First Hard Hike

[slackercodemonkey]

Today, I took Layla (9 months) on her first difficult hike. This hike was 10 miles round trip and 2400 ft elevation gain. Layla did awesome. I was nervous about the difficulty because normally we do a 1 mile hike 680ft elevation gain or 3-5 miles but a lot less steep trails. We started the hike at sunrise so we got to the top by around 9am. This was well before the hottest part of day. Her panting was pretty minimal throughout the whole hike. She also drank a lot less water than when we go out when it is hotter in our daily hikes. This kind of sucked for me because I lugged up 6 liters of water anticipating a thirsty dog. This turned out to be a good thing because I had enough water to wet her down twice and still had 2 liters when we finished. As far as energy goes I would rate it as moderately high for most of the climb to just moderate at the top. She hung out with us at the top for a while and then she found some shade and waited for us to finish eating. On the way down I would rate her energy as moderate. Also, peanut butter for a dog snack was a bust at the top. Layla much preferred a couple pieces of beef jerky.

At home, she has now been really mellow. She has opted not to insist on her in door fetch with the kids which is out of the ordinary, but overall she seems pretty content. She had a good appetite when she came back and she also insists on following me everywhere which is normal.

[slackercodemonkey]

[deidra]

Way to go Layla! Bentley LOVES hikes but I havn't been able to go a lot this summer Tank likes them to but he can't go up and down the hills that far because of his hip. Does she play in creeks on they way? I always run over to the creek when they are in there and allow them to shake off on me on hot days. My mom says it is gross but man I used to play in mud holes when I was littler so who cares...not me Hope you guys had fun.



Try walking down half way then back up on a mouintain in Colorado. I thought I was going to die. But I got to play with a black lab and a sable german shepherd puppy so it was worth it. Oh and a pig.

[slackercodemonkey]

There wasn't any extra water on this hike. It was pretty dry all the way up. She had her playing in the water on Saturday though. :-D

[yellowmom]

Looks like SO much fun!! What a beautiful setting-where is it?

Oh, can HARDLY wait until Chester is old enough for a great hike!!!! Maybe next spring

[tismom]

That's a beautiful picture. I'm sure Layla had a great time. Did she carry her own water?

[labby]

Today, I took Layla (9 months) on her first difficult hike. This hike was 10 miles round trip and 2400 ft elevation gain.

I'm sorry, but I think this is too much for a 9 month old puppy whose growth plates aren't closed yet. If I was your breeder, I'd be pretty upset.

[BauersMom]

I'm sorry, but I think this is too much for a 9 month old puppy whose growth plates aren't closed yet. If I was your breeder, I'd be pretty upset.

That was my thought too, and it appears that she is wearing a backpack which would add more stress/weight to her joints.

[yellowmom]

What age do they actually close? I have heard anywhere from 12-18 months. So is it best to wait until 18 months?

[Dani]

I'm sorry, but I think this is too much for a 9 month old puppy whose growth plates aren't closed yet. If I was your breeder, I'd be pretty upset.

Exactly what i was thinking.