How to Go Hiking With Your Dog

Dogs love walking in the mountains, full of new smells and areas they've never seen before. The same happens to us humans — who can resist a lovely outing into nature?

Going hiking with our dog can be a great idea, since we'll both enjoy the day in complete freedom. But… should we take some precautions? The answer is yes, without doubt.

Planning the Route With Our Dog

It matters to know a little about the area we're planning to hike through, since if it's rocky or has dangerous spots such as cliffs, it's best our dog doesn't come with us.

We should choose a route where both our dog and us can walk calmly along some dirt or grass path that poses no danger to our dog's paws.

The distance to cover and the route's duration are also key, since we need to make sure our dog can manage it without it being a problem for their health. Don't forget to check the weather either — if it's not raining and it's not excessively hot, perfect.

Not Every Breed Is Suited to It

Remember not every dog is suited to hiking — dogs with brachycephalic syndrome (those who breathe heavily and snore) don't cope well with too much exercise.

Small dogs aren't suited to very long routes, and neither are older dogs (from 8 years old), who also shouldn't be put through intense physical exercise.

Large dogs or ones with a lot of fur can suffer heatstroke if we make them cover long distances on a hot day. It matters a great deal to know your dog well and whether they'll be comfortable.

They'll follow us to the ends of the earth, even if it causes a health problem or even death, so think it through carefully and consider whether it's advisable for your dog to join you on the trek or not.

What Should I Bring?

Besides what we need for ourselves, we need to bring what our dog needs. Especially in case of an emergency such as a storm, excessive heat, or an injury.

First Aid Kit

You don't need to bring your grandmother's medicine cabinet… but it is advisable to bring some bandaging in case our dog gets hurt, and also some corticosteroid medication, in case a snake bites them or some other creature.

Water and Food

Remember we should NEVER let our dog exercise excessively before or after eating, since it could cause gastric torsion.

We need to bring a bit of food (ideally wet, tinned or pâté) and plenty of water, so they can drink whenever they need.

Raincoat

If the weather is unstable and there's a chance a storm could roll in, it matters to bring a raincoat for our dog. This way we can protect them from the rain and/or cold.

Vet Record

It's essential to bring all our dog's documentation, in case an emergency arises or a park ranger asks for it.

Can I Let My Dog Off the Lead While Hiking?

This depends a great deal on the country you live in and on your dog. In Spain, for example, it varies quite a bit — in regions such as Navarre, you can indeed take your dog off the lead in rural areas (paths/trails) as long as they stay within five metres of you.

Even so, if it's a dog classed as a Potentially Dangerous Breed, you can't let them off the lead. So it's best to use a good retractable lead that lets them move comfortably and wander a bit, but on the lead.

The best way to know whether you can let them off or not is to call your local police and simply ask them.

Tips for Hiking With Dogs

There are plenty of other things you should bear in mind before starting your route with your dog, some of them very important:

• If your dog is an escape artist, they could get lost while hiking, so nothing beats a GPS tracker to prevent this problem (it's small and attaches to their collar).
• If your dog isn't very sociable, don't let them off the lead even if you can. Plenty of other people go hiking too, many of them with family (small children), and nobody wants an accident…
• If our dog is unwell, we shouldn't bring them with us under any circumstances. We don't want them to get worse, and far less out in the middle of the mountains, away from civilisation.
• Protect your dog thoroughly against parasites such as ticks and fleas — nature is full of ticks that can end up on your dog. A good antiparasitic (repellent) is entirely mandatory.
• You can also bring boots for dogs, in case they accidentally cut a paw. Being prepared is the best solution for any unexpected situation.
• If night falls during your hike, you can bring a light for dogs (attaches to the collar) so you can always know where they are.
• If the dog shows signs of exhaustion, illness or other problems… turn around and go home. It's better to lose a day of hiking than your best friend — don't force them to do the route if they can't manage it.