We adopted Cheyenne ("Chy") over one year ago, and she's been nothing but pure joy for us ever since. As you can tell, Chy has some great muscle on her, so we've been eager to challenge her on the trails. Early after she joined our family, Chy proved herself to be a great running partner (she prefers to set the pace at sprint!), and a fiend at the dog park. (We'll accept any and all challenges for a game of fetch or a race!)
Now that the weather has cooled off, we thought it would be a perfect time to take Chy on a nice long hike (she'd only accompanied us on short hikes and long, paved walks thus far). We set out to check off the Ford Canyon loop in the White Tanks from our "West Valley Hikes" list (It's a real list - ask anyone who's seen the whiteboard in our kitchen!). We knew this would be a challenging hike, but not too intense. We also had plenty of time to travel the roughly ten miles in, over and out.
So how did we do? It was a gorgeous hike; highly recommended! How did Chy do? Well, the poor pooch's feet took a real beating from the granite scrambles, crushed rock, and sandy washes. She was a trooper, though! Chy kept pace, and frequently led the way up boulder scrambles, seeming to enjoy a view from a little higher up.
Unfortunately, we didn't even realize the damage to her pads until we arrived home and she seemed to be tip-toeing on her front paws!
This prompted some belated research on our part regarding safe and comfortable hiking with dogs. Here are our lessons learned:
- Hydration - Bring as much water for the dog as you do for yourself. No need for the fancy travel bottles and bowls. Throw an extra bladder in your pack, a lightweight plastic bowl, and you're set. *Remember - Standing water and even unidentified streams can be dangerous, often harboring parasites and bacteria that can lead to serious intestinal issues for your buddy.
- First-aid - Keep an extra eye and ear out for potentially harmful wildlife. On our trip, we encountered bees and a snake that, without our redirection, could have made Chy very uncomfortable (at the very least!) for the rest of the trip. If your dog does become injured, be prepared with a first-aid kit (just as you do for yourself). Veterinarians are an excellent resource for determining what medications (as well as dosage), ointments and bandages are best to bring along.
- Paw care- Check the dog's feet regularly for rocks, sand, thorns, etc. Keep an eye on the pads for blistering, scraping and cracking. Many folks recommend booties and/or socks for longer and/or rough trails. Consider throwing them in the pack for interval use, allowing your dog to have as much mobility as possible. They are also good for accompanying any first-aid needs for their feet.
- Leash your dog! This is for their safety as much as it is for other hikers' comfort levels. With so many new sights and smells, even the best trained/behaved dog could wander after dangerous vegetation and/or wildlife. If you expect large rocks, steep edges, scrambles, etc., consider using a harness to prevent the potential for strangling and choking.
- Energy - There's a reason they're called wo/man's best friend - they are loyal to a fault! Your dog will keep pace beyond their health, safety and comfort levels. They may not tell you when they're hungry, or if they're fuel light is on "E." When you stop for a snack, give your dog a treat, too. Keep it light to avoid full belly-slow-moving-syndrome (this applies to humans, too!).
After 48 hours of rest, Chy was back on her feet and back to her spunky self. We're looking forward to the next hike with her, and will certainly plan to be better prepared. Since our 9ish-mile loop turned into more of a 10ish-mile hike, we plan on working her back up to long distances. We'll stick to the 5ish distance for now! Happy trails!
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| Looking northeast toward the mountains on the other side of the valley. |
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