My first trail run was a disaster with Candy. Seeing as she was full of energy, I thought it would be a good idea to take her for a run on one of the off-leash local trails. I should have known better. Within minutes of hitting the trail, we came across a group of seniors. And as soon as Candy saw the other dogs, there was no stopping her.

 It was embarrassing - and not to mention frustrating since I had no way to control my dog. Thankfully, they didn't hold it against me, and we were able to continue on our way. But that experience taught me a valuable lesson: Candy is not ready to hike off-leash yet. I know, hiking with your dog can be a great bonding experience. But before you hit the trails, you must ensure your furry friend is ready for the adventure.

 Signs indicating your dog cannot hike off-leash

Before taking your dog off-leash on a hike, check out the following signs and determine whether your dog is ready or not for the big world.

 They are still a puppy: Just like human children, puppies need time to mature before embarking on more strenuous activities like hiking. If your pup is under a year old, it's best to wait until they're a little older before taking them off-leash on a hike.

 You skipped their training: Even if your dog is no longer a puppy, they may not be ready to hike off-leash if they haven't been properly trained. Dogs should have a good understanding of basic commands like sit, stay, come, and down before being taken off-leash in an uncontrolled environment.

 

 Lack of recall: Recall is perhaps the most important command for any dog hiking off-leash. If your dog does not have a good recall, meaning they will not come when called, then they are not ready to hike off-leash. In this case, you may want to use an e-collar to train them.

 They're easily distracted: If your dog is constantly being distracted by every little thing when you're out on walks, they're probably not going to fare any better when there are even more sights and smells to contend with on a hike.

 Your Dog is reactive to other dogs or people: If your dog tends to bark or lunge at other dogs or people when you're out and about, they definitely are not ready to hike off-leash yet. Consider hiring a professional dog trainer to assist you so that when they encounter other dogs or people, it won't be a problem.

 They have a strong prey drive: Some dogs adore nothing more than chasing after squirrels or birds, and they may be unable to resist the temptation when they see one while hiking off-leash. This could result in them taking off after an animal and getting lost or into trouble.

 

 Your dog is hesitant or scared of new environments or situations: Dogs who are hesitant or scared of new environments or situations will probably not do great hiking off-leash in unfamiliar territory. It's best to socialise and desensitise them to new environments before attempting something as major as hiking off-leash.

 They have a history of bolting: Finally, if your dog has a history of taking off suddenly without warning, they are not ready to hike off-leash since there would be nothing stopping them from running away if they felt like it.

 Embarking on an adventure with your furry friend by your side is one of life's great joys—but only if both you and your pup are prepared for it! Before hitting the trails together, make sure that your four-legged companion is physically fit for the challenge ahead and that they have the necessary training under their belt. Once you've checked those boxes, you can hit the ground running or walk together on your next big adventure!