Advice on Hiking with Your Dog

Written by Anna Hollisey

UpdatedJun 25, 2023

Is hiking good for dogs? Where’s the best place to start hiking? What equipment should you take with you? And what do people do with dog poop when they’re hiking all day? If you’re a keen adventurer and you’re ready to take your dog hiking, read this first!

You know what we’re going to say, don’t you?... You’re the best person to answer this question. Start with a general health-check:

Is your dog in good health?
Are they prone to stiffness or muscle sprains?

Now, consider their typical lifestyle.

How long does your dog usually walk off-leash and on-leash?
Do they have plenty of energy, or are they tired after their walks?
Should they practice some longer walks before attempting a serious hike with you?

Beware ‘Weekend Warrior’ Syndrome

…It’s the name for dogs who suffer from aches or injuries because they’ve been for an extra-long walk on the weekend/learn/dog-health/six-tips-to-reduce-injury-risk-in-dogs#:~:text=2.%20Don%E2%80%99t%20be%20a%20Weekend%20Warrior. It’s a new problem caused by our desk-job lifestyle. How many of us squeeze in short walks all week and then pack up the car for a hike on Saturday? If our dogs aren’t prepared for the additional exercise, they can suffer. It doesn’t mean they can’t come hiking with you. It just means that they might need a training programme to prepare for it!

What Age Can Your Dog Go Hiking with You?

When your dog is young, it’s important to build up their walking stamina. Puppies should begin with short leash walks (around 30-40 mins for a 6-month pup) and progress to longer adventures (around an hour by the time they’re one year old). Their growing muscles shouldn’t be subjected to sudden increases in exercise because that can cause long-term damage.

12 months is the age when most dogs will be mature and fully-grown. So when they’re around one year, most dogs will be able to start hiking or running with their owners. Like we said already – a gradual introduction is wise. Start with shorter hikes or jogs and stop if your dog seems tired.

Suitable Places to Hike with Your Dog

Terrain matters. For the first hike with your dog, choose a place where the terrain is easy on the feet. Grassy paths, forest walks, and sandy dunes are all low-impact surfaces which are easier for dogs to manage. A rocky mountain can cause slips and injuries to canine limbs. If there’s a place for swimming, that’s excellent for dogs too.

Before you go, check the weather – most dogs shouldn’t be outdoors too long in temperatures over 77°F or below 45-32°F.

Should You Keep Your Dog on a Leash?

A leashed walk – at your pace – can be more challenging for a dog, who gets no say about the speed or distance. Let your dog off-leash if it’s possible (and legal). This way they can run or slow to walking pace, gauging their own capability. Just be sure that your dog’s recall is reliable, so that you can call them away from danger.

TIP: If you’re hiking with a dog on-leash and your arms are aching, you could try a waist leash – some brands feature storage for your keys, phone, and treats, too!

Another great reason to start with a short hike: you’ll figure out what you really need for successful hiking with your canine companion. After a test-run, you’ll be able to make your own checklist – it could contain some of the following:

WATER is THE most important thing to pack in your backpack (at least one bottle, which you could plan to refill at stops along the way).
A collapsible dog bowl (if your dog hasn’t learned to drink from a pouring bottle – many don’t!)
Picnic (yours and the dog’s) – or emergency foods.
In winter: Waterproof or snow-proof boots (if your dog likes them)
In summer: A cooling dog vest and pop-up shelter (if you’re hiking an exposed route), plus sunscreen (choose one designed for dogs).
Bandage and cleanser or doggy first aid kit/learn/dog-health/what-should-you-pack-in-a-dog-first-aid-kit (for emergency wound-dressing).
Post-hike care: If your dog’s been over-walked, you’ll be glad that you ordered some Paw Balm – canine skincare for tired toes.

Do you have questions about hiking with your dog? Ping them over to us on social media and we’ll tackle them in our next blog post! Here are 3 of the most popular questions about doggy hiking.

How Should You Start Hiking with Your Dog?

Don’t start with a full-day hike in the mountains. Choose soft terrain and a short route. This gives your dog the chance to acclimatize, and you the chance to learn from mistakes (like forgetting a water bowl… it happens). Introducing your dog to hiking is just like teaching a young person to hike. Start slow and gradually build up to steeper or more challenging routes.

What’s a Good Dog Breed to Take Hiking?

Some dogs (such as Toy or flat-faced breeds) won’t cope with hiking. If you’re a keen hiker who wants a companion, consider a Working Group breed like a Shepherd/learn/dog-lifestyle/know-your-dog-breeds-anatolian-shepherd-vs-kangal, Husky/learn/dog-lifestyle/your-guide-to-sled-dogs#:~:text=the%20individual%20breeds.-,Siberian%20Husky,-Originating%20from%20Chukotka, Collie/learn/dog-lifestyle/the-5-smartest-dog-breeds#:~:text=best%20suited%20to.-,1.%20Border%20Collies,-The%20Border%20Collie, or Spaniel, or a hunting dog like a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Many high-energy dogs will love hiking as much as you do!

What Do People Do with Poop When Hiking?

Attaching it to your dog’s collar is a bad move! They push through the brambles and splat, poop explodes on their face.

Instead, carry a secure zippered bag for storing scooped poop (inside another bag). Double-bagging reduces the risk and the smell, which is important when you might be carrying it all day.

Tip: Seasoned hikers plan their route to include picnic stops with trash cans!

Is It OK To Go Hiking with Your Dog?