Backpacking & Hiking?

N2Th3Stars · 08-28-2010, 10:54 AM

Hello all

So, who else here enjoys taking their dogs with them when they go backpacking or hiking? Personally I have never gone once without my doggie, we both love it. Also, have you used any products that have helped your doggie during these times?

As of now Eli doesn't have any gear of his own.. but he will soon! All of my old stuff wont fit him because my last dog was a lot smaller than he is. I'm planning on getting him some nice boots and a backpack to start with (tired of caring his stuff!! lol) ...We usually don't do too much hiking in the rain but it does happen so he'll be gettin a raincoat eventually too. ^_^

Barb · 08-28-2010, 11:58 AM

I love backpacking and hiking! My dog is still too young to do any lengthy trekking, but we have taken him on some short outings and he seems to love it. I am looking forward to longer trails when he gets a bit older. I have a feeling he is going to love sleeping in the tent with us too. haha

I am waiting to get gear until he is a bit older, so that we don't have to keep buying bigger! I would love to know how your gear works for you...

tankstar · 08-28-2010, 07:15 PM

I love hiking, and a hike is not complete with out a dog IMO. Blaze and I used to go hiking almost daily, but real life has taken over for me, but we still try to hike 2 or 3 times a week, we do anywhere from 5KMs to 15KMs some days lol.

We actually just got back from about a 5KM with myf riend and her chihuahua

Reefer · 08-28-2010, 07:32 PM

For as long as I've had a dog, I've never gone hiking without'em.

Hazel doesn't have her own gear yet, nor will she for another year as she's too young to carry anything yet, but she sure will get the pleasure of carrying her own food-supplies up the mountains soon enough *cough*

I haven't used anything to help the doggie out while hiking, but I've been recommended some cream/grease for the paws if the terrain is really bad

**kmes** · 08-28-2010, 09:47 PM

I love hiking with my dogs. Normally I plan my hikes around a geocache or two.
I typically go at least once a week during spring, summer, and fall. Hiking in winter really isn't all that fun here... too cold and too much snow.

I don't have any boots for my dogs as of yet. But Roxy(pug) and Penny (min pin) each have their own packs that they wear when I take them out all day.

tankstar · 08-29-2010, 11:11 AM

i LOVE winter hiking. -30 10foot snow drifts, is great to me. Hiking in winter reallllly warms me up. its a great excersise IMO climbing through all that wonderful snow lol. God I hate winter, but winter hikes are so beutiful and peaceful.

**kmes** · 08-29-2010, 02:23 PM

LOL! You are a brave one!

Once we have snow and/or ice (we normally have several ice storms each winter), I just walk the dogs through the neighborhood and play with them in the yard.

Though you are right, winter walks are peaceful...

HarleyHasMyHeart · 08-30-2010, 01:46 PM

I always have wanted to take Harley on a hike but there is no where around my area like that. They have this Pooch Prance thing not close by my house but somewhat of a drive that I want to do next year. It is a six mile walk with your dog for the Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society. I'm sure Harley could do it right now, but I know I can't just yet. So I am planning on doing that with him next year.

Barb · 08-30-2010, 02:06 PM

I like winter hiking for the great butt workout.

**fawkese1** · 08-30-2010, 10:10 PM

i love hiking with my dog... he is a great hiking partner... in a group he makes sure to keep track of where everyone is at all times, and never leaves anyone to straggle alone

he has a pack, but he needs a larger one... and i use "musher's secret" on his pads since most of our hikes involve walking on some sort of granite, very rough on the feet...