Before hiking with your dog, check that the collar fits snugly, clip on a fixed leash around six feet long, and make sure your phone number is on the collar itself. Then pack water, a few treats and a towel. That covers most of what goes wrong on a trail.
The rest is about checking your gear at both ends of the walk. Here's the full list.
What should you check on the collar before a hike?
A trail is the worst place for a collar to fail. Your dog is further from home, the ground is rough, and one spooked lunge at a deer can test every stitch.
Run through this at the door:
- Fit. Two fingers should slide under the collar, no more. Then try to ease it forward over your dog's ears. If it slips over, tighten it a notch. Our size guide shows how to measure if you're not sure.
- Buckle and ring. Open and close the buckle. Look at the D-ring where the leash clips on. You want no bends, cracks or rough edges.
- Strap and stitching. Run the collar through your fingers. Fraying edges or loose stitching near the buckle mean it's time for a new one, not one more hike.
If your dog pulls hard when they catch a scent, think about walking on a harness. All of our collars come with a harness Style option for $8 more, sized by the chest. Clip the leash to the harness and leave the collar on for ID.
What leash is best for hiking with a dog?
A fixed leash, about six feet long, held in your hand. Six feet gives your dog room to sniff the edges of the path and pick their footing on rocks, while still keeping them close enough to call back.
Leave the retractable at home. A thin cord tangles round trees and legs, and a dog at the end of 16 feet is too far away when a cyclist rounds a bend. On narrow sections or when people pass, fold the spare strap into your palm to bring your dog in close.
Check the snap before every hike. It takes more strain on a trail than on a street, with every scramble and sudden stop. Every one of our leashes has a solid cast, weld-free metal snap hook, and comes in 1/2 inch, 1 inch or 1 1/2 inch widths. A wider strap is easier on your hand on a long day with a big dog.
Many trails and parks require dogs to stay on a leash. Check the rules before you go, and follow them even if your dog has perfect recall. Wildlife, other dogs and nervous hikers are all reasons those rules exist.
What ID should your dog wear on the trail?
Your dog's name and your mobile number, on the collar, every hike. If your dog bolts after a rabbit and comes out on a different path, whoever finds them needs a number they can call on the spot.
A few things help on a trail in particular:
- Embroidery beats a dangling tag. A hanging tag can snag on brush or get pulled off. Embroidery ($2 a letter) puts the details on the collar itself, so there's nothing to catch or lose.
- Use the number you'll carry. Put your mobile, not a home landline nobody will answer while you're out searching.
- Keep the microchip up to date. A chip needs a vet or shelter scanner, so it's a backup to the collar, not a replacement. Make sure the registered details are current.
Take a clear photo of your dog on your phone before you set off. If they do go missing, you'll have a recent picture to show people on the trail.
What else should you pack for your dog?
Keep it light. You'll be carrying it.
- Water and a bowl. A collapsible bowl weighs almost nothing. Offer water at every break, not just when your dog looks hot.
- Treats. Handy for calling your dog back and for rewarding a good wait when people pass.
- Poo bags. Pack it out. Carry a spare bag for the full ones if you don't want them clipped to your pack.
- A small towel. For muddy paws and a soaked dog before the car.
- A spare leash. If you hike often, a second leash in the car means a chewed or lost one doesn't end the day.
Pick your trail for your dog, not just for you. A long, rocky route in the heat of the day is hard work for a short-legged or flat-faced dog. Start with shorter hikes and build up.
What should you check after a hike?
Give your dog, and the gear, a once-over before you head home or as soon as you're back.
- Paws. Look between the toes and at the pads for cuts, splinters and burrs.
- Coat. Run your hands over your dog for burrs, grass seeds and ticks. Check behind the ears, under the collar and in the armpits.
- Under the collar and harness. Take them off and look for rubbing, especially after a wet or very long hike.
- The gear itself. Pick off burrs and seeds caught in the strap. Wipe or rinse off mud.
- Dry it before you store it. A damp collar left in a car or a bag stays damp. Our swimming collar post covers rinsing and drying wet gear.
If you find a tick and aren't sure how to remove it, or a cut won't stop bleeding, call your vet.
Ready to hit the trail?
Check the fit, carry a fixed leash, put your number on the collar and pack light. If you need a leash in a length that suits your trails, our custom order form is the place to ask. Or browse our handmade dog leashes, each with the same weld-free snap.
FAQ
Should my dog wear a harness or a collar for hiking?
A harness is a good choice for dogs that pull or scramble, because it takes the strain off the neck. Keep a collar on as well so your dog always carries ID, even if the harness comes off.
How long a leash do I need for hiking?
Six feet suits most trails. It gives your dog room to explore the path edges without getting too far ahead. A four-foot leash is fine on narrow or busy trails where you'd keep your dog close anyway.
How do I get burrs out of a dog collar?
Pick the big ones out by hand, then work the small ones loose with an old toothbrush or a comb. If the strap is muddy too, rinse it in cool water and let it dry fully before your dog wears it again.
Want the collar and leash to match on the trail? Take a look at our collar and leash sets.