Much to my amazement, my old dog Miko managed to climb a mountain in Vermont at the ripe old age of twelve. It wasn’t a super-high or super-tough climb, but I figured my old man would poop out long before me and my friends did! Instead, he led the way up and all the way back down again.
Walking a nature trail or taking a short hike is a great outing for the whole family — dogs included! There are just a few things you need to keep in mind:
- Know the leash laws for the park you’ll be walking in AND the township the park is in. If your dogs aren’t allowed off-leash, you may be looking at a hefty fine if you get caught allowing them to roam. (In my town, dogs that are off-leash at the park can see fines up to $250 per dog.)
- Know where you’re going. State parks will often have marked trails of varying lengths you can choose from.
- Carry a cell phone in case you get lost or someone gets hurt and can’t walk back.
- Protect yourself and your pet from ticks (which can carry Lyme disease) and other biting insects. Use an insect repellant spray on any exposed body parts. If you’re using a natural repellant like eucalyptus or citronella, you can spray it on your dog as well. Don’t spray his face, though, just his back, sides, and legs.
- Protect yourself and your pet from the sun. Be sure to wear sunscreen. You can put a dab of sunscreen on your dog’s exposed nose to protect him from a burn!
- Carry enough water for everyone. You’ll need something for your dog to drink from, unless he’s figured out how to lap water from a bottle. Your pet store will have collapsible water bowls for you to choose from.
- Don’t push it! If someone gets hurt or starts to feel blisters forming, it’s time to turn back. You can’t really go from doing no walking to hiking ten miles without working up to it. And keep an eye on your pup — he can’t speak up if he gets a sore paw. If you see your dog limping or favoring a leg, take a break and check him out.
Call or visit your local parks department; someone can probably suggest some good beginner trails to walk on! And find more tips for hiking and nature walks at the Outdoor Blog.