Sharing your life with a dog gives you a completely different perspective on nature. The mutual trust and unique bond are also evident when hiking with a dog. You can find out what you should bear in mind in the following blog post.
We'll show you important tips for unforgettable and relaxed hiking tours with your dog. This will strengthen your relationship in a unique and lasting way.
Can you go hiking with any dog?
No. Not every dog is suitable for hiking. Especially for older and chronically ill dogs, the tour can quickly become an ordeal. If your four-legged friend suffers from osteoarthritis or another degenerative joint disease, hiking with a dog is not the right thing for you!
If your four-legged friend prefers to relax comfortably on the couch and sees walks as a necessary evil, you won't have much fun on a walk together either. Puppies and particularly anxious contemporaries should also go for normal walks.
The following applies to all other skins: you know your dog best. If he is keen to run and explore, nothing stands in the way of your dog walking tours together. However, you should definitely adapt these to the needs of your furry friend. Dogs with particularly short legs need different dog walking tours than larger breeds.
From what age can I go hiking with my dog?
Your dog should be at least 1.5 years old. On the other hand, long walks are far too strenuous for puppies. In addition to a lack of fitness, the primary focus here is on protecting bones and joints. During the growth phase, these can suffer considerable damage on a short (and above all long) hike. It is not for nothing that the rule of thumb is: 1 minute per week of life as a guideline for puppy walks.
However, hiking tours with dogs are possible at any time after puberty. You should adapt the length and intensity to the health condition of your furry friend.
How do I prepare my dog for walks together?
First of all, your dog should be in good physical condition. If he is only used to short walks, a long hike with your dog can be a challenge. To ensure that you both enjoy the adventure together, you first need to make sure your dog is in good physical condition.
Expert tip: Long, extended walks form the basis for this. Build these up steadily in terms of intensity and duration. You should also make sure that your four-legged friend has mastered dog basics.
Hiking with a dog can be a challenge or two. In order to master these, your dog must be able to be called off and walk behind you on adventurous sections of the route. If he sees himself as a scout and always wants to be the vanguard, this can quickly become a problem for both of you.
Even enthusiastic hunters and self-appointed drovers are not a real asset on dog hiking tours. It is therefore all the more important that your dog hears perfectly even in dangerous situations and is sure-footed. You can train this by walking off the beaten track with your dog during your preparation.
- Fallen tree trunks,
- Gratings and co. invite you to playful training.
The right equipment for hiking with a dog
Just like us humans, our dogs also need suitable equipment for the hike. Accordingly, you should pack your outdoor rucksack appropriately large. Because you need the following equipment for hiking with a dog:
Water and drinking bowl: A drinking bowl is essential so that your dog can meet its fluid requirements when out and about. Foldable bowls have proven particularly useful here. They can be folded up to save space and are particularly lightweight.
GPS trackers: They give every dog owner a good feeling. Especially those who want to explore hiking trails with dogs can play it safe with a tracking system. The tracker can be easily attached to the collar or harness.
You can see where your dog is at all times via a corresponding app. However, this is only possible if the tracker is switched on. So always make sure the battery is charged.
Tow lead: A tow lead and adjustable lead are also part of the basic equipment. The drag line gives your dog a large radius of movement. The lead line is particularly suitable for narrow and steep passages.
Dog harness: To be able to explore all hiking trails with dogs without any worries, your dog should wear a well-fitting dog harness. The leash can be safely attached to it without damaging the sensitive cervical spine. An attached handle has also proven its worth. You can easily hold your dog by it if necessary.
First aid kit: This kit for humans and animals is one of the most important items of basic equipment when hiking with a dog. In addition to bandages, ointments and medication against wasp stings, it should also include suitable dog shoes. This way, your dog can finish the tour pain-free in the event of a paw injury.
Treats: Of course, you can't do without them on a hiking trip with your dog. After all, the way to the heart is through the stomach and your furry friend deserves a reward for their great performance.
Emergency support system: When hiking with dogs, accidents or health problems can occur despite all precautions if the dog can no longer walk independently. An emergency carrying system can be the solution. This system, often referred to as a carrying aid for dogs, usually consists of a kind of sling or harness that is placed around the dog and enables the owner to carry the dog without injuring themselves or causing the dog any further pain.
