Tis the season! The weather continues to warm up, the grass is getting greener, time to get out in the world and find some paw-tastic hiking areas! I have to admit, there aren't very many "paradise like" areas to hike where i'm from, but that surely doesn't mean we can't. There are always things you can do to make your walk more of a hiking adventurous experience.How to turn a boring walk into an exploring hike -
Firstly, change it up! Don't always walk the same route every single day. That can get far too boring - even for your dog!
Trails - In most areas, there is always some form of a local trail somewhere. Whether it is a groomed trail which is well used by people, or a rough trail though the trees, find it, explore it, and create your own adventure! The huskies and I do this often. There is a lot of forest area where i'm from, and I have located so many different trails and paths through the trees, and most times we opt to head off the trail for some real fun! I grew up in the country - the boondocks I call them - so I was always out in the forests when I was younger. Always exploring, riding my horse through the trails, or snowmobiling in the winter, so I can't help but leave the safety of a good trail to find out what lies in the deeper area of the trees.
Rivers - Not everyone has a river close by they can walk to, but it can be well worth a road trip to head down to a river somewhere with your dog. We love following the rivers edge just to see where it leads us. We have came across areas by the river which have tall edges of rock and boulders - we climb them as if we were climbing a mountain. Great exercise and paw-some adventures for me and the huskies! A bonus of following the river, is that on hot days, I let them jump in and cool off when we take breaks for a drink and a sit down.
Let them choose - This one is kind of off the topic of hiking, but try letting your dog choose the direction! See exactly where your dog would like to go, and see where you end up!
Stimulate - I mentioned above taking a journey into the forest/trees - come up with creative ways to stimulate your dogs brain and active skills while your there! ie: find obstacles in the trees, such as branches or tree trunks to jump over, or walk under!
When your out walking/hiking/exploring always remember to bring water with you. Dog Backpacks are great for carrying the essentials you'll need while your out, such as water, poop bags etc. It is also super important to take breaks if your out for long in the heat, so have a sit down under a shady tree and cool off for a while.
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| This weeks Flashback Friday photo was from last summer. Our adventures down by the river. |
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| This post is part of the Flashback Friday Blog Hop. Hosted by Five Sibes Mom Co hosted by me from Love Is Being Owned By A Husky |
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| The Pet Parade Hosted by Rascal and Rocco. Co hosted by Bionic Basil, Jan's Funny Farm, Barking from the Bayou and me from Love is being owned by a husky |
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I think all the great smells around our place because of the wildlife make all our walks exciting!
ReplyDeletehahaha! I bet it does!
DeleteI am sooo happy you said "Let them choose" !! Because Dakota is often reticent about walking, that is what I have chosen to do the past few months when I take him for a walk. IT WORKS! I let HIM choose the direction and let him "stop and smell the roses, or peemail or whatever" and he walks pretty well with me now. My husband doesn't let him choose the direction when he takes him and his walks with my husband are less successful.
ReplyDeleteMika is the same way! She loves to decide where she wants to go. I don't do this every single time with her, but when I do, you can definitely see a change in attitude - like "oh this is great! I'm gonna smell that tree, or cross the road here........"
DeleteGreat advice. We love switching up our walks to keep Jack & Maggie inspired and interested.
ReplyDeleteMe too! Keeps things interesting, and gives them new sites and smells to have fun with!
DeleteWe LOVE going on adventures - and we always change our route. One of my favorites takes us up the steepest hill in the neighborhood. Mom doesn't know why, but I just LOVE climbing that hill - and when I get to choose, that's where I take us!
ReplyDeleteCammie!
Adventures sound so much better than workouts LOL
ReplyDeleteWe are excited to have a vehicle that Bentley and Pierre can travel with us. We have taken them to walk along the Red River and discovered an area that we can walk that even has a lake. We are still waiting for it to dry from all of our recent rains to go exploring that!
ReplyDeleteYour walks look so PAWSOME! Exciting walks are the best. Mine love it when they can run about.
ReplyDeletesumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com
Oh my we think that we are going to hear about some very exciting walks with all of you!
ReplyDeleteGreat ideas. We do get to walk the trail with Mom but she gets very frustrated with those that let their dogs run off leash. And those bikers can really be rude sometimes.
ReplyDeleteWe are hoping Mom will take us to a lake or river one of these days - we see all our pals doing that and we want to do it too:)
Woos - Ciara and Lightning
Great ideas! It is good to keep changing things up and to keep your mind and your dogs' minds engaged. It sounds like you guys have some great places to walk :)
ReplyDelete-Purrs from your friends at www.PlayfulKitty.net
That's the one cool thing about being a dog. You get to go for walks. :)
ReplyDeleteThis is such great advice! I'm always trying to think of new places to go for a nice walk or hike with the dogs. I like to find quiet places where we won't see a lot of other people. If we at least break up the usual places with someplace different it can keep things interesting!
ReplyDeleteJan, Wag 'n Woof Pets
My dogs love any kind of walk. We are blessed in that we have both a creek and a pond on our property, so adventures are to be had. These are some fabulous suggestions!
ReplyDeletewhat great and different stuff to do to spice it up
ReplyDelete