Preparation is key to enjoying hikes with your dog

Sometime in the spring, when most area ski lifts roll to a halt, I imagine dogs across town heave a communal sigh of relief. The season of their people heading to the mountains without them is finally over. Now, when the backcountry beckons, dogs -- trail dogs, that is -- can answer the call. Ahhhh-ooooh.

Because thoroughly enjoying a hike with your dog takes more than a free afternoon and a tank of gas, here are a few trail-vetted preparatory pointers for getting the most out of your next backcountry outing with Gypsy.

Shape up
Don't make the mistake of thinking that your hibernating hound can leap off the couch after a winter of moderate exercise and onto a long, hard trail without risking injury or exhaustion. If you plan to hike with your dog, especially long distances or at high altitudes, prepare with endurance training.

Begin by extending your regular walks and incorporating hills or stairs. If you need a cybercoach, consider registering at www.mapmywalk.com to plot your walks online, calculate the mileage and keep a record.

My favorite "urban wilderness" hikes are the trails at Discovery Park in Magnolia and Saint Edward State Park in Kenmore, which are thickly wooded with plenty of ups and downs. If you intend to use dog boots, a dog backpack or a harness on the trail, shake out new gear during your city workouts.

Remember to keep your dog's nails trimmed. If they're too long they can get snagged in rough terrain or cause pain during an extended jaunt.

Gear up
Don't let the expense or worry over gear keep you from enjoying al fresco delights with your dog. For many day hikes, all you'll need is basic walk equipment, plus water. We're talking a collar with identification tags (especially important if your dog gets away from you in the deep, dark forest), a leash and poop bags. It's good practice to pack out your dog's waste just like in town; this helps foster good relations with hikers who don't love hiking dogs.

Water is critical for you and your pup. Some hikers avoid streams and lakes in the backcountry because of fears about giardia; in other cases, streams you count on may have run dry. So pack extra H2O and a drinking bowl, such as a collapsible bowl from Bend, Ore.-based Ruff Wear (starting at $11.95) or a Hydro Bowl from Issaquah-based Canine Hardware ($.6.99). For the budget-minded, repurposing extra Tupperware or plastic food tubs works well too.

Some veterans modify their leashes for the trail. When North Bend nature photographer Alan Bauer hikes with his Border Collie mix, Mittens, he attaches her bungee-style leash to his backpack. This leaves his hands free to take photos, retrieve water, etc. While Mittens is a well-behaved hiker, an Absorber Leash ($13 from Granite Gear) can take some of the physical sting out of hiking with dogs that lunge.

If you plan extended hikes or even overnight adventures, you may want to supplement or modify your gear. Plenty of hikers have trained their dogs to hike with backpacks filled with extra dog food, water, treats and maybe a first-aid kit. (Notice I say "trained"; don't expect your dog to carry a full backpack for the first time on a 10-mile hike. This is something to work up to during training walks.)

Val and Bryan Bate, avid hikers in the Portland area, like their German Shepherd-Rottweiler, Hank, to wear a backpack because it helps curb his exuberance and puts other hikers at ease.

It's important to select a backpack that fits your dog properly. I suggest shopping for one in a store that allows you to bring your dog in for fittings or has an easy return policy. Ruff Wear, Granite Gear and Wolf Packs are among those I see most frequently recommended (prices range from $45 to $100).

Lots of hikers swear by dog booties. My dog Lulu can't stand them, and we tend to hike on mostly soft trails. Still, I bring them for back up -- in case we hit sketchy terrain, she cuts a pad or her paws appear sore.

Never assume your dog is welcome
When it's time to pick a hike, do your research. The National Park Service bans dogs on many trails, even leashed, although they do allow (leashed) dogs in certain campgrounds and in cars. National, state and local wildernesses, parks, forests, recreation areas and preserves each have their own rules, which are usually posted at trailheads and entrances. But you probably want to know what's up before you leave home.

I'm happy to let someone else do that legwork. The "Best Hikes with Dogs" series from Mountaineers Books gives the dope on hikes particularly suited to human-dog teams in the Inland Northwest, Western Washington, Oregon and beyond.

In it, you'll learn that while no dogs are allowed on the glaciers of Mount Rainier, they can enjoy views of the snowy volcano while loping through the William O. Douglas Wilderness nearby. There's room for everybody.

Copyright © The Seattle Times Company