Do you actually know the basic equipment for two-legged friends? We present them to you in our article "Ultralight outdoor equipment: packing list for a multi-day hike". Even if you decide to go on a day trip with your four-legged friend, you will find valuable tips and advice here.
Tips for hiking with a dog
To ensure that hiking with your dog in Germany and other countries is a highlight for both of you, you should consider a few things in advance. We have put together the following tips for you:
Choosing a suitable route
Be sure to adapt the route to your fitness level. The fun factor should always be at the forefront of dog walking tours. So make sure you choose a route that you can both manage without any problems. Pay attention to both the length and the specified altitude.
Plan sufficient breaks
Hiking with a dog should always be quality time together. This also includes
- comfortable breaks with sufficient time for regeneration,
- delicious snacks,
- Water
- and caresses.
The right weather for hiking with a dog
The weather plays a major role on dog walking tours. Avoid hot days at all costs. Even if you are mainly on shady hiking trails, high temperatures are extremely strenuous for your furry friend.
Unlike us humans, dogs can only sweat through their paw pads, which can easily lead to overheating and circulatory collapse in summer.
You should therefore prefer cool and moderate temperatures as a precaution. When hiking in the mountains with your dog, you should also give preference to dry weather. In the rain, stony passages can quickly become slippery and therefore dangerous for you and your four-legged friend.
The food supply when hiking
Food also plays an important role when hiking with a dog. If your dog is used to dry or wet food, pack it in sufficient quantities. When hiking in the mountains with your dog, remember that he has an increased energy requirement. To cover this, you can increase the amount for a short time during the hike.
If, on the other hand, you cook for your furry friend or barf, this can become a problem on the dog walk. But don't worry! There is so-called dry barf for these furs, which you can "activate" with a little water. This means that your dog doesn't have to go without his usual meals when you're out and about.
In this case, you should not switch to dry or wet food. As your dog may react with diarrhea and vomiting and this can be dangerous when hiking.
Alpine tip: You can transport water for your furry friend in our stainless steel drinking bottles. For cooked food or dry and wet food, our
Attention cows
One or two dangers can also lurk on hiking tours with dogs. One of these is free-roaming cows. If you have to cross a mountain pasture while hiking with your dog, keep your dog on a lead to be on the safe side. Cows can mutate into mother lions if they sense danger for their calves.
You should therefore avoid walking close to the cows. Young bulls can also be a danger to you and your dog. They often underestimate their strength and run unsuspectingly towards you out of sheer joy and curiosity.
Conclusion
If you pay attention to a few things in advance, hiking with your dog can be a milestone for your relationship. Exploring nature together is an important aspect of canine behavior and will bond you forever. Ideally, your dog will get to know you as a reliable and caring partner who can be relied on in all situations.
FAQ
Can you go hiking with any dog?
No. Not every dog is suitable for hiking. Older and chronically ill dogs in particular can quickly turn the tour into an ordeal. If your four-legged friend suffers from osteoarthritis or another degenerative joint disease, hiking with a dog is not the right thing for you. Dogs that prefer to relax comfortably on the couch and see walks as a necessary evil will also not have fun on a hiking tour together.
Puppies and particularly anxious dogs should rather go for normal walks. For all other dogs: you know your dog best. If he is keen to run and explore, there is nothing to stop you going on a dog walking tour together. However, you should definitely adapt this to the needs of your furry friend. Dogs with particularly short legs need different dog walking tours than larger breeds.
From what age can I go hiking with my dog?
Your dog should be at least 1.5 years old to go hiking with you. For puppies, on the other hand, long hikes are far too strenuous. In addition to a lack of fitness, the primary focus here is on protecting bones and joints. During the growth phase, these can suffer considerable damage on a short (and above all long) hiking trip.
It is not without reason that the rule of thumb is: 1 minute per week of life as a guideline for puppy walks. From puberty onwards, however, walks with dogs are possible at any time. The length and intensity should be adapted to the health condition of your furry friend.