The Art of Hiking - Hiking Alabama: A Guide to the State's Greatest Hiking Adventures - page 471

Getting your dog in shape. Before you plan outdoor adventures with your dog,
make sure he's in shape for the trail. Getting your dog into shape takes the same
discipline as getting yourself into shape, but luckily, your dog can get in shape
with you. Take your dog with you on your daily runs or walks. If there is a park
near your house, hit a tennis ball or play Frisbee with your dog.
Swimming is also an excellent way to get your dog into shape. If there is a lake
or river near where you live and your dog likes the water, have him retrieve a ten-
nis ball or stick. Gradually build your dog's stamina up over a two- to three-month
period. A good rule of thumb is to assume that your dog will travel twice as far as
you will on the trail. If you plan on doing a 5-mile hike, be sure your dog is in
shape for a 10-mile hike.
Training your dog for the trail. Before you go on your first hiking adventure
with your dog, be sure he has a firm grasp on the basics of canine etiquette and
behavior. Make sure he can sit, lie down, stay, and come. One of the most import-
ant commands you can teach your canine pal is to “come” under any situation. It's
easy for your friend's nose to lead him astray or possibly get lost. Another helpful
command is the “get behind” command. When you're on a hiking trail that's nar-
row, you can have your dog follow behind you when other trail users approach.
Nothing is more bothersome than an enthusiastic dog that runs back and forth on
the trail and disrupts the peace of the trail for others—or, worse, jumps up on oth-
er hikers and gets them muddy. When you see other trail users approaching you on
the trail, give them the right of way by quietly stepping off the trail and making
your dog lie down and stay until they pass.
Equipment. The most critical pieces of equipment you can invest in for your
dog are proper identification and a sturdy leash. Flexi-leads work well for hiking
because they give your dog more freedom to explore but still leave you in control.
Make sure your dog has identification that includes your name and address and a
number for your veterinarian. Other forms of identification for your dog include a
tattoo or a microchip. You should consult your veterinarian for more information
on these last two options.
The next piece of equipment you'll want to consider is a pack for your dog. By
no means should you hold all of your dog's essentials in your pack—let him carry