People who bike, hike, run, skate with your dogs
- Thread starter Linds
- Start date
I hike my dogs probably 2 - 4 days a week during the spring/summer/fall. Winter is probably twice a week; maybe even once if it is particularly bad weather.
Depending on the day and weather, I have "loops" from about 3 miles to about 8 miles. All are off leash. I have three usual spots.
1) A state park about 20 minutes from my house. You have to pay Memorial Day - Columbus Day, and the beach is on-leash only during that time, so it is mostly an "off-season" spot for me. Quick 1/2 mile trail down to the beach, or about a 3 mile loop the long way on either side (hits over 7 miles if I do the whole outer loop). LOTS of uphill, but the views are great.
2) The reservoir that is about 3 minutes from my house is probably our most-used spot. Great swimming spot for dogs and humans, with a very well established trail of maybe 1.5 miles around the edge. Off the main trail is a huge network of trails where I inevitably get lost, but adore. I have regular 2.5 mile, 3.5 mile, and 7+ mile loops there, depending on the weather and how much time I have. The outer trails have a few great look out spots if you don't mind climbing. I will break them up by looping down to the water more when it is hot. Or I get really lazy, bring a book, and camp out on a rock reading while the dogs swim!
3) Fairly newly discovered (this winter) is a network of trails off a high school nearby. Great trails with great footing (way less hilly, which was nice with the ice this winter), but holy scary coyotes nearby. I will not go alone or during dusk/dawn. Often hit it on the weekends with a friend mid-day. No pictures from that one yet. And it really isn't so picturesque.
Our #4 is going hacking with Tristan; the barn has about 70 acres of hay meadows behind it, and Gusto loves going out with me and the horse. Meg generally will do one loop of the field with us, then just hang out near the path back to the barn. Gusto will go as long as I will!
Depending on the day and weather, I have "loops" from about 3 miles to about 8 miles. All are off leash. I have three usual spots.
1) A state park about 20 minutes from my house. You have to pay Memorial Day - Columbus Day, and the beach is on-leash only during that time, so it is mostly an "off-season" spot for me. Quick 1/2 mile trail down to the beach, or about a 3 mile loop the long way on either side (hits over 7 miles if I do the whole outer loop). LOTS of uphill, but the views are great.
2) The reservoir that is about 3 minutes from my house is probably our most-used spot. Great swimming spot for dogs and humans, with a very well established trail of maybe 1.5 miles around the edge. Off the main trail is a huge network of trails where I inevitably get lost, but adore. I have regular 2.5 mile, 3.5 mile, and 7+ mile loops there, depending on the weather and how much time I have. The outer trails have a few great look out spots if you don't mind climbing. I will break them up by looping down to the water more when it is hot. Or I get really lazy, bring a book, and camp out on a rock reading while the dogs swim!
3) Fairly newly discovered (this winter) is a network of trails off a high school nearby. Great trails with great footing (way less hilly, which was nice with the ice this winter), but holy scary coyotes nearby. I will not go alone or during dusk/dawn. Often hit it on the weekends with a friend mid-day. No pictures from that one yet. And it really isn't so picturesque.
Our #4 is going hacking with Tristan; the barn has about 70 acres of hay meadows behind it, and Gusto loves going out with me and the horse. Meg generally will do one loop of the field with us, then just hang out near the path back to the barn. Gusto will go as long as I will!
I'm a hiker!
What I do with, how long, and what I use is dependent on each dog(and where we are going).
Muffin currently does short(30min-1hr) flat walks 2-3x/week. He walks off-leash, but I always bring a reg 6ft one if I need it. It looks like Keeda may be able to start joining is again soon!!!! So much YAY! She walks on a long line bc WAY too much prey drive to be off leash.
Speckles would do the short walks with Muffin, plus around town with a backpack, and then on weekends we would do 5-10 miles depending on the trail & often up & down a mountain plus we did a camping hike. For those longer ones if she didn't carry her pack I would put the pack's harness on. She'd hike off leash until we hit ridge line and then I'll leash the harness incase she fell. I would bring a 6ft leash and a 10ft tieout. She also biked in a comfortflex and walky-dog during the week.
