Hiking with a dog can be extremely rewarding. Getting to show your dog new places and take him along on adventures is such a beautiful thing. There’s nothing quite like bonding with your best friend on the top of a mountain, inside a canyon, or in between giant trees.
And if you’re a solo hiker, a dog can not only make an excellent companion but also offer some form of protection against human or wildlife threats.
Whether you are considering taking your dog with you on the trail for the very first time or you’re looking for some fresh tips and suggestions for having the best and safest experience possible, you’ve come to the right place!
In this guide, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know to hike safely with your dog, including how to get your dog ready for the trail, how to figure out which trails allow dogs, what to pack, trail etiquette, pre-hike and post-hike tips, and more!
How to Hike Safely With Your Dog
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Get Your Dog Ready For the Trail
Before you take your dog up a mountain, across a desert, or through an alpine forest, take him on shorter, easier walks to not only determine his physical ability but also build up his stamina.
Just like your first hike wouldn’t be a 13-mile trek up a mountain, your dog’s first hike shouldn’t be either.
Take him on plenty of leashed walks around your neighborhood or at your local park, gradually increasing the length and challenging the terrain.
As you’re on these walks, analyze him. See how he reacts to wildlife, other dogs, and other hikers. Get to know his limits on trail, his fears, his moods, his eating/drinking habits, etc.
Is he eager to walk through water crossings, or is he hesitant? Does he eat food on the trail, or is he too nervous/distracted to do so? Does he conquer rocks with ease, or do they seem to hurt his joints? Does he prefer hot or cold temperatures?
These are all important things to consider when determining what your dog is capable of and what you’ll need to bring to accommodate him.
Finally, ensure he’s up to date on his vaccinations and preventive meds. Unfortunately, ticks love latching on to dogs.
Figure Out Which Trails Allow Dogs
If you’re new to hiking with your dog, you might not know that many trails are actually not dog-friendly. National Parks, in particular, are notorious for not allowing dogs. (Though, these 13 are pretty dog-friendly!)
The reason why some trails don’t allow dogs is almost always safety-related. National Parks and other public lands are wild spaces with dangerous terrain and unpredictable wildlife. And said wildlife, especially predators like wolves, coyotes, and bears, can pose a serious threat to dogs.
Also, dogs can disrupt an ecosystem by unintentionally stepping on fragile plants.
So before you set foot on the trail with your four-legged companion, ensure that dogs are allowed. You can find this information on the official park/forest website.
AllTrails is also pretty accurate when it comes to whether a trail is dog-friendly or not! Use my code alexysabroad30 to get 30% off an AllTrails+ membership!
Trail Etiquette for Hiking With Your Dog
Okay, so your dog is ready for the trail, and you’ve found a dog-friendly trail to take him on! Now what?
Keep your dog leashed and under control.
Whether the trail requires your dog to be leashed or not, it is a good idea to keep your pet tethered to one. You don’t want your dog to run off, wander off-trail, step on something poisonous or fragile, approach other potentially unfriendly dogs, or instigate a fight with a wild animal.
Communicate with other hikers.
If you are passing another hiker with a dog, communicate with that hiker to determine who will step off and who will pass. This will prevent any unhealthy interactions between the dogs.
If another hiker wants to pass you, step off the trail with your dog and allow them to pass.
If both hikers determine that the dogs are both friendly, you can cautiously allow them to greet each other. Always be prepared to pull your dog away at the first sign of hostility.
Pick up and pack out your dog’s waste.
Never leave your dog’s waste behind. Doing so could damage the plants, disrupt the natural environment, and attract and harm wildlife. Not to mention, it’s an eyesore. No one wants to see it or step in it!
To prevent this, always pick up your dog’s poop with a waste bag and pack it out.
If you are backpacking overnight and don’t want to bag it, use a trowel to bury it at least 8 inches under the ground and at least 200 feet from water sources, campsites, and trails.
What to Bring When Hiking With Your Dog
Here is a list of things to pack for your dog when hiking with him:
- Food – likely more than they get at home, due to activity level
- Water & filter – avoid letting your dog drink from stagnant pools
- Collapsible water bowl – to drink out of
- First aid kit – some dog-specific items may include tick key, cooling bandana, cold packs for paws, baby powder for cuts, etc
- Booties – to slip over the paws if the ground is too hot/cold/rough
- Towel – clean your dog’s paws or keep them warm
- Collar – attach a glowstick to it for night hiking
- Retractable 6-foot (or shorter) leash and harness
- Poop bags – to pack out the waste
- Dog backpack – optional, for them to carry their own items
Common Dangers on the Trail While Hiking With Your Dog (And How to Prevent Them)
These are some of the common dangers your dog may encounter on the trail – and how to prevent them.
Overexertion
Overexertion is caused by overexcitement and results in early burnout.
To prevent overexertion, keep your dog controlled and take frequent breaks to slow his heart rate and catch his breath.
Plants
With the millions of plant species that exist in the world, it is nearly impossible to know which ones pose a threat and which ones don’t. Unless you are a botanist or study the flora of the particular area that you will be exploring in advance, you probably won’t be able to tell what’s what.
