Hiking with Dogs
Maddie is a 32-pound AussieDoodle
Our dog Maddie is quite the hiking dog. So far she’s completed the Saranac 6er and Lake Placid 9er with us, and we’re part way through the ADK-9er and Fire Tower Challenge. It can be lots of fun hiking with your dog, just remember to properly prep with the right gear and enough water for a great day in the mountains. And consider your dog’s age, health, stamina and abilities when choosing your hike.
Here’s our packing and prep list for taking Maddie on the trail with us.
Hiking leash: Our favorite dog leash is two parts — a 6” pull tab paired with a 6’ drag leash. These are often used in obedience training. A drag leash is a light weight leash that’s designed to be used by trainers who want to let their dog drag a leash so they can quickly grab the line to either control the dog or to give a correction. A drag line should not have a loop handle. When dogs drag a leash with a looped handle their hind legs are constantly getting tangled in the loop. This can cause a bad injury if the dog is running and it trips them. The combination of the pull tab is useful, as we often leave the 6” section on Maddie even when we remove the main 6’ length. The pull tab is long enough to grab quickly if the need arises, but small enough not to get tangled up in your dog's feet or caught on trees or bushes. Whatever you do, just avoid the retractable leashes with can cause injuries to people and dogs.
Harness: Maddie has been wearing the same Ruffwear harness for nearly 5 years and it’s held up extremely well. We use it daily for dog walks, as well as car trips, hiking and paddling. Her harness is the Front Range. I think a harness is important to correct against pulling, and protect the dog so it doesn’t choke itself.
Off leash: When hiking with Maddie off leash (6” pull tab only), we generally like for my husband Eric to lead in front, Maddie beside him or in the middle, and I follow behind. This way, Eric sets the example staying on trail and he can quickly leash Maddie if he spots other people, a dog or wildlife up ahead. Even if your dog is friendly, don’t let it run up off leash on other people or other dogs. With me in the back, I make sure Maddie stays on trail and can give a strong command if she spots a chipmunk or other distraction in the woods. Here are more helpful tips on trail etiquette for dogs.
Water: Be sure to bring enough water for you and your dog on trail. Even if you’re hiking near a stream or pond, it’s a good practice to still bring extra bottled water for your pup. We also keep a light weight collapsible dog bowl on each of our packs.
Treats: We bring along a mix of nutritious and high-value treats for Maddie when hiking. It’s good to reward her when she’s following our trail rules and has positive interactions with other people and dogs on the trail. Packing a snack like carrots is a treat for her and something we can munch on too.
Poop bags: Please, don’t forget the poop bags! You might think that it’s okay to leave behind dog poo in the woods, but it’s not. It’s not. First, dog poo is different than wild animal poo because our dog’s eat commercial dog food that’s a lot different than the natural diet of wild bears, coyotes, and other critters. Here’s a deeper explanation and other helpful suggestions for packing out the poo. While you’re stocking up on poo bags, these ones from Amazon really seal in the stink and well priced too.
First Aid: Just like humans should be prepared with basic first aid in the mountains, so should your pup. You can easily put together your own kit, just be sure to think about care for the most common injuries like paw injuries. I carry an adventure medical kit that’s specifically curated for hiking with dogs on trails.
Paw Wax: On the topic of first aid, one item that doesn’t come in the nifty kit is Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax. It’s a really great way to protect the pads of your dog’s paws. Apply before and after a hike.
Tags: Dogs get lost in the Adirondacks quite a bit, and it’s heart wrenching. Always make sure your dog is wearing tags with your contact information. We also have our dog chipped and check her microchip at the vet annually to make sure it’s working and has up-to-date contact info.
Shots: Your dog should be vaccinated for Distemper, Parvovirus, Rabies, Leptospirosis and Lyme disease since these are diseases present in the wild animal and insect populations. We wouldn’t normally get the Lyme disease vaccine for Maddie in Texas, but it is recommended for hiking in the Adirondacks. Similarly, make sure your dog is on a heartworm preventative, as well as a quality flea and tick treatment. Here’s more information about ticks in Upstate New York. Yuck.