What I do with, how long, and what I use is dependent on each dog(and where we are going).
Muffin currently does short(30min-1hr) flat walks 2-3x/week. He walks off-leash, but I always bring a reg 6ft one if I need it. It looks like Keeda may be able to start joining is again soon!!!! So much YAY! She walks on a long line bc WAY too much prey drive to be off leash.
Speckles would do the short walks with Muffin, plus around town with a backpack, and then on weekends we would do 5-10 miles depending on the trail & often up & down a mountain plus we did a camping hike. For those longer ones if she didn't carry her pack I would put the pack's harness on. She'd hike off leash until we hit ridge line and then I'll leash the harness incase she fell. I would bring a 6ft leash and a 10ft tieout. She also biked in a comfortflex and walky-dog during the week.
Buster is currently limited to about a mile at 5 am when no dogs are out. He messed up his leg jumping to the deck. He's done 3 mi 2x a day before with rollerblades (first half was a run, second half more of a trot).
Ruby is heat limited. Shes done 10 mi, off leash, while I was on a mountain bike. I only did 6. A typical walk could be 3-5 mi.
Ruby is heat limited. Shes done 10 mi, off leash, while I was on a mountain bike. I only did 6. A typical walk could be 3-5 mi.
Meepitsmeagan and I have gone out biking with the dogs a few times. Leo, who is usually far too gentle, pulls me when he is with Harlow. If we are solo I only take him 2-3 miles right now... it was a hard, long winter and he's almost 8 now so I'm starting him slower. If he's off leash I'm more willing to go further. Last time we went with Meagan and Harlow he pulled me almost the entire 4 or 5 miles and only really started slowing down the last half mile.
I only go 2-3 times a week right now after work, but once I get my canadog harness our number of outings and distances will likely change. I'm thinking he will be able to perform much better with the proper equipment.
Also, we made a nifty contraption out of chain, bungee, a caribeaner, and vacuum hose to keep the leash from getting into the tire when it goes slack.
I only go 2-3 times a week right now after work, but once I get my canadog harness our number of outings and distances will likely change. I'm thinking he will be able to perform much better with the proper equipment.
Also, we made a nifty contraption out of chain, bungee, a caribeaner, and vacuum hose to keep the leash from getting into the tire when it goes slack.
We hike a good bit, mostly on leash or long lines, since Rhys is so reactive/DA. Usually we only get one good 5 mile hike in a week with my work schedule. We walk everyday but that's not the same.
I am working Rhys up to biking, so it's very short distances. He's not allowed to pull. I am saving up to buy a mountain bike (currently using my road bike) to take him on trails. The road bike is so light and fast it's very difficult to have a dog keep pace with at a natural trot.
I am working Rhys up to biking, so it's very short distances. He's not allowed to pull. I am saving up to buy a mountain bike (currently using my road bike) to take him on trails. The road bike is so light and fast it's very difficult to have a dog keep pace with at a natural trot.
How far do you normally go?
If we're hiking, we don't normally go for distance so much as for time. Usually at least 2 hours, on free days more like three. Feist is just starting to learn to jog with me, and that's on a limited basis, but my normal runs are 3-5 miles so she'll eventually get up there.
How often?
Running, once she's old enough, 3x a week usually.
Hiking is also usually 3x a week, sometimes less if we hit the beach/park instead.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
Teh swamp!
How do you do it?
Running next to me on leash for, er, runs.
Offleash for hiking.
If we're hiking, we don't normally go for distance so much as for time. Usually at least 2 hours, on free days more like three. Feist is just starting to learn to jog with me, and that's on a limited basis, but my normal runs are 3-5 miles so she'll eventually get up there.
How often?
Running, once she's old enough, 3x a week usually.
Hiking is also usually 3x a week, sometimes less if we hit the beach/park instead.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
Teh swamp!
How do you do it?
Running next to me on leash for, er, runs.
Offleash for hiking.
We hike and run 
How far do you normally go?
Usually between 5-10km, more if the weather is nice.
How often?
