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Hiking With Your Lab
By Laura Barmore
Ever meet a Lab that didn’t like to hike and explore? Even
as puppies they love taking off to investigate their surroundings. With their
keen sense of hearing and smell, your Lab can make a great hiking companion. Almost
any dog that is in good health and well trained to obey basic commands can
become a wonderful hiking and camping canine compadre.
Conditioning Your Lab
Just like any other physical activity, you will want to
prepare yourself and your Lab for a hiking trek. If your Lab isn’t accustomed
to strenuous exercise, it’s important to start out slowly. Begin a training
schedule that may consist of walking your dog around the neighborhood and gradually
increasing the distance as you and your Lab become conditioned. Find a route
that provides changes in terrain to help stretch muscles which may not have
been used regularly. A log book can help to keep track of the distance,
weather, trail conditions and your Lab’s conditioning.
Hiking Basics
A collar with identification tags is a must. Be sure
your Lab is wearing all of his identifying information, including your name and
phone number in the event you are separated. Use a leash. Most hiking areas require that dogs be
leashed. Even where not required, many hikers find it helpful leashing their
dogs to keep them from running off in pursuit of wildlife. Carrying a spare
collar and leash in your pack can be very useful in case of breakage. Remember a first aid kit for yourself and Fido. You can
purchase a small ready made kit that will fit into your pack or put together
basic supplies such as: alcohol wipes, antibiotic cream, tweezers, eye wash,
gauze, adhesive tape, bandages or sock, a disposable razor for shaving the fur
from around a wound and your vet’s phone number. Pack extra water. Dogs can’t cool off by perspiring
like we do. Clean drinking water is essential for you and your Lab. A rule of
thumb is to carry 8 ounces of water for every hour of hiking. Never let your Lab drink from streams or
ponds on the trail which may contain giardia or dangerous bacteria. Pay
attention to your Lab’s condition and guard against heatstroke. Bring along plastic bags to pick up after your dog or
bury your dog’s scat away from the trail and topical water sources. Dog booties can be an asset, especially for rough terrain
or the occasional dog hiker whose paw pads have not become toughened. Many
trails unfortunately have broken glass on them and in winter time, dog booties
can keep ice balls from forming between your dog’s toes. Make a habit of checking your dog at the end of each
hike for any slight injuries to the pads of their feet, eyes and for ticks.
Backpacking Basics
Dogs can carry a good deal of weight on their backs, which can be helpful trekking across country. Consider your Lab's age and body weight to determine how much they can carry. A healthy, well-conditioned Lab can comfortably carry 25% to 33% of its body weight. However, young or aged dogs may only be able to carry between 10 to 15 percent of their body weight. If your Lab has any back problems or dysplasia, he should not wear a dog pack.
To select an appropriate dog pack, measure your Lab’s
girth around the rib cage to determine the best pack size. Dog packs are
usually sized from small to large, with weight specifications so it is
important to know your Lab’s weight before going to purchase the pack. A dog pack should fit securely without hindering the
dog’s ability to walk normally. Get a pack which places the weight over your
dog’s shoulders as the shoulders are built to carry weight, not the spine.
Prioritize comfort and weight as your primary considerations when selecting a
dog pack. You will want to be sure to have a non-restrictive
harness on your pack. (Non-restrictive means that the dog’s shoulder movement
is not impeded by any kind of horizontal strap across the front.) Whether you
want padding or not will depend on the weight and the amount of pulling your
dog will do. Some packs are padded under the saddlebags, and some are padded around
the neck and chest areas of the harness. Packs should be made from a lightweight, water-proof
material, with adjustable nylon web straps and quick-release buckles for ease
in getting on and off. A high visibility color, like orange, red or royal blue
will help you spot your dog from a distance. When you start having your dog carry his pack, start
with an empty pack and add weight gradually with each trip. Fill the pack with
treats and reward your dog for his effort from his stash. Soon your Lab will associate
the dog pack with an outdoor adventure and will eagerly look forward to wearing
it. Don’t put anything in a dog pack that can break. Dogs
will bang the pack on rocks and trees as they wiggle through tight spots in the
trail. Low density items such as food and poop bags are good choices. Dogs like to lie down in creeks and other wet spots so
seal items in plastic bags. Bring an extra towel for your Lab since he may get
muddy or roll in something foul. It is easy for a pack to shift position if your dog has
to maneuver through brush and rocks, so check your dog’s pack position
regularly.
