Before the tour: planning is everything.
It's best to plan your tour so that there is always plenty of water and shade for your dog. Use Google Maps or special hiking apps to find beautiful routes that offer plenty of forest and ideally a body of water. Walks along rivers and streams or around a lake are almost perfect. The route should also be chosen in such a way that there are always opportunities to take a shortcut along the way. You can also find information online about where there are official dog beaches and where swimming is not permitted. Even better if you are in an area with good access to alternative means of transport. Then you can take the bus or train to get back to your starting point.
Hiking in summer? For early risers.
Dogs have a harder time than us humans in summer. They can't sweat to cool themselves down. They only regulate their body temperature using their tongue and the pads on their paws. It's best to time your outings for the early hours of the morning so that you're back home by midday or can take a long break. It usually stays warm for a long time in the evening in summer, so you should also rest in the evening on really hot days. Before you go on long hiking or trekking tours, you should also treat your long-haired four-legged friend to one thing: a summer haircut or coat thinning. This is guaranteed to make walking easier.
Well equipped: This belongs in your luggage
Always pack enough water for you and your best friend. Because sometimes an impressive stream becomes a tiny trickle in the summer heat. Blue-green algae blooms, especially in stagnant water, can also be dangerous. It is therefore best to think about an extra portion of water with which you can moisten your four-legged companion's coat. If you are out and about with your dog for several hours, you can take suitable snacks with you to cool them down. Ideally, these should be well-chilled snacks - your best friend can use every milliliter of liquid right now. These will keep fresh for several hours in a cool bag with aggregates. And because so much walking also costs a lot of energy, you can pack a few more treats. All these measures are guaranteed to keep your dog motivated.
Breaks also provide new energy.
When you're out and about, you need to think for your pet. Especially if you both enjoy being out in nature so much and you also let him run free, your dog may become overwhelmed without realizing it. So keep a close eye on your four-legged friend. As soon as he starts panting heavily, give him a short break, send him into the water or give him a shower from a water bottle. If in doubt, abort your tour. But it certainly won't come to that. After all, you know exactly how much you can put your pet through.
Protect him from the sun? A good idea!
Dogs can also get sunburnt, especially in light areas. So it's best to apply a strong UV filter to your pet's muzzle, legs and ears. Sun creams from SPF 30 (better 50) without perfume and questionable ingredients are suitable, for example products for children or natural cosmetics. If you use a lot of tarmac paths on your route or run along a hot sandy beach, please remember that the surface can heat up extremely in the heat. In addition, cycling excursions are not advisable in high temperatures. Even if it doesn't feel hot for you in the airstream, it can be quite different for your running four-legged friend.
And after the tour? There's a wellness program.
To make sure your dog is in the mood for the next tour, give him a long rest after your excursion. You also check his paws. They may be a little stressed due to the heat or stony terrain. If the pads are very dry or you even discover cracks, treat him to a "pedicure". Organic Vaseline or coconut oil, for example, are suitable for applying to the pads. You can also use this opportunity to trim the hair between the pads. This will protect the affected paws from inflammation caused by bacteria. Your dog will look forward to the next outing with this care. And you can enjoy summer as it should be: the perfect time for adventures together in the great outdoors.