As all of us in Brown County know, now is the perfect time of year to go hiking and camping. Why not take your dog (or leash-trained cat) along? It can be challenging, but here are a few tips to make your trip successful.
Keep your pet on a leash at all times. The forest holds a number of new smells and sounds that could cause your pet to run off, either from fear or curiosity. Also, while your dog may be friendly, dogs you encounter may be aggressive or afraid. If you have your pet on a leash, you can control any introductions.
Bring plenty of water. Even though the temperatures may be cooling off, you and your pet still need plenty of water so neither of you gets dehydrated. A collapsible water bowl is an inexpensive and lightweight item to pack.
Invest in a dog pack. If you’re a serious backpacker or hiker, you may want to invest in a dog pack so your dog can carry his own food and water. Just make sure it fits properly and isn’t chaffing. In order to make sure your dog will get along fine with the pack, try strapping it onto your dog for your daily walk a few days before your outing and make adjustments accordingly.
Bring treats and toys. Many dogs like to eat things they find along the way. It’s good to have pet approved toys for your dog to chew on and keep busy instead.
Trim their nails. If you’re camping and using a sleeping pad, trim and file your pup’s nails before you leave. This will help prevent them from accidentally puncturing your pad.
Choose an appropriate hiking distance and difficulty for your dog. Just because you can walk for five miles doesn’t mean your dog can. Some dogs may have trouble walking long distances and on rough terrain, so keep them in mind when you choose a trail.
Set up camp appropriately. To set up the best leashing system in camp, tie a rope tautly between two trees at chest height or slightly lower, and clip the leash to the rope with a carabiner. This allows the dog a wider range of movement around the camp and minimizes the amount of items the leash gets caught on.
Watch out for ticks. Make sure your dog is up-to-date on his flea/tick preventive and be sure to check your dog (and yourself) regularly for ticks.
Good luck and happy hiking!
— Brown County Humane Society
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WHAT: 10th Annual Chocolate Walk
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 11
TICKETS: $20 until Nov. 1, $25 Nov. 1-11. Buy at bchumane.org/chocolate-walk or call 812-327-3016.
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