So you want to start hiking with your dog. Hiking with your dog can be a fascinating way to explore the region around Portland 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. The summer sun can quickly make
it uncomfortable - and unsafe - for active dogs. 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.
Ticks
Lyme disease is transmitted by ticks and can affect your dog.
Lyme disease attacks a dog's joints and makes walking painful.
The good news is that a tick needs to be embedded in the skin
to transmit Lyme disease. It takes 4-6 hours for a tick to become
embedded and another 24-48 hours to transmit the Lyme disease
bacteria. When hiking, walk in the middle of trails away from
tall grass and bushes. If your walk includes fields or meadows,
consider long sleeves and long pants tucked into high socks. Wear
a hat - ticks like hair. By checking your dog, and yourself, thoroughly
after each walk, you can help avoid Lyme disease. Ticks tend to
congregate on your dog's ears, between the toes, and around the
neck and head.
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. 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.