10 Tips for Hiking with your Dog | Everything I've learned hiking 4000km with my dog
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 มิ.ย. 2024
- Over the last two years, I've hiked over 4000km with my rescue dog Otto, including several thru-hikes. In this video, I'm sharing my Top 10 Tips for hiking, thru-hiking and long-distance hiking with your dog.
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My long-distance hiking gear list (incl. dog stuff): lighterpack.com/r/itw64b
Lots of love,
Elli and Otto
Time stamps:
00:00 Intro
00:40 Research
03:27 Slowly build up the mileage
04:34 Know your dog's limit
06:13 Commands
10:41 Gear
14:12 First Aid
17:41 Food
19:23 Check your dog daily
20:42 Adjust your plans
22:16 Create a trail routine
23:55 Hike your dog's hike
I see you really love Otto, and I do too.. it is lovely, to see that he is looked after and cared for so very well 🙂 .. you didn't mention it but I expect that when the walking gets hard, he is a comfort and support, as well.. you are not all on your own
Thank you so much for the kind words! Yes, I always try to do everything to make sure he's living his best life. I'm so happy to have him, it's amazing to have him as a companion and definitely helps not feeling alone :)
This is all great advice, thank you! But the genius bit is the section when you talk about teaching Otto his hiking skills. I'm definitely going to try this with my dog, especially the walking behind you tip
Thank you so much, I'm really glad that you found the video helpful :) Yes, that command is very useful for hiking and definitely made things easier for us :)
"Otto with his own sleep system" You are the best dog mom !!!! For me hiking with my Ridgeback last year in W. North Carolina, my favorite memories are of my girl navigating steep rocky terrain and having so much fun ....I mean steep by Florida (home) standards. Now I also have a 1 yo Vizsla, so I'm sure it will be a little more challenging.
Thank you so much for sharing :) Dogs are such great hiking companions although I imagine that hiking solo with two dogs is definitely a bit more challenging probably? But so great that they are excited to go out hiking with you 🙂
I especially like the tip about establishing a routine to help your dog settle in at night. Thanks 👍
Thank you so much :) Yes, that really made a big difference and Otto knows that he can go to sleep. It's a small thing but one that really helps imo :)
More pet owners need to see this well thought-out video. Too often I see people on mountain trails that are dragging or coaxing their dog up or down the trail. It's because the dog is not in adequate physical condition to handle the rigors of hiking. This is particularly true when it's getting warmer and owners think the dog can just jump off of the couch after being sedentary all winter. Hopefully, it only happens once for the sake of the animal. Thanks for sharing this information.
Thank you so so much for the kind words! Yes, that's very true, I've seen that too. I think, "evaluating" our dogs as realistically as we possibly can and being honest to ourselves helps a lot so that we don't miss something/a sign from our dog.... :) Thank you for sharing :)
I often hike with our dog, so I enjoyed watching this video!
Finding a spot to sleep isn't always as easy. Camping is great option for sure. But a bed can be nice as well after a day of hiking.
Sharing the experience with your dog is just great!
Have you ever tried to let Otto carry some of his own stuff?
Have you ever had a hard time finding food for him?
Have a great day! Kaat
Thank you so much :) yes true, finding accommodation that allows dogs isn't always easy... the weight that Otto could safely carry for me isn't worth it. It would just be 1kg incl the backpack and that's not worth it for me and his longer back could already be prone to problems so he doesn't carry something. I want him to just enjoy himself :)
Nr. 3 der Aufrufer, habe die Tipps für das Wandern mit Hund 🐕 als sehr informativ wahrgenommen. Danke Elli, Streicheleinheit für Otto
I liked this video such a lot even though i have never had a dog as a friend. I guess that is what the relationship is all about, the friendship and the respectful behaviour towards each other. Thankyou. M.
