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We love getting outside with our dogs! Last year my husband and I moved into a van with our blue heeler, Scout. We've since learned a lot about setting her up for success in the great outdoors.
Here are some key things to know about camping and hiking with your pup—from basic adventure dog training to health considerations, dog-friendly trail etiquette, and more—for the best possible trip. Most importantly: Go have a blast together.
"Adventure" can mean a lot of different things!
If you scroll through the #AdventureDog hashtag on Instagram, you'll be met with countless crisp photos of dogs wearing hiking backpacks and majestically posing on mountain summits. These photos—and the experiences they capture—are great!
But they're not the only way to adventure with your pup.
- Going backpacking counts as an adventure... so does going on a weekend trip to a developed campground
- Trekking multiple miles counts as an adventure... so does driving for a short hike outside your typical routine
- Finding a dispersed campsite counts as an adventure... so does using an Airbnb as a comfy home base while you explore
"Adventure" can look like many different things. We're different people, with different dogs. What matters is that you do something you find exciting.
Health considerations for your adventure dog
Before getting outside, make sure your dog is healthy. They don't need to be a marathon athlete (and neither do you, I often remind myself as I pant up the last leg of a hike) but your canine companion does need to be physically capable of participating in whatever activity you have in mind.
- Maintain a regular vet appointment schedule. Preventative care can catch problems like arthritis and muscle strain early!
- Keep tabs on your pup's physique. Note any changes to the way they walk, sit, or jump on and off furniture.
- Ease into more strenuous workouts slowly. (This goes for people, too.) Don't go from a week spent on the couch to a ten-mile hike without any prep—instead, start with shorter walks and gradually increase the distance and difficulty.
Temperament considerations for your adventure dog
We all have our own personalities. So do our pets! Some dogs love nothing more than exploring new environments—others feel more comfortable in familiar spots. Before asking your pup to accompany you on a new adventure, take a minute to ask if they'll really enjoy the experience.
If the answer is no? Maybe it's still worthwhile because you think the trip will benefit you both in the long run. Or maybe you change your plans. You can read more about how to decide if your dog wants to come along with you or not in this piece!
Think about:
- The likelihood that you'll encounter other people and pets while exploring
- How your dog does in new places overall
- If wildlife or campground noises might overstimulate your pup
Basic adventure dog training
You can take a look at seven common dog training skills here. All of these might come in handy while on a camping or hiking trip!
Our go-to cues and commands are:
- A solid recall
- "Leave it" to prevent our dog from ingesting anything suspicious off the ground.
- The ability to walk on a loose-leash
- Neutrality to other people and pets walking by
A few general training tips:
- Begin with shorter, easier adventures. Increase the challenge level as your dog becomes more experienced.
- Introduce your dog to different environments such as parks, trails, and beaches in small doses. This is especially important ifthey seem overwhelmed at first.
- Practice your dog's training around low level distractions—like smells and sounds in your familiar neighborhood—to build up their ability to focus in the more intense situations you might encounter on a new trail.
- If you're hoping to go swimming, bicycling, paddleboarding, or kayaking with your dog, spend some time getting them used to your equipment. It's a good idea to do some specialized training for these unique contexts.
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Take care of our public lands
A few simple steps can go a long way to protect your favorite outdoor spaces—and help keep them dog friendly!
- Follow local rules and regulations. Keep your pup leashed where required (a long line is one option to allow more hiking freedom).
- Always scoop the poop. Dog waste is a pollutant—and no fun for other visitors sharing the trail or campground with you.
- Yield to other hikers. Don't allow your pup to sniff or jump on anyone without explicit permission. If your dog is off leash, recall them before they approach anybody else.
- Respect wildlife. Stay on marked trails to minimize your environmental impact.
- Leave No Trace. Leave the area as you found it. Pack out all trash, including dog waste bags.
Prioritize what matters most for your favorite activities
Different types of adventure require different kinds of training and preparation. If you never want to bike with your dog? It's no problem if they aren't comfortable running right next to the wheels. If you aren't into water sports? No big deal if they hate wearing a life jacket. Focus your energy on the skills you and your dog need to be successful for your perfect idea of adventure!
For our life with Scout, we've really worked on:
- Her loose-leash walk and ability to take verbal direction while hiking: This makes it much safer to hike steep slopes that require her to be leashed.
- Her recall and leave it: These allow us to safely enjoy off-leash time on remote public lands.
- Her overall confidence: We travel constantly, so she needs to be able to roll with the punches!
- Her ability to ignore other dogs and people walking by: Sometimes we pass other adventurers in close proximity.
And we've spent less time on:
- Her sociability with other dogs: My husband and I don't love going to crowded trails or campgrounds where we're expected to do a lot of interacting with strangers much ourselves—so it's not a problem if Scout doesn't enjoy those greetings either. It's enough for her to be able to just pass by.
- Her comfort wearing packs, vests, etc: We don't go on overnight trips away from the van. We're easily able to carry Scout's things ourselves.
Wrap-up: Before you go on an adventure
Here's the TLDR summary to have your best hiking or camping trip yet.
Plan ahead:
- Research dog-friendly camping and hiking options. Check if there are any specific rules.
- Choose trails and campsites that are suitable for your dog's fitness level and abilities.
- Pack appropriately for your dog. At minimum bring some food, water, a leash, and poop bags.
Prepare your dog:
- Ensure your dog is up-to-date on vaccinations, and have a plan for flea and tick prevention.
- Keep your pup in an ID tag with up-to-date contact information.
- Train basic cues and commands your pup will need to be successful on your adventure.
- Gradually increase your dog's endurance with more intense exercise.
Stay safe:
- Keep your dog on a leash or within sight at all times.
- Be prepared for changes in weather and have appropriate gear for your dog.
- Watch for potential hazards on the trail. Keep your dog away from wild animals and plants that could be harmful.
- Be alert for signs of fatigue, dehydration, or discomfort in your dog. Take breaks as needed!
Be respectful:
- Practice Leave No Trace principles by picking up after your dog.
- Be courteous to other campers and hikers.