Hiking Vacations With Dogs – If you’re planning a trip to Fort Collins with your dog, you’re both in for a treat! A strong love for our adventurous four-legged friends is at the heart of our city’s culture, which means there are plenty of dog-friendly options to make your trip memorable for the whole family!
Two unique hotels located in the heart of the Old Town are ready to spend time with you and your dog! The historic Armstrong Hotel and the luxurious Elizabeth Hotel accept dogs weighing up to 100 pounds. Dogs cannot be left unattended in hotel rooms, so be prepared to keep puppies with you at all times during your stay or plan to utilize the services of a local doggy daycare.
Hiking Vacations With Dogs
There are so many great nature trails to choose from! Keep in mind that dogs must be leashed in Larimer County; If you’re looking for off-leash hiking options, check out the hiking options in the Arapahoe and Roosevelt National Forests west of Fort Collins.
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Don’t forget your good manners while hiking! Good trail manners will help everyone have a safe and fun visit to the trail and keep these beautiful natural areas open and accessible to dogs for years to come. The City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department has excellent resources for understanding trail rules and behaviors that allow us to continue enjoying natural spaces with our dogs. Check out these resources to learn more before you make your first visit!
If there’s one thing Fort Collins is known for as much as its love of dogs, it’s its love of craft beer! With over 20 craft breweries to choose from, there are plenty of potential dog-friendly places to enjoy with your furry friend! Most Fort Collins breweries allow dogs on their patio, and some make special arrangements by allowing your dog to join you inside. It’s always a good idea to check the brewery’s website before heading there, and even call ahead to find out the exact scope of their current policy.
Don’t forget your brewery manners! Being extremely courteous to others when visiting a brewery with a dog goes a long way in making these places friendly for everyone. The Drink With Your Dog® blog has lots of helpful tips on how to successfully navigate a brewery with your dog, like this helpful leash reminder or this series of tips on how to tell if your dog will enjoy hanging out with you at the brewery!
If you and your dog need supplies while you’re in town, or you’re just looking for a fun souvenir to bring home, check out these local pet supply options! Wagz Pet Market & Grooming is located in the heart of Old Town and offers a variety of fun treats, toys and gifts for dog lovers! Poudre Pet & Feed has been serving the Northern Colorado pet community for over three decades, and with 6 locations across Northern Colorado, it’s always a convenient place to pick up those forgotten pet supplies or find something new!
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Many other stores in Old Town that aren’t pet stores are dog friendly too! Check doors and windows for signs welcoming or deterring pets, and if in doubt, look inside and ask staff before entering. You and your dog can go shopping together in Fort Collins.
There are tons of dog-themed and dog-friendly events in Fort Collins every year! The exact dates will change each year, but I’ve included approximate dates in case you want to plan ahead for your next visit!
It’s important to remember that your dog may not enjoy all types of activities; Additionally, certain weather conditions, such as extreme heat or cold, may not be the best time for your dog to join you for outdoor activities.
Whether you’re enjoying your stay at a dog-friendly hotel, visiting a local hiking trail, drinking Colorado beer, shopping in Old Town, or attending an important event, you can do it all in Fort Collins with your adventurer by your side. ! We hope to see you and your dogs in our city soon. Home / Inspiration / Culture / Ready to hit the road with your puppy? The complete guide to hiking with dogs
Have Dog, Will Hike Blog
Dogs and the great outdoors: it’s a match made in heaven. And if your dog loves walking around the block, going on a hike with him will definitely be a new level of adventure for you and your four-legged friend. But hiking with dogs isn’t just about roaming nature on a leash.
Like humans, dogs have varying levels of fitness and abilities. Dogs, like humans, can become injured and deformed. “A general rule of thumb is to gradually build up the stamina and stamina needed for physical activity, over longer periods of time,” says Anita Hurley, CTC, CBDD-KA, director of animal training and behavior at the Boulder Valley Humane Society in Colorado. “Just as humans need to prepare for sports, dogs need to develop endurance and fitness.”
That’s why Hurley, an avid hiker with years of experience walking dogs on trails, suggests getting a complete medical exam from your veterinarian, including a physical assessment of your dog, before heading out on a hike. Also consider the age of your dog. According to Hurley, older dogs may not feel ready for long, strenuous hikes, and puppies under a year old should run no more than a mile at a time while their growth plates are still in progress. development. Remember, it’s better to find out your dog is in no shape for a hike to the vet than for a steep 20-minute hike through the woods.
Once you’ve determined that your dog is fit and ready, your next step is to find a hiking spot near you. BringFido and AllTrails are two online resources to help you find local dog-friendly hikes. If you are unsure whether a particular trail allows dogs, call the park directly.
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Start by deciding how far you want to go, then consider the elevation gain (total climbs) and difficulty of any routes you’re considering for that distance. Trails with a lot of elevation change or steep inclines will be difficult for less trained dogs (and people). More difficult trails may mean you and your dog must navigate uneven terrain or obstacles such as large boulders, roots, boulders, and areas of broken rock debris, also known as talus fields. All of this can be a challenge for small puppies or less mobile dogs.
You will also want to know if the trail has access to water and shade. According to Hurley, this will be especially important in the summer, because dogs are more sensitive to heat than humans and can overheat in high temperatures.
Finally, be sure to familiarize yourself with leash laws. Most dog-friendly trails require them to be on a leash. In some areas, your dog will be able to move around without a leash as long as he is in sight and responds to voice commands. Hurley notes that if your dog is anxious or reactive around other dogs, hikers, cyclists or horses, you should definitely choose off-leash trails and time your visit to avoid peak times.
If, like your dog, you’re hiking for the first time, you’ll need your own hiking gear, including sturdy shoes and a medium-sized backpack. Remember to pack enough food and water for you and your dog.
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You should also carry extra clothing, sun protection, a small knife or multi-tool, and a first aid kit in case of an emergency along the way. “Always have your phone with you, even if the connection is poor, because at some point you will be able to call for help. It is also a good idea to have a small first aid kit with you: it can be useful to both people and dogs who travel,” says Hurley.
Once you’ve prepared your own hiking gear, it’s time to make sure you have everything your hiking buddy needs! Dog hiking equipment is lightweight and portable. Hurley says essentials for your dog include plenty of water, treats (small bites with a pungent smell; mild varieties are ideal), poop bags, a leash, and a flat collar or harness with identification labels. A collapsible water bowl or dog water bottle will make it easy to water your dog on the go.
Other dog hiking gear to look out for includes a dog hiking backpack (so your pup can eventually carry their own gear), a cooling vest for warm weather, a dog jacket for cold weather, and boots for dog that will help protect the dog’s pads. during a long walk. long hikes or hot, cold or uneven surfaces like sandstone or gravel.
You probably won’t need all this dog hiking gear for your very first hike, but if you start hiking with your dogs more often, these nice things can make your walks safer and more rewarding.
