death. If you notice any of the signs below, remove your dog from the heat immediately, and cool it down gradually using a fan, wet towels, or air conditioning. Cooling a dog down too quickly can cause the internal organs to shut down.
Rapid heart rate
Excessive panting
Heavy drooling and/or thick saliva
Red or pale gums and tongue
Dizziness
Extreme fatigue
You can find more information about heatstroke in dogs here.
Benefits of a cooling vest
A few years ago, I picked up a cooling vest for Louie. It’s a light colorful jacket designed to keep your dog cool. All you have to do is submerge it in water, wring it out, and secure it to you dog. The material reflects light and draws heat from your dog’s body as the water evaporates. On hot days, it can dry out fairly quickly, so plan to hike near a body of water where you can soak it. I like to keep a bottle of water in the cooler in my car that I can use to soak a towel or the cooling vest to help cool Louie down post hike.
If your parked your car in the sun, make sure to open all the windows and get the air conditioning going for a few minutes to cool down the inside of your vehicle. This will help keep you and your dog comfortable during your drive home.
Winter Hiking
The cold winter months are a wonderful time to go hiking. Louie loves the winter. He loves to jump around in the snow and try to eat the snowflakes as they fall to the ground. We tend to go for flatter trails during the winter. Snow can hide trip hazards like fallen branches, rocks, and ice that can cause you to slip and get injured. You unknowingly could be walking under or around hazards. If you are planning to go hiking at an Ontario Provincial Park, check out their Twitter accounts for updates on trail conditions. It’s a good way to find out ahead of your visit whether trails are safe to travel, hazards you should look out for, and potential trail diversions. If you plan on hiking along the Bruce Trail, you can visit their website to get similar information.
Dog wearing a winter jacket.
Staying Warm with Jackets and Sweaters
Dog breeds with double coats like the Alaskan Husky, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, and Australian Shepherd can handle cold temperatures for longer periods of time than small dogs with short hair such as Chihuahuas. Regardless of the breed, a sweater or jacket is a worthwhile investment. In addition to keeping your dog’s core temperature warm, jackets also help prevent snow from accumulating and sticking to their fur. A jacket that covers the chest and belly ensures they are dry and warm. When we walk while it’s snow, Louie comes back looking like an icicle. A jacket has definitely helped keep him dryer and warmer.
Paw Protection
Without fail, every time I come back from a walk with Louie, there are iceballs in between his toes. The clumps of snow and or ice drive him bonkers. He will lick and gnaw at them until he gets them out or they melt. Sometimes these painful ice balls will form while we are out walking and it bothers him enough that he will stop and try to remove them. If you notice your dog limping or licking its paws, stop and check to see if snow is jammed up in between his toes. Gently remove them. They will be super thankful that you took the time to do it. If your dog accumulates ice balls, consider getting a pair of boots. It will take some time for them to get used to so like most training, try indoors first before slapping them out outside. Another option to consider is a wax balm that you can put on their paws. It helps protect a little against frost and assists in preventing ice balls from attaching themselves to your pup’s feet.
Health and Safety
Similar to summer hiking, there are some health risks with hiking in the winter - hypothermia and frostbite. According to PetMD, hypothermia is a situation when a dog’s body temperature is significantly lower than normal. What is a dog’s normal temperature you ask? It is 38°C to 39.2°C. A dog can become hypothermic if it is exposed to cold temperatures particularly if there is wind or if a dog becomes damp. Elderly dogs, puppies, small dogs, and dogs with short hair or thin coats are at greater risk of hypothermia. As you are hiking with your pup, look for signs of hypothermia which include:
Shivering that has stopped
Rapid drop in body temperature
Slower breathing
Collapsing
Lethargic and/or unresponsive
Fixed and dilated pupils
Frostbite
Like humans, dogs can experience frostbite which is damage caused to skin or other tissues due to extreme cold. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, dogs are most likely to get frostbite on their paws, ears, and tail. And areas that are damp or wet are more vulnerable to frostbite. Signs of frostbite include:
Blisters or skin ulcers
Areas of blackened or dead skin
Pain when you touch the body part
Coldness or brittleness of the area when touched
Discoloration - often pale, gray or bluish
Swelling of the affected area
If you suspect your dog has frostbite move him to a warm dry area as quickly as possible. Carefully warm the affected area with warm water. Seek medical attention immediately.
Hiking is a wonderful activity to do with your dog. Louie and I hit the trails whenever we can. Happy trails everyone!