To prevent exposure to poisonous plants, keep your dog on the trail as much as possible, and don’t let him venture away from you. Don’t allow your dog to feed on any of the plants. Established, maintained trails will typically be safer than backcountry, wilderness areas.
Another example of why leashes are so important!
Critters
Ticks, snakes, scorpions, coyotes, bears, and other wild predators pose a threat to your dog. To prevent unpleasant encounters with wildlife, keep your dog leashed and controlled, and always be on the lookout for not only the big predators but the little ones that could be scurrying under your dog’s paws.
Make sure your pup is on a tick preventative medication and check his fur for ticks after your hike.
Pathogens
Bacteria in wild water sources can pose a major threat to your pup. If he drinks from a contaminated stream or standing puddle, your dog could get very sick.
If he does drink contaminated water and begins throwing up, having diarrhea, or showing signs of fatigue and weakness, immediately get off the trail and consult your veterinarian.
Never allow your dog to drink stagnant water, and be careful with lakes and streams.
To prevent contamination, try to keep your dog away from natural water sources and consistently allow him to drink the clean water from your backpack; filter water, if necessary.
Heatstroke
Always check the weather or ask a ranger before stepping onto the trail. Know what your dog can handle and bail early if the temperatures become too extreme for him to handle.
To prevent hypothermia or heatstroke, carry bandanas and instant cold packs and continuously monitor your dog’s current condition. Look for signs of drowsiness, dilated pupils, rapid breathing, and bleeding.
But to be extra safe, never hike with your dog when it’s too hot.
Falling
Steep cliffs and rigorous rock scrambles are dangerous for dogs in the same way that they’re dangerous for humans.
To prevent falling, avoid narrow, steep trails and unstable terrain, and keep your dog on a harness and leash. Help your dog up unstable rocks or across narrow cliff faces to avoid accidental falling.
Paw Injuries
Paws are fragile, so they are susceptible to injury. Rough terrain, sharp rocks, or downed logs could scrape the paws. Whether or not the paws begin to bleed, your dog could still be in pain. Watch for limping and listen for whimpering.
Consider strapping booties on your dog to prevent paw injuries, and if your dog’s paws do begin to bleed from a cut or scrape, sprinkle baby powder on the bloody wound. If the bleeding persists, end the hike and carry him if you’re able.
Unfamiliar Territory
Your dog might not be comfortable in unfamiliar territory. Though some dogs thrive in new places, other dogs are hesitant and timid. Watch his reaction and always make sure he’s comfortable. Never put your dog in situations that make him scared or uncomfortable.
Signs that dogs are hesitant or scared about the trail would be walking at a slow, cautious pace, backward walking, or stopping and refusing to proceed any further.
Since you chose to hike this trail with your dog, keep his needs ahead of your own and adapt to what he wants. Just because dogs are animals doesn’t mean they’re always going to thrive in nature. Find a trail that makes both you and your dog happy!
Reacting to Your Dog’s Injuries on the Trail
What if your dog gets injured on the trail? Here are some of the common injuries your dog may face on trail, and how to help him.
You Find a Tick
Spread the dog’s fur and use a tick key to get as close to the skin as possible. Pull straight upward, gently, and in a slow, steady motion. You don’t want the tick’s mouth to break off and remain embedded in the skin.
Never use your hands; squeezing the tick will cause unwanted infectious matter to get injected into your pup.
Your Dog Gets Bitten By a Snake
Give your dog Benadryl or another antihistamine to reduce the swelling and allergic reaction. Bail on the hike right away and take your dog to the vet as soon as you get off the trail.
Your Dog Eats a Poisonous Plant
If he begins gagging or vomiting after eating a plant, take your dog to the vet right away. If you know what plant your dog got into, bring a sample of it in a bag to show the vet so that they can give your dog the best treatment.
A Foxtail is Embedded in Your Dog’s Fur
Remove it with tweezers right away. Foxtails can work their way into vital organs and become fatal, so watch for signs of excessive sneezing, head shaking, or eye discharge.
Post-Trail Habits
What do you like to do after a long day of hiking? I like to pull off my boots and slip on a comfy pair of sandals, change into loungewear, crack open a can of Diet Coke, munch on a yummy snack, and rest my body and feet.
Well, your dog probably wants something similar! Okay, not Diet Coke. But he will be anxious to lie down and rest after sipping some water and munching on some calories and protein.
Here are some trail habits you should get into, post-hike, with your dog:
- Brush your dog and inspect for ticks, injuries, and foxtails.
- Give him another snack.
- Allow him to drink plenty of water.
- Let him get comfy and rest.
- Continue walking your dog daily to keep him fit and ready for the next adventure!
Summary
The tips in this guide were intended to help you and your dog stay safe before the trail, on the trail, and after the trail. I hope you feel more comfortable and ready for an adventure with your four-legged friend!
Wherever your adventures take you and your dog, hike safely!
Discover Your Next Adventure With Your Dog
Where to next with your dog? I’ve got some suggestions!
- 5 Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- 13 Most Dog-Friendly National Parks in the USA
- Nelson-Kennedy Ledges State Park in Ohio
- Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio
- Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona
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