The sun is out and us Aussies are pretty much out of lockdown. And after so many of us have spent much of the year confined to our homes, it’s only natural that we want to get out and enjoy some of that great summer sunshine!
Australia has amazing hiking spots across its giant expanse, from the lush forests of southeast Australia, up to the tropical wonder of the north and across to picturesque WA, and it is a fantastic place to take your furry little friend along for the experience.
But it’s always a good idea to be prepared for when you take your doggo out for a hike. You already take great care of them, get them the best food and have top pet insurance for dogs, now it’s time to ensure they are ready for Australia’s great outdoors this summer!
- Choose the right place to go
This may come as a surprise, but many hiking spots around Australia aren’t made for dogs to traverse. So, it’s important to choose the right spot before you head there, ensuring that you won’t show up to a place that really isn’t suitable for your little fur friend.
What’s more, pay attention to the hike’s route, as your dog may not be up to the challenge of going on an epic wilderness adventure if they haven’t done much of it. You don’t want to find yourself carrying your pup when you have plenty of ground to cover – so be wise about choosing which hike to take them on.
- Start with a smaller adventure
Going on from that note, you want to ensure your dog has the physical capacity to handle a big hike. You may have a pup who isn’t yet built up the physical endurance for one, or you may have an older dog that simply can’t be bothered with an epic adventure.
So, be sure that your doggo is up to the challenge of a hike. If they are just building up their endurance you may want to get them started on a much easier, friendlier hike, working them up towards the epic adventures that are amazing for yours and their health.
- Keep an eye on your doggo
Note: Avoid hiking with your dog on extremely hot days. There are many reasons why this should be avoided even for people, so imagine that the effort and danger of hiking on a ridiculously hot day is tenfold for your little dog.
When out hiking with your dog, keep an eye on them to ensure that they haven’t incurred any trouble. Don’t allow them to sneak into any thick bushes and pick them up if it appears they are barking at a particular animal.
- Keep them hydrated
For the health and safety of your dog it is highly important that you keep them plenty hydrated. Your dog is just like you, and needs to be well-hydrated in order to tackle hiking adventures.
So, keep the water coming every hour or so, ensuring they have a nice drink before moving on with the hike.
- Take the necessities
Hiking with your dog is similar to walking except you need to take extra necessities. Take a portable water bowl, their harness and leash – you don’t want them pulling a sneaky walk off only to make you go searching for them when you should be enjoying an amazing adventure!
