Snow has finally arrived in Maine and with it comes opportunities for dog friendly winter hiking. But before heading out there are precautions to take so that both you and your dog can have a great adventure.
Snow clumping up on paws tends to be the biggest issue for dogs when hiking, and licking will only exacerbate the irritation. Before heading out trim the fur between the pads to reduce snow clumping. To further reduce it, some hikers apply Musher’s Secret to their dog’s paws. We have not had much luck with using that wax on our dogs, but I do have friends who swear by it. So it is worth trying. Another option is putting booties on your dog. But before going on a hike, it is best to let the dog get confident wearing them. Over the years, we have found our dogs prefer to not use wax or booties, and instead we limit the distance of our hikes and take periodic breaks to check their paws. Also check for clumping snow on the underside of their bodies.
Our Golden Retrievers are able to keep themselves warm, especially with the physical activity of a hike. Therefore, wearing a coat is not necessary. However, for some dogs, the added warmth of a dog coat is needed. Although our Goldens do not wear coats, they do wear orange reflective vests, to make them easy to spot if they get into deep snow or thick brush. The blaze orange vests will also make dogs visible to other hikers and snowmobilers that may also be using the trails. We suggest your dog wear a bell too. Again, this helps to locate your dog, and makes his presence known to other people in the area.
No matter what the season, you should always carry with you an emergency first aid kit. However, in the winter adding hand and foot warmers to the kit, as well as a blanket are advisable in case you or your dog get hurt and need to wait for help. Be sure to monitor the dog around the warmers, because the chemical used is poisonous.
During cold weather it is easy to become dehydrated without realizing it. Therefore as with summer hikes bring plenty of water for you and your dog. Also bounding through deep snow burns a lot of calories, so be sure to have nutritious dog treats available to maintain energy on long hikes.
If you plan to use cross country skis, snowshoes or ice cleats be aware of your dog’s location at all times. The sharp edge on fast moving skis can slice paws, and spikes on snowshoes and cleats can also cause serious injuries. We prefer to use YakTrax Walk+ for short hikes. The cleats have steel coils instead of spikes, and give good traction.
Finally, use common sense. If the weather is too cold or the snow is deep, limit the time and distance that you are out hiking with your dog. If your dog is not accustomed to hiking in the snow, begin at a location that the dog is familiar with so he can get use to the new snow covered terrain. Also stay away from lakes and ponds, and minimize the time spent in icy areas. In addition to the danger of the dog falling into water that may not be completely frozen, there is the risk of serious injuries to your dog’s ligaments from slipping.
By taking precautions you and your dog can enjoy all the great dog friendly winter hiking trails that southern Maine and seacoast New Hampshire have to offer. In the coming weeks we’ll be posting our favorite winter hiking places on our Dog Friendly Places page. Happy Hiking!
