Hitting the trails with your pooch
Posted on January 12 2022
Hitting the Trails with your pooch?
Heel boy! now it's my turn Co.
Ryan here from the Pet Connect pack, for most dog owners walking is a way of life. Quite frankly, walking on the footpath just doesn't do it for Co & I. It's boring, more dangerous, hot on Co’s feet, and not very good on dogs joints for long periods of time. In this blog we will discuss why trails are a great way to give your dog exercise, show some awesome trails to try, & look at some great products to make your trail walking fun and easy!
Choosing a trail
Scenic views - Now this is the whole point of using a trail, the views! Here on Waiheke, Co & I love the coastal walks around the island.
Shade - Especially during the summer, the beauty of some trails is the natural shade you get from our beautiful native trees. This natural shade will allow you & your woofer to keep cool as you enjoy your walk together.
Trail distance - As a rule of thumb, in the heat of summer it’s good to choose a trail that is less that 2 hours. By 2 hours of walking some dogs will be ready for rest. Even Co starts to slow at this point! If you are running with your dog this summer, try keep it under an hour, and have water available for your pooch just incase they need a rest.
Time of day - I try to follow the Auckland beach rules when walking Co, walking him before 10am and after 5pm. This avoids the heat of the day, and allows them to enjoy the walk more, and potentially walk for longer.
Trail Etiquette
Check out Little Green Dog here
Off Lead Dogs - I keep Co on an Ezy dog long line most of the time, this is more for his safety than anything. Rabbits have a funny power over him, he’ll be half the way to Wellington chasing one if he had his way! A great rule of thumb is; if you have control of your dog off lead, or with an E collar, then they can probably be off lead for most trails. Make sure you are keeping an eye on them as you enjoy the scenery the trail has to offer. My friend uses the bark & bone whistle to keep their dog on trail and it works a treat!
PLEASE NOTE : There are some trails, especially on Waiheke, that insist all dogs to be on a lead, this is to protect some of our native birds we have on the island.
Meeting other dogs - From a young age, I have trained Co to sit and wait for the other dog to walk past us on the trail. This technique works super well, especially when your dog is a larger dog. Other dog owners appreciate the control you have with your dog while they walk safely past. If the other dog owner doesn't mind, I let Co give them a welcoming sniff, then carry on.
Some extra points
What trails are close to you?
When we first adopted Co, we found this trail guide from Alltrails super helpful, take a look here!
https://www.alltrails.com/new-zealand/dogs
Water - Make sure to take some water with you for your furry pal. We have a great range of travel bottles and bowls for dogs on the go!
Encouraging pets to drink more water is crucial to avoid heat stress and dehydration. Dog hydration products, like the EzyDog leaf bottle, help eliminate the risk of your dog being caught without access to any fresh water.
The Trixie Dog Activity Snack Bag is made from durable nylon and comes with a handy drawstring- to keep the treats safe. Includes belt clip and D-Ring for accessoeries this handy bag is a great training accessory
The Beco Travel Bowl is made from silicone, making it durable, non-toxic and flexible enough to collapse and fit in any bag. With a compact design, you can take your Beco Bowl anywhere – so you can ensure your pet has food and water whilst exploring the great outdoors!
The perfect aid for you and your pooch while you are hitting the trails and beaches this summer. Keep your best mate hydrated while your out and about.
Little Green Dog believe in showing our Earth the same love and care we show our fur kids. Little Green Dog provides New Zealand dog owners with a truly green alternative: fully biodegradable, 100%-compostable, plant-based poop bags so you can clean up after your pup without sh*tting on the environment.
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