Aww, that's so sweet - Thank you so much for the kind words! Really glad that you've enjoyed the video :)
Hello Elli,
a very insightful and interesting report for anyone who wants to go hiking with his four-legged companion. Apparently Otto is the best medically and physically cared dog far around, a really lucky dog indeed. Keep it up you two !😊
Thank-you so much for putting this video together. I discovered your channel a few weeks ago and am really enjoying watching your adventures with Otto. I’m planning to do my first long distance solo hike (West Highland Way) with my dog in May so it’s incredibly useful to have such a good reference video. Getting more than a little excited 🐶 ⛺️ 🥾
Aww, that's very kind - thank you so much for the feedback and lovely words :) Oh, the WHW - that's exciting :) Otto and I are actually hiking the WHW again in March too, I'm so excited, it's a beautiful trail -I'm sure you'll love it!!
Excellent advice Elli. I have a very fit Dalmatian and she has a dog pack from ‘Tail Up’ in which I put a few of her lightweight items. The trick is never, ever over fill with anything heavy, it’s my responsibility to carry the weighty stuff.
She has her own first aid kit and my kit has things which are safe for us both. So far it’s not been needed and I’m happy to carry things ‘just in case.’ I recommend a Phial of saline solution and some of the cotton buds filled with iodine (to be used sparingly). Keeping you dog safe and comfortable is a priority. No shame in bailing if there’s a problem.
Your guidelines are very, very useful and sensible. Great reminders. Thank you (& Otto) Take care. Hike safely 👍🏻
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and for the kind words :) Great tips, thank you! Luckily I very rarely had to use something from the first aid kit for Otto so far either :)
Thankyou for very useful tips.
Thank you so much :)
Never fails to impress ❤
😊🤗
Great tips my friend, so nicely elaborated! 👏👏
Thank you so much :)
Hi Elli & Otto this is a very interesting but very helpful video for others with dogs but also normal people and hiker's to understand. Really appreciate the tips but the great explanation. I think as a dog lover myself and who's had dogs etc we forget somethings but thanks for your expertise but mostly how you given Otto such love and care . Hes a very beautiful happy dog. Take care both 🌷
Thank you so much Chris for the feedback and your kind words :) Dogs really make great hiking companions, but of course there's a bit of "work" that goes into it too to make sure that our dogs also have a great time on trail :)
@@ellihikes total respect Elli with all the training with Otto after I remember how he was when you first got him . He's totally a different dog and a very loving happy one , you should be so proud of yourself young lady.
Firstly, I like that Otto has his own light-switch but where’s his reading lamp. 😂 You know I am a fan, but what I especially love and that comes across strongly, is you really care about Otto. You see him as your pawfect mate and if he’s happy then it can only make your trip a better experience. Love love your videos. I think UK is far better with pets being included. Australia and other countries have a long way to go. OK. I’m off now to get a dog 😂. PS. Otto is thinking “She’s up to something.” 😊
Aww, that's so sweet - thank you :) Yes, that's so true - I'm just so happy to have him and that he's always up for anything 😍 Didn't know that Australia isn't that dog-friendly btw..... :/
We do love animals in Oz but England definitely is better about taking our pawfect mates with us to pubs and walks. Most National Parks here do not allow dogs. There is a good reason and it's to protect our native animals. Most people would use a lead but its just the few that wouldn't. :-(
Love the way you've trained him, Elli (and I've helped rehab rescue centre dogs)
I would never leave a dog alone outside a shop, there's too high a risk of theft. Given his size, I'd put him in your rucksack and teach him to be quiet. Or perhaps would a delivery service like Deliveroo etc work ?
Another point - register your contact details against the microchip number with a national government authorised registrar for the country you're going to. Otherwise, if you become separated, you're relying on organisations to notify the German registrar. In the UK PetDatabase is a free registrar, others charge.
Thank you for the feedback and useful tips! Definitely will look into the UK database you mentioned and do that for our next hikes!
