Ladee's yips:
I thought that since it seems to finally be warming up, I would offer some suggestions on how daddies and mommies might make it easier for us to spend time with them outside...I'll come up with a few points and then see if Woofer wants to follow along...

• Are we properly conditioned? If we are used to twenty-minute walks and you have a five-hour hike planned, we might not be ready for it. Training is the key. Start going on longer walks weeks before the hike, increasing the distance as we become conditioned.

• Be sure we are getting a complete and balanced diet. A good diet goes a long way in helping us keep up our energy. To prevent an upset stomach, don't subject us to strenuous exercise directly after eating a full meal. Save mealtime for after the hike when we are rested and cooled down.

• Avoid heat and humidity. On those hot and/or humid days, hike in the early morning or in the evening when it cools off. If we have dark or heavy coats we tend to overheat quickly.

Woofer's Thoughts:
All good points Ladee, just a couple more and then we'll stop and maybe some other people will have some other ideas...

• Be sure there's plenty of water. Here's how to calculate: We need 12 ounces of water before the hike, 12 ounces every half hour during the hike and the same amount afterward. An alternative is to hike by a stream.

• Watch our paws. Hiking in the woods can cause footpad injuries such as cuts and scrapes. Remember to bring along a first aid kit and attend to any problems immediately. Keep our nails trimmed so they don't get caught in grass, which could cause serious injury.

• Leash us please. It's really the only way for our daddies and mommies to maintain control at all times. This is especially important in the woods where you want to keep us away from other animals and dangerous plants like poison ivy.

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