DoggMatch
A woman and her dog resting on a mountain trail at golden hour

Out and about

Adventures they'll actually enjoy.

Dogs will almost always keep going for you, well past the point they should have stopped. That's why the judgement has to be yours.

Before a big walk

A little preparation.

  • Lead, and a harness or collar that fits properly
  • ID tag with a phone number that works
  • Waste bags, and somewhere to put them
  • Water on warm days or long routes
  • A few treats — recall is worth paying for
  • Something reflective or lit when it's dark
  • Paw protection if it's icy, salted or very hot
  • A route you know, or a map if you don't

Hiking

What decides how far you go.

  • Fitness

    Distance is built up over weeks. A dog who walks an hour a day is not ready for a full day on a hill.

  • Age

    Growing puppies and older dogs both do better with shorter, flatter days.

  • Weather

    Heat is the one that catches people out. Start early, or don't go far.

  • Terrain

    Rock, scree and long grass are all hard on paws in different ways.

  • Water

    Carry more than you think, for both of you. Don't rely on streams.

  • Rest

    Shade and a proper stop every hour or so, whether they ask for it or not.

  • Recall

    Be honest about it. If it's unreliable, use a long line.

  • Wildlife and livestock

    Lead on around animals, always. Local rules often require it.

Weather

The weather decides more than the map does.

There's no temperature that's right for every dog. A husky and a whippet will disagree with each other on the same morning.

Heat

  • Walk early or late, not in the middle of the day
  • Test the pavement with the back of your hand for seven seconds
  • Shade and water at every stop
  • Slow down long before they ask you to
  • Watch for heavy panting, stumbling or a dog who lies down and won't move

Cold

  • Short-coated and small dogs lose heat quickly
  • Wet fur and wind together are worse than cold alone
  • Rinse and dry paws after salted pavements
  • Watch for ice balls between the pads
  • Come home sooner rather than later

Heatstroke is an emergency

Heavy panting that won't settle, bright red gums, drooling, wobbliness, vomiting or collapse. Get them into shade, offer water, cool them with tepid — not icy — water, and ring a vet straight away.

Paws

Check them after every big day.

  • Hot pavement, which burns faster than most people expect
  • Sharp stones and broken glass
  • Ice, and ice balls forming between the pads
  • Road salt, which stings and shouldn't be licked off
  • Grass seeds, which work their way in between the toes
  • Small cuts, and anything that makes them lick one paw repeatedly

A holiday together

What to take.

Tick it off as you pack. It saves on this device, so it'll still be here next time.

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