Endurance and training for the trails is just as important for your dog as it is for you! This post is all about how Lucy and I stay ready for hiking both physicially and from a training standpoint to make sure that we’re as prepaired as possible when we hit the trails.

1. Training

Training is the most important preparation for hiking with your dog. Proper training ensures that you, your dog, and other hikers can all be safe and comfortable on the trail. Leash skills, sit-stays, and recall are the three most important skills to be solid with on the trail.

Leash Skills

Making sure your dog can walk on a leash without pulling is super important and it will make your life much easier on the trails. If your dog’s recall is not 100% your dog should be leashed at all times. This is a safety issue that I will talk about in the recall section below. Even if your dog’s recall is 100%, your dog must still have leash skills because there will always be times when you’re going to need to leash them.

I know it sounds super inconvenient to keep your dog teathered in the mountains but with a little practice it doesn’t have to be! We practice heeling, “wait,” and “getup” for when to jump up on rocks and other obsticles in the backyard and around the house so that when we hit the trail Lucy knows exactly what to do. I often use her dinner as treats to train with, and even if you only spend 15 minutes a day it can make your time on the trail much more enjoyable for everyone involved. 

Sit-Stays

Dogs never have the right-of-way on the trails, which means that when there are other hikers passing by you are obligated to pull over and let them pass. This is where we use our sit-stay the most because having Lucy be cool, calm, and collected when we have to stop makes it easier for other people to get by. This is also good off leash when your dog gets a few feet ahead of you so that they can wait until they catch up. This way they never get out of sight.

We practice at home around the house just randomly, and with walks both on and off leash outside. If you want a challenge, you can also practice emergency downs where you give your dog the down signal and they lay down until told otherwise. This is a challenge when Lucy gets excited by squirrels so we’re still working on it!

Recall

If your dog does not have 100% recall they must be on a leash at all times. Let me repeat that, IF YOUR DOG DOES NOT HAVE 100% RECALL THEY MUST BE ON A LEASH AT ALL TIMES. Out of control off leash dogs are a huge safety issue withing the hiking community and one that is debated frequently. Many people are scared of dogs and many dogs are not dog friendly, so your dog must be able to be under control all of the time.

Recall took a long time for us to master, but with the help of Lucy’s e-collar she is finally reliable off leash. We started by practicing in the house, then in the garage, then in the fenced in yard, and then on very little used trails before doing more popular hikes. Your dog should be able to recall in the event of other dogs on the trail, squirrels, bears, and every other distraction that they could be faced with. It takes a lot of time and practice, but recall is the best skill a dog could have on the trail.

2. Endurance

Hiking takes a lot of energy, so it’s important for both you and your dog to have proper endurance training before hitting the trails. Luckily there are lots of ways you can train together to get in shape for the mountians!

Local Hikes, Walks, and Trail Runs

Surprise! Hiking is the best way to prepare yourself for hiking! Lucy and I are lucky to live in an area with lots of forests and green space to play in. We try to get out for long walks in the woods every day practicing our recall training and to get our heart rates up. We sometimes trail run or run in the neighborhood as well.

Stairs and Hills

When we lived in Boston, one of our favorite places to train was Harvard Stadium. Lucy and I used to go climb the stairs at Harvard Stadium a few days per week. I would even strap on my full backpacking pack to train for trips too. Any type of stairs and hills are good for elevation training for both you and your dog. The November Project is an organization that does weekly stadium running events all around the world so check them out if you want to make some new friends as well!

Shorter Hikes in Areas that You Plan to Do More Hiking in the Future

The terrain where you want to do longer hikes can be very different from your local area, so starting with smaller hikes near the big ones are a great way to prepare. This will help your dog’s feet get used to the terrain and will make them more accustomed to changes in weather and terrain. Here are some of our favorite short hikes in the Whites to get you ready for longer treks. Bonus points for great views!

3. Gear

You may be surprised, but there are things that you should always carry specifically for your dog when you’re on the trail. Some of these things include a dog specific first aid kit, rescue harness, collapsable water bowl, and extra dog food. Check out Lucy’s three season gear list for all of the essential equipment that we pack on a hike.

4. Trail Knowledge

Being informed about the trails you’re taking your dog on is one of the most important ways you can both be prepared for the trail. Our favorite resource is the AMC White Mountain Guide, which has detailed information about all of the trails in the Whites. We also have lots of trip reports with photos and reports about trails all over the Whites. New England Trail Conditions is another great resource for learning about current trail conditions especially in the winter and spring. Being informed about trail conditions and selection can be the difference between having a great time and being in over your head.

There are many ways that it’s important to prepare your dog on the trail, and some of it can’t be practiced ahead of time. Make sure when you start hiking with your dog you become attuned to their signals so that you know when they are having fun and when they are getting too tired to continue. It will be a process of trial and error, but preparing before you hit the trail makes it safer for both you, your dog, and other hikers around you.