Tips for taking your dog to The park
For dog families, it’s not a hike, camp out or road trip unless your four-legged trail buddy comes with you. While embarking on the adventure is optional, getting back healthy and whole is mandatory! Washington State Parks has some tips to leave you with only good memories when you visit.
Trail tips
We know your dog wants to run free, but leash rules are not a punishment – they’re there for everyone’s safety. Your pup may be a big softie, but even saying, “It’s okay, they're friendly,” won’t assuage some peoples’ fear. Keep your dog from approaching people unless someone asks to pet him or her. Conversely, if your dog is not dog or people-friendly, please warn folks – especially children, before they get close.
Predator or prey?
In the natural pecking order, a dog can be seen as prey to some wildlife (raptors, big cats, coyotes, black bears) and a predator to others (deer, rabbits, marmot, turkey, horses). Leashing your pet can be the thing that keeps them from dinner – both eating and becoming.
Keep in mind that most prey will fight back, and getting gored by a deer is not how you want your pup to end their vacation. Also, when dogs chase wildlife – or something they see or smell – they can get lost or into deep water. Even if your dog is behaved at home, parks are abnormal environments that might be tempting for an off-leash dog to ignore. Tricky whales, seals and waterfowl have been known to lure dogs out into the water and exhaust them.
Trail hazard?
On mixed-use trails, heel or pick up your pooch if a horse or a mountain bike comes by. A horse can easily spook and injure itself, its rider or your party. Mountain bikes zip downhill at high speeds, and you don’t want your dog to chase and get in an accident.
Be my neighbor?
Camping with dogs is just fun. Pups provide warm cuddles and a feeling of safety for solo campers. And dogs + kids + snuggles in the tent go together like chocolate, graham crackers and marshmallows around the campfire.
But dogs hear and smell things we don’t, and they often feel the need to alert us. Your neighbors, however, may not appreciate Fido howling a warning at 2 a.m.
Consider booking a campsite on the end and/or outside part of the campground loop. One Parks staffer says she parks her car between her site and her neighbors’ to minimize stimuli.
Most parks welcome dogs, but we do have a few culturally or environmentally sensitive areas where they’re not allowed. Look up your destination on parks.wa.gov to make sure bud can accompany you on all parts of your state park getaway.
6 Tips for Hike Savvy Canines
Like house-bound humans, dogs need a little prep time to get ready for the trail. Here are six tips to help you and Fido have a safe and fun adventure.
#1 Take it Easy : Start with easy trails and slowly build up stamina & strength.
#2 Care for Tender Paws: Make sure your dog's pads are toughened or purchase hiking booties and let him get used to them before heading into the wild.
#3 Yield to oncoming traffic: No matter how sweet Fido appears, its good practice to verbalize how friendly he is. Step off the trail when hikers pass and heel your dog.
#4 Leash Control: If the trail requires leashes or if if your dog might run into other hikers, keep him on a short leash (-6') since a long leash is more likely to get tangled on brush. Your dog should not be allowed to roam freely.
#5 Leave no trace: Bring bags to collect and carry out your dog’s poop. If you’ll be backpacking overnight, bury it at least 6” deep and at least 200 ' from walkways, camps, and water sources.
#6 Command Ready: Hazards in the woods differ than the cul de sac. Don’t let your dog stray. Some plants are poisonous, and some creatures bite and may host diseases. Irressistable smells will lure pooch away in a flash. Make sure your obedience training is on track.
Visit backpacker.com for more ideas on a safe and rewarding journey!