It's no secret that exercise is a necessity for both you and your dog. We often forget that our dogs are pack animals and their origins are rooted in hunting, playing, and roaming all day long with their pack family. If you are already in the habit of walking your four-legged friend, you know that it's a special time for the two of you to bond as well as establish yourself as the leader of your domestic "pack". Why not shake up your routine a bit and kick your workout into high gear by taking your best friend for a hike?

Follow these 5 tips and your hikes will surely be a wonderful experience that you'll both enjoy together! 1. Know Your Limits (Yours and Your Dog's)

Does your current exercise endeavour consist of walking around the block a couple times? Then you may want to rethink that 10 mile hike you're mapping out. Not only do you need to be able to hike without difficulty, so does your furry companion. Start intensifying your walks by making them longer and include hills if possible so the two of you can build up your stamina. It's also advisable to take your dog to the vet just to ensure that he will be able to accompany you comfortably when you're ready to hike. Dogs are people-pleasers and they never want to let on that they are injured or in pain, so they will endure it for as long as they can.

2. Be Prepared

Once you've determined that your hike is a "go", whether it's a long or a short trip, make sure you have the following items:

- Collar and leash - Bring these just as you would when you're going for your regular walks.

- Proper pet ID tags - The tags MUST be legible and specify your dog's name and your current contact information. It's also a good idea to have a current photo with you just in case you get separated.

- First Aid Kit - Human first aid kits can come in handy in the event of a cut or scrape (for either of you). Throw some tweezers in it for easy tick removal.

- Vet's Phone Number - In the event that something unexpected happens, keep your vet's phone number with you so you can quickly find out how to best take care of your dog. You can never be too careful.

- Sunscreen - You both need sunscreen and they make sunscreen specifically for dogs. Light-coloured noses are very susceptible to sunburns and dogs can get skin cancer just like you.

- Orange vests - Know whether or not you are taking your hike during a hunting season. Orange vests for you and your dog will make sure you both stand out.

- Appropriate Dress - When hiking during cooler weather, bring along an extra layer if your dog tolerates "clothes". For summer hikes, keep a cool, moist scarf or bandana that he can wear to take a bite out of the heat.

3. Bring Water & Food

Just like you need to fuel up and hydrate for a workout, the same holds true for your canine companion. Bring plenty of water and a dish that he can drink from (they make collapsible bowls for travelling ease) and offer it often along the way. A good rule of thumb is to bring 8 ounces of water for every hour you plan to hike (and don't forget to bring water for yourself!). It's best to keep him from drinking the water in streams or other natural sources, as these could contain nasty bacteria that will make him sick. Bottles of water that are frozen are also great to pack in case the weather is hot and can offer immediate relief to your pooch.

Food should be given on rest breaks or during bouts of less intense activity to ensure that you don't upset his tummy or cause bloat.

4. Be Aware of Your Surroundings

Plan your hikes on trails that are used often and provide a clear path; now is not the time to forge a new one through the wilderness. In most cases, you'll likely encounter the usual suspects of the wildlife world, such as squirrels and maybe a deer or two. Keep your eyes open for common canine offenders, including porcupines and skunks. These animals are not as easily scared off by your dog and may become agitated.

Familiarize yourself with what poison ivy and other unpleasant plants look like. Although your dog can't get poison ivy, they can pass it on to you, so it's best to keep them away from anything suspicious.

5. Mind Your Manners

The same rules you follow on your routine walks apply to your hikes. Have a "carry in, carry out" mentality, which includes cleaning up after your dog on the trail. Using a leash will ensure that other hikers, other dogs, as well as the flora and fauna around you will remain undisturbed. If you're both on a more leisurely hike, let others moving at faster pace pass you easily.

Hiking with your dog is a wonderful way to spend quality time together and enjoy the outdoors all while getting a great workout. You're guaranteed to have a fun and safe hike just by taking a bit of extra time to plan and prepare. Happy hiking!

