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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Hiking With Dogs | The Joys and Perils Of Dog Hiking

We're so lucky that our M loves hiking with dogs. She knows it's a great way for all of us to stay fit while having a ball, utilizing out senses and getting stimulated by our surroundings. Before Linguini's latest bout with dog tumors, we used to go on hour-long hikes at least a couple of times a week. You see, M does not like to leash walk the three of us around the neighborhood. She didn't enjoy it. About a year ago, when Linguini was attacked by two neighbor dogs, we stopped our local walks all together. I know the attack was traumatic on Linguini, but since she wasn't physically hurt, I'd like to thank her for the outcome. We now mostly get to hike off leash regularly.

We love out dog hiking the most when there's water involved
We love to get muddy, dig in the mud, drink fresh water, and swim

We particularly love hiking with dogs that are our furiends
These are Linguini's hike buddies, Hank and Sue, the rhodesian ridgeback duo

Even a tea cup chihuahua like myself can benefit from the unstructured exercise and explorations

Of course, when out in the wild, one must always keep an eye out for predators

Check out the chiweenie legs on the left
She's bucking in view of this gigantic track

If you're a pup that likes dog hiking, find an alternate method of transportation for when you tiny legs give out

Always stick with your pack
otherwise you may feel lost

Hiking with dogs is safer when done in large numbers
This way you get assistance in case you get stuck

Beware of raging rapids, especially if you're tiny

When you're not hiking around water, make sure to have your biped bring some for you
Bipeds can last for a couple of days without it, so don't feel guilty if you want the last drop, besides, haven't you learned anything from my dog training tips yet?

Hiking with dogs is pure fun and joy if you're careful
I love to hike and I can't wait for my sissy to get better so we can go again.

Of course, before setting out for your first hike you need to be in good physical condition. During your hike, get frequent rests and water breaks, hike when the local predators are not in hunt mode and rattle snakes are in hiding. Behave when off leash and listen to your human pack leader. Always wear your tags, have your vaccinations up to date, your flea meds in place, proper sun protection for those who need it, and ideally hike with a person who is knowledgeable in canine first aid cautions and procedures. Your local Humane Society most likely offers courses in dog hiking safety and there is even a rattlesnake vaccine available. 

This post got me all excited. I can't wait for our next hike! 
Twinkie



35 comments:

♥♥ The OP Pack ♥♥ said...

Another great training leson,Twink. And how we love that third pic of you - it is awesome!!! But please do be careful in those raging rapids, we can't have you getting hurt now.

We want to go on a hike too. C'mon, Momster, let's go.

Woos - Phantom, Thunder, and Ciara

JacksDad said...

I love these pictures. I feel like I'm out on the trail with you!

Remington said...

Great pics! What a neat adventure!

the magic sleigh said...

Wooos Twinkie! I love to go hiking too, but sadly am never allowed off leash, something about a bad recall... whatever, I did not know about the rattlesnake vaccine, I will have my Mum look into it.
Happy Hiking!
~husky kisses~
-Kira The BeaWootiful

Two French Bulldogs said...

Wow guys what cool pictures. Always stay with your pack so no crazy animals get you. Lily is sacared sometimes too because a big dog ran up to her twice and she screamed. Thank goodness it didn't attack cause momma would be in jail..BOL
Benny & Lily

Deborah said...

These are good tips. Your hiking trail is beautiful! Rattle Snakes, OH MY! We don't have any of them in New England!
xxoo
Deborah

rottrover said...

Twinkie, there is no one more photogenic than you!
Ruby, Gizmo and Bart (furends of Mabel Lou's)

Sagira said...

Again, lots of great info Twinkie!

I don't blame you guys for liking to take off leash walks better, that has to be way more fun and you get to see a lot more things that way for sure.

My dad uses a D70, so we understand the LCD comment. Dad is actually looking into switching over to Canon. AHHHH! Shh...don't tell anyone though.

Anonymous said...

Oh! I luvs going for hikes off leash! There's a trail near our house where we go every day and dad lets us run around off leash as long as there's nobuddy else close by. It is just the BEST! I'm usually really good off leash but mom and dad took me and Brudder Ranger to the MOUNTAINS last year and well, I kinda lost my mind in all that beautifulness so they had to puts me back on a leash. Oh well. It was still fun.

Sorry about Linguini getting attacked by that other dog but it kinda worked out pretty good in the long run, huh?

Wiggles & Wags,
Mayzie

houndstooth said...

We love going for hikes, but we always have to do ours on leash. Getting out to stretch our legs and enjoy nature is great fun, though!

Bunny

Lola and also Franklin, too said...

I think you're brave and intrepid to go adventuring like that, Twinkie. It does look like fun, too.

wags, Lola

Frankie Furter and Ernie said...

