Dog hiking in wood river junction

05/03/2019

09/02/2019

What to know before hiking with dogs
“Any dog can be a trail dog,” says Gelbert, “so don’t be afraid to get started.” Before hiking with dogs, blaze a trail to your veterinarian’s office to evaluate your dog’s health and fitness level. Consider vaccination schedules and age (immune system and bones should be fully developed in young dogs; for older dogs, concerns include hip dysplasia and arthritis). Next, bone up on these skills:

Train with short walks (less than one hour). Gradually increase distance, changing terrain and elevation; tender paw pads need time to toughen. Use positive reinforcement.
Make sure your dog is socialized and obeys basic commands, including “heel,” “sit” and “stay.”
Take a canine first-aid course and assemble a first-aid kit.
Rules to follow when hiking with dogs
Once you are ready, start with an easy trail that’s dog friendly. Many places, including most national parks, do not allow dogs on trails.

Here are some rules to live by when hiking with dogs:

Rest often. “Pace your hike and backpack distances to your dog’s fitness and stamina level, not yours,” Mullally advises.
Offer water and food frequently. A general guideline is 8 ounces of water every hour. Your dog will need about 30 to 50 percent more food than normal while hiking.
Feed low-fiber, high-fat and high-protein dog foods in small amounts every two to three hours.
Watch for signs of distress, such as limping, rapid panting (a symptom of heatstroke) and a dry nose (a sign of dehydration). “Dogs often try beyond their capabilities to keep up,” Gelbert warns.
Practice good trail manners. Be in control of your dog at all times, yield the right of way to others, and control barking.
Double bag your dog’s waste and pack it out. As Mullally says, “There is no P**p Fairy.”

30/01/2019

Our ultimate guide to Hiking with Dogs leads you through how to prepare for a fun trip for both of you, and which pitfalls to avoid, and how.
Check Now: https://bestdoghiking.com/2018/05/20/will-drinking-green-tea-boost-your-metabolism/

28/01/2019

Learn the basics of hiking and backpacking with your dog including getting them ready, gearing up, food, water, and trail hazards to avoid.

22/11/2018

Those who need information on how to house train a dog should start by first preparing their house for the process. The dog will likely be using the bathroom all around the house and it needs to learn that it absolutely cannot do that any longer. The owner also needs to stock their house with some basic tools including newspaper, a crate and a spray bottle of water.

The first step is to create a comfortable environment for the dog inside the crate. Line the crate with newspaper, but also place a few toys or a pillow inside the crate. The dog needs to learn that it can only use the bathroom in set rooms of the house. This method works on everything from new puppies to older stray dogs.

Place the dog inside the crate during the day or when the other members of the house are gone. The dog may use the bathroom inside the crate, but that's to be expected and is the reason for the newspaper. The next step in this way to house train a dog is to show it that the best place to use the bathroom is outside. Put the dog on a leash and take it outside. As soon as the dog uses the bathroom, reward it with a treat as well as high praise.

The owner also needs to learn that using the bathroom inside won't be tolerated and that's the purpose of the spray bottle of water. Whenever the dog hikes its leg or begins to use the bathroom, give it a long spray from the bottle as well as a loud noise or exclamation. This shows your pet that it cannot use the bathroom in these areas. Some owners have also found it helpful to use a spray that mimics the scent of another animal. This works to house train a dog by showing it that another animal already marked that territory.

This method to house train a dog is the best way. The owner can slowly reduce the amount of newspaper inside the crate and move it to another area of the house. This shows the animal that the only place it can use the bathroom is on the paper or outside and not inside the house. It may take some time, but it will work.

12/11/2018

Hiking is an adventure that thousands of people across the country find exhilarating. It's not just a normal walk but one that presents the challenge of a bit more rugged terrain and natural environments. If you are among the hikers that enjoy the companionship of your faithful canine buddy then you'll appreciate hiking tips for you and your dog. With the proper preparation and equipment your adventure will be a joy to you and all those that you encounter.

Proper pre-planning is one of the top hiking tips for you and your dog. This begins with determining your destination and the rules associated with it. Verify that dogs are allowed on the trail you choose. Many national parks do not allow dogs but most of the national forest trails do. Imagine the disappointment for both of you to arrive at your destination only to see a large sign stating "No Dogs Allowed on Trail". Make sure you know the leash rules for the area you choose. Some areas allow off leash where others will specifically require a six foot leash and proper distance from others on the trail.

