Taking a walk or hike with your dog is not only good for them, but also for you.
Before heading out, make sure your dog has a clean bill of health from your veterinarian to prevent any injuries and avoid any issues that might arise from exercising. Getting proper physical stimulation helps dogs keep their muscles and joints healthy, maintain a healthy weight, and work off energy that might be pent up from being inside.
Start your dog out with a nice walk around the neighborhood and work up to a longer hike. Just like with us humans, you don’t want to jump right into a 3-mile hike without building up your endurance and muscles, so make your walks a little bit longer each day and add in a hill or two. When you’re ready to hit the trails, I suggest the Watson Woods Trail that starts at Rosser and goes to Watson Lake. It’s a nice 3.5-mile round trip hike that is pretty flat and a good starting point for beginners. From there, you can venture out to other trails and eventually to some that challenge you both a bit more. Lynx Lake Loop is a beautiful 2.5-mile hike that is relatively easy too. The Constellation Loop comes in at about the same length and is also easy but often quite busy. Goldwater Lakes Trail 396 is an 8-mile hike out and back which has nice benches along the way to take a break when needed. You can find many more dog friendly hikes at alltrails.com, bringfido.com and our local Chamber of Commerce offices. Remember to bring potty bags, water for both of you, and be sure to keep an eye on your dog(s) to make sure they are not becoming overheated or exhausted. And remember that while it’s tempting to let your dog off its leash, it is AZ law that your dog remains on a leash that is a maximum of 6 feet long. This is for the safety of not only your dog, but others you may come across.
Taking a walk or hike with your dog is not only good for them, but also for you. Benefits include getting exercise and it’s a great time to bond with your furry friend. You can even add in some training time with them by socializing with other people and other dogs. As it gets warmer, be sure to keep an eye out for snakes that may be in bushes or even hiding buried in the dirt of the trail. We have a lot of different species of snakes in Northern Arizona and while some are not poisonous, many are. It’s a good idea to take a moment to learn the different types so you are able to spot ones that may be potentially poisonous or dangerous to you and your pet. Should you happen to come across a snake and your dog gets bitten, it’s important to know what kind of snake it is and make sure you take your dog to your vet as soon as possible.
In addition, April is also Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month. Lyme Disease is caused by ticks found in tall grass, thick brush, and woody areas. Ticks attach themselves to your pooch when they walk by and rub up against something the tick is on. A tick can transmit Lyme Disease to your dog in as little as 24 to 48 hours after being attached. When you get home from a walk or hike, be sure to inspect your dog for ticks. Be very thorough, especially in long-haired dogs, as they tend to dig their way down to their skin quite quickly. If you happen to find one, carefully remove it making sure you get the entire tick. You can prevent ticks from jumping on your dog altogether, by giving them a veterinary-approved flea and tick preventative available over the counter.
So, grab that leash and your dog and head out for a nice walk together! It’ll do you both good! QCBN
By Loree Walden
Loree Walden is the marketing manager at Yavapai Humane Society.