Can you hike with a french bulldog? Hiking with your dog can be an incredible experience, and it’s good for both of you. You will get exercise and fresh air while your pup gets socialization and mental stimulation. If the idea of hiking with a dog has always seemed like too much work to you, this guide will give you all the information that you need.
Hiking with a Frenchie isn’t recommended because they aren’t built for lengthy excursions, mainly when the weather is hot. However, it depends on your definition of “hiking.”
If you are only going for a short walk, it’s okay. If your pup loves to go on long walks or runs, that is okay too. The key here is knowing your dog and being vigilant about its well-being.
For example, we go to the nearby woodland with our French Bulldog and trek up and down slopes for up to 20-30 minutes as long as it’s not too warm. You can do this activity with a French Bulldog if its fitness levels are adequate. However, it is impossible if you want to spend the day with your French Bulldog on a trek.
How To Hike With A Frenchie
Make Sure Your Frenchie Had Recent Health Checkup
Your dog should be in good health before you subject them to strenuous exercise. Make sure that they are up-to-date on their vaccinations, too. Once you have determined your pup is healthy for hiking, it is time to get out there.
If this is your first time hiking with a Frenchie or any other breed of dog, it is a good idea to go for a short walk or run. Please don’t push your dog beyond their limits because that could lead to injury and illness.
If you want to take your Frenchie on serious hikes, consider getting them one of those doggie backpacks. The backpack will distribute the weight evenly among both shoulders and hips instead of all on one side. You can also use a doggie harness instead of a backpack.
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Train Your Frenchie For The Hike
You can’t just take your Frenchie out on a hike and expect them to be happy about it. You need to train them first. Start by teaching your dog the “heel” command, which means they should walk next to you without getting ahead of or lagging behind.
Next, teach them the “stop” command so that you can keep them from running into the street or other hazards. Training your Frenchie will take time, so be patient with them.
If you are consistent and gentle in teaching them new commands, they’ll quickly learn what to do on a hike. Trust us – it’s worth the effort.
Choose Easy Hiking Route
It is essential to be realistic when you are choosing a route for your hike with your Frenchie. If you have never hiked before, prepare yourself for it is more challenging than expected! Ensure that the trail or path is clear of obstacles and small animals that could harm your dog.
If possible, choose an easy hiking route to avoid the risk of injuring your dog. The terrain should be flat and not rocky, as that can cause injury to their paws or give them blisters.
Make sure that there aren’t lots of trees on the route you choose for your hike! Frenchie’s love playing in leaves and pouncing around in branches, so it would defeat the purpose of taking them hiking if you can’t let them have any fun.
When looking for a place to hike with your Frenchie, consider how much shade there will be and the temperature at that time of day. If it’s going to be hot out or very sunny, choose another route instead.
This goes double if you are taking your dog on a long hike.
Carry Cooling Snacks With You
When the weather is hot, you need to make sure that your Frenchie is cool and hydrated. Bring a cooling snack with you on hikes in order to do this!
You can give your dog an ice treat or frozen fruit as a fun way of getting them cooled down after the hike. Just be extra careful if it’s hot out, as you don’t want your Frenchie to get a chill.
Also, make sure that they have plenty of water before going on the hike and while they are there! They may not even drink it if their mouth is dry from panting, so bring extra just in case.
You can also pour some water over them or give them an ice treat so that they can stay cool.
Stick To Early Morning & Evenings Hikes
The best time to take your dog on a hike is in the early morning or evening. The temperatures will be more relaxed at these times of day, so you can avoid overheating and sunburn.
Early morning hikes are also great because they decrease the likelihood that there will be other people around! Plus, if it’s just you and your Frenchie, it will be a more personal experience.
Make sure to bring your own water with you on hikes in the afternoon or evening! You don’t want your Frenchie getting overheated while they are hiking and then drinking from the same source of water that others have used for hours before them.
Also, make sure that they always have access to plenty of water before going on a hike. When you are hiking with your Frenchie, choose trails that have lots of shade and cover from the sun.
They can get overheated very quickly, so make sure to take them somewhere shady as soon as possible if they start panting or acting lethargic. You should also bring their cooling snacks with you to hydrate them.
Take Breaks As Needed
If you are planning on taking your Frenchie out for a long hike, make sure that they have access to water beforehand! You don’t want them getting thirsty while they are hiking. Also, give them some breaks so that it’s not too strenuous for their little legs.
Frenchie’s can get tired quickly when they are hiking, so take frequent breaks. They will also need to use the bathroom at some point! You don’t want them getting too tired and having an accident in their carrier or on top of your bag when you’re out for a long hike.
Stop early instead of pushing through with the hike when it is hot outside if your dog is getting tired. There’s no point in pushing them past their limits since it will make the whole experience miserable for everyone involved.
You should also bring plenty of water with you on both short and long hikes so your Frenchie can stay hydrated.
Few Words Before Wrapping Up…
Hiking with your dog is an excellent way to bond and share time. It’s also good for both of you! We all know how much we love taking our dogs on walks, but did you know that hiking can be even more beneficial?
If the idea of going on an extended hike has always been intimidating to you because it seems like too much work or if you’re not sure whether your Frenchie would enjoy it.
We hope this detailed guide gave you some insight on the topic “can you hike with a french bulldog” and what makes hiking so unique for humans and their pups alike.