Difference between revisions of "Choose a Good Hiking Dog"
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== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Assessing Your Dog’s Traits === | === Assessing Your Dog’s Traits === | ||
| − | #Determine how trainable the dog is. Some breeds are more independent and hard to train than others. If you want your dog to be able to frolic off-leash, you'll need a dog with good recall (comes when called).<ref>http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/the-10-most-trainable-dog-breeds</ref> | + | #Determine how trainable the dog is. Some breeds are more independent and hard to train than others. If you want your dog to be able to frolic off-leash, you'll need a dog with good recall (comes when called).<ref name="rf1">http://www.vetstreet.com/our-pet-experts/the-10-most-trainable-dog-breeds</ref> |
#*If you do plan to let your dog off his leash, avoid dogs with a strong prey drive. The last thing you want is for your dog to run away after a squirrel, never to be seen again. | #*If you do plan to let your dog off his leash, avoid dogs with a strong prey drive. The last thing you want is for your dog to run away after a squirrel, never to be seen again. | ||
#*Herding, sporting, and retrieving dogs tend to stick close to their owners. | #*Herding, sporting, and retrieving dogs tend to stick close to their owners. | ||
#*If you plan on keeping your dog on a leash on all your hikes, trainability isn't as important. | #*If you plan on keeping your dog on a leash on all your hikes, trainability isn't as important. | ||
| − | #Consider the dog's fur versus your climate. If you're going to be doing a lot of cold-weather or rainy hiking, ideally you want a dog that will have a warm, waterproof coat (consider the Spitz breeds). If you'll be in the sun, a long-haired, dark dog might overheat easily.<ref>http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20841292,00.html</ref> | + | #Consider the dog's fur versus your climate. If you're going to be doing a lot of cold-weather or rainy hiking, ideally you want a dog that will have a warm, waterproof coat (consider the Spitz breeds). If you'll be in the sun, a long-haired, dark dog might overheat easily.<ref name="rf2">http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20841292,00.html</ref> |
#*If you know the breed of the dog, research what they were bred for. Dogs that were bred to work outdoors in an environment like yours will be the most comfortable. | #*If you know the breed of the dog, research what they were bred for. Dogs that were bred to work outdoors in an environment like yours will be the most comfortable. | ||
#*Your dog will get dirty on the trail. Be prepared to give a dog with a more generous coat baths more often, or favor a breed that is very fastidious about cleaning itself (e.g. Shiba Inu). | #*Your dog will get dirty on the trail. Be prepared to give a dog with a more generous coat baths more often, or favor a breed that is very fastidious about cleaning itself (e.g. Shiba Inu). | ||
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#*If you carpool often, remember that a bigger dog will be harder to squeeze into a vehicle full of hikers. | #*If you carpool often, remember that a bigger dog will be harder to squeeze into a vehicle full of hikers. | ||
#*If you need to cross a stream, will you let the dog cross on its own or will you need to carry it? | #*If you need to cross a stream, will you let the dog cross on its own or will you need to carry it? | ||
| − | #Get a dog that plays nicely with other dogs. If you come across other canine hikers, it'll make life easier for everyone if you have a dog that isn't aggressive toward other dogs (especially if some of your human hiking companions have dogs of their own).<ref>http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/how-to-hike-with-your-dog-tips-rules-and-great-gear</ref> | + | #Get a dog that plays nicely with other dogs. If you come across other canine hikers, it'll make life easier for everyone if you have a dog that isn't aggressive toward other dogs (especially if some of your human hiking companions have dogs of their own).<ref name="rf3">http://www.mnn.com/family/pets/stories/how-to-hike-with-your-dog-tips-rules-and-great-gear</ref> |
#*If you're getting a puppy, be sure to socialize it during that critical 8-12 week period. Introduce it to well-mannered dogs that are vaccinated. | #*If you're getting a puppy, be sure to socialize it during that critical 8-12 week period. Introduce it to well-mannered dogs that are vaccinated. | ||
#*If you're getting an older dog, make sure it already gets along with other dogs. | #*If you're getting an older dog, make sure it already gets along with other dogs. | ||
#*Know how to [[Break Up a Dog Fight|break up a dog fight]], just in case. | #*Know how to [[Break Up a Dog Fight|break up a dog fight]], just in case. | ||
=== Choosing the Right Breed === | === Choosing the Right Breed === | ||