We used to go every day, but since moving we lost the awesome private spot we had. I have just been exploring the surrounding area. I try to go at least 3-4 times per week. Of course it's supposed to storm all week now though.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
Yesterday we found the Red Hill Valley Creek trail. Turns out Hamilton is FULL of cool little trails and most of them interconnect, and most of them have some sort of neat little waterfalls.
Typically I like to go wherever isn't an overly used trail. Anywhere that the dogs can have a bit of freedom
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc
Depends on the time, weather, and area.
We've been working on pulling:
I find it gives me a lot of motivation and keeps my posture up.
If it's too hot, they're usually somewhere beside me.
If we made it out early enough, or there's no one around, they get some off-leash time as well. But of course we're very diligent to ensure there's no one around.
How far do you normally go?
Usually between 5-10km, more if the weather is nice.
How often?
We used to go every day, but since moving we lost the awesome private spot we had. I have just been exploring the surrounding area. I try to go at least 3-4 times per week. Of course it's supposed to storm all week now though.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
Yesterday we found the Red Hill Valley Creek trail. Turns out Hamilton is FULL of cool little trails and most of them interconnect, and most of them have some sort of neat little waterfalls.
Typically I like to go wherever isn't an overly used trail. Anywhere that the dogs can have a bit of freedom
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc
Depends on the time, weather, and area.
We've been working on pulling:
If it's too hot, they're usually somewhere beside me.
If we made it out early enough, or there's no one around, they get some off-leash time as well. But of course we're very diligent to ensure there's no one around.
in the summer we bike 3-4 times per week at about 3-6 miles per trip.
We go hiking, well I'd like to say 3-4 times per week too, but it's more like 2x's per month and those range from 5 to 15 miles. Biking is leashed. Hikes vary depending on the amount of other people and they types of trails.
we have a quiet neighborhood bike route on roads and hiking is whatever trail we decide to drive to. I love going up to Door county and walking the northern end, mostly because we can access the lake all the way around and let the dogs swim and run free
We go hiking, well I'd like to say 3-4 times per week too, but it's more like 2x's per month
and those range from 5 to 15 miles. Biking is leashed. Hikes vary depending on the amount of other people and they types of trails. we have a quiet neighborhood bike route on roads and hiking is whatever trail we decide to drive to. I love going up to Door county and walking the northern end, mostly because we can access the lake all the way around and let the dogs swim and run free
How far do you normally go? Biking and running, usually only 2-3 miles with Elsa and Shambles. They're the big 10 miles or so hikers. Every one else will hike about 2-3 miles since they're all slowing down with age.
How often? Oh boy, usually 4-5 times a week. Magpie doesn't do any crazy physical activity. Old and all. Just waltzes around the neighborhood or solo on the hiking trail.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
This ~1,00 acre hiking preserve. It's beautiful and it feels like we find something new even being out there constantly.
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc No one goes off leash. Every one is on long lines, and I switch with the pulling with Sham and Elsa. She's not that great at it.
How often? Oh boy, usually 4-5 times a week. Magpie doesn't do any crazy physical activity. Old and all. Just waltzes around the neighborhood or solo on the hiking trail.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
This ~1,00 acre hiking preserve. It's beautiful and it feels like we find something new even being out there constantly.
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc No one goes off leash. Every one is on long lines, and I switch with the pulling with Sham and Elsa. She's not that great at it.
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I'm so jealous of everyone else's hiking/running areas!
The only safe place we have is a paved path that turns into a crushed gravel path. It's gorgeous with all the wildlife and scenery, but I wish the ground was a bit easier and the trail was a bit less popular.
We jog with Artimis mostly, Talon rarely comes. I like Art pulling forward, and David prefers him to his side, so it depends on whose holding him. We go anywhere between 2miles to 8 miles recently. Though we have only been taking Art on the times we go fewer miles because it's starting to get really warm an dthe pavement warms up really bad. We generally check paws half way through and carry him back if they look bad at all. We go 3-4 times a week, though we've been lazy lately.
The only safe place we have is a paved path that turns into a crushed gravel path. It's gorgeous with all the wildlife and scenery, but I wish the ground was a bit easier and the trail was a bit less popular.
