9 Ways To Practice Low Impact Hiking With Your Dog

Every time you hike with your dog on the trail youdog with one swift kick. You don't want to think
are an ambassador for all dog owners. Some peopleabout dealing with a dog after an encounter with a
you meet won't believe in your right to take a dogskunk or porcupine.6 - Step off the trail and wait
on the trail. Canine hikers have all had the experiencewith your dog while horses
of returning to a familiar trail and encountering aand other hikers pass. Non-dog owning trail users will
brand new NO DOGS ALLOWED sign at theappreciate this simple act of courtesy.7 - Control
trailhead.When you hike with your dog, be friendly toyour dog when approaching other dogs and people.
all and make the best impression you can byYou know your dog is friendly but others don't.8 - Do
practicing low impact hiking with your dog:1 - Packnot allow your dog to bark - people are enjoying
out everything you pack in. Your dog can help withthe trail for serenity.9 - Have as much fun on your
this. Train your dog to wear a dog pack that canhike as your dog does.I am the author of over 20
serve two purposes - helping you with the burden ofbooks, including 8 on hiking with your dog, including
food and drink and also to haul away trash you findthe
or create on your hike.2 - Do not leave dog scat onwidely praised The Canine Hiker's Bible. As publisher
the trail; if you haven't brought plastic bags for poopof Cruden Bay Books, we
removal bury it away from the trail and topical waterproduce the innovative A Bark In The Park series of
sources.3 - Hike only where dogs are allowed.4 - Staycanine hiking books found at
on the trail. Do not allow your dog to trample plantsDuring the warm months I lead canine hikes as
by running through the woods.5 - Do not allow yourtour leader for tours, leading packs of dogs and
dog to chase wildlife. This is as much for your dog'shumans on
safety as for the wild animals. Small mammals mayday and overnight trips.
be sick with rabies and a frightened deer can kill your