Hiking season is finally here! But before you head off for a Dog friendly adventure, I’d like to do a quick review of hiking etiquette with your Human. By remembering these simple rules, we can all have a great day out on the trails.
To Leash Or Not to Leash: Now this may appear like a no brainer, but there’s a catch. Even if the rules state it is ok for us Dogs to be off-leash and under voice control, there are some things to consider. For example, when exploring a trail for the first time you may want to be leashed to your Human in case there are hidden hazards like cliffs, swamps, or in the case of one of our hikes – a huge area designated to compost not noted on the trail map! It’s always good to be familiar with your terrain before letting your Human wander off-leash. More importantly, if you’re going to be off-leash and under voice control, that means you must “come” when called and “heel” at your Human’s side. No sniffing around the bush and responding on your terms. If you’re not rock solid on this command, for safety sake stay on-leash. Also on trails popular with mountain bikers and joggers it is best to stay close by your owner’s side. Which brings me to my next point…
Red Light / Green Light: We’re all out there to have a good time, so it is important that while hiking you yield to fellow hikers especially those on mountain bikes or jogging. Nothing ruins a good day faster and keeps you sidelined than getting caught up in a fast approaching bike. So it is important to always be aware of your surroundings because you never know when a bike may suddenly round a bend and not have time to react. This also holds true for joggers. I don’t want them to trip over me! So on busy trails, keep yourself leashed close to your Mom or Dad, and be prepared to play red light / green light when you see people approaching. Traditionally people going uphill have the right of way, but when hiking with your Human, it is always best to yield and let others pass, especially those hiking without a Dog. Now there are times when you simply must get in touch with your inner wolf, and run off-leash. But remember, you still need to yield to people.
It’s Not OK to be Friendly: Oddly enough not all people on the trail are excited to meet you and want to be your new best friend. So when your Human tells you to “come,” you come! Nothing makes me cringe more than when I see a Dog off-leash barreling towards me, and their Human yells, “It’s OK he’s friendly!” Sure we’re all friendly. But that doesn’t mean I want a strange Dog charging into my personal space on a narrow trail. The same is even more true for approaching people, who may be afraid of Dogs, or just simply not interested in greeting us. Even Cat people like to hike too, you know! So I repeat, yield to other hikers, and don’t approach unless they say it is ok. The impolite greeting of strangers is one of the top reasons Dogs get banned from places…well that and poop, but I’ll get to that later.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: As much as I love making new friends, remember that the wildlife you encounter aren’t. Think of it this way. What if you were sitting in your living room and a Bear suddenly came running through? You’d be pretty unnerved, right? Well that’s exactly how it is for the animals who live along these trails. One minute they are enjoying a quiet morning, and the next there’s some Dog bursting in on their privacy. They may even be caring for their babies, grouchy after waking up from a long hibernation, or even aggressive as they search for a new mate. In all these situations, and many more, you are an intruder. Please show wildlife the respect they deserve by playing it cool, and don’t even think of barking or chasing them. Always stay on the trail, and if you do see the local wildlife, just politely nod and keep on hiking. And whatever you do, NEVER try to take a Dog selfie with them!
It Ain’t Easy Being Green: You also have to respect the vegetation along the trails too. I know we all dream of being Lewis and Clark and blazing a new trail, or perhaps discovering some lost civilization hidden amongst the trees, but don’t. Whether they are marking the safest route, redirecting past endangered nesting areas, or simply just a means of keeping your Human from getting lost, the trails are there for a reason. The wild flowers, bushes and trees that surround these trails can be easily damaged or killed by wayward paws and feet. So be sure to keep your Humans on the trail too. Which reminds me when yielding to other hikers, try to move to the side where the path is widest or on a rocky area, so as to avoid stepping on the plants.
Scoop the Poop: Now I know what you’re thinking, if the Deer can poop in the woods, why can’t I? Remember how I said you’re intruding in their space? Well just like you wouldn’t like it if Deer pooped in your yard, they don’t like you pooping in theirs. Besides, without realizing it you may be introducing a disease that the wildlife isn’t immune to. You don’t want to accidentally expose the animals to something that will make them sick. Also some animals are highly sensitive to Dog waste, and if they smell it will leave the area and not return. Not to mention, neither you nor your fellow hikers want to step in poop! So make sure your Humans pick it up! In fact, follow my big brother Lemmy’s example and refuse to move until the offending poop is bagged and ready to go.
Have Poop Will Travel: Also be sure to take the poop with you! Nothing upsets me more than seeing bags of poop lining a trail left by good intentioned hikers who thought they would get it on the way back. Well if the trail is a loop that logic certainly doesn’t work. Even if you do pass by it again, after hours of hiking you may have forgotten it is there or it could have accidentally gotten covered by the underbrush. So always make sure your Humans take it with them! My Dad likes to double bag it, and tie it to a button hole on his cargo pants pocket. Yes, it is annoying because that makes the bag level with my head, but sometimes you just got to deal with the dirty side of life in order to have a good time.
So there you have it folks! Remember these simple rules of Dog hiking etiquette and you’re bound to have great adventures! If you’re looking for Dog Friendly Places to explore, please check out our Dog Trails recommendations. Happy Hiking!
