Tips on How to Care for Your Adventure Dog

Hiking with your dog no matter the season is always a great way to keep your pup healthy. It’s effective at letting them release some pent-up energy too. However, if you are going to make hiking a regular thing with your canine buddy, there are certain things you want to do to make the most of the experience. You want it to be a fun, pleasant, and most of all, safe experience for your pup. As such, here are some things you should consider to properly care for your adventure dog.

1. Choose the right trail and make sure your dog is up for it

Don’t just assume that your dog is up for anything. Hiking is fun but it does involve a lot of exertion. Whether it’s scrambling up rugged terrains or jumping over fallen logs, it is important to ensure that your dog can do so.

While some dog breeds may find all these activities a breeze, some may not be built for grueling exertion, especially on hot days or intense, long-distance hikes. In particular, canines with short muzzles are most likely to suffer from heat stroke. So, if you’ve not hiked with your dog before, the best thing to do is to get them used to it first. Start small, increasing the distance every time. Also, to ensure that their feet are protected, have them wear doggie booties and make sure they’re used to them before attempting your first proper hike together.

When deciding on a trail, always check online resources to gather as much info ration about it. Check with rangers in the area too, as they will be able to offer you advice on hiking situations in your trail of choice. This way, you are better prepared against the elements whether it’s heat or rain, or snow that you are likely to encounter during the hike.  

2. Make sure your pup is prepped for camping

Another way to care for your adventure dog when camping overnight is to make sure his claws are trimmed. Often, people forget about this only to be mortified at the sight of their damaged tent floor. Dog’s claws can be quite sharp and could dig into the material. So, to prevent any damage, give him a trim ahead of time.

You want your dog to stay comfy and cozy the whole time. So, make sure you bring along something soft for him to snuggle with. Packable pads are a great idea as they’re great for insulation. For weather conditions that are expected to be significantly cold, a dog sleeping bag and a fleece blanket are always a lifesaver.

3. Maintain a healthy diet for your pup

Part of keeping your dog in top trail conditions means keeping them healthy and feeding them a balanced diet. It’s quite common for some dog owners to just rely solely on dry dog food for their pup’s nutrition. While it’s been marketed as an all-around dietary solution, it’s important to remember that different dogs have different nutritional requirements— something that dry kibbles may not meet.

It wouldn’t hurt to create an individual diet plan for your dog. Certain brands will allow you to customize your pup’s food taking into account their nutritional needs based on their weight, age, and the types of activities they do. Just like you, your dog will need protein, calories, and enough fat to sustain his energy when hiking on trails. So, make sure that you bring along healthy snacks as treats along the way. Sliced raw veggies and fruits including carrots, celery, and apples are good options.

When taking your pup on camping trips, always have an insulated bottle to store you’re his food in. This ensures that they will stay fresh the entire time. If you want to create a mini fridge, free the open bottle all night before packing it. Before serving any food, make sure that’s cold to the touch so you know it isn’t spoiled.

4. Don’t forget about hydration

Keeping your pup hydrated is one of the most crucial ways you can care for your adventure dog. While it’s common for some dogs to just lap up untreated water they find on the trail, it is still safest to bring extra tap water with you. This is especially true if you do not have the luxury of time to boil or filter the water you find on the trail.

Just like people, dogs are not immune to waterborne illnesses. To prevent this, make sure to bring along a collapsible and make regular stops for water breaks. If tackling a steep trail or if it is a particularly hot day, breaks every 30 minutes or so would be ideal. Also, pay attention to how your dog is breathing during these breaks. Try to do more frequent stops if you feel that it is taking them longer to recover from all that exertion.

If you have a rather large pup and you don’t think it is possible to carry enough fresh water for both of you, look into dog backpacks that your pup can carry himself. This can also be used to hold their food as fresh dog food will also help keep them hydrated throughout the journey. Be sure to weigh your pup’s backpack before setting off, however. Remember that dogs are only meant to carry no more than a quarter of their weight to avoid overburdening them.

5. Pay attention to hiking regulations

Follow any leash law to the tee. You might have the best-trained dog out there, but you can never really control how wildlife. There’s no predicting how other hikers will respond as well, especially when both get caught by surprise. Not everybody is alright with getting approached by a dog on the trail, no matter how friendly or well-behaved the pup is.

Abiding by restrictions and regulations when hiking with dogs is not only to ensure that your pup is protected the whole time but it is also meant to protect others as well. An ideal leash choice would be 6 feet in length. Go for a harness type instead of a collar as this will help prevent straining your dog’s neck. Anything longer and there’s a risk he might get tangled in the bushes on the trail.

6. Clean up afterward

Always pick up dog waste and pack it out with you. Depending on local regulations, you may bury it. Just make sure that it is 200 feet away from any water sources and trails and that it’s no less than 8 inches deep. Dog waste left to decompose can pose an environmental hazard and it can also contaminate water sources. It can also impact other people’s hiking experience.

When packing out the waste, you can have a dedicated canister to store your waste bags on. This will help keep odors minimal. You can also use well-sealed waste bags ad hen have them tucked into your pup’s backpack to be disposed of when you get home.

7. keep your dog active off the trail

When it comes to exercise, long hikes in the countryside shouldn’t be your sole focus. There are so many ways you can keep your pup fit and active even when off the trails. For instance, you can keep him engaged with long walks in your neighborhood. Take him to the park for some games as well. 

At the same time, ensure that he is fed a balanced diet, so you know that he stays in good shape every time you go on one of your hiking excursions. Your vet plays a crucial role in how to effectively care for your adventure dog, so he stays in his best shape no matter the type of adventure you decide to take him along.