Similar to people, dogs are individual in the way they age. Certain breeds, mixed breeds, and generally, smaller pups tend to live longer. A dog less than 20 pounds may not show any signs of aging until it is 12 years old. Whereas, a 50 pound dog won't seem old until about 10. Then there are larger dogs which begin to show their age at 8 or 9.

We all need to know our dogs and be aware of when our pups are in need of a little extra care. This is particularly true when it comes to travelling with an older dog. Before hitting the road with your senior pup, be sure to take note of these important tips. Health Records: It's always important to have access to your pet's health records when travelling. However, with older dogs generally come more health issues and a thicker medical file! Be sure to either bring along their medical records or utilize a service which provides online medical record access for pets.

In/Out of Vehicles: One of the biggest issues with aging dogs is arthritis, particularly in larger breeds. Getting in and out of the vehicle becomes a bigger challenge. There are many products available to help you in getting your pet safely in and out of the vehicle rather than you breaking your back lifting your dog. There are a number of lightweight and durable pet ramps that are excellent options particularly for SUVS. In addition, special harnesses are available which allow you to assist your pup in getting in and out of your vehicle.

Safe & Comfy Ride: Like people, when dogs age they tend to become a bit more fragile. So, it's important to make sure they're properly restrained in the vehicle to prevent injury and equally important that they have a comfortable place to ride. If you have a larger dog travelling in the cargo area of your vehicle, a vehicle pet barrier or a travel crate is recommended to properly restrain your pet. Make sure that you equip the travel crate or cargo area with a cushy pet bed back for them. Smaller dogs can be properly secured and comfortable with a pet car seat.

Sensitive Tummies: Older pups typically have more sensitive stomachs. Therefore, be sure to pack enough of their regular dog food for the trip. Refrain from feeding them fast food for people along the way. In addition, it's very important to adhere to their routine feeding schedule. All dogs love routine!

Potty Breaks: There's nothing worse than holding it, especially for an older bladder! Frequent pit stops are recommended to let your aging dog relieve themselves as needed.

Following some common sense rules of the road will help ensure that your senior pup has a happy and safe trip.

Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com

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It's a sure-fire bet that you're either a 'dog' person or a 'cat' person; if you're a dog person and you own a dog, then you love to take it everywhere you go. However did you know if you're travelling in a car with your pet pooch, then they are at just as much risk in an accident as you are? If you aren’t too worried about that, then think about this: A dog wandering around at liberty in a car can cause an accident if the driver is distracted, or if their driving is impeded. If Bingo wants a pat and you're negotiating a tricky intersection, or you decide a tummy rub is needed at the next set of lights, then you may well cause an accident, or fail to get out of one. Fido, like a infant, ought to be strapped safely in a seat.

A dog harness is crucial if you want to prevent an accident, and injury to either yourself or your dog. Think of it as a dog safety belt, which could (in the disastrous event of an accident) prevent your beloved canine from being thrown around the vehicle and becoming hurt – or hurting you. Any loose item in a car can turn into a projectile and again, if you don't care too much if Bingo is hurt, then consider the fact that you may well be.

A dog car harness is available in different sizes, and it is important that you choose the right one in order for it to fit correctly. If it's too loose, the dog may slip through in an impact – too tight and it could cause injury and defeat the purpose for which it was intended. Furthermore, you don't want a harness that will rub when the car is in motion. This could cause friction burns and blisters. Padding in the right places, and the right kind of padding, is essential. It's worth spending a little extra on a harness that will fit perfectly and be comfortable (but not too much so) and offer protection even while simply driving from point A to point B.

The final point worth noting is that the harness ought to have a swivel fitting so that the dog can either sit up or lie down in the car. A good harness will allow the dog to turn around and not become entangled, or cause the belt to shorten. Positioned appropriately, a harness will also mean your windows stay clean – no more doggy drool coating the insides of your car!

Dog travel safety ought to be one of the things you consider as soon as you acquire a puppy. For many reasons, a dog harness, obtainable from all respectable pet supplies stores, is a fundamental item of equipment in the car of every dog owner.