Saturday 28 June 2014

Hiking with your dog

Hello everyone.
We are back from out blogging break, thanks to everyone who wished Dante happy birthday, he had a brilliant day doing all his favourite things.
As some of you may know we are lucky enough to live a stones through away from the Lake District National Park here in England.  That means we go for lots of long sometimes hard walks with Mum.

Mum, Baird, Sana & Daisy Boo enjoying Stickle Pike 
Here are some top tips when your going to be out and about with your best four legged friend.
Match the walk to BOTH your fitness levels. 
There is no point in starting off on a 4 hour walk if you physically cannot do it! Your furry friend will also keep walking even when they are tired, they can't really tell you when they want to go home. Start off slow, then increase the distance and difficulty of your walks in time.
Sana & Daisy Boo can take on much longer walks than Baird, who at 19 months is still rather restricted on how far he can go. 
Water, water, water!
Make sure that you have plenty of water for you and your hiking buddy no matter the weather. Also bring any snacks and food depending on the length of your walk
Wear appropriate clothing
Check the weather forecast before you go, pack waterproofs for you and your pooch if necessary. STURDY footwear is a must.
Know your route
Take a map and let someone know where you are going and the time you are expected to be back.
Watch for live stock
Especially during lambing season. Be respectful of all live stock and keep your dog on the lead and under strict control.
What? I won't' chase them Mum- honest!
Emergency first aid kit
It is always hand to bring a small first aid kit which can include, gauze bandages, anitseptic cream, tweezers, plasters etc. Make sure your dogs collar has up to date identification tags on, incase they get lost. 

Insurance
Pet insurance can be a great investment, be prepared for the unexpected. If you insure your dog you can have peace of mind, just in case the unfortunate happens while out hiking, A broken leg can cost a few thousand pounds to fix alone. If you invest in insurance you will not have to worry about unexpected vet bills. 

Most of all
have fun! Enjoy the time with just you, your best friend and the great outdoors.