Dames & Dogs Hiking Guidelines:
We recommend that your dogs rabies tag, dog license, and an up to date ID tag be attached to your dogs collar. Make sure your dog has updated vaccinations, nails trimmed and is in good health. Be aware that your dog may have increased exposure to ticks and fleas, regular prevention recommended. Other diseases can also be obtained from wild animals and insects. Con
sider a Lyme disease vaccine. It is important that your dog be properly conditioned. Start out with small hikes and increase the distance as both you and your dog are conditioned. Like us, proper nutrition is important for keeping up a dogs energy level when being active. To avoid sickness, do not feed your dog right before you exercise or hike. Feed them afterward when they are rested. Always keep your dog on a leash, leashes over 6ft long are not permitted (no retractable leads). It is your responsibility to keep your dog under control at all times. Do not allow them to chase wildlife, other dogs, or other hikers. Closely supervise your dog around children, other hikers, and other dogs. Bring plenty of water and a bowl for your dog. This helps maintain their energy level and also keeps them from becoming dehydrated. Bring a little food/treats if staying out for an extended period of time. For your sake, keep your dog out of poison ivy, etc. Clean up after your dog! Ziploc bags are ideal for clean up and disposal. While we do try to look out for each other on the trails, accidents or injuries may happen. By joining us you understand that you and your dog are hiking at your own risk. We recommend proper foot wear for our human hikers for safety reasons, and as a precaution we do carry a full canine first aid kit and a canine stretcher with us on more strenuous hikes. We welcome any lady with a dog, or with a love of dogs, to join us. There are no membership fees to join. From time to time an event may come up that requires you pay the park, or event, that we attend. If you wish to attend you are responsible for covering the cost for your attendance. We welcome healthy dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes. If your dog is under the guidance of a trainer and is working on some manners, you are still welcome to join us. However we do ask that you let us know in advance that your dog is coming and what special needs he/she may have. (Example: Rover is over excitable and is in need of extra space while he is learning to calm down.) This is great exposure for dogs in training. So if your working with them, don’t be too embarrassed to come out, we’ve all been there at some point.
*UPDATED 5-20* (with thanks to Saving Sunny Inc. for the idea!)
DINOS are also welcome to attend hikes as well. We ask any DINOS to make themselves known by sporting an Orange bandana OR Orange leash. Not sure what a DINOS is please follow this link to find out : http://notesfromadogwalker.com/what-is-a-dinos/
