With summer just around the corner the days are going to be longer, drier and warmer! That gives us all the opportunity to enjoy a little more time in the great outdoors with our furry four-legged friends!
Troy + Emmie are currently on their 16 month hike across the US – while we all admire and love what they are doing, I don’t think any of us will be hiking 7000 miles anytime soon. But for those camping trips and day-hikes already planned for this summer, we’ve created a a checklist with a few tips to keep your pooch (and you) happy and healthy!
1) Know the environmental risks:
Depending on where you live – ticks, mosquitoes and snakes are among the many dangers you and your dog can encounter. Make sure to carry a first aid kit designated just for your pooch. You can put one together or buy an assembled one – like this one that RuffWear has available.
Just because your dog doesn’t sweat that doesn’t mean he or she isn’t hot! We’ve all seen our pups panting with their tongues hanging out – make sure to give them lots of water to prevent them from overheating. If your dog slows down and stops wagging it’s tail – that’s an indicator for “rest time”. There are collapsible bowls and portable water dispensers by Gulpy to help keep your dog hydrated.
3) Protect your pup’s paws:
On hot summer days it’s easy for your dog to burn his or her paws on the asphalt. Uneven, rocky surfaces can potentially cause blisters and cuts on unprotected paws – make sure to wrap any cuts with medical tape to temporarily solve the problem. For those longer hikes, many companies make “booties” for your puppy’s paws. RuffWear makes Bark-n-Boots Grip Trex booties perfect for all seasons and all conditions.
4) Respect the wildlife and other hikers:
While we all love our four-legged family members, not all people are dog-friendly. Most state parks require your pet to be leashed – but for those “almost off-leash ready” dogs, just keeping one on hand is a good idea. Don’t let your dog wander away from you – even if she’s good at recall, a little rabbit can be very tempting and cause her to tune out your screams of “COME!”
Rad Dog makes a great retractable leash, the Release N Run, for those moments when keeping your dog next to you is required.
The only thing left is some comfy and stylish gear for yourself – make sure to visit our website at DogisGood.com to check out all of our tees, hats and other great gifts.
If you can check off all of these items – you’re prepared for some safe and fun summer outings with your dogs!
Happy Hiking!