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12 Tips for Hiking with Your Dog

by Jean Hofve, DVM One of the best things about sharing your life with a dog is always having a buddy available for hiking! But before you hit the trail, here are some tips to keep in mind
! Make sure you"re both in shape for your planned hike# $he first hike of the

! ! !

season probably shouldn"t be %& miles, uphill both ways! 'our dog will follow you anywhere, but he (an"t tell you when he"s getting tired or if his paws are sore# )tart with shorter treks to help your pal prepare for more strenuous a(tivities# Be aware of the laws and regulations in your hiking area# $hey are there to prote(t you, your dog, the wildlife, and other hikers# *e are fortunate in Boulder to have mountain parks where dogs (an be off+leash ,as long as they are under voi(e (ontrol-# But this is not the (ase everywhere, though, so please be (onsiderate# Make sure you have the right (ollar or harness, and a sturdy leash# )tudies have shown that e.(essive pressure from a ne(k (ollar (an damage a dog"s tra(hea ,windpipe-, so a head (ollar or walking harness may be a better (hoi(e for dogs that pull# )mall dogs do e.(eptionally well with supportive harnesses su(h as the /+in+% Vest Harness that also doubles as a se(ure seatbelt for (ar travels# 0arry a few (lean+up bags, in (ase your dog gets the urge to eliminate in the great outdoors# Bring water and a travel bowl for your dog1 dehydration (an be a serious problem# 2se appropriate mos3uito and ti(k repellents# Most human mos3uito sprays (an be used on your dog, but prote(t the nose and eyes while you apply them# 4f you"ll be hiking in ti(k (ountry, there are natural, non+to.i( repellents available, su(h as Only 5atural 6et Herbal Defense Oil Blend and Vetri+7epel 8lea and $i(k 7epellent *ipes# )uns(reen may be needed for dogs with white fur around their fa(e and ears# 9reas where the fur is thin and the skin is whitish or pink (an get sunburned, so be (areful about e.(ess sun e.posure# 'ou (an use a human suns(reen or sunblo(k produ(t ,but be sure to (lean it off when you get home-, or get one espe(ially made for pets, su(h as )olar 7., whi(h is green, vegan and (hemi(al free# :now what to do in an emergen(y, su(h as a (ut paw pad ,whi(h is more (ommon than you might think!-# 0onsider (arrying a pet first+aid kit# :eep in mind where the nearest ranger station or emergen(y veterinary hospital are lo(ated# 6rogram a poison+(ontrol hotline and your veterinarian"s (onta(t info into your (ell phone#

! 4f your dog has a short nose ,su(h as 6ugs, Boston terriers, bulldogs, and

6ekingese-, try to avoid hiking during the heat of the day# $hese dogs have less surfa(e area for heat e.(hange through their nose and mouth; the primary (ooling me(hanism in dogs# $he same goes for e.tra+furry breeds su(h as Malemutes, Old <nglish sheepdogs, or 0ollies, who (an get overheated# ! 8or dogs who love to sti(k their noses in every nook and (ranny, eye prote(tion su(h as Doggles will prevent damage by thorns and other ha=ards# ! *hen you get home, always (he(k your dog over for burrs, fo.tails, debris, and ti(ks ,even if you"ve used a repellent-# 8o.tails in parti(ular (an work their way through the skin and (ause abs(esses and other serious in>uries# Don"t negle(t the paws;small stones and other debris (an get (aught between the toes# 4f you"re doing a long hike or one in very rugged (ountry, (onsider (anine footwear, su(h as 6aw= Biodegradable 5atural Dog Boots,or 7uff *ear Bark?n Boots @rip$re.# Help keep your dog in top (ondition with a great natural diet, and (onsider >oint support supplements Aeven in younger dogs;to help prevent and repair damage to >oint surfa(es

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