Twinkie, my furend... you give the bestest advice ever. And your visual aids are astounding. I had to sit and study the pictures carefully so that I could take in every tiny aspect.
I was soooo scared when you were stuck on that boulder in the raging rapids. WHEWWWWW!!!
I am exhausted just seeing and reading about your most excellent hike, not to mention all of the wonder advice.

THANK YOU !!!!!

Hank said...

Twink, honey! I love all the pitchers - 'specially the one o' you in the rapids! I love an outdoorsy gal I tell ya what!

Thanks fer the tips, honey. Like I always say "Safety first!".

Pee S from mom: Hank does not say "safety first". He says "food first".

Pat Wahler said...

You get to hike in some very cool places.

I sure do hope Linguini feels better soon. I'm sure she's also really missing hiking!

Pat
www.critteralley.blogspot.com

the booker man said...

aren't hikies the bestest? you are lucky duckies for getting to go off leash, too!! me and asa aren't allowed to be off leash unless we're inside a fence. anywho, those are grrreat pictures! :)
*woof*
the booker man

Golden Samantha said...

Woo Hoo Twinkie! About to make a post about today's hike too! Yes! We like hikes so much that we started drooling looking at your pictures! Great tips and super photos too! Thanks for the terrific share!
Hugs xo
Sammie

kks said...

what a beautiful place to hike! my dogs are very jealous! such wonderful pictures of dogs enjoying life!
xoxo

CreekHiker / HollysFolly said...

I love the pictures!!! Great tips!

Anonymous said...

Bipeds! This is classic! Love your blog Twinkie! Be careful out there, that was a hefty paw print!

NAK and The Residents of The Khottage Now With KhattleDog! said...

Thanks fur the pawesome tips and inkhredible pikhs from your hike!

Hiking off leash will have to be khonfined to my dreams!

Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra

Sonic said...

Twink you're pretty brave to attempt those raging waters! And that last photo was just so well taken!

BTW Linguini kinda blends in with the background in the first pic. Camouflage!

Sonic

Ina in Alaska said...

You have some great opportunities to hike in gorgeous places off leash. We have places like yours to hike but we live with an over-controlling worry-wart mommy who is afraid to let any of us off leash except for Toby. He would never run far. Halle has not been on too many walks in her many years. She walks every day now with us. And Jeter and Ginger must stay on leash especially since Ginger has a tendency to,shall we say, find trouble ..... xoxox

Two Pitties in the City said...

What a fun hike! I wish we had places like that out here. Linguine almost looks like camouflage in that first picture.

Life With Dogs said...

I wish I had read this just before we got another foot of snow!

Smushie Ranch said...

Great post Twink! We have a strong feeling that no one will mess with Linguini or you for that matter with those Ridgebacks by your side.

Careful navigating those raging waters girlfriend!

Stella, Gunther and Betty

Kate said...

Wow!

A paw hole that big could swallow up a whole chiweenie!!!!!

Watch out for the monster!

Great adventures to be had by all

Koda

parlance said...

Love that second photo, the one at sunset (or maybe sunrise).

The trouble with hiking around here is that dogs aren't allowed in our national parks and they're not allowed off-leash in the mountains. Very annoying. (But I understand the need to protect our wildlife.)

My Mind's Eye said...

Twink your Mom knows how to make her pack happy. What a lovely hike and most of all what a back sack full of chi loveliness.
Happy Friday,
Madi and Mom

Sketching with Dogs said...

Wow, that is a brilliant place to go for a hike!
We love the pic of Frankie peeping out of the rucksack.
Be carefull of that water Twink, it looks very scary.
Wags, Dip Bridge and Elliot xx

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

That looks like a lotta fun!! Our hiking consists of concrete trails, so we guess we'll just have to live vicariously through you!

Waggles & Chi kisses, Chewy & Lilibell

Draco and his Mom said...

Fantastic hiking pictures. Good safty tips for the humans to remember. I used to be let off leash in the sports park, but then I started acting like a teenager and didn't want to obey my Mom. Now I am stuck with the leash. Maybe when we go camping, my mom will trust me off leash again.
Wags,
Draco

The Adventures of the LLB Gang said...

You guys take such wonderful hikes!! My Mama really needs to get me out of this neighborhood!!

Smileys for Linguini Healing!
Dory

KB said...

That first photo is spectacular!!!! Linguini's amazing coat gives you some great photo ops!

I also love Twinkie in the bag... We have photos of each of our dogs like that - but only when they were teeny tiny pups. Not now!

Believe it or not, my friend invented the rattlesnake vaccine! I am so proud to know him!

The Oceanside Animals said...

That looks like a great place to hike, Twinkie. We wish we could go there too!

Dexter said...

I would hike with you in a flash but I fear you are able to go much further than my large and not prone to actual movement self. Perhaps if momma got a backpack to stash me in...

Slobbers,
Mango

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