Prep your do for outdoor fun
Published on October 16, 2007 by The Sentinel
On many nature trails these days, the presence of man’s best friend has become a frequent sight.
The Sierra Club offers the following tips to help prepare your dog for a day out on a wilderness trail.
Health: Like human hikers, a dog should be physically fit to undertake a strenuous hike. If you’re unsure about your dog will fare on a long hike, start off with taking your pet on short trip, and work up to longer hikes. Also, keep your dog’s vaccinations and medications are current, including rabies, bordatella and heartworm. Consult your veterinarian about a vaccination for Lyme disease if you feel a hiking area carries the potential for the tick borne illness.
Pack for Weight: Dogs can carry their own weight on a hike, or part of it. A healthy dog can usually carry up to one-third of its weight in a special pack designed for a dog. Acclimate the dog to the pack with an empty pack filled with shredded newspaper, and gradually add weight on successive hikes. Skip using a dog pack though, on a hot, sunny day. The added weight can cause a dog to overheat quicker than normal.
Protect Paws: If you’re going to be hiking in an area with rough terrain, it can take its toll on a canine’s padded paws. Consider purchasing dog booties to protect tender bottoms of your dog’s paws during the excursion.
Source: Sierra Club
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