Sharing the best of Florida hiking

Hiking With Dogs

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Here you can add photos and share stories about your adventures on the trail with your favorite companion.

Members: 29
Latest Activity: Mar 1

Giardia in Dogs

Heartworm in Dogs

Flea Prevention in Dogs

Above are links to Dr. Foster and Smiths pet education website. The best advice and treatments for your companion dog will be from your own veterinarian.

My vet recommends a Preventic Collar for my dogs while hiking with my dogs. It last for up to 3 months. This brand can only pick up at your vets office or possibly order online. It will prevent ticks. Advantage can be used in combination with the collar. Always look over your dog after a hike or a long stay outdoors.

I can't stress enough to be sure your pets are treated against Heartworms. The disease is transmitted through mosquito bites. If your pet is not on a preventive and left untreated, your best friend will die a horrible death. Personally I've fostered many Humane Society rescue dogs through Heartworm treatment. It is expensive and the after care is very difficult for the dog.

Giardia and Coccidia are also concerns when hiking with dogs. Giardia can be contracted from drinking from lakes, rivers, creeks and puddles. My dog picked it up last year when I allowed him several times to swim in a man made lake. It took several tests to accurately diagnose and walked out of the vet with $400 less. My other lab never picked it up and he swam just as often. Coccidia is picked up from your pet eating feces. These are 2 diseases to be aware of while hiking with your dog.

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Comment by Michael Smith on January 10, 2010 at 2:02pm: Carol, Koreshan State Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/koreshan/default.cfm and Estero Bay Preserve State Park http://www.floridastateparks.org/EsteroBay/default.cfm are both pretty good bets. The county parks, while more numerous don't lend themselves to great hiking. http://www.leeparks.org/dog-friendly/index.html

Comment by carol gowing on January 5, 2010 at 2:43pm: Hello all,
Would anyone be able to recommend a hiking area that allows dogs in the Lee County area? I will be there the weekend of the 16th and would love to take Miss Gracie for a stroll!!
Thanks and happy trails!
Carol

Comment by Jacque Steer on December 31, 2009 at 3:26pm: I just read the comments by Derek about hiking with dogs. I wonder if he realizes that hikers also have a negative impact on wildlife when they hike. If you have ever run into a bear on a hike, then you know they do not stand still when you pass by. This negative impact is a trade off hikers make. In addition hikers take the risk of running into whatever animals may be out there, even if it is an unleashed dog.

Also the same fools that don’t clean up after their dogs are the ones that dont adhere to the pack it in pack it out rule of hiking. They are the ones that litter, and have negative impacts on wildlife.

Comment by Jacque Steer on December 31, 2009 at 10:35am

Nelly's first hike

Comment by Aubry Reed on December 21, 2009 at 10:41am

Took my doggie, Suvik, out to the Big Oak Hiking Trail this weekend. Had a blast. He really enjoyed all the smells, there seemed to be more on this trail than most.

Comment by Michael Smith on December 17, 2009 at 8:58pm: My pup is now more than 6 months old. Looks forward to his daily walks and loved our 4 mile RT hike in Lake Kissimmee State Park a few weeks ago. I am evaluating backpacks for him as he will be more than able to carry his own water, snacks and a little of my camera gear when he's older. I have narrowed my search to one pack that has a single belly strap and another that has two belly straps but has packs that separate from the harness via Velcro. Does anyone use a backpack? Are two straps overkill on Florida trails?

Comment by Aubry Reed on December 17, 2009 at 12:47pm: Hi,

I'm going to Ecofina Creek Sat and Sun to do the 24 mile trail over there. I'm taking my dog and was wondernig if anyone else wanted to go. You can contact me browneyedgirl8019@yahoo.com for more info.

Comment by Ben Rebel on November 15, 2009 at 12:24pm: While I may be considered a tenderfoot in terms of my time in hiking, I enjoy nothing more that a good walk down a wooded trail with by Welsh Terrier, Ringo. Together, we are trying to hike as many of the state parks and national forests as possible. I think the number is around 15 now. Our hikes are short, 2 to 4 miles, but the time out with nature is so recharging. Having Ringo with me gives me someone to share this experience with. He keeps me moving when I lag behind and he stops to smell nature when we both need a break. I have begun documenting some of our adventures in Ringo's Web Page. Here is the address if you care to look: http://web.mac.com/brebel/Site_2/My_Travels_and_Adventures/My_Travels_and_Adventures.html
The web site includes other trips we have made together.

Comment by LisaB. on August 10, 2009 at 12:34am: I take my dog (Boone) with me almost everytime I hike. The one thing that worries me is the Gators that are in the swamp, Pond and Lakes in my hiking area. Boone loves the water when she is hot. And thursty. My rule of thumb is to check area and just use my best judgement when it comes to letting her get in the water. Does anyone have any comments about this problem. And what do you do with your dogs that love the water.

Comment by John Guinta on May 15, 2009 at 12:47pm: Derek has made some good points about dogs on the trail. People who hike with dogs should remember that the trails are a shared asset to be enjoyed by all. I have been guilty in the past of not keeping my small dog on a leash, and while it is small enough to not be a threat to anyone it will certainly chase wildlife. To my surprise one day on the trails at Bayard, even while my dog was on a leash it stopped a horse and rider in thier tracks. I think the horse was confused, as my dog and I were both carrying backpacks and we probably looked like some sort of strange beasts that the horse did not recognize. None the less it caused a problem for the horse, and some embarassment for the rider. I have been preparing for a thru hike on the Appalachian Trail over the past 8 months and during my research I came across a very good article about why people should not take dogs along, which closely paralelled Dereks comments. There are also rules in some parks about dogs on trails so check before you bring your dog to any trail. But one thing we must remember aside from all other concerns about wildlife and the health of our pets is that we have no right to detract from the experience of others because we want to take our four legged companions along. Be responsible and use common sense.. not all people love dogs as we do.