6 Tips for Hiking with Small Dogs (Spec Piece)
Nagi builds confidence and strengthens her bond with her humans while hiking on the California coast.
Before I was a dog owner, I was a backpacker. Before any of that, I was a lonely dog-lover scanning internet ads for adoptable pets in search of a trail buddy. Then, I fell head-over-heels in love with a 17lb chihuahua-dachshund mix. When Nagi first came into my life by happy accident, I wondered how to balance my new identity (small dog owner) with the old one (multi-day backpacker). Eventually, I figured out the best way to do that was pretty simple. Bring her along with me.
If you’re a hiker and a small dog owner like me, you may be considering bringing your best friend along on your next hike. You might also be wondering about the logistics of doing so. In this post, I’m going to talk about some of the reasons I love hiking with my small dog. I will also share some of my top tips for the trail.
The Case for Bringing Your Little Dog Along
Small dogs require time outside and daily exercise. Hiking is a great way to give it to them! (Photo by Yasin Hosgor)
Little guys need exercise too. Be gone with the image of the small dog being toted around in a woman’s handbag, a la Paris Hilton, a la 2003. (Okay, maybe not gone with it entirely, I still do love to witness the occasional purse Chihuahua in the wild.) Many of us have this idea that small dogs don’t require much in the way of physical activity, but this notion is untrue. Our small dogs need outdoor stimulation and daily exercise as much as the next golden retriever, and it’s high time we start giving it to them.
Time outdoors will help strengthen your bond with your dog. When we take our dogs outside, we reinforce our relationship to withstand the excitement and temptation of the world at large. A dog who learns to be in tune with your leadership in the outdoors is a dog who will come to seek your guidance in all kinds of new, strange situations and environments. The bond you forge on days spent adventuring will bring you closer together than you ever thought possible before.
Hiking helps your small dog build confidence. Many small dogs struggle with social insecurity. Getting them outdoors and focused on the trail ahead can be a great opportunity to work on training. Hiking with your dog can also instill a sense of independence in them, and help to improve their self-confidence. A well-structured walk also provides great mental health benefits for our pets and ourselves alike.
Small dogs are easy to carry, making it easy to help them maneuver trail obstacles like large boulders or downed trees. (Photo by Darya Trayfanava.)
They are very portable. The ability to scoop up your bestie when needed comes in handy once you hit the trail with them. Assisting your small friend over common obstacles such as downed trees, large boulder sections, or high river crossings becomes a much easier task when the dog you’re hauling only weighs about 15 pounds. When I hike with Nagi, I also hike with the peace of mind that comes from knowing that if she ever injured herself or became fatigued, I could confidently carry her home to safety.
They fit inside your sleeping bag. Cozying up with your little one inside the tent means less gear that you’ll have to pack and carry to make sure your trail partner sleeps comfortably through the night. Your friend will return the favor, acting as your personal space heater inside your sleeping bag while you snooze. Bonus, sleepy post-hike snuggles so happen to be the best kind, in my very professional opinion.
You will come to enjoy the looks of surprise from fellow hikers. Some days Nagi and I receive comments from fellow hikers who wonder out loud if she’s up to the task at hand, but we have learned to shrug off these naysayers. Nagi’s little legs speak for themselves as they carry her from one campsite to the next. More often than not, we come into contact with hikers whose eyes beam with excitement to see the look of contentment on my girl’s face while she’s doing the thing she most loves. “It’s easy to tell who the leader of this family is!” has become one of my favorite comments we receive on the trail. It always fills me with such pride when perfect strangers can recognize how much might my little woman has in her.
6 Tips for Hiking with Your Small Dog
I believe in the power of the outdoors to transform dogs of all sizes into the most confident and capable version of themselves. I have shared some of the reasons why I love hiking and camping with Nagi. Next, I’ll talk more about my recommendations to keep your small dog safe and comfortable the next time you venture into the backcountry with them.
Brush up on your training. Before you hit the trail with your little buddy, it is imperative for the safety of your dog that the two of you have a good handle on obedience basics. Whether you plan to hike your dog on or off-leash, be sure to practice in a more familiar environment before you start your first hike. Other good skills to work on include heel, recall, leave it, wait (or stay), and eye contact/attention. You will both have a much smoother and happier hike if you work on these cues ahead of time.
Work on training with your dog to ensure safety before hitting the trail. (Photo by Honest Paws)
2. Start small. This is especially relevant if your dog is new to hiking. Start with shorter trails and smaller elevation gain while you work up to harder terrain. This will give your pal space they need to get practiced at their new favorite past-time. Be cautious not to push your dog too far, too fast while you’re still getting acquainted with one another as hiking partners.
3. Layer up. If you know your little buddy gets cold, carry an insulating layer for your dog in case of inclement weather. Nagi loves this Fernie Dog Jacket from Ruffwear for chilly evenings at the campsite. On hot summer days, we carry her Swamp Cooler Cooling Vest to keep her from overheating. I also recommend this Overcoat Fuse Jacket for those pups who just can’t stand the rain. (They know who they are.)
Some small dogs prefer to be chauffeured, and I think that’s a pretty cool way to hit the trail too. (Photo by Treddy Chen)
4. Get your gear on. Consider other pieces of gear that you might need to help make your pet comfortable on the trail. Do they have sensitive paws? A pair of dog boots might make a good investment. Are you planning to take your dog along for overnight adventures? I love this LED light that attaches to their harnesses and keeps them visible in the dark. How about food and water dishes? These Quencher Dog Bowls make a great lightweight and packable option. No worries if you’re not exactly sure what kind of gear you’ll need right away. Get started hiking with what you have, and you’ll figure out the rest as you go.
5. Be aware of common predators in your area. Where I live, I keep an eye out for coyotes and black bears while I hike with my dogs. I know what times of day, and in what kinds of areas, I am most likely to encounter them. I know how best to scare them away, and I know how my dogs are likely to react if we come face-to-face with one of these guys. If you are hiking in an area where there is potential to encounter local predators, remain hyper-vigilant. In case of a wildlife encounter, use the training you practiced, and always leash your dog. Be prepared by staying informed before you head out on the trail. Research your local hiking areas before you go. Contact the governing agency directly if you have questions about recommended precautions to take when encountering wildlife.
6. Get to know your dog’s needs and choose your adventure accordingly. At the end of the day, each animal is an individual. I believe that our small dogs are all cut out for the outdoors in some capacity. Still, I recognize that some dogs may not be up for many multi-day backpacking trips any time soon. And that’s quite alright. Even if your dog doesn’t want to hit the trail, they might like to ride along in your backpack on a short walk or lay out in the sunshine beneath a shady tree in your local park. There are lots of wonderful ways to get outdoors with our small companions. Nagi and I hope you will seek them.
Need more inspiration to get outside with your pup? Check out our Best Gifts for Outdoorsy Dogs (and Their Humans), The Best Hiking Gear for Dogs, The Greatness of Dogs with Ben Moon, Camping with Dogs: How to Navigate Rules and Regulations, and Your Everything Guide to Running with Dogs.
Jackie Dupont is a freelance writer based in South Lake Tahoe, California. You can usually find her strolling the meadow behind her apartment with her two dogs, Nagi & Henry. REI member since 2014.
