The Basics – Water and Paws
Last week I gave you 7 activities to do with your dog, so this week I’m going to expand on that by giving you some inside secrets and equipment you will want to know about. For starters, I mentioned your dog should know her basic obedience commands. It’s great if your dog already knows these, but will she sit and stay when there’s another puppy running past her? Obedience classes offer distractions that you won’t get teaching on your own.
The oldest, and in my opinion the best, obedience training club here is the Obedience Club of San Diego County. They meet in the zoo parking lot on Thursdays and their fees are very affordable. Check them out!
Collapsible Cup
Hydration – for all activities, always bring plenty of water to keep your pup hydrated. Consequently, dogs die every year here on Cowles Mtn because of it. Remember, a dog’s core temp is higher than a human’s and they don’t sweat like us. They can only get rid of heat through their mouths and their pads. A simple collapsible bowl from any pet store works great! And with a carabiner you can easily clip it to a pack.
Tuf-Foot Paw Protectant
2 Categories of Foot Protection based on the terrain:
1. Pad spray
2. Boots
Pad Spray – don’t make the same mistake I did, because in case you don’t know, your pup’s paws can blister just like a human’s feet. I use a spray product called Tuf-Foot on my dog’s pads before running or hiking on moderate dirt trails. It works great on all athletes – dogs, humans, and horses included, with an active ingredient of Benzoin.
Dog Boots
Boots – for rocky terrain and multi-day activities like backpacking, use boots designed specifically for sporting dogs. Don’t confuse these with designer dog clothes that are meant to look cute. These companies make quality functional gear rigorously tested under rough conditions. Ruffwear makes makes 3 different dog boots, including a polar boot. I know, amazing that all this exists for dogs, huh?
Body Gear That’s Functional
Harnesses – use a harness in place of a collar for hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing and snowshoeing. Being able to pick up you pup like a suitcase makes it amazingly simple to lift him over downed trees! It even adds some additional protection in brushy areas. Just make sure the harness fits properly to prevent chafing under their legs, which frequently happens when running in them. And believe it or not, they make special dog harness used by search and rescue to actually belay your pup for rock climbing with ropes!
RuffWear Harness
Packs – when it comes to multi-day trips, a good pack is a must have for your pup. Similar to a horse pack, they divide the load on either side of your dog. We go on 5-day wilderness backpacking trips, carrying enough water until we find a source we can filter it from. That takes some planning and a good dog pack will save much needed space in your own pack.
A dog can carry 1/3 it’s body weight. I divided the contents into 2 equal parts, and he carries all his food, gear, and even water. Just be sure to practice, increasing the load gradually over the course of a few weeks prior to your trip. You should be doing the same for yourself.
Life Jacket – this is a must when kayaking, as anything can happen. Also, not all dogs know how to swim so don’t assume otherwise, especially bully breeds as they have more muscle than other dogs. Before attempting to get your dog into a kayak, start out on dry land just getting him used to it then progress to having him sit between your knees. Treats help speed up the training process. And while were on the subject of jackets, be sure to grab a jacket to protect your dog from cold weather when snowshoeing or even backpacking.
Hope you learned a couple things from this post that you didn’t now before that inspires you to try these activities with you dog. Live life to the optimum!
Melissa
OptimumCondition.com
(619) 252-4993
Empowering people through fitness, education, and coaching