As for leaving Otto outside: He's not that heavy but unfortunately way too long to fit in my pack unless it's almost empty. But I always do everything to reduce the risk: If I'm in a bigger town, I try to leave him in the accomodation or at least choose a supermarket that's not on a main street where many people are walking by. I often times also ask the security staff at the entrance or the the reception staff to keep an eye on him which always worked :)
Luckily I mostly come across very small shops in very tiny villages on my hikes with no one around where I feel like the risk is smaller..... But yes, always on my mind of course .....
I just found the channel but am travelling to the Vosges mountain area in France later this month with my 🐕Moomin who is a 3 year old Labrador retriever. Do you have experience of hiking with your dog in that area? We usually live in Edinburgh which I am pleased to see you have visited - great walks around here!
Thank you so much!! I've been to the Vosges a few times as a kid with mg parents, but I didn't do any hiking there with Otto yet. But definitely on the list too as it's not far from where we live in the south of Germany :)
Great tips, Ellie. I also think having a plan in place to bail with your dog off the trail in an emergency situation should the dog become incapacitated is important . Even a dog as small as Otto will start to get heavy trying to carry him in your arms for a long distance . So having a rescue sling or leaving enough items from your pack behind in a cache (off-trail) so you can carry your dog out on your back might prove necessary. I only speak from experience after my Boston Terrier peed on a nest of ground hornets and got attacked. She started vomiting and foaming at the mouth, and I had to run with her in her pack (K9 Sportsack) for nearly a mile back to the car. Luckily I was on a day-hike and the state park I chose that day was only 5 mins down the road from our veterinarian, otherwise she probably wouldnt be with us.
Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing your experience! Ouch, that sound's horrible, your poor little dog :( Glad to know that she recovered from that! Yes, that's true - if I would need to carry him for longer, I would just leave some of my stuff behind and carry him in my pack or on my shoulders....
There is indeed the emergency that you experienced with your poor dog stung by hornets that comes out of the blue. Glad you could get your dog to be treated by the vet in time. - A friend and I came across an inexperienced hiker on Striding Edge whose 40+kg Golden Retriever was stuck and very scared on the scramble. The dog would not move. We emptied one of our rucksacks converting it into a 'stretcher'. It took four people to carry the dog and the owner to comfort and calm him. In this case continuing upwards was easier with a gentle, longer descent on the other side. - In some way, this was a case of fail to prepare, prepare to fail. In the end, everyone was happy that the dog was okay. He thankfully kept still - being scared - on the rucksack as thus could have otherwise become quite dangerous for us on the scramble. - I had a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who I only took on day hikes, also taking a carrier for him. He couldn't / shouldn't walk far due to his heart condition. I loved him and miss him. He loved to be outside with me but we could sadly never embark on a thru-hike together.
Good evening Ms Elli & Sir Otto 😃
Very informative tips and I appreciate how thoroughly you explained each
One thing I’ve seen as you share these and following along
Otto was blessed with you finding him and also going by the smiles and the sparkle in your eye talking and interacting with him, you are blessed by him as well❤️
Awesome team you guys make👍🏻😃
I’ve never travelled overseas, no knowledge of passports for humans or dogs, when crossing borders etc, do you have to find another official that checks Otto’s papers or is it all done at one stop and then proceed on?
Again I thank you for another wonderful and informative video
Till next time, take care, keep safe and see ya then👍🏻🙏🏻😃☺️
Have a wonderful evening😃
Thank you so much for the kind words and for following along and always leaving nice comments :) Luckily, there's not much hassle: Otto's papers get checked before boarding the ferry/and or when we're there and are entering the UK. After that, we're fine :) If we're travelling around the EU, there are no checks 99% of the time (neither for humans nor pets) as the borders are open and you can just pass through :)
Hello Elli and Otto.
Very interesting video. I think Otto should come live with me so I can try some of them Tips.
Hehe
😅😊😊 Thank you!