The weather is warming. Trails are not (quite as) muddy as they have been. The days are longer.
Everyone wants to be outside and everyone wants to bring their canine companion!
That's great to get your dog out on the trails. Walks are a great time to work on training with your dog. Some of my favorite training “games” I like to play out hiking are Recall Games, Heeling Games, and Confidence Building Games.
But….
Its important to remember your basic Doggy Trail Etiquette:
1. Dogs should be on-leash, or under voice control if off leash.
Why, you ask? Because the trails are here for everyone… Meaning, if someone is afraid of dogs, or just doesn’t like dogs, they have the right to go hiking without fear of being assaulted by loose (or leashed) dogs!
This will also prevent any accidental dog fights, dog bites, or crashes with bicycles.
Its also important to remember not everyone who likes dogs or has a dog wants a wayward dog running up to them and jumping all over their dog.
2. If you see someone approaching, heel or leash your dog, and give them right-of-way.
The reasons for this are the same ones for #1. If you see someone, whether or not they have a dog, you should call your dog to you. Use your judgment as this can be situational on steeper terrain.
3. Leave No Trace: This means pick up poop!
It is easy to just leave poop in the forest. It’s easy to rationalize as “natural”, but the number of dogs along the trails is the opposite of natural! If your dog poops, especially close to the trail, CLEAN IT UP. Its also important you pack it out. If you cannot clean it up and pack it out, you should bury it. Leaving bags filled with poop can be worse than not removing it.
4. Do not let your dog harass wildlife.
This should be self explanatory. As fun as it is for your dog to chase a deer, the deer does not think it is fun. The national parks often claim one of the reasons they ban dogs is the dogs harass wildlife, so lets not give other parks the same ammunition!
Voice Control: What does it mean
Voice control means that when you call your dog, the dog comes back to you. If your dog comes back “except when there are other dogs around” or “usually comes back” your dog is not under proper voice control, and needs some more training!
If this is the case, use a long line when walking the dog. A long line is a leash anywhere from 10-30+ feet long. You can reel it in as the dog is closer and let it slack when there is space for the dog to roam. If your dog does not come back when called, its a great safety line to have!
Have you had good experiences on the trail with your dog? Why or why not? Let us know in the Comments!
Need help getting your dog trail ready? Call or email us today to set up a lesson!