Taking a dog on a hike?

 I bring my camelbak on hikes, that way I have water for myself and can carry dog treats, cell phone, whistle (never go in to the woods without a whistle!), etc.

I think it's handy to have a bell on the dog - to warn other animals that you're out and about.  A container for him to sip the water from.  A cell phone in case you get lost or someone comes after you/your dog so you can A - take their picture, and B - call the cops. lol  Sunscreen if it's really nice/sunny out! lol

Most important - CAMERA to take PICTURES!

 Oh yes! My dogs always have bells on when we go out on hikes! Very handy...course I walk mine off leash most of the time so bells are essential. I think the bells are great on leash too for warning the critters away.

miranadobe

I think it's handy to have a bell on the dog - to warn other animals that you're out and about.  A container for him to sip the water from.  A cell phone in case you get lost or someone comes after you/your dog so you can A - take their picture, and B - call the cops. lol  Sunscreen if it's really nice/sunny out! lol

Most important - CAMERA to take PICTURES!

Oooh I would've never thought about a bell, I'll make sure to get one. I have one of those hand-drink things for Simba already for our walks around the community. :P Cell phone, gotta remember that. Oh god yes, sunscreen! I burn so easily yet I always forget about sunscreen. Haha okay I'll make sure to take pics of Sim and the hiking area. :D 

Thanks you two for the help!

Don't forget the most important thing of all....a camera!  That way you can get all kinds of good pics to share with us!!  :)

Johnny&Tessy

Don't forget the most important thing of all....a camera!  That way you can get all kinds of good pics to share with us!!  :)

Haha I wont forget! :P I think I have to register with the park but that's okay! It'll be fun times for Simba and I. ^_^

 don't forget the bug spray either. It's a must for hikes in MI

TysonSS

don't forget to bring snacks if you'll be gone for a long time. I went hiking for like 4-5 hours last summer with Tyson and i was so glad I brought some snacks. Hardy fruits like apples & pears, some beef jerky, yogos,etc. I also brought a pocketknife so i could pieces of the apples for Tyson lol

I've never given Simba apple, I'll have to try that with him now. I can't wait to get him out there with me. ^_^

Jewlieee

 don't forget the bug spray either. It's a must for hikes in MI

Oh I definitely won't!

We just got back from a quick hike at the resevior.  When we hike, I take poop bags, waterbottles (I have a neat device that screws on to a stanndard waterbottle and works like a rabbit's waterbottle), a dish towel, hand wipes (the scented poop bags give me migraines) and a pocket full of cookies.  Caleb wears a Sure Fit harness and I walk him on a 7 foot rope lead (it's actually a pair of roping style reins for a horse).  If he's going to be swimming, I take a long line so he'll still be on lead.  In the truck I put more towels, some waterless shampoo, Zoom Groom, and a bristle brush to give him a quick clean up if needed and a travel bucket with water.

This is what I carry the waterbottles, etc in:   http://www.ecrater.com/product.php?pid=3795205

This is the top for the water bottle: http://www.pettop.com/cgi-bin/pettop.pl

punkchica321

Wow. o.o That's a lot of stuff haha! Hm would a harness be better for him on a hike? I've never used a harness on my dogs before.

LOL  Poop bags, towel, hand wipes, etc are kept in the fanny pack all the time. Oh, and some chapstick and advil. LOL  I just put a small bottle of water on each side before we leave.  The grooming stuff is easy to carry out to the truck- today I carried it out in a bucket.  Sometimes I just toss it in the organizer I have in the back of my truck.  I've done stuff with dogs enough times over the years that I've got loading and unloading down to a science.  LOL

I use that particular harness because of the way the straps are, it doesn't put pressure on the throat.  That way, Caleb can sniff and pull a little and I don't have to worry about throat damage later on in life.  BUT- only use it if you have control over Simba.  If he still pulls on the leash, the harness could be more of a problem than a help.  Harnesses give a dog more leverage to pull.    However, with the harness I have, there is a ring on the front that I've clipped a leash to for more control then you would get with it clipped to the ring on the back.

Oh the bell idea- great one, especially if you're going to be in areas where there are bears.  I keep on in each vehicle so we have it if needed.

I always have water, benadryl, my cell phone, & stuff that I can make a temporary bandage out of.  I always have gauze, tape, vet wrap, & a ziplock bag tthat I can use to cover the bandage until I can get back to the vehicle to better assess the wound.

I may sound strange, but I would NOT take a camera the first few times that you hike.  You're in an area that your dog isn't used to, & you need to be fully aware of what he is doing, & how he's handling everything.  Having the camera there is a distraction that you don't need until you are confident that your dog is comfortable with their surroundings.  YMMV.