Hiking with your dog 101
Hello!
My name is Nicolette (aka Ahsoka’s mom). We want to start out
by expressing how honored we are to guest post!
Summertime has been off to a rough start for most of us due to
COVID but that doesn’t mean our beloved fur babies have to
miss out on their summer hikes and zoomies. Here in
Minnesota, we don’t have gorgeous mountains to hike but we do
have some beautiful trails. Staying active during these times is
essential! It’s not only good for us hoomans but is also
necessary for the health and happiness of our four legged
friends.
The question is: how can you make the most of your
hikes?
Ahsoka is a high energy dog! Granted she is totally chill if mom
and dad just want to be couch potatoes all day! But she does
need lots of love and attention. That being so, exerting off-leash
hikes are her favorite. I wouldn’t consider myself at all athletic or
even that active outside of my cleaning business, but getting out
in nature is so refreshing for both of us. However, I’ve definitely
made some hiking no no’s! So let me share some of those with
you and help you avoid making the same mistakes.
1. First off you need to plan
accordingly. If you’re just taking a stroll around your
neighborhood you don’t need much aside from poop bags.
2. Water, water, WATER!
Bringing water is an absolute must! Sacrificing some bandanas and a couple
treats for water is the smarter move!
3.Keep your dog leashed at all times
4.Bring bug repellent
Our absolute favorite hiking spot so far is this park
out in the country. There is hardly anyone there since it involves
a decent amount of hiking. The goal of the hike? Get to the big
rock at the top! It’s called Split Rock, or at least the spray paint
on the side of it says so. The majority of the hike is shaded and
is so pretty. Halfway through, there’s a small waterfall that
the dogs like to play in and cool off .This is where I like to take some bandana modeling shots. Past the waterfall you hike switchback style trails till you get to the top!
Okay, let’s recap on basic tips. First, bring water! Never
underestimate the power of hydration. Second, don’t have
overly high expectations. Dogs will be dogs. Yes, training is
important but they aren’t humans, so they don’t think like we do.
Third, leash your pup when required or when necessary.
Fourth, staying calm, positive and realistic will make hikes more
enjoyable. Lastly, wear appropriate clothing and shoes for your
terrain. I didn’t mention this, but it’s so important. Wearing flip
flops to hike uphill in dirt and mud is not fun! Be sure to wear
pants if you’re walking through tall grassy fields and if you’re
anything like me, mosquitoes love to bless you with their evil
bites, so bug repellent is vital.
That about wraps it up. If you’ve gotten this far, thank you so
much! We so appreciate Patterned Paw-Prints, not only for this
opportunity, but also for their high quality products and stellar
customer service. We all hope your summertime walks and
hikes go off without a hitch!
