Hiking with your dog

Having fun in the great outdoors

Text | Bianca Rootman

A new year means resolutions, most of which tend to have something to do with physical activity and spending more time in nature. Hiking is the perfect way to tackle both in one go and bring your dog along for the ride!

ABOUT HIKING WITH YOUR DOG

Not only is hiking physically good for us, but the mental benefits of being outdoors and in nature are endless. Being able to take our companions with us is an added bonus. To enjoy hiking with our hounds, however, we must make sure that our companions do not suffer from any physical condition that prevents them from being able to do this form of physical activity. Secondly, we need to make sure that hiking is an age-appropriate exercise for them, and thirdly, we need to establish that they are fi t enough to handle the demands placed on them during a hike.

Here we look at some of the points to consider when thinking about going hiking with your pooch:

TIME OF DAY. Going for a hike in the heat of the day is already setting your day up for disaster. Instead, choose to go earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon. This decreases the chances of your companion overheating or burning their paws on hot rocks. Please also be very careful if your companion is a brachiocephalic (flat-faced) breed, as they can very easily overheat and suffer from respiratory distress. These breeds should never be walked far and only when it is cool or cold. They also need frequent rests to allow them to catch their breath.

TERRAIN. We need to remember that our companions may previously only have walked on tar or bricks, so they will need a chance to acclimatise to walking through long grass or deeper sand. Something as small and insignifi cant as this impacts how your companion moves and uses his/her body, and this kind of terrain will ask questions of parts of their bodies that they may not usually work. Think of how challenging it is to walk or run on the beach compared to walking or running on tar!

Then, asking your companion to walk on rocky ground is going to hurt and potentially damage their paws. The same goes for slippery or muddy terrain, as they are at risk of slipping or getting stuck and injuring themselves. Please also be aware of drops or ledges that your companion may not see and could fall off. Another danger to be aware of is loose rocks, which can fall on dogs, particularly if they are exploring.

GRADIENT. Be aware of inclines and declines whilst out on a hike. Both of these are good challenges for your companion, but the frequency and gradient should be gradually introduced and built on. Don’t start with steep uphills that exhaust your companion before they’ve had a chance to do anything else.

DISTANCE. This is an obvious one, and yet most people overdo it. Expecting your companion to start with a 5km hike when all they’ve previously done is walk 500m around the block or run around in your garden is the wrong way to go about hiking. Start with short walks around the block, add some ‘off road’ walks, then move to shorter hikes and build from there.

REST AND REHYDRATION. Make sure that you give your companion adequate rest and offer them water throughout the hike to ensure they are hydrated and have a chance to catch their breath.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. These factors come with being out in nature and are not always avoidable. They include things such as poisonous plants, snakes, scorpions etc. These can harm both you and your companion, so a basic understanding of fi rst aid and what to do in an emergency is essential.

FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY. Like with any form of strenuous physical exercise, not doing some form of training and conditioning in preparation can lead to injury. Ensuring that your companion is fit and ready for a hike is probably the most important point in this article. Gradually build on distance and intensity, allowing your companion’s body a chance to get stronger by building the correct muscles needed to navigate the challenges they face on a hike. Putting your dog on a fitness and conditioning programme will ensure that he/ she is fit and strong enough to face the demands of a hike and that the risk of injury will be reduced. These programmes can be compiled for you by rehabilitation and fitness trainers.

WARNING Young puppies and geriatric dogs should not be expected to go on any form of a hike as this will be too strenuous for their bodies.

TAKE HOME MESSAGE

Hiking is a fantastic way to get out and have fun with your companion. Once your companion is fi t and strong enough, you’ve found a great venue and prepared yourself for any challenges you may face, go out there, have fun and appreciate our beautiful country with your best friend by your side!