Thank you Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® for sponsoring this post. Complete and trusted flea and tick prevention starts with Hartz!
This year, we started creating new adventures by packing up the whole family, our dog, Zeus, and finding hidden trails in our city to hike. Our adventures have taught us quite a bit and we have learned several tips for taking your dog on a hike with the whole family.
My family loves being outdoors. Some of our best family memories are from adventures of hiking and exploring our world. The exciting thing is we don’t have to go very far to find hidden coves of nature & wilderness right in the city.
Zeus is our German Shepherd. He is 3 years old and is FULL of energy. We jokingly say he “imprinted” on my husband Jon. Because he follows him around when he is home and has to have one eye on him at all times.
He is a great family dog and loves the kids. But he also LOVES being outside as much as the kids do.
We decided to start taking him with us on our family hikes. After a few adventures, I have learned several tips for taking your dog on a hike that would have made things a lot easier when we first started bringing him along.
Tips for Taking your Dog on a Hike
Research dog friendly trails. There are quite a few reserves, parks, & state-kept trails within a short drive of our home in the suburbs. But not all of them allow dogs or are dog-friendly. Make sure you know what the rules of the park are before bringing your dog. Some require your dog to be on a leash at all times and others allow you to remove the leash at your discretion. Knowing what to expect from the trail terrain and how it will effect your dogs paws is important as well.
Water for everyone. You probably already bring water bottles for the family, but don’t forget that your furry buddy can’t drink from a water bottle. We pack small bowl in a backpack for our dog on our hike. But we also keep a gallon jug of water in the trunk with a big bowl for when we get back to the truck.
The gallon of water has come in handy not only for keeping Zeus hydrated, but also rinsing off dirty paws and dirty children before getting in the truck to go home.
First Aid Kit. Part of the adventure of hiking is not knowing what is around the corner of the bend in the trail. While of course, we do our best to be aware of our surroundings and keep watch of where we are walking there have been minor cuts and scraps during our hikes. Being prepared for first aid for both the children and dog is important.
Flea & Tick Protection. Hiking does expose your dog to many more opportunities for those annoying fleas and nasty ticks to latch on. Not to mention dogs can also get bit by mosquitos that can carry the Zika virus. We treat Zeus with Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® Flea and Tick Drops. These drops are easy to apply with the Pro-Glide angled applicator that is easy to get through Zeus’s thick fur and is gentle on his skin.
The drops not only keep parasites away, but also help to kill fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, brown dog and deer ticks and retells mosquitoes for up to 30 days.
Both the Hartz® UtraGuard Pro® drops & collars give compete flea & tick protection and is extremely affordable. Every year, Hartz® UtraGuard Pro® protects more that 5 million dogs from fleas and ticks. Go to Hartz.com to learn even more and learn where to find Hartz® UltraGuard Pro® at a store near you.
Plan time to Rest. If your dog is like Zeus, he will be so excited to be on the hike with you and ready to explore non-stop. But don’t forget to take breaks on your hike and allow your dog and your family to rest as needed. Zeus would go all day if we let him. It’s our job to make sure he takes a break and doesn’t over exert himself.
Have fun! Taking your dog on a hike with the family is so much fun! We found a shallow river with a sandy beach on our last hike. We let Zeus off his leash and he and the kids splashed in the river for almost an hour. You could tell he was so happy to be able to play with the kids and have the freedom to run. When Zeus has room to run he really lengthens his stride and it’s kinda awesome to watch.
I am so glad we found dog-friendly places to hike and have been able to make even more memories with our dog and our family. I hope you will get out this summer with you dog and have an adventure on a hike together. And don’t forget to protect your dog with Hartz® UltraGuard® Flea and Tick Drops.
I’ve been looking for a good flea/tick treatment. Our dog is already showing signs of an infestation.
Flea and tick protection is absolutely key if you’re going adventuring into the wilds with your pooch. fleas and ticks carry all sorts of diseases and parasites.
Wonderful tips. I don’t have a dog, but I can imagine taking hikes. I hope to have one soon and I’d love to take it on a hike. I love hiking.
I will keep these tips in mind. Right now my dog doesn’t like being put on a leash so he doesn’t get to go on many walks yet.
The repellent is key, especially out in woodsy areas. I was just at the vet and they had a sign up about cases of lyme disease in our area.
This is what I need to have my dear dog to be always safe and protected in anything when going outside especially hiking. Great product for our beloved dog, wonderful share.
I enjoyed reading about these important tips. So important to keep our pup’s health while we’re enjoying him or her with us.
I love this post. I love going on hikes and I know that they are good for dogs, too.
I wish I could hike with my little guy. He has some health problems that keep him from doing that.
These are all realistic and practical tips you have here. I think knowing of this is such a key to successful hike. You guys seemed to have fun.