| − | #Find a breed that is agile. If you're going to be on trails with steep drop-offs or rocky cliffs and your dog will be off-leash, it's better to have a dog that watches her step and has good balance than to get a dog that in her excitement might slip and fall. An agile dog will be an excellent companion for hiking because they’ll be able to navigate tricky paths and trails without much assistance from their owner. Some dogs that fall in this category include:<ref>https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Most-Athletic-Dog-Breeds-For-an-Active-Owner</ref> | + | #Find a breed that is agile. If you're going to be on trails with steep drop-offs or rocky cliffs and your dog will be off-leash, it's better to have a dog that watches her step and has good balance than to get a dog that in her excitement might slip and fall. An agile dog will be an excellent companion for hiking because they’ll be able to navigate tricky paths and trails without much assistance from their owner. Some dogs that fall in this category include:<ref name="rf4">https://pethelpful.com/dogs/Most-Athletic-Dog-Breeds-For-an-Active-Owner</ref> |
#*Weimaraner | #*Weimaraner | ||
#*Akita | #*Akita | ||
| − | #Choose an easily trainable dog. Dogs that are easy to train usually make excellent hiking companions because they can learn the trails and how you expect them to behave quickly. They will also usually interact well with other hikers and dogs. Some of these breeds include:<ref | + | #Choose an easily trainable dog. Dogs that are easy to train usually make excellent hiking companions because they can learn the trails and how you expect them to behave quickly. They will also usually interact well with other hikers and dogs. Some of these breeds include:<ref name="rf1" /> |
#*German Shepherd | #*German Shepherd | ||
#*Labrador Retriever | #*Labrador Retriever | ||
#*Norwegian Buhund | #*Norwegian Buhund | ||
| − | #Be cautious about certain breeds. Some dogs (like the Pitt Bull and Rottweiler) are prone to aggression unless trained very diligently. Others are difficult to train – like Huskies and Akitas. Be careful when choosing one of the following breeds as a hiking partner:<ref>http://www.trainpetdog.com/difficult-to-train-dogs.html</ref> | + | #Be cautious about certain breeds. Some dogs (like the Pitt Bull and Rottweiler) are prone to aggression unless trained very diligently. Others are difficult to train – like Huskies and Akitas. Be careful when choosing one of the following breeds as a hiking partner:<ref name="rf5">http://www.trainpetdog.com/difficult-to-train-dogs.html</ref> |
#*Pitt Bull | #*Pitt Bull | ||
#*Rottweiler | #*Rottweiler | ||
#*Shiba Inu | #*Shiba Inu | ||
#*Husky | #*Husky | ||
| − | #Look for a dog with good endurance. A greyhound or a whippet, for example, will probably not enjoy a {{convert|10|mi|adj=on}} hike because they are bred for sprinting, not endurance. Additionally, flat-faced breeds such as English Bulldogs will struggle to breathe on long hikes and in hot weather, and so generally shouldn't undertake endurance activities. Some breeds with high endurance include:<ref>http://trailrunnermag.com/training/trail-tips/1244-top-10-dog-breeds-for-trail-runners</ref> | + | #Look for a dog with good endurance. A greyhound or a whippet, for example, will probably not enjoy a {{convert|10|mi|adj=on}} hike because they are bred for sprinting, not endurance. Additionally, flat-faced breeds such as English Bulldogs will struggle to breathe on long hikes and in hot weather, and so generally shouldn't undertake endurance activities. Some breeds with high endurance include:<ref name="rf6">http://trailrunnermag.com/training/trail-tips/1244-top-10-dog-breeds-for-trail-runners</ref> |
#*German Shepherd | #*German Shepherd | ||
#*Chesapeake Bay Retriever | #*Chesapeake Bay Retriever | ||
=== Training Your Dog for Hiking === | === Training Your Dog for Hiking === | ||
| − | #Practice off-leash training. Many people think you should never let your dog off-leash, ever. However, many people do let their dogs off-leash. But if you're going to be one of those people, be prepared, smart, and safe about it. You need to spend some time training your dog to make sure it will behave properly when you let it off the leash.<ref>http://chasingdogtales.com/how-to-train-your-dog-to-walk-off-leash-a-hikers-guide/</ref> | + | #Practice off-leash training. Many people think you should never let your dog off-leash, ever. However, many people do let their dogs off-leash. But if you're going to be one of those people, be prepared, smart, and safe about it. You need to spend some time training your dog to make sure it will behave properly when you let it off the leash.<ref name="rf7">http://chasingdogtales.com/how-to-train-your-dog-to-walk-off-leash-a-hikers-guide/</ref> |
#*To get your dog ready for off-leash hiking, you’ll need to work with it walking and hiking on the leash first. Encourage your dog not to pull or try to get ahead of the group and reward it with praise and treats when it acts the way you want it to. | #*To get your dog ready for off-leash hiking, you’ll need to work with it walking and hiking on the leash first. Encourage your dog not to pull or try to get ahead of the group and reward it with praise and treats when it acts the way you want it to. | ||
#*Over time, you can switch to an extendable leash, but don’t allow the dog to walk past a certain point. When your dog gets to the point that it can stay with you and leave some slack in the leash, try off-leash walking. | #*Over time, you can switch to an extendable leash, but don’t allow the dog to walk past a certain point. When your dog gets to the point that it can stay with you and leave some slack in the leash, try off-leash walking. | ||
