Hiking with Your Husky
One of the many joys of husky ownership is the feeling of being out in the wild with your dog, enjoying a good hike through a forest or along a coastline together
(another joy of husky ownership is that hikes are never quite as tiresome when you have a sled dog to help pull you up hills!)
Make sure before you set out on a hike that you are well prepared to provide for yourself and your dog.
Take enough water for you both, and a collapsible bowl for your dog to drink from.
Do not rely on there being fresh water along the way for your dog - water in puddles, lakes, streams and rivers may be polluted even if it looks clean.
Take snacks for yourself and your husky, but only feed your dog lightly when out walking. A biscuit now and then as you stop to take in the view is more than enough, and heavy feeding 'on the go' can lead discomfort and more seriously, bloat.
We would recommend that you carry a small Dog First Aid Kit
We would also suggest that you carry a cell-phone with you at all times, and inform others of your intended route and expected time of return.
There are many companies that supply walking and hiking equipment specifically designed for hiking with your dog.
The products available vary in price and quality.
It is easy to spend a lot of money on outdoor gear.
When it comes down to how much to spend on such items you will probably find that while it is worth investing in good quality products that will stand the test of time, it is not always necessary to buy the most expensive products available.
Most of our own equipment is fairly mid-range in price, and has done us well so far.
With some items you may it is worth the extra cost for top-of-the-range product.
'Doggy back-packs' are one example of a product that you should choose carefully and opt for quality over price. As it is your dog that will be 'wearing' the pack, and it is important that these are well designed to ensure the weight is balanced and the pack will not put undue stress on any part of the dog.
While cheaper versions are available (which may well be satisfactory in their design) we feel that this is one of the instances where it is worth the extra investment to ensure our dogs' comfort and wellbeing.
Listed below is a selection of the wide range of equipment available for hiking with your dog:
Walking and jogging dog belts and leashes
are used by many husky owners. Huskies and sled dogs are designed to pull. Even if you have your dog well trained to walk at your side, there will be instances when it rushes ahead (having spotted another dog or a squirrel for instance).
Walking belts suc as the Cardio Canine Hands Free Human Harness and Dog Leash System
Back-Packs are available with built-in attachment points that you can clip your dog's leash to. These are great for husky owners, as they take the strain off your arms, acting like a 'walking belt'.
Obviously useful as a carrier for water, food, first aid kits etc. that you take with you on a hike with your husky.
For shorter hikes when you don't need a rucksack to carry your provisions in, it is useful to have a utility-style belt
for holding smaller items, such as treats for your husky, poop-scoop bags etc.
You can even share some of the load with your dog with a doggy back-pack
Do take care to ensure that your dog's pack is well designed and properly fitted, and make sure it is not overloaded.
Collapsible bowls