From the Monticello-Saunders Trail winding gently up Carter Mountain to the cool streams and swimming holes of Sugar Hollow, Charlottesville is spoiled for choice when it comes to great hiking. And every one of those trails has one thing in common: They’re all improved by having a dog at your side.
Sometimes a minor tune-up is needed before a dog is trailworthy. Overgrown nails are prone to splitting, if not getting ripped clean off (which is as painful as it sounds). Dogs with heavy or feathered coats tend to get sticks and burrs tangled deep in their fur, and a good clip can reduce that risk.
Food and water are never optional, even on short hikes. Even when things cool off in the fall, dogs remain vulnerable to overheating. Streams and ponds really aren’t fit for consumption, often harboring infectious disease, and don’t obviate the need to bring a supply. Collapsible bowls are light and easy to stow, and preferable to spilling half your water bottle while the dog tries to lap indelicately from the lid (I’m not the only one to try that in a pinch, right?).
For more strenuous trips, a first-aid kit isn’t a bad idea. Minor scrapes and cuts can be protected with triple-antibiotic ointment, and larger lacerations often require a bandage until proper care can be sought. Dogs are also prone to jamming their curious snouts into wasp nests, and while most stings are uneventful, antihistamines can help suppress a reaction if your dog happens to be allergic. Check with your vet to see what dose would be appropriate in your case.
Of course, it’s best to avoid injury when possible, and keeping your dog close can prevent him from roaming into trouble. Always bring a leash and collar on a hike, even if it’s a trail that doesn’t require one. And a stake or carabiner can be useful for leashing your dog to one spot if any situation arises that requires both hands free. That said, most trails do have leash laws, and they shouldn’t be ignored.
Apart from providing good company, dogs can be put to more practical use as well. There are a variety of backpacks available for dogs, providing a great way to split the load. Dogs need to be conditioned to wear them, and should practice with incrementally heavier loads in advance. I had my own dog carry books around the neighborhood for a few weeks to get him accustomed to the weight. Now, he can hardly contain his excitement when he sees me take it out of the closet.
There aren’t many things that make me as happy as a quiet day in nature with my dog, and it’s easy to make sure that his time on the trail is as perfect as mine.
Happy trails
Dr. Mike Fietz and his pup can often be found hiking around the area, and here are a few of their favorite spots.
- Moorman’s River Trail, near Sugar Hollow Reservoir
- Walnut Creek Park’s 15-mile trail system
- Rivanna Trail at Riverview Park
Dr. Mike Fietz is a small animal veterinarian at Georgetown Veterinary Hospital. He received his veterinary degree from Cornell University in 2003 and has lived in Charlottesville since.