You have heard us go on and on about how ingrained the stereotype of small dogs is – of how they are often underestimated and are capable of so much more. We even wrote a guest post about it over at Will My Dog Hate me?
We get really excited every time we see a story about another small dog proving the world wrong.
On our blog we share our stories and talk about the miles we have hiked up steep mountains, scrambled over rocks and made our own tracks in the snow. We wish to inspire others to do the same.
I don’t want you to get the wrong impression though – we don’t believe that a sedentary dog should get off the couch and go conquer the highest peak in your area tomorrow (unless you can drive there. Ha, ha). Dogs are just like people, they need to build up strength and stamina first to help prevent injury.
In our guest post we talked about the book Following Atticus. Atticus is a Miniature Schnauzer who climbed all 48 Four-thousand footers in new Hampshire….in the winter! We think it is amazing that Atticus accomplished what many big dogs haven’t.
However, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Atticus started out on shorter, easier hikes. When it was obvious that Atticus handled those hikes no problem and wanted more, his owner Tom let him take on bigger and bigger challenges.
Tom said, “Atticus started out refusing to cross footbridges and insisting on being carried but later he started crossing them and even hopping over streams if they weren’t too deep”. As Atticus got more comfortable, stronger and used to hiking he was willing to take on greater challenges.
Chester is 9 and I wouldn’t think twice about taking him on a 15 mile mountain hike. However, he has been doing this stuff his whole life. As a puppy we started out with regular walks and then when he was old enough we progressed to running and hiking. He helped me train for my marathon (he ran the shorter runs with me) and we have hiked thousands of miles since then.
Gretel hasn’t been hiking that long. She seems to keep up fine on 3 to 8 mile hikes but we wouldn’t just take that as a sign to go for a 20 mile hike with her tomorrow. We would steadily increase our elevation gain and mileage to see how she does and adapt a training program accordingly.
We also have faith that either dog would let us know when they have had enough. While it is true that dog’s want to please and will follow your lead even though it is taxing for them, they are smart enough to know when they need to stop.
Even Atticus, a seasoned mountain climber, let Tom know when he just wasn’t up for it. On one hike when the wind was blasting them and the temperatures were below zero, Atticus “hopped out of the car, turned right back around and hopped back in”. Tom said “He had spoken” and they took the day off.
If you want to start hiking with your small dog you should start out slowly and even consider joining a beginning hiking program like Couch to Peak.
You should know your dog well and be able to interpret the signals your dog gives you so you know the difference between “needing a little encouragement” and “It is time to stop NOW.”
With a little preparation, adventure and fun in the mountains for you and your small dog is within reach.
Smart advice! You and your weiners are an inspiration but it’s even more important to know that you didn’t just go from 0 to 60 with them. I occasionally walk with someone who thinks our dog walks are exercise for humans, and tries to get me to push Frankie beyond his limits. I have to explain that it’s his walk as much as — really more than — mine. And if he wants to go back, then I do too!
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Great point. It is easy to set your sights on a human hiking goal and bring your dog along. Even if they CAN finish it, sometimes they SHOULDN’T. It is important not to push your dog too far too soon or they can get injured or develop problems later. You not only have to be aware of your limits but you have to be a spokesperson for your dog and know their limits too.
This is great info! I wish I could hike more, but sadly we live in Florida. Can you tell me about any other things we could do?
Dachshund Nola
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Don’t worry Nola – I am sure you have plenty of fun things to do…even in a flat, hot state like Florida. Ha, ha. All trails don’t have to go straight up to qualiy as hiking
Are there not any trails around where you live? I don’t know if you live inland but swimming with your Mommy and Daddy in the ocean (if you have a life jacket and stay close to shore) is great excercise. I know that I see great athletic ablility in Gretel and if given the chance she would probably excel at agility. If you don’t have any agility classes by you, maybe your Mom or Dad can make a few things for you to use and put them in the back yard or in a spare bedroom. Even chasing a ball at the park or in your livingroom gives you the chance to run off a lot of energy. Small dogs need excercise but the nice thing is that in most cases they can get by on less than a big dog. I’ll let you know if I think of anything else. Where in FL do you live?
Great advice! I have yet to be told by my dog that she’s had enough exercise for one day, but that’s because I would crash out long before she would. Not everyone has a hyperactive tornado for a companion, though, so it’s very important to know the signs of physical stress.
I admit to being one of the people who under-estimate small dogs. But lately I have wondered if one of the reasons my neighbour’s yorkie barks 24/7 isn’t just because he likes to yap. Maybe it’s because the never take him out for walk. He may be teeny, but I am sure he has energy to burn like the rest of us. Perhaps I should offer to take him with Shiva and I once in a while. Now THAT would be interesting!
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I am no dog behavior expert but I do know a thing or two about dogs. I think in most cases you describe, you are pretty accurate in your assessment. Little dogs have excercise needs too and many of them don’t get it. This can lead to behavior issues that people typically associate with being a small dog – like yappy-ness or leash agression. They have so much pent up energy and they don’t have a constructive outlet for it
Chessies will rarely tell you they have had enough. We do have to stop them occasionally while hunting, especially if it is hot. They would work until they dropped.
But it is true that you have to work up their stamina through training just like people. During the winter months it is harder to train due to snow and ice and we need a period of conditioning each Spring to get them back into field condition.
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It is great that you recognize their limits. People with working dogs are usually more in tune to things like that than your average dog owner. We don’t hunt but we think “wuper hiker” counts as “working dog”
You guys are proof that even the dogs that are used to hard work need a conditioning period before hitting it full force.
I’m a mid-sized doggie doodle and need to be controlled some days when I get over excited. I haven’t had the opportunity to climb a mountain but I will heed your warnings ‘cos wiener dogs are good at explaining things. I do exercise everyday so have built up some endurance…just have to find me a mountain top or some stairs at the highest building in town(maybe). Thanks so much for this…now I know I have to prepare! Sophie
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I use to be active on several appalachian trail forums. I often found myself saying the same thing “know thy dog.” it’s shocking how many people spend months building up the strength to hike with a 20-40lb pack, but dont take into consideration their dogs physical state. It got so frustrating at times cause some people just dont listen, and wonder why their dogs collapsed mid hike. I’ve done day hikes with Das, and over nights with Dingo and both have let me know when they’ve had enough. I think this is a message that can’t be spread enough, it would save so many dogs from a painful recovery.
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I have dabbled in some hiking forums and have read about people thru hiking the Appalachian trail with your dogs. I wish we could
Our version, the Pacific Crest Trail is too technical and dangerous for dogs in some spots. We plan to hike a few of the tamer sections with them though.
Thanks for taking the time to comment. Your experience sure helps to drive our point home! I think you are right…..the message can’t be spread enough. I will try to work it in more to our messages.
Oh how I wish we could do long hikes with Lil’ Miss Maple, but the climate in Singapore makes it really challenging… even for humans. 30 minutes is about all we can handle before the sun melts us completely! Like you said, our pupsters know when enough is enough, and we should learn how to pick up on their signals.
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