Tips to Prepare Your Dog for a Hiking or Camping Trip
It is important to prepare your dog physically and mentally for any adventure. Here are three tips to prepare your dog for camping or hiking:
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Practice with small hikes before going on any major trips.
- It is important to build up your dog’s stamina and see how your dog does on the hike and if they are ready for more or not.
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Reinforce your dog’s obedience training.
- It is your job, as a dog owner, to always keep your dog with you and under control, both on- and off-leash. No matter how well-trained she usually is, the excitement of the new setting is likely to require a refresher course in obedience. Be sure to practice on hikes, make sure your dog remembers how to listen, sit, stay, heel, and come. Consider recall training with long leads or a whistle that can be heard up to 400 yards away.
- Not to be overly dramatic but this is critical, as it can be the difference between life and death for your pup.
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Introduce Equipment ahead of time and prepare your dog to set them up for success.
- There can be a lot of gear involved when it comes to camping or hiking. You do not want to overwhelm your pup by introducing several new things along with the already over stimulating environment of the surrounding nature. If you are camping, set the tent up in the back yard and get your pup used to being around and in it. The terrain of the great outdoors is not always friendly to our four-legged companion’s paws. The small practice hikes are also your opportunity to toughen up your dog’s paws or get her used to wearing those snazzy #wanderingmutt booties you bought for her. Consider trimming your dog’s nails to protect the floor surface of your tent or air mattress. If you are going to use hiking poles, desensitize your dog to them by bringing them on normal daily walks prior to your trip.
Happy Exploring!
