So you want to start hiking with your dog. Hiking with your dog can be a fascinating way to explore the region around the Black Hills from a canine perspective. Some things to consider:
Dog's Health
Hiking can be a wonderful preventative for any number of physical
and behavioral disorders. One in every three dogs is overweight
and running up trails and leaping through arroyos is great exercise
to help keep pounds off. Hiking can also relieve boredom in a
dog's routine and calm dogs prone to destructive habits. And hiking
with your dog strengthens the overall owner/dog bond.
Breed of Dog
All dogs enjoy the new scents and sights of a trail. But some
dogs are better suited to hiking than others. If you don't as
yet have a hiking companion, select a breed that matches your
interests. Do you look forward to an entire afternoon's hiking?
You'll need a dog bred to keep up with such a pace, such as a
retriever or a spaniel. Is a half-hour enough walking for you?
It may not be for an energetic dog like a border collie. If you
already have a hiking friend, tailor your plans to his abilities.
Conditioning
Just like humans, dogs need to be acclimated to the task at hand.
An inactive dog cannot be expected to bounce from the easy chair
in the den to complete a 3-hour hike. You must also be physically
able to restrain your dog if confronted with distractions on the
trail (like a scampering squirrel or a pack of joggers). Have
your dog checked by a veterinarian before significantly increasing
her activity level.
Weather
Heat and sun do dogs no favors. With no sweat glands and only
panting available to disperse body heat, dogs are much more susceptible
to heat stroke than we are. Unusually rapid panting and/or a bright
red tongue are signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. Always carry
enough water for your hike. Even days that don't seem too warm
can cause discomfort in dark-coated dogs if the sun is shining
brightly. In the wintertime, temperatures at these higher elevations
can drop well below zero in only a few minutes. In cold weather,
short-coated breeds may require additional attention.
Altitude
Altitude is a factor when you hike in the Black Hills. If you
are not acclimated to the altitude, take it easy, and allow plenty
of time for rest, so your body can get used to the thinner air
up here.
Ticks
Ticks can carry Lyme disease, HGE (Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis),
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Babesiosis, all nasty stuff you
want to avoid. To help combat ticks, wear long sleeves and tuck
your pants into your boots. Avoid deep grass and bushes. Tick
repellant for you and your dog is a good idea, and always check
your dog's fur carefully before heading home. Ticks can be hard
to spot on dogs with dark or long fur, but a simple comb can reveal
any intruders. If you or your dog gets bitten, immediately remove
the tick with fine-jawed tweezers. Try to grab the tick as close
to the head as possible and pull straight out. Do not apply any
oil before or after removal. If any part of the tick remains,
or if swelling/itching or other complications develop, contact
your doctor/vet.
Fox Grass, Grass Seeds, Burrs
There are many types of grass seeds and plant seeds that attach
to animal fur for a ride as part of their seed dispersal mechanism.
Some of these can be very hazardous to your dog if they go up
a nose, grab on to the hair between the dogs toes and work their
way into their leg, etc. Be sure to thoroughly check your dog
after a hike for these seeds and burrs.
Poison Ivy
In most areas the shiny plant with "leaves of three"
grows sparsely but keep an eye on your dog. She will not be affected
by the toxic plant but can pass it along to you.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are found in every state in America; the vipers in
these parts are most likely to be the Prairie Rattlesnake, found
at elevations under 5000 feet. It is not a particularly aggressive
animal but you should treat any rattlesnake with respect and keep
your distance. A rattler's colors may vary but they are recognized
by the namesake rattle on the tail and a diamond-shaped head.
Unless cornered or teased by humans, a rattlesnake will crawl
away and avoid striking. Avoid rocky areas, crevasses, caves,
and areas where the ground cover (weed or grass) prevents you
from seeing the ground. These are all places where snakes are
likely to hang out. If you hear a nearby rattle, stop immediately
and hold your dog back. Identify where the snake is and slowly
back away. If you or your dog is bitten, do not panic. Put ice
against the bite, tie a rope or piece of clothing around the leg
above the wound (but not so tight you shut off blood circulation)
and get to a hospital or veterinarian with as little physical
movement as possible. In many cases the Prairie rattlesnake might
give "dry bites" where no poison is injected, but you
should always check with a doctor after a bite even if you feel
fine. Keep in mind that snakes fill an important function in the
ecosystem; without them we would drown in mice and other rodents,
so there is no reason to harm them.
Mountain Lions
These elusive big cats are extremely
shy and are rarely seen. Cougars are fearful of humans but dogs
don't frighten them. Still, they might view smaller dogs as prey
- one more reason to always keep your dog close on the trail.
They are nocturnal animals but if you see one, maintain eye contact,
try to make yourself as large as possible and attempt to make
yourself appear as large as possible.
Other Trail Hazards
Dogs won't get poison ivy but they can transfer it to you. Some
trails are littered with small pieces of broken glass that can
slice a dog's paws. Nasty thorns and thistles can also blanket
trails that we in shoes may never notice. Tumbleweeds are also
very thorny and prickly in their natural state, and even more
so when they are dried and blowing. They can stick in a dogís
coat, and cut fingers as we try to extract them.
Water
Surface water, including fast-flowing streams, is likely to be
infested with a microscopic protozoa called Giardia, waiting to
wreck havoc on a dog's (and human's) intestinal system. The most
common symptom is crippling diarrhea. Algae, pollutants and contaminants
can all be in streams, ponds and puddles. If possible, carry fresh
water for your dog on the trail - your dog can even learn to drink
happily from a squirt bottle.