Dog Trails

Tips on Finding the Best Dog Trails

Looking for new places you can take your canine buddy for new adventures? New in town with a dog needing some trail time but have no idea where to head to? Finding safe dog trails can be challenging. It’s not all about just finding the right terrains where water access or shade is available. It’s also about abiding by local dog rules and leash regulations.  

Not to worry, however, we’ve got you covered! Whether it’s in your neck of the woods, a new town, or wherever it is you’re headed, we’ve got some tips on finding ideal dog trails that are as fun as they are safe. If you’re all set, get your pup and leash ready, and let’s go!

Identifying dog-friendly trails

Knowing what constitutes the ideal dog trails is the most important thing. Here are some of the important things that we’ll cover along the way:

• Trails that allow dogs
• How to navigate areas on or off leash
• Assessing a terrain through a dog’s eyes

Finding trails where dogs are allowed

Step 1. Identify trails where dogs are welcome

With the available technology nowadays, this is not hard to do. Apps like AllTrails are particularly helpful in filtering which trails around your location are “friendly” to dogs. Another useful app for outdoor-loving humans and canines is BringFido. If you want to get a good idea of how good or not certain dog trails are, just dive straight into their user reviews.

There are a ton of local resources that will help make it easier for you to gather some intel too. Your vet is always a reliable resource in terms of things you should be wary of when out and about with your canine buddy. This includes avoiding ticks or algae growth to watch out for especially when trekking near water sources.

Park rangers can be a big help too! They can provide you with more details about a particular dog-friendly trail. In addition, they can also offer you advice on its present conditions and how it might impact your experience.

Lastly, check with your friends and family. Furdads and furmoms within your circle who also love taking their dogs hiking are often some of the best sources of advice. You can even join them on one of their treks for more fun!

Are dogs allowed in national parks?

If you plan on taking your dog hiking in national parks, your options may be limited. This is because these places may only allow dogs to hike on specific trails within their grounds. It doesn’t hurt to do some research ahead of time to find out which areas of the park welcome dogs to avoid unnecessary inconvenience and disappointment.

Leash on or off?

Once you’ve identified dog trails where you can take your canine friend, the next thing you’ll want to know is whether dogs need to have their leash on when hiking there or if letting them about off-leash is alright. Our best advice? Always check the regulations before heading out.

In some cases, it’s not just about simply being off leash or on leash. Certain trails will require canines to be on a leash when out and about during certain seasons or times of the year. Just to be safe, make sure to review the guidelines set by dog trails and it wouldn’t hurt to bring along a leash just in case it is needed.

More than the guidelines, however, consider the overall welfare of your dog. Is it a good idea to let him roam free in off-leash dog trails where he gets to interact with other dogs and other people? Are you confident that they are well-trained enough to return to you when called? If you have an easily excitable pup, keeping him on a leash while hiking is ideal. At the end of the day, you know your dog best and what’s best for him.

What terrains are considered dog-friendly?

Different dogs have different tolerance for different terrains. Younger dogs tend to have higher energy levels and hence, should be able to tackle elevations effortlessly. Senior dogs, however, may prefer flatter paths.

If your pet tends to do a bit of thorough investigation on hikes, you’ll want to avoid steep trails. Terrains with abrupt downward slopes are not ideal as well.

Avoid trails where scrambling is required. Stay away from rocky terrains where the use of your hand or both is required to keep yourself steady. If you have to scramble, your dog will need to as well. However, if you have a canine that you think will do well with such a challenge, make sure to invest in a harness with a handle. This makes it easier to lift and assist them where necessary.  

If you plan to go on a hike on an especially hot day, make sure that the dog trail has access to water and plenty of shades for cover. Just like you, your dog will also want to be able to cool off along the way. If you expect to go on a longer hike, then packing some dog boots is always handy. You want to make sure that your canine’s paws are protected from rocky, hot, rugged, and snow-covered dog trails.   

Know the trail well beforehand

No two trail is the same. Different dog trails can significantly every dog’s hiking experience.

Trails known for being out-and-back have the same location as their start and end. It could be a single trail or multiple trails which, once you reach a turning point, you’ll need to head back where you came from. This is ideal for dogs that are comfortable with other hikers and dogs passing by.

For dogs that prefer slower traffic with more space, loop trails may be a better option. While these trails have the same start and end point, hikers will be walking in a loop. This means that they will not repeat any part of the trail.

Encounters with the wildlife

Always have a good idea of potential wildlife that you might encounter while on a hike with your dog. For high-traffic areas, the best thing to do is to keep your dog on a leash. This does not only ensure that he will not run off by accident. But this is also a way of respecting the other animals that call these trails their home.

Pay attention to weather conditions

If you’re hiking in an area for the first time, always research the weather patterns ahead of time. pay attention too, to the weather forecast on the day of the hike. You cannot always expect the weather conditions when you started the hike to be the same when you end it. This is where park rangers can be such a big help. They can offer advice on potential weather changes on particular dog trails to ensure that you will come in prepared.

Dog cues to watch out for

During the hike, pay extra attention to the cues your pup is exhibiting. Are they trotting, using their snouts to sniff around with ears perked up? Are they falling behind, moving a bit sluggish, and seem to be looking for a spot to lie down? Always be aware of how your dog is acting so you’ll know exactly how to respond.  

These excursions are always great opportunities to discover new spots that your canine buddy will love. It is also an opportunity to learn if there are certain parts of the trail you're better off not coming back to again. Regardless, this is a good chance to view these dog trails from your dog's perspective, so the next time you’re both up for some outdoor adventure, you’ll know where to head to.