Taking a dog on a hike?

BEVOLASVEGAS

...I may sound strange, but I would NOT take a camera the first few times that you hike...

That's not strange.  I don't usually take a camera, either, other than the one on my phone.

 I also want to remind you that Simba is still a pup so you shouldn't really do a long hike with him - the definition of long is dependent on how much of a walk he normally does

 I take a first aid kit, regardless of how long we are going to be out - because given Ari and my own track record, the likelihoood ONE of us is going to injure ourselves is pretty good I bring what I think will be enough water, and then bring some extra. I take two leads, one shorter and one longer (in case their are swimming oppertunities). I bring snacks for human and dog alike for longer hikes.

kpwlee

 I also want to remind you that Simba is still a pup so you shouldn't really do a long hike with him - the definition of long is dependent on how much of a walk he normally does

Oh I know and he usually gets about a 45 minute walk to an hour on a nice day. I don't know if that's a lot for a 5 month old or not, but I stop and bring him back sooner if he's just done with it. 

the_gopher

 I take a first aid kit, regardless of how long we are going to be out - because given Ari and my own track record, the likelihoood ONE of us is going to injure ourselves is pretty good I bring what I think will be enough water, and then bring some extra. I take two leads, one shorter and one longer (in case their are swimming oppertunities). I bring snacks for human and dog alike for longer hikes.

Ah yeah that's probably a good idea haha! I have no experience with dog first-aid but I'll do some studying up on the basics. Poor Ari and you haha! 

styptic powder for bleeding, tweezers to remove STUFF that gets places it shouldn't, gauze and vet wrap are easy places to start.  When I lived in AZ, it also included a snake-bite kit, and because Gracie is allergic to bee stings, we have a constant supply of benadryl.  As Simba gets older and you go on longer hikes, be aware of what it would be like to carry him out if doG fobid something happened.  Gracie is almost 70lbs and pretty awkwardly shaped for carrying, but I've still practiced it, partly to get her used to it.

miranadobe

styptic powder for bleeding, tweezers to remove STUFF that gets places it shouldn't, gauze and vet wrap are easy places to start.  When I lived in AZ, it also included a snake-bite kit, and because Gracie is allergic to bee stings, we have a constant supply of benadryl.  As Simba gets older and you go on longer hikes, be aware of what it would be like to carry him out if doG fobid something happened.  Gracie is almost 70lbs and pretty awkwardly shaped for carrying, but I've still practiced it, partly to get her used to it.

Thanks! And haha oh god I can barely carry him as it is now and I think he's close to 40 pounds. Gotta start working on my arm muscles. :P For benadryl, do I use the liquid or pill form? :-s I've never used that on my dogs before. 

I use pills for benadryl.

As for carrying, it's just something to keep in the back of your mind - I tend to be overly cautious by some standards. lol  If you can't carry him, look for ways to build a sling or whatever with sticks and your sweatshirt should you ever need to do it.  I never have, but I have trained myself to be aware of terrain and weather conditions that might have an effect on my ability to get my dog out safely if she was unable to walk unassisted.  Like a lot of things in life, my mom taught me to be prepared and I'm less likely to need the skills, but go out unprepared and that's when something strikes.

miranadobe

I use pills for benadryl.

As for carrying, it's just something to keep in the back of your mind - I tend to be overly cautious by some standards. lol  If you can't carry him, look for ways to build a sling or whatever with sticks and your sweatshirt should you ever need to do it.  I never have, but I have trained myself to be aware of terrain and weather conditions that might have an effect on my ability to get my dog out safely if she was unable to walk unassisted.  Like a lot of things in life, my mom taught me to be prepared and I'm less likely to need the skills, but go out unprepared and that's when something strikes.

Yeah I can understand that, Simba tolerates being carried at this point haha! My last dog, forget it. Then again he was scared by a lot of things... I'll start doing some research on first aid and such, thanks for pointing out stuff I probably wouldn't have thought about! :D 

 We always take nothing more than water and a poop bag, maybe a handful of treats.  We don't bother with a bell even though she's usually off leash as she rarely goes more than a few feet away from us.  She's A #1 velcro dog.

A cell phone is also a good idea, in case the dog or you get injured or lost. And if you go hiking pretty far out somewhere, I would make sure you tell someone where you're going and when and then call them when you're on your way home so they know you're safe!

And as other people said a camera is a must!  I can't imagine the awesome shots of her I would have missed if I hadn't brought it.

In your first aid kit, bring some peroxide, to clean any wounds or to give to Simba if he eats anything he shouldn't, to get it up quickly, depending on how far out you are