Safe Hiking Tips for You and Your Dog

Being an avid hiker and outdoorsman, as well as a big-time animal and dog lover, I will often venture out into the local mountains and spend the day hiking. More often than not, I will bring my dog Tawnie along with me, who enjoys hiking as much, or maybe more, than I do. In fact, we spent yesterday hiking in of my favorite places, and we both enjoyed ourselves immensely. My dog, however, enjoyed herself a little too much. By the end of the hike, she was a spent bullet; she had no energy left and looked, as Hank Williams used to sing, like she'd have to get better just to die! Part of her less-than stellar post-hike condition was just the result of a dog who had a great time romping through the forest, chasing squirrels and lizards, and running off to investigate every strange sound that emanated from within the forest. She must have expended twice the energy that I did with all of her off-trail exploits and trailblazing, but I couldn't help but feel that I was responsible for at least a portion of her finishing the hike looking like she had hiked twenty and not five miles. And, all of this got me thinking about things that I could have done differently on our hike; precautions and steps that I, and everybody else who loves to hike with their dog, should take while hiking with their beloved pet.

The biggest thing to remember is to bring enough water for you and your pet. Actually, the word "enough" might not be enough. The water needs of you and your pet can fluctuate greatly; the length of the hike, air temperature, humidity, and the load of your backpack can all be factors that can alter your "normal" water needs. On our hike yesterday, I erred in that I brought what I calculated to be enough water; on a normal day, the amount of water that I brought would have been more than enough. My water needs stay fairly constant, but those of my dog do not. I didn't anticipate my dog prancing through the forest and running up and down the sides of the mountain after every four-legged creature she saw or thought she saw. As a result of all of this extra-curricular activity, my dog's water needs were greatly increased. It seemed that every five minutes or so she was panting and gasping and in search of another bottle full of water. She drank two bottles for every one that I drank. I quickly realized my misjudgment and vowed never again to rely on past hikes as a way to gauge mine and my dogs expected water needs. I would recommend bringing along double the amount of water that you think you will need for your hike; just in case!

In addition to having more than enough water, it's wise to keep your dog leashed, especially if your dog is as curious as mine is. Now, most hiking areas have leash laws, and the hiking area where we were at was no different. However, being that the trail is a lighty-used and somewhat desolate trail, I, and many others, tend to give our dogs a liberal amount of off-leash time. While being great for your curious and rambunctious dog, it can cause problems for that same dog. I recall an episode in which I was hiking in the mountains with my dog, who was off-leash at the time. She ran off the trail in hot pursuit of a squirrel and chased it part way down the trail embankment. The problem was, her collar became entangled on a thicket of chaparral and she was stuck, howling and yelping, as I ventured thirty or so feet down the trail embankment to unhook her. And being that I was wearing shorts, my legs were covered in scratch marks and abrasions from having to navigate my way through all of that thorny, prickly, and dense chaparral. My dog was all-too happy to be rescued, but I wasn't too happy at the time. That little episode would have been prevented if my dog were leashed. Although it will greatly cut down on your dogs' excitement, it can prevent many little and not-so little mishaps that can befall an overly inquisitive pet.

In addition to preventing your dog from getting stranded in a tight spot, having your dog leashed will also keep your dog from other, more sinister, types of mischief. Depending on the time of year and where you are hiking, most wilderness and mountainous locations are full of various insects and wild animals. While the majority of these creatures are harmless, there is one creature in particular that every hiker should be wary of: the rattlesnake. Rattlesnakes are found in all areas of the country. For those of you that do a lot of hiking in the mountains or forest, you should take special precautions to avoid these beautiful but poisonous creatures. This is all the more prudent when hiking with your dog. Dogs, by nature, are inquisitive and curious animals, and they will often attempt to inspect, chase, or play with a strange animal or creature. Now, this type of behavior when done with certain animals such as rabbits and squirrels is not likely to result in any harm, but with rattlesnakes that is not the case. Most rattlesnakes tend to be docile and somewhat timid; they don't usually bite or attack unless they are provoked - which includes being startled and/or stepped on! As a hiker, it's extremely wise to avoid hiking in areas of tall grass and shrubs; if you can't clearly see the ground in which you are about to step, don't step there! If you are hiking in areas with a lot of dense underbrush and fallen tree branches and logs, keep your dog leashed and prevent it from sniffing and exploring around in that area. By keeping your dog leashed and close to you, you can greatly eliminate your dog venturing up to a rattlesnake nesting somewhere in the tall grass or shrubs.

In the warmer months, rattlesnakes are known to sun themselves on exposed rocky areas. If hiking in a rocky area, pay special attention to the rocks and boulders on either side of the trail; take special precaution not to place your hands or feet in places that you cannot clearly see. Also, depending on the heights of the rocks and boulders, don't forget to scan the area up around your head and upper body; rattlesnakes don't always stay at ground level, but will sometimes nest or sun themselves on higher areas. By using your eyes and being alert, you can assure that you and your dog have a safe hiking experience. A few small precautions and steps can go a long way in averting many inherent dangers of the outdoors!