Hiking with your dog in Switzerland: Prepare well

The view is fantastic, the route sounds manageable and your dog happily joins you on everyday walks. Even so, a hike can place very different demands on you both compared with your usual route.

Distance, elevation gain, terrain and weather all work together. If you are planning your first hike with your dog, it is therefore worth starting smaller and planning an easy way back.

Does the route suit your dog?

The stated hiking time does not automatically reflect your pace. Your dog needs water breaks, has to manage difficult sections and should still have enough energy for the return journey at the end.

Check the description for steep sections, ladders, exposed passages and difficult crossings. A path that feels straightforward to you can be unsuitable for your dog.

For young dogs that are still growing, older dogs or dogs with health limitations, discuss suitable levels of exercise with your vet. A particular breed or birthday is not a general approval for long mountain tours.

Build and assess fitness gradually

Start with shorter, manageable outings and increase demands step by step. Do not increase distance, elevation gain and terrain difficulty all at the same time.

Also observe recovery after the outing. Noticeable stiffness, lameness or unusual exhaustion are reasons to reassess the level of activity and your dog's health.

A dog that enjoys running on a flat field has not thereby shown that they can handle a long descent well. The demands are different.

Choose this equipment deliberately

Swiss Hiking Trails lists suitable harnesses, a lead, water and a bowl, poo bags and emergency equipment adapted to the dog among the items to consider when hiking with dogs. Its guidance on hiking with dogs provides an overview.

The following are particularly important for your packing list:

• Well fitting equipment your dog already knows.
• Enough drinking water and a usable bowl.
• Poo bags and a practical way to carry them after use.
• Suitable protection for the expected weather conditions.
• A small emergency kit agreed with your veterinary practice.
• A phone, charged battery and information about the route and return options.

Try new equipment before the hike. An unfamiliar harness or paw boots being worn for the first time should not make their debut on a difficult section of trail.

Check encounters and local rules in advance

Find out about current notices, access restrictions and rules for dogs along the specific route. This article is not an overview of cantonal lead requirements.

When planning, pay attention to grazing areas and protected zones. If the route includes encounters that you cannot manage safely, choose a different route.

A break also needs a suitable place. A narrow section of path or the entrance to a pasture is not a good spot to unpack your backpack and stop for a longer period.

Decide on a turnaround point before exhaustion

Before setting off, think about where you could shorten the route or turn back. If you plan to return by transport, check whether the service actually allows dogs and works for your route.

Weather can change the original plan. Heat, thunderstorms or an unexpectedly difficult section are good reasons to make the tour shorter.

A successful outing does not need to end at the summit you originally planned. What matters is that you both manage the entire route appropriately.

What you can practise on a field beforehand

Brief waiting, calmly putting on equipment and a familiar break routine can all be prepared in a manageable environment. A suitable private field can provide space for this.

It does not replace building fitness on appropriate routes or gaining experience in real terrain. It can, however, help you clarify individual routines before hiking day.

Find a suitable practice area on DogOasis and then plan a first hike whose demands suit both of you.