Hiking with your dog can be extremely beneficial for both you and your canine companion! After all, what’s better than getting outside and experiencing the sights, smells & sounds of nature? 

One of the benefits of hiking with your dog is that it offers great exercise for both you and your pup. It can improve your sense of balance, as well as your heart health. However, it is important to always know your surroundings of where you are hiking, and to come prepared with appropriate supplies. If it’s only a hour one hike, a backpack with enough water for you and your furry friend should suffice. However, if it’s a longer hike, you may also want to bring a first aid kit, snacks for you and your pup, and a towel in case you or your hiking partner get wet. For your dog, you will want to bring treats, a leash, and an appropriate collar or harness.

Hiking also helps boost your creativity and mood. Feelings of anxiety and fatigue may greatly be diminished after a nice long hike. Likewise, it can be beneficial to your dog’s mood to allow them to sniff all the interesting smells in nature. Dogs have up to 300 million olfactory receptors. So allowing your dog to sniff along the trail on your hikes will help keep them mentally stimulated and happy. So with all of that being said, it stands to reason that if hiking is good for stress relief and your mental well-being, it’s also would be great for your dog’s. 

Some safety tips to remember when hiking with your dog include remembering to hydrate and stay aware of your surroundings. If your dog is off-leash, please be sure they have been trained a reliable recall and that it is safe to do so in your environment. You always want to be on the lookout for wildlife, as to ensure that your dog does not stumble upon it without realizing or try to chase after any wild animals. It is also important to be aware of any plants that could harm your pet, Poison Ivy has three leaves, so be careful not to touch it or allow your dogs to touch it for their safety.

Thanks so much for checking out today’s blog post.

Until next time…HAPPY TRAINING!!