We jog with Artimis mostly, Talon rarely comes. I like Art pulling forward, and David prefers him to his side, so it depends on whose holding him. We go anywhere between 2miles to 8 miles recently. Though we have only been taking Art on the times we go fewer miles because it's starting to get really warm an dthe pavement warms up really bad. We generally check paws half way through and carry him back if they look bad at all. We go 3-4 times a week, though we've been lazy lately.
We hike off off leash 2-4 times a week depending on my work schedule. Our favorite spot, is a fairly established trail that just isn't really used anymore. It leads up to the old reservoir for town and then some massive massive rocks. It follows along a stream so there are places for the dogs to cool down in the water and they can swim in the old reservoir if they so choose. Then if you're feeling adventurous you can also climb rocks.
And a few pictures of the rocks.
And a few pictures of the rocks.
How far do you normally go? Biking and running, usually only 2-3 miles with Elsa and Shambles. They're the big 10 miles or so hikers. Every one else will hike about 2-3 miles since they're all slowing down with age.
How often? Oh boy, usually 4-5 times a week. Magpie doesn't do any crazy physical activity. Old and all. Just waltzes around the neighborhood or solo on the hiking trail.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
This ~1,00 acre hiking preserve. It's beautiful and it feels like we find something new even being out there constantly.
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc No one goes off leash. Every one is on long lines, and I switch with the pulling with Sham and Elsa. She's not that great at it.
How often? Oh boy, usually 4-5 times a week. Magpie doesn't do any crazy physical activity. Old and all. Just waltzes around the neighborhood or solo on the hiking trail.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
This ~1,00 acre hiking preserve. It's beautiful and it feels like we find something new even being out there constantly.
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc No one goes off leash. Every one is on long lines, and I switch with the pulling with Sham and Elsa. She's not that great at it.
I hike (with Boo when she and I are in the same spot at the same time)! I've also tried jogging with her and she has a very nice slow jog pace which works well for me, but she doesn't do well at all in the warmer months. Obviously, both of these activities are off the table for her at the moment until (if) she heals back to 100%, but I would LOVE to share some older pics!
How far do you normally go?
varies, but my hikes are typically between 4 and 7 miles (lower end of 2 and upper end of 12). Boo has never been on a day hike with me that is more than 7 miles. I also take her on shorter walks when I can through pretty areas, but I tend to think of those as "walks" versus "hikes."
How often?
extremely variable based on my schedule. Boo is a family dog, and I am away at school so she gets walked more on my breaks than anything. That said, the good hiking is closer to where I am at school, so many of the more interesting hikes that we've done have been when I've kidnapped Boo away to school or when she's at the lake with my family.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
My favorite is anywhere with a nice overlook, but at home my two favorite routine walking spots are the old prison near my home and a makeshift trail to the Occoquan Dam.
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc
Typically on a short or long line. Very occasionally have I let her off leash, but I don't intend to do that anymore.
PICTURES!
Down by school
Tinker Cliffs
Cole Mountain/Old Hotel Trail
Sharp Top (one of the Peaks of Otter)
In NoVA
The Dam
The Prison Trails (Laurel Hill)
That's all!
How far do you normally go?
varies, but my hikes are typically between 4 and 7 miles (lower end of 2 and upper end of 12). Boo has never been on a day hike with me that is more than 7 miles. I also take her on shorter walks when I can through pretty areas, but I tend to think of those as "walks" versus "hikes."
How often?
extremely variable based on my schedule. Boo is a family dog, and I am away at school so she gets walked more on my breaks than anything. That said, the good hiking is closer to where I am at school, so many of the more interesting hikes that we've done have been when I've kidnapped Boo away to school or when she's at the lake with my family.
What are your favorite places to go (pictures encouraged!)?
My favorite is anywhere with a nice overlook, but at home my two favorite routine walking spots are the old prison near my home and a makeshift trail to the Occoquan Dam.
How do you do it? IE: Are they pulling you? Running next to you? Long line? Off leash? Etc
Typically on a short or long line. Very occasionally have I let her off leash, but I don't intend to do that anymore.
PICTURES!
Down by school
Tinker Cliffs
Cole Mountain/Old Hotel Trail
Sharp Top (one of the Peaks of Otter)
In NoVA
The Dam
The Prison Trails (Laurel Hill)
That's all!