People are increasingly finding the desire to get back to basics, simplify and connect with nature. We are surrounded by so much stuff competing for our time – our cell phone, Facebook, Twitter, Email, people who need something from us, etc. Getting out in the woods and unplugging, even for a few hours, can get us away from that stuff and allow us to relax and spend time connecting with nature and ourselves.
Hiking is accessible for most people both physically and financially. If you can walk, you can hike. You can find trail terrain to fit almost any ability level and you can make it an easy stroll or hard, fast push to the top. Also, you don’t need high-tech gear to start (although we admit we are gear-heads and love high-tech gadgets).
Exercising with your dog is increasing in popularity as a trend too. Everywhere I look these days, articles are popping up on the subject. Dogs make great training partners because they love to get outside to get regular exercise and are ready to go pretty much anytime (Just remember that your dog needs physical conditioning just like you do).
Sounds like it is a match made in heaven to me – hiking and exercising with your dog. As you can tell, we are big advocates of that – both for fun and for fitness.
So what are the benefits of hiking with your dog? (click to enlarge the infographic)
7 Reasons to Hike with Your Dog
- A tired dog is less likely to act out or misbehave at home – Your dog will be tuckered out when you get home and more interested in sleeping than getting into the garbage or barking at every leaf that blows by your house.
- Adventuring with your dog in the woods is a great workout that doesn’t feel like work – Your focus will be on the beauty of nature and your dog’s enjoyment rather than how hard you are huffing and puffing.
- You and your dog can bond and learn to trust each other more – Take it from me, something magical happens when you and your dog are alone in the woods together. you learn more about your dog’s behavior and limits and they look to you for guidance.
- You get to experience the trail from a new perspective – Certain things on the trail catch your eye. Certain things on the trail will catch your dog’s eye (and nose). Those probably won’t be the same thing so you can experience the trail the way your dog sees it.
- It will help you both stay fit and maintain a healthier weight – Being out in nature and getting a good workout feels so good when you’re done that you’ll probably want to do it again… and again. Do it regularly enough and it’s now a fitness routine.
- It will reduce stress for both you and your dog – Blue is known to have a calming, sedative effect and the green is soothing and refreshing. Both colors are abundant in the outdoors. All of the fresh air you’ll both inhale doesn’t hurt either.
- It gives you both a healthy high – Like people, dogs experience increased levels of endorphins after exercise. Endorphins make you happy. They’re like nature’s opiates and are responsible for the human “runner’s high”.
Mary Hone says
Yep, we love to hike!! We hike all year round, even in the snow. We are lucky were we live, I can let the dogs run and explore our mountain. They both love it. Dogs can smile, I’ve seen them. Thanks for the mention!! Have great weekend.
Mary, Roxy, and Torrey
2browndawgs says
We do a lot of hiking in the woods by our cabin. Of course we are coming into bug season, so the hikes are a lot less enjoyable due to the required slapping and swatting. Brown dawgs seem to attract the most bugs! 🙂
Have a nice weekend!
AdventureJess says
Hmmmmm…..your brown dawgs atract bugs or just BROWN dogs attract bubs? Ha, ha. Maybe brown little Gretel is going to have to watch out this summer 🙂
According to Gus says
We couldn’t agree more! We’re thankful that Gus loves to walk and be outdoors. Not only is it good for him, it also encourages us to get out and get moving!
Enjoy your holiday weekend!
Kas says
Of course we LOVE to hike with our guys! Hope you had a great weekend.
Leigh says
It’s great to know that a hike will not only tire out my excitable pup, but also give him some good stimulation. I wonder what kinds of activities I can do with my cat for the same purpose!
Jessica Rhae says
Good news… I’ve seen people hike with their cats too! Ha, ha. I’ve only seen one in person but there are a lot of hiking and adventuring cats on Instagram. Most people stick to a laser or feather on a stick to make them run around the house though 🙂
Ashleigh says
I love hiking with my dog. It’s always a great experience for the both of us!
Best,
Ashleigh | Mermaid on the Move
Emma says
Hiking out in nature is the best. It really is good for the dog and the human, but if it isn’t possible even taking a run or a walk around where you live has great benefits. Mom does it all the time to clear her head!
Jessica Rhae says
I used the run all of the time for “meditation”. It seemed that I would always figure out something that had been stressing me on the run and come back with a plan. I don’t get to run much anymore but I agree that even a walk around the block is good for health and clearing the head.
Maggie says
Love your blog! I just found you on Instagram and just love your photos. Looks like y’all get some great trips in. We did a 5 month RV trip with our two dogs (pug and frenchie) and are already looking forward to another excursion with them. Nothing is better than traveling and adventuring with your dog.
Jessica Rhae says
Hi Maggie. I’m glad you found us. Traveling the country to hike is on my bucket list. My husband and I are currently working on a plan that would allow us to travel the country for 2 months out of each year (or other countries if we wanted). Five months sounds amazing though! 🙂 Have a great weekend.
Maggie says
How awesome! Yes, that’s precisely our plan from now on. Especially to escape the Wisconsin winters. Have a great weekend yourself!
Jessica says
My dachshund loves to hike! I stumbled onto your blog while researching a coat to fit my little Rosie. I decided to get one based on your reviews! Thanks.
Jessica Rhae says
Yay. I’m glad I helped. Which one did you get? You should post a picture of Rosie in it on our Facebook page so I can see 🙂 https://www.facebook.com/YouDidWhatWithYourWeiner/
Mary Teresa Moran says
Before my German shepherd improved my life three years ago, I was a couch potato. Now we hike early every weekend and vacation day morning in the forests near us. I never noticed my surroundings as much as when I walk with her, focussing only on our surroundings, watching for things that might distract her (shock of a baby deer jumping in front of us a few weeks back – Bambi lost the chase but played dead and got to run home to her mom, whew). Mindfulness never worked for me until I learned that watching her enjoy a stick or a pile of leaves IS mindfulness. And best of all, she’s tired enough to sleep all the way home 👍
Jessica Rhae says
I love this so much Mary. So much love to “Before my German shepherd improved my life three years ago” and ” I learned that watching her enjoy a stick or a pile of leaves IS mindfulness.”. I hope you go on many more great adventures together.