It’s on its way…the weather has started warming up and the snow has begun to melt, which means hiking season is just around the corner. Options for places to hike in Bozeman and the surrounding areas are bountiful and promise magnificent vistas, wildflowers, alpine lakes, songbirds, sunshine, waterfalls, and tranquility. However, hiking can present a variety of dangers for dogs including bears, ticks, injuries, and dehydration. If you hike with a dog, there are a few important things to consider before you head out the door.

At the beginning of the season, both of you will need some time to build up your endurance. It shouldn’t be assumed that your dog is in shape and can start out with ambitious hikes. Build slowly, constantly monitoring your dog for signs of fatigue or soreness such as limping. During each hike, take time to periodically check the pads of his paws for raw or irritated skin and abrasions. This is especially important for younger dogs with tender feet. Special booties for hiking may be necessary to safeguard against injury. Allow for frequent breaks during the day.

Dogs require food and water during physical outings just as we do. Refrain from feeding your dog a large meal just before heading out—vigorous exercise just after a meal can cause an upset stomach, or more serious problems such as bloat in susceptible breeds. Keep pre-hike meals small, and offer food frequently throughout the day. Consider raw dog treats from Nutriment as a light and easy to digest snack throughout the day.

Our dog, Emma, has been trained to carry her own backpack. Ruffwear and Outward Hound both sell quality backpacks for dogs. Take time to gradually acclimate your dog to carrying something on his back, and progressively increase the amount of weight he is expected to carry. In Emma’s pack I include some high-protein snacks such as Zuke’s Power Bones, kibble, Benadryl in case of bee stings (check with your veterinarian as to the proper dosage for your dog), tweezers, topical disinfectant, insect repellant, an ace bandage for abrasions, gauze, fresh water, and a collapsible bowl. Since Emma takes any available opportunity to get into the water, all the contents of her backpack are wrapped in plastic bags to keep them from getting wet.

Dogs that are light in color, have a short hair coat, or have a light-colored nose are vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer. Areas that are sparsely covered with fur, including the nose and ear tips, should be protected with a non-toxic sunscreen product that is designed for use in pets.

With the warmer weather come ticks and mosquitoes. Although cases are very rare, dogs are susceptible to contracting Lyme Disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tick-bite paralysis from tick bites. Ticks cling to tall brush, trees, or grass, and attach to dogs as they pass by. Monthly topical preventative treatments, such as Frontline, are available over-the-counter. Check with your veterinarian as to what product will work best for your dog.

Always check your dog thoroughly after each outing. If you find a tick embedded in your dog’s skin, simply grasp it with tweezers as close to the contact point as possible, and lift up and out. Do not jerk the tweezers; use a steady pull. In lieu of tweezers you may want to consider using the Liberty Mountain Tick Key .

Dogs are susceptible to heartworm disease. When a mosquito carrying infective heartworm larvae bites a dog, the infection is transmitted into the bloodstream; adult worms eventually migrate to the heart and lungs and other parts of the circulatory system. Although heartworm can be treated, prevention of the disease is much safer and cheaper. Your veterinarian can prescribe a monthly preventative medicine to ensure your dog is protected.

During hikes, always keep an eye on your dog for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion. Signs may include excessive panting, drooling, stumbling, confusion, or disorientation. Preemptive, frequent water breaks can keep problems from occurring, but if they do, stop immediately and allow time for recovery.

You should consider what your plan will be if your dog becomes injured and is no longer able to walk. Small dogs are easy enough to carry, but what about the larger breeds? Cell phone reception on many of the trails is intermittent at best, so consideration should be given as to how you will transport your dog from the trail and back to safety. You can enlist the assistance of other hikers if they are available; otherwise, you may want to carry along a blanket or tarp to use as a makeshift stretcher. We have developed a back-up safety system—we let a friend in town know what our planned hiking route is for the day, and check in with her when we are safely back at the car. That way, if she doesn’t hear back from us, she knows to send help.

We have trained Emma to walk in between my husband and me during hikes. She rarely leaves the trail, and if she does, it’s only a few feet and she remains within our sight. With Emma positioned between us, we are able to keep her safe from unexpected dangers that may be around us—which can include bears, raccoons, skunks, moose, mountain lions, snakes, aggressive dogs, porcupines, and traps. Occasionally she is put back on leash during times I require absolute control.
On her collar she wears a bear bell. Should she become separated from us, her identification tags and microchip are all up-to-date. She is current on her vaccines, especially rabies.

A strong foundation of obedience is a must. The likelihood of coming across wildlife during a hike is high, and dogs can become injured during an encounter. Impulse control and recall must be solid and completely reliable behaviors for dogs that are allowed off leash. If you cannot reliably control your dog, you may consider leaving him at home, or at least keeping him on leash throughout the hike.
There are undoubtedly going to be other dogs out on the trails with you; you shouldn’t ever assume that they will be friendly towards your dog (be particularly wary if you hear the owner shouting “My dog’s friendly!” or “Be nice, Fido!” as the dog charges towards you!). Maintaining control of your own dog minimizes the risk of altercations.

On days following a long or difficult hike, I am sensitive to Emma being tired or sore. Joints, muscles, and feet can all be suffering the residual affects of a long day on the trail—necessitating a quiet day of rest.

Finally, a word about trail etiquette. It is important to be respectful of others who may be sharing the trails with you. Avoid making disruptive noises, keep your dog under control at all times, take care not to disturb wildlife that you may encounter, and remove any waste that you generate (including dog poop!).  Doing so will ensure that you and everyone else on the trail has a pleasant and safe experience.

I find little else to be as satisfying as a long day out on the trail with Emma. Our time together out in the Montana wilderness serves not only as a great way for both of us to exercise, but also a time to strengthen our bond. Take the time to make sure that your dog remains safe and healthy during your outings.

Most importantly, always serve as your dog’s strongest advocate. Remain aware of your surroundings and anticipate potential dangers. Never place your dog in a situation that is unsafe or that may cause him to feel threatened or overwhelmed. If necessary, cut your day short and call it a day.