I've been hiking dogs professionally since 2011, and after years on the trail with more pups than I can count, I've gained some valuable knowledge along the way. I still remember one hike years back — when the dogs were actively seeking shade and their paws were dancing on the sand. It hadn't seemed too hot to me, but they were clearly feeling it. We found shade, cooled down with some water, and took the long route back to the car so the dogs could walk on the cooler ice plant up the trails instead of the shorter sand path. We made it back just fine. But it's the reason I check hourly temps now, apply paw balm and bring loads of water on our hikes.
Here are my top tips so you and your pup can be ready before you even lace up.
🌡️ Trail Quick Tips
- 70°F+ = start watching your dog closely, especially seniors
- Shade can run 10° cooler than open trail
- Creek water = risk of giardia, even if it looks clean
- Treats = help keep their bodies fueled for long hikes. The type of treat matters!
- Booties both protect and prevent. Don't worry; your dog can get used to them!
1. 🌤️ Check the Hourly Temps, Not Just the Forecast
During warm seasons, get out early. Temperatures reaching above 70° can be challenging to hike in and could lead to overheating, especially for senior dogs. Breaks in the shade or at a stream during your hike often help provide your dog a chance to cool off — shade temps can be 10° cooler or more than areas without shade.
2. 💧 Bring Plenty of Water (and a Bowl)
Aside from avoiding the heat, your best prevention from dehydration and overheating is offering water throughout your hike. It can be tempting to let your dog drink from a creek or stream, but it can be dangerous — this is a common way for dogs to pick up giardia and other parasites, leading to an intestinal infection.
- Bring along a water bladder to assure your dog has access to water.
3. 🦮 Have a Backup Leash Plan for Tight Spaces
A long line or off leash is great when there's plenty of space and your dog can recall to you, but in tight areas make sure you also have a traffic lead or a harness with a grab handle. Many trails have narrow passageways, and if you're passing a reactive dog — or your own dog is reactive — you'll want a way to keep them close. Grabbing the harness handle or using a traffic leash works well for this. A traffic lead should be short enough to remain attached when your dog is off leash without dragging and should be easy to access when you recall them to you. If your dog is reactive, keep them close while passing other and their attention on you as you swiftly pass by others, releasing to freedom when you've passed the other dog.
4. 🍖 Pack Treats for Energy
These matter most on longer hikes — they help sustain energy and double as a training tool. Look for treats that are tasty and not too dry, so they don't create dry mouth on already an already thirsty pup! As always, keep up with water breaks throughout the hike — dry, cookie-style treats require more water than moist ones do. We recommend Ryoken Energy Treats as they help sustain your dog on longer hikes with high quality protein and easy on the digestive system. They come pre-scored for ease and you can break those up even more very easily!
5. 🐾 Protect Those Paws
Musher's Secret paw ointment protects your dog's paws across varied terrain, especially from heat or snow/ice. It is quick drying to protect your dog's paw pads, acting as ahsield against terrain and extreme temps. Booties are another option, though they'll take some acclimating since they can feel awkward at first. Paw pads trekking through nature may be fun, but can also lead to reactions for dogs with environmental allergies. Booties keep the environment off their paws and their allergies at bay while your dog gets the much needed outdoor time. Booties can help them leave the trail feeling comfortable and satisfied instead of itchy, tired, and irritated.
6. Tick and Foxtail Check
Your dog may pick up a few environmental enemies while out on your hike. Always be sure to check them over for ticks, fleas and foxtails or other grasses. Foxtails can become lodged in their skin, nose, eyes, mouth or ears and require surgical removal. Primarily found on the west coast, foxtail prevention can include shaving your dog's hair short, including "poodle feet" which is when you shave your dog's paw hair very short (often using a #10 blade or shorter) so there is no hair the foxtail can latch onto. Another method for prevention is a foxtail hood, which prevents foxtails from entering any orifice on the face and head. Many of the dogs in our Benji's Backyard hiking groups wear them...Take a look!
Prevent ticks and fleas by keeping your dog on a monthly flea and tick preventative. We carry several natural preventatives in our shop. Should a tick become attached, bare in mind that there is a 24 hour window of a tick attaching which greatly reduces the risk of contracting Lyme disease. Once attached, use our tick remover to help assure the entire tick, including the head is removed!
What's your go-to summer hiking trick with your pup? Drop it in the comments — I'll add the best ones to this post. 🐶
