Walking up a mountain

[LorraineG]

Hi, I have recently adopted a dog and I'm climbing Snowden in September and would really love to take her with me. We walk about 5 miles together every day and she walks really well on a lead, i would like to hear for other dog owners who have taken their dogs mountain climbing, any tips you can share would be really welcome. Thanks

 

[gypsysmum2]

I wonder if the Search and Rescue Dog people might be of some help to you? Not sure what the association is called but they use their dogs to search for people lost in the mountains and so would be very experienced in these matters.

 

[Daisythewonderdog]

Hi

My dogs regularly go up mountains. They get a decent breakfast beforehand and I take food for them at lunchtime altho they only get lunch when doing these sorts of walks. They wear harnesses and a longer or extendable lead is helpful. I also take jackets for them that are waterproof. Again, they only have these for mountains as it's often so much worse weather and you're out for longer. Lily's kitchen do snack meal bars for dogs which are handy to take just in case. Obviously only let your dog off if you've got great recall. Hope that helps.

 

[Wing Finger]

When we take our dogs hillwalking we tend to use a harness and long line for one who has terrible recall. She's happy to walk beside us when there are no distractions but will bound up to new people and dogs. Our other dog has very good recall so we walk with him off lead if the path is good and there's no risk of him falling off ledges or down holes. Keep an eye out for things like grouse, ptarmigan and hare though depending on where you are. My "bad" dog always wants to chase small wildlife if she sees it.

 

[Denis94Vega]

My uncle has Shepherd Dog and he went to mountains with her twice. Everything was pretty good.