Hiking With Your Dog in the Mountains

Jennifer Pinkerton August 26, 2008

With a mountain hike, as with your usual dog-walking activities, you should follow your basic common sense hiking rules (keep you and your dog hydrated, wear sunscreen, pick up after your dog on the trail), but when you’re in the mountains, a little more preparation and advance planning will be helpful.

  • Pay attention to how you feel as you gain altitude, particularly if you are not local to the area. Thin air can take some getting used to. If you feel light-headed or develop a headache, rest, drink some water, and only proceed (slowly) if you’re feeling up to it. Altitude sickness is no joke, and can be really debilitating if you’re suscpetible to it.
  • Take breaks more often than usual during your hike. This will help both you and your pooch enjoy yourselves. Choose a shady spot and drink more water.
  • Mountain creeks can be great spots for your dog to cool her paws or glug some water. But they can also be swift-moving and icy cold. Keep an eye on your dog when she takes a dip to make sure she doesn’t lose her footing and take a tumble. River rocks are slippery. You might also want to bring along a towel or an extra shirt to dry her off if she will be emerging into very cold air (don’t forget, it gets chilly at higher altitudes).
  • It’s always great at the end of a hike when your dog is pooped and everyone is happily tired. However, strenuous hikes are not safe for every dog. Older dogs or very small dogs might not be up to the pace or the elevation changes of a hike in the mountains. Keep your dog’s size, health, age and experience in mind when you undertake a difficult hike, and be prepared to cut your trip short if she begins to lag and it becomes clear that she is not going to make it.
  • Bring snacks. For both of you! First of all, who doesn’t like snacks? Secondly, a little food along the way will help your dog keep up her strength for those steep inclines or any tough downhills you might encounter on your hike.

Before you head up the trail, take the time to consider whether you - and your dog - are physically ready for the unique challenges of a mountain hike. If you’re not sure, then perhaps that day you should consider a meandering stroll through a flat field or forest. Those can be pretty great, too.


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