Go on a hiking adventure like a pro – Dogster

The state of the world in recent years has prompted more and more people to take up outdoor activities. The fresh air of a trail is a safe place for humans and dogs to exercise and find inner peace among the beauty of nature. We found three cool people who make a living by going on adventures with their four-legged friends.

THE BLOGGER: Jen Sotolongo

Blog owner Long distance hikers: Outdoor Adventures with Dogs, Jen Sotolongo’s goal is to share tips for getting outdoors with your dog, adventure travel, and training tips. She is also the author of the recently published book The Essential Guide to Hiking with Dogs: Trail-Tested Tips and Expert Advice for Canine Adventures.

About eight years ago, Jen and her then-partner quit their jobs and took their dog, Sora, an Australian Shepherd, on a two-year cycling trip through Europe and America from South. The adventure was documented in the form of an online travel diary. Brands started paying attention and Jen realized she could make a career out of writing.

Today, Jen lives in Oregon with her Red Heeler mix, Sitka, who joins her on the trails. About Sitka, Jen explains: “You know he’s made for endurance. Especially when we go running off leash, which is my goal as much as possible, he just has fun sniffing all the stuff.

A few years ago, Falcon, the world’s leading publisher of outdoor recreation content, approached Jen and asked if she would like to do a guide on hiking with dogs. She was thrilled to have the opportunity to promote safe interactions for dogs and their humans on the trails. “My goal with the book was to educate people on what a preferred behavior is, while providing them with information,” she says. “The book goes even before you get your dog to finally get on the trail with your dog.”

Jen’s #1 safety tip is to not assume your dog can approach other dogs on the trail, even if they’re both off leash. She suggests having your dog trained by a professional. “It was one of the biggest decisions I’ve ever made for my dog,” she says.

Get more tips from Jen at longhaultrekkers.com.

DOG HIKING CEO: Amity Noble

Just over six years ago, Amity Noble took her love of dog walking to the next level and started the business dogs go hiking, which serves parts of Massachusetts. She had started walking dogs as a part-time job in college. A few years later, she began taking the family dog, a half Lab and half Border Collie mix named Bandit, on hikes to exhaust him. She discovered that putting his energy into the trails made him a wiser dog. One day, Amity thought of bringing along some other dogs to help Bandit socialize. About nine months later, she was hiring employees because of the volume of business she was getting. Dogs Go Hiking was official!

Amity’s hikers check an app in the morning to see what their day will be like and which lucky puppies will be with them. The morning is spent hiking for two hours, followed by a lunch break before setting off on the 45-minute adventure in the afternoon. The group rides are fairly structured, and although Amity points out that her crew aren’t dog trainers, trail manners are reinforced. Sit and stay controls are essential and often allow cyclists and other hikers to safely navigate the populated trails that dogs visit.

Amity knows her canine clients are having fun. “I think they love seeing their buddies,” she explains. “They know when we stop at their little doggie friends or when we stop at certain parks that they know have a pond and can swim. They hear the car or they see the walker coming, and they just know what awaits them.

If you’re looking for a similar service in your area, Amity advises you to do your homework. Dog hikers should know the area, dog behavior and first aid for dogs. Most importantly, check that the company has appropriate insurance.

Learn more about dogsgohiking.com.

THE TRAIL WRITER: John Fayhee

John Fayhee has written several books and journal articles, and was a long-time contributor to Backpacker magazine. His last book, not yet published, A long tangent: An old man and his young dog hike every day for a good year, documenting time on the trail with his dog, Casey.

Casey wasn’t John’s first four-legged partner. In the 90s, Fayhee adopted a dog from the local Colorado shelter named Callie. After about six months, the Australian Shepherd/German mix joined him for a two-month hike on the Divide Trail. The trip marked the beginning of the duo’s adventures. “I can’t even count the thousands of miles we’ve traveled together,” says John.

Shortly after Callie passed away at age 13, John adopted Casey, a lab mix. She was with her father for most of the 367 consecutive days documented in her book. He’s not sure the book will find a place with a publisher, but says it’s fine. “It’s going to be difficult to find the right place in a bookstore to put it. It’s part memory and part fist bump. It was a book I wanted to write. »

John explains, “My dog ​​is my best friend. Casey is trail trained and in an area where she can be off leash. Her human partner has to pay attention to where she is and what she is doing. Having a dog by your side helps on the ground

John. “I really go inside when I walk because I’m thinking about what I’m writing,” he explains. “I don’t pay much attention to the natural world I walk in, and the dog keeps me at least one foot in reality.”

Hiking tips

Leslie Doucette is the owner of Chattapoochie Dog Hiking Adventures, which leads dog pack hiking adventures in the Atlanta area. She shares some of her best trail tips for safe and fun adventures.

• Check with your veterinarian to make sure your dog’s physical health is adequate for the activity level.
• Make sure your dog has all required vaccinations and is up to date on parasite prevention.
• Start with shorter hikes to help your pooch build endurance and strengthen his foot pads.
• Keep nails trimmed to avoid dew claw injury.
• Know the weather and hike in optimal conditions.
• Bring snacks and enough fresh water for your pooch. Most dogs need 1 to 1½ ounces of water per pound; more on hot days.
• Do not let your dog drink water from lakes, ponds or puddles as they may contain dangerous bacteria and/or parasites.
• Watch your dog for heavy panting, frequent resting and/or a dry nose: all early signs of heatstroke. If you see any of these signs, find a shady spot and give your dog fresh, cool water to drink. Treating its belly, armpits, neck and paws with water is helpful in hot weather.
• Remove all poop and poop bags from your dog.
• Obey trail etiquette.