It can be fun to go rucking at your local park because you’ll get to explore the best of Mother Nature. The only downside is that you might not have friends who enjoy rucking. If this is the case, you’ll have to travel alone and that can be boring. However, you might be able to take your dog with you. Doing so will be very beneficial because you’ll improve your health and you’ll get to bond with your canine.
Just remember that dogs can be difficult. You’ll have to take steps to accommodate them without creating a hindrance.
Can You Ruck With Your Dog?
It is possible to go rucking with your dog. However, you will have to cater to the animal’s needs. After all, your dog may not want to walk five miles. You’ll also need to bring plenty of water for yourself and your pet. Don’t forget to take breaks from time to time because your dog will need to use the bathroom.
Although it might seem like a headache, it is well worth it to bring your dog along. You’ll love the bonding experience and your dog will get a much-needed walk.
Consider The Dog’s Health
Before doing anything, you must consider the dog’s health. Dogs are similar to humans since they can encounter a handful of health problems. If you have an older dog, it may not be capable of walking long distances. Alternatively, the dog may have to take certain medications every so often. Consider this to make sure that your dog can enjoy the trip without getting ill or being neglected.
Bring Snacks And Drinks
When you go rucking, you have to bring plenty of water. After all, you’re going to be in the hot sun for many hours. It is also wise to bring a snack or two so you can maintain your energy. Make sure to account for your dog too. You’ll need to bring extra water for your canine. Consider bringing a collapsible bowl so you don’t waste any water. It is common for these bowls to have a hook that can be attached to your rucksack or belt loop.
Regardless, you cannot forget to bring snacks and drinks or you may end up going home early.
Be Careful Of Bugs
Since you’re going to be taking your dog outside, they’re going to be exposed to bugs. Unfortunately, there is a chance that your pooch will be impacted by fleas and ticks. Before rucking, it is a good idea to buy a flea collar or use a flea preventative medication. These products can keep fleas off your dog for several months. The only issue is that there is no guarantee that they’ll stop all fleas.
Therefore, it is wise to check your pet carefully once you’ve returned to your car. You’ll also want to check for ticks. Bring a pair of tweezers and a lighter so you can deal with ticks before getting home.
Get Your Dog Used To It
At this point, your dog probably loves going for walks. However, rucking is a new experience for you and your dog. With this in mind, you shouldn’t rush this process. If you try to get your dog to ruck with you for 5 miles, your dog may hate it. Instead, you should slowly get your dog accustomed to the activity. Start slowly by rucking for a few miles. In fact, you can start by rucking for a mile. Once your dog becomes comfortable with a mile, you can increase it by half a mile.
Ease your dog into it.
Have A Good Leash
The leash will make a big difference. You’ll want your dog to be comfortable for the entire journey. If the leash is uncomfortable, your dog will hate the experience. Some dogs are not properly trained for a leash. Instead of using a collar, you may want to use a harness. A collar will put a lot of pressure on the dog’s neck when it tries to run and break free. Using a harness is better because the pressure will be distributed throughout the dog’s body.
Test the harness in your yard before visiting the local park.
Create A First Aid Kit
When you head outside, you never know what you’re going to encounter. In most cases, everything will be fine. However, there is a chance that you’ll encounter a problem. Since you’re bringing your dog, you have to worry about it getting injured too. You need to make sure that you’re prepared for potential problems. Having a first aid kit will prove to be very helpful. If nothing happens, the kit will give you peace of mind.
Create a comprehensive first aid kit that will cover problems for you and your pet. For instance, you should bring antiseptics, band-aids, and antihistamines.
Watch For Problems
When you hit the trail with your dog, make sure that you keep an eye out for problems. Your dog is curious so it might get itself into bad situations. If you see a snake, you’ll want to distract your dog to keep it away from the snake. Otherwise, it might walk right over and get bit. Be aware of your surroundings to minimize the risks.
Schedule Rests
Some canine breeds will walk until they drop. They are dedicated animals that will walk alongside their masters without complaint. It is unfortunate when humans fail to take their pets’ needs into consideration. Young puppies and senior dogs cannot tolerate extended walks or hikes. In this case, veterinarians recommend 10-minute breaks every hour but no more than two consecutive hours.
It also depends on the dog’s height. Larger breeds can tolerate steeper inclines and rough terrain better than smaller breeds. If you do not know your dog’s breed, do not fret because it is possible to measure his height. Utilizing a measuring tape, place the hook on the floor behind the right or left leg. Stabilize the hook and pull the measuring tape up to the top of the shoulder blades. The height of a small breed is between 13 and 17 inches while extra-large breeds are over 32 inches tall.