ALLPET.COM
With summer in full bloom, many pet owners want to get outside and
enjoy the sunshine with their canine companions! One of the many activities pet
lovers like to do with their pets is hiking and camping!
Here are a couple of answers to some frequently asked questions by
Trainer Stormi King Parish, who teaches at University Canine Learning Academy
in Seattle!
Question: In
conjunction with first-aid knowledge, what obvious and not-so-obvious
precautions should dog owners take when hiking and/or camping with their pet?
Answer: Be aware
of the rules involving pets at the campsite or on the trail and follow them. Always
keep your dog on a leash or a long line. Even the most well-trained and mellow
dog can wander off or be unable to resist the urge to chase a small running
rodent, and there's nothing more frightening than losing your dog in an
unfamiliar environment. Always have multiple forms of identification on your
dog, including tags with your address and phone number attached to the dog's
collar or harness. Make sure your dog is microchipped.
Question: Should
any special gear be considered?Answer: Equipment failure can and does happen, and when you're in the middle of the woods having a back-up plan can be a lifesaver. Always have a back-up flat collar and leash with you. If your dog wears a harness, have a caribeaner connecting the harness to the dog's collar for safety's sake.
Question: What kind of training should a dog have before taken out for, say, a wilderness hike?
Answer: The most important skill you can teach your dog, be it in the city or out for a hike, is a solid emergency recall. Equipment failure happens to even the best and most responsible of owners, and having a well-trained emergency recall can literally save your dog's life. Leash manners, including a relaxed heel and a leave-it cue, will allow you to politely pass by other hikers in close quarters.
Question: What should my hiking or camping kit include?
Answer: At minimum one extra collar and one extra leash. Food and water for your dog, and double the amount that you expect to need. If your dog is on any medication, bring the amount you will need for your trip plus extra. A blanket, towel or bed for your dog to rest on. And, of course, your first-aid kit for both the humans and dogs on your trip.
Do you have any additional tips from a hike or camping trip with
your pet? Let us know about your experience on our Facebook page linked HERE!
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