Check your records to make sure your dog is current with all his shots. The trail is a natural habitat and perfect for picking up parasites or a virus if he is not protected. Make sure all the information on his ID tags is current just in case of any unexpected situations. More hiking tips for you and your dog suggest taking the time before your trip to reinforce some of his obedience lessons with special attention to the "come when called". It's easy for a dog off leash to get distracted by an avoidable point of interest. His safety could depend upon how well he responds to your commands. It's obvious how important pre-planning is to your hiking adventure.

The final hiking tips for you and your dog include equipment. Choose a leash that won't get tangled easily. Regular or long leashes (not flexi-leashes) give your buddy freedom while you still maintain control. Carry a small first aid kit that includes a snake bite feature. It is always best to be prepared. Carry p**p bags and always clean up after your dog. It may be the woods but others are enjoying their time on the trail as well and you certainly wouldn't want them to step in your dog's mess. The most important item is to make sure you carry plenty of water for both of you. Streams can sometimes have parasites and you want to make sure he drinks clean water. With the proper preparation your hiking trips will be pure joy!

07/11/2018

Denali's First Hike - Backpacking with our Dog

It's one thing to take your dog for an afternoon stroll in the local park; it's another thing when you and your canine companion venture many miles into the ...

23/10/2018

Hiking With Dogs

Hiking with your dog sounds like the best thing ever but when I took my dog to her first ever overnight hike with me I immediately understood that it’s not s...

20/10/2018

Hiking is an adventure that thousands of people across the country find exhilarating. It's not just a normal walk but one that presents the challenge of a bit more rugged terrain and natural environments. If you are among the hikers that enjoy the companionship of your faithful canine buddy then you'll appreciate hiking tips for you and your dog. With the proper preparation and equipment your adventure will be a joy to you and all those that you encounter. Proper pre-planning is one of the top hiking tips for you and your dog. This begins with determining your destination and the rules associated with it. Verify that dogs are allowed on the trail you choose. Many national parks do not allow dogs but most of the national forest trails do. Imagine the disappointment for both of you to arrive at your destination only to see a large sign stating "No Dogs Allowed on Trail". Make sure you know the leash rules for the area you choose. Some areas allow off leash where others will specifically require a six foot leash and proper distance from others on the trail. Check your records to make sure your dog is current with all his shots. The trail is a natural habitat and perfect for picking up parasites or a virus if he is not protected. Make sure all the information on his ID tags is current just in case of any unexpected situations. More hiking tips for you and your dog suggest taking the time before your trip to reinforce some of his obedience lessons with special attention to the "come when called". It's easy for a dog off leash to get distracted by an avoidable point of interest. His safety could depend upon how well he responds to your commands. It's obvious how important pre-planning is to your hiking adventure. The final hiking tips for you and your dog include equipment. Choose a leash that won't get tangled easily. Regular or long leashes (not flexi-leashes) give your buddy freedom while you still maintain control. Carry a small first aid kit that includes a snake bite feature. It is always best to be prepared. Carry p**p bags and always clean up after your dog. It may be the woods but others are enjoying their time on the trail as well and you certainly wouldn't want them to step in your dog's mess. The most important item is to make sure you carry plenty of water for both of you. Streams can sometimes have parasites and you want to make sure he drinks clean water. With the proper preparation your hiking trips will be pure joy!

11/10/2018

Hiking with dog

It's one thing to take your dog for an afternoon stroll in the local park; it's another thing when you and your canine companion venture many miles into the ...

07/10/2018

Measure the circumference of your dog's chest around the widest part of the rib cage. Most packs come in a range of sizes that will correspond to this measurement. Adjust all straps to snug the pack's fit. Don't pull too tight, though: Your dog needs to breathe. But you also don't want a too-loose pack that can slip off or chafe. For pack training, start by having your dog wear it empty around the house, then on walks. As soon as wearing the pack becomes routine, load in a few pounds (evenly on each side). Gradually increase pack weight on each walk after that until you reach your target weight. A maximum of 25 percent of body weight is a rough guideline, but factors like age, size and strength will alter that up or down. Check with your vet.

27/09/2018

You've come to the right place! You'll find information on hundreds of dog friendly hiking trails in Westerly,