Attention Weekend Warriors! You are NOT Superdogs! You are not able to scale tall mountains in a single hike, nor are you a faster swimmer than a rip current, and you’re especially not more powerful than the summer heat. Sorry to be so harsh with my reminder, but lately I’ve been seeing a lot of posts on social media and stories on the news about dogs who didn’t know their limits and got hurt. Sure after being cooped up for over a year, we want to take our humans out on adventures. However, just like Superman, we all have our kryptonite. And humans, I admit when excited us dogs don’t always make the best decisions, so can you please help keep us safe?
Skip the Couch to Summit Climb: If you spent most of your time on your couch, or just walking around neighborhood this past year, please don’t assume you can climb mountains on your first big outing! It took Asa and I years to build up the endurance for conquering new heights, and even we have to start at square one this summer after taking it slow last year. That doesn’t mean you can’t go hiking. But please start with an easy to moderate hike, plan your route, and accept that you may need to cut the adventure short and head home before your fun day out turns into a trip to the animal hospital or worse a rescue mission. It is also important to remember before heading out that many state wildlife fish and game departments have policies that don’t allow for pet rescues. Helping to get an injured pup to safety is dependent on volunteer rescue groups. So please know your limits and the terrain before you attempt to climb every mountain.
It’s Not Just Boy Scouts Who Need to Be Prepared: Conditions can change quickly this time of year, from cool temps in the morning to blistering heat for paws in the afternoon. Or scary thunderstorms striking when you’re far from your trusted Thundershirt. So please humans, keep an eye on the weather, so we don’t get caught off guard, and always carry plenty of water on summer adventures for your pup. We also highly recommend carrying a first aid kit on all adventures, and more importantly make sure you know how to use it in the field to help your pup. There are organizations that offer in-person pet first aid classes, as well as many options for on-line classes for humans to learn these lifesaving skills to help their dogs in an emergency. No one wants an emergency to happen on an adventure, but it is good to be prepared for one.
Don’t get Ripped Away: Beach adventures also come with its own unique set of challenges. Sure you may be a strong swimmer in your pool at home. But the ocean can be temperamental, especially when there are rip currents. Even on what appears to be a relatively calm day, rip currents can develop and that sweep you and your human out into the ocean in a matter of minutes. There are a lot of informational videos on YouTube on how humans can spot a rip current and what to do if caught. But if you’re a dog, watching and learning those techniques isn’t an option. So please have your humans check on ocean conditions before diving in, and even if rip currents aren’t present, know your limits if the waves are churning.
Sink or Swim: You also need to stay aware during lake adventures. Again even the strongest swimmers can get caught off guard, or misjudge the distance to something in the lake and suddenly be too tired to swim back. That’s why we recommend wearing a lifejacket. Alright, I admit we had the unique experience where our brother Lemmy, who loved swimming, would randomly just stop. We don’t know if he was tired, bored, or distracted, but he would forget to tread water and start to sink! A lifejacket sure gave us peace of mind. Because once the adrenaline rush wears off, tired paws and water don’t mix.
This summer remember that you’re not Superdog! Know your limits, plan your adventures, and be prepared. Also don’t forget your Dog Etiquette when exploring places, so that they continue to welcome dogs as visitors. If you would like our recommendations for easy scenic strolls, to more moderate to difficult hikes, and beach reviews, please visit our Dog Friendly Places page.