| − | #Use a pack. Train your dog to carry its own supplies by outfitting it with a small pack it can wear on its back. Let the dog wear the empty pack for a while to get used to how it moves and feels on their body first.<ref>http://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginner/the-manual-take-your-dog-hiking/</ref> | + | #Use a pack. Train your dog to carry its own supplies by outfitting it with a small pack it can wear on its back. Let the dog wear the empty pack for a while to get used to how it moves and feels on their body first.<ref name="rf8">http://www.backpacker.com/skills/beginner/the-manual-take-your-dog-hiking/</ref> |
#*Once your dog has become accustomed to wearing the pack, add some supplies to it. But make sure it isn’t so heavy that it’ll overload your dog and wear it out. | #*Once your dog has become accustomed to wearing the pack, add some supplies to it. But make sure it isn’t so heavy that it’ll overload your dog and wear it out. | ||
#*You can put water, a packable container for water, dog food, packable food dish, treats, medication, dog leash, and any other supplies your dog may need in its pack. | #*You can put water, a packable container for water, dog food, packable food dish, treats, medication, dog leash, and any other supplies your dog may need in its pack. | ||
#Consult your veterinarian. Before taking your dog out on its first hike, make sure to discuss the outing with your vet. You’ll need to make sure that your dog has all of the appropriate vaccinations (especially for rabies) before you take it out into the wild. | #Consult your veterinarian. Before taking your dog out on its first hike, make sure to discuss the outing with your vet. You’ll need to make sure that your dog has all of the appropriate vaccinations (especially for rabies) before you take it out into the wild. | ||
#*Your vet will also be able to talk to you about any possible physical limitations your specific dog may have or any other health-related problems that may affect your pet’s ability to go on hikes with you. | #*Your vet will also be able to talk to you about any possible physical limitations your specific dog may have or any other health-related problems that may affect your pet’s ability to go on hikes with you. | ||
| − | #Start slowly. Let your dog ease into the hiking lifestyle. Take your pet on a short, easy hike for the first few times so it can adjust to the new experience and how you expect it to behave.<ref>http://gizmodo.com/how-to-take-your-dog-camping-1575730467</ref> | + | #Start slowly. Let your dog ease into the hiking lifestyle. Take your pet on a short, easy hike for the first few times so it can adjust to the new experience and how you expect it to behave.<ref name="rf9">http://gizmodo.com/how-to-take-your-dog-camping-1575730467</ref> |
#*After a while, you can work your way up to longer, more difficult hikes. You might even want to try an overnight camping trip after your dog has shown you it can handle normal hikes. | #*After a while, you can work your way up to longer, more difficult hikes. You might even want to try an overnight camping trip after your dog has shown you it can handle normal hikes. | ||
#*Remember, a dog that is harder to train may need more practice runs before it can go hiking with you the way you want it to. This may include longer time hiking with a leash or shorter overall hikes than you would prefer. Be patient and don’t rush the process. | #*Remember, a dog that is harder to train may need more practice runs before it can go hiking with you the way you want it to. This may include longer time hiking with a leash or shorter overall hikes than you would prefer. Be patient and don’t rush the process. | ||
#Stay safe on the trail. Only bring your dog on trails that are appropriate for your dog’s levels of physical strength and endurance. Don’t push your dog too hard or you may risk your dog injuring itself. | #Stay safe on the trail. Only bring your dog on trails that are appropriate for your dog’s levels of physical strength and endurance. Don’t push your dog too hard or you may risk your dog injuring itself. | ||
| − | #*Bring a first aid kit with you on the hike that includes bandages, an antiseptic for wound care, tweezers to remove ticks, and a liquid bandage for paw pad wounds.<ref | + | #*Bring a first aid kit with you on the hike that includes bandages, an antiseptic for wound care, tweezers to remove ticks, and a liquid bandage for paw pad wounds.<ref name="rf8" /> |
| − | #*Be sure to check ahead of time about the rules regarding pets in the area you are planning to hike. Many national parks do not allow dogs at all or require that your dog remain on its leash at all times.<ref>https://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/trail-dogma-national-state-and-amc-rules-for-hiking-with-dogs/</ref> | + | #*Be sure to check ahead of time about the rules regarding pets in the area you are planning to hike. Many national parks do not allow dogs at all or require that your dog remain on its leash at all times.<ref name="rf10">https://www.outdoors.org/articles/amc-outdoors/trail-dogma-national-state-and-amc-rules-for-hiking-with-dogs/</ref> |
== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
*Make sure that your dog is not aggressive. If your dog doesn't like other dogs, leave him at home. | *Make sure that your dog is not aggressive. If your dog doesn't like other dogs, leave him at home. | ||