Camping Basics
Camping outside under the stars can be one of the best
places to spend time with your Lab. If you are thinking about taking your Lab
camping, here are a few more tips that may make camping with your Lab a bit
more enjoyable.
Some campgrounds don’t allow dogs. Call ahead to your
intended destination and find out what the rules are before you make plans to
bring your Lab. Remember that other campers want to enjoy the peace and
quiet of an out-of-the-way campground, so leave the persistent barker at home
with a friend or pet sitter. Obtain the phone number of a vet in the area where you
will be staying for unexpected situations and bring any medications and a copy
of your Lab’s prescriptions. If you intend to drive into the campground and have
short day hikes you can bring more items with you. Don’t forget to pack plenty of water from
home for your Lab. Bring their regular food bowls, food, treats and
toys. Try to keep them on their regular feeding schedule and
remove any leftover food after your dog eats. This food could attract unwanted
insects or wildlife. Try to get a site with some shade for your Lab and give
them time to adjust to their new surroundings. Never leave your dog outside unattended. Pack a lightweight portable crate and pad for those
chilly nights if your Lab won’t be sharing your tent. Be aware of how weather conditions affect your Lab—heat,
cold, rain etc. Give them time to rest.
Trail Etiquette Basics
Every time you hike with your Lab on the trail you are an
ambassador for all dog owners. Some people you meet won’t agree with your right
to take your Lab with you on the trail, but be friendly to all and leave the
best impression of you and your Lab by practicing good trail etiquette basics.
Make sure your Lab is obedience trained in the basics
and understands voice commands. Hike only where dogs are allowed. Stay on the trail. Step off the trail and wait while other hikers or
horses pass. Do not leave your dog’s scat on the trail. If you
haven’t brought plastic bags, bury it away from the trail or topical water
sources. Do not allow your dog to bark –other hikers are
enjoying the trail for serenity. Pack out everything you pack in and if necessary, pack
out the trash left by inconsiderate visitors before you. A good use for dog
packs on day hikes is trail maintenance. Enjoy the hike as much as your Lab does.
A
Quick Primer for Hiking with Dogs on Federal Lands
Article
written by: Doug Gelbert
Author of “The Canine Hikers Bible”
National Parks
As a general rule, dogs in national parks are welcome to go "anywhere a
car can go." This means your dog can hike along roadways and walk around
parking lots. In most parks dogs can also go in picnic areas and stay in
campgrounds. Occasionally dogs will be permitted on short trails around a
Visitor Center or a campground.
National Monuments
These parks are a notch below in national parks in terms of prestige and are a
mixed bag for active dog owners. Some, like Dinosaur National Monument or White
Sands National Monument, allow dogs on most trails while others, Devil's Tower
or Cedar Breaks for instance, ban canine hikers from all trails.
National Forests
National forests, under the stewardship of the Department of Agriculture and
not the Department of the Interior like national parks, offer the meatiest
hiking opportunities for dog owners. Dogs are permitted on most national forest
trails, although access can sometimes be remote. Many times national forest
lands surround national parks so you can get your dog on a trail after being
cooped up there.
National Grasslands
These parks are cousins of national forests and you can expect to have your dog
accompany you on your hike. Hiking opportunities are limited, however, as there
typically aren't many trails in a national grassland.
National Recreation Areas
As the name implies, these lands are managed to maximize public use - for
humans and dogs. Many trails in national recreation areas are open to off-road
vehicles, mountains bikes, and horses. These types of trails will invariably be
open to dogs as well. You can expect to find good canine hikes in almost any
national recreation area.
National Seashores and Lakeshores
Dogs are seldom allowed on trails at a national seashore but happily most (the
southeastern national seashores are an exception) allow dogs on the beach
year-round. National lakeshores are good bets for canine hikers as dogs are
allowed on many trails in these parks along the Great Lakes.
National Historical Parks
These parks are hidden gems for canine hikers. There are few bans on dogs in
national historical parks. In addition to learning a thing or two about
American history, these parks often feature interesting hiking: the rolling
hills of eastern Pennsylvania in Valley Forge Historical Park, the mountains of
Harpers Ferry Historical Park, the wild Potomac River of the Chesapeake &
Ohio National Historical Park to name a few.
Trails
End:
For those avid outdoor people who love to hike and
explore the beauty of God’s creation with their Labs, check out www.hikewithyourdog.com/besthikes.html
for more information on great hiking places through United States and the
British Columbia.
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