Trail safety with dogs: How to prepare, recognize trouble, and handle an emergency
“If my dog gets hurt right now, what would I do?” – How many times has that thought crossed your mind while hiking with your dog?
It doesn’t take a multi-day trek through high peaks for something to go wrong. Even an hour from the trailhead can leave you facing an emergency. “The most common injuries on hikes are cuts and scrapes on paws and legs, claw injuries, heatstroke or dehydration, viper bites and fall injuries”, shares Helene Sæterdal, a first responder volunteer with Norske Redningshunder (NRH), Norway’s search and rescue dog association.
With a little preparation and the right knowledge, you can reduce the risk of incidents and boost your confidence and enjoy every moment exploring together. Helene has spent over 25 years responding to calls across the steep mountain and fjord terrain of western Norway, so we asked her what to do first when a dog gets hurt far from help and how to avoid trouble before even stepping onto the trail.
5 safety tips for the next hike with your dog
- Match the hike to your dog’s fitness, experience and limits.
- Always carry enough water and first-aid supplies for both of you.
- Monitor your dog’s behavior throughout the hike and be aware of any early signs of exhaustion or injury.
- Use preventive gear, like booties or a harness with a handle when conditions call for it.
- Have a plan for what to do if your dog gets injured far from help.
What to do if your dog gets injured or incapacitated on the trail
1. Contact your vet
“The first thing to do is contact a vet and get advice on the situation”, says Helene. They will help you read the symptoms, care for your dog and advise what to do next depending on the situation.
No signal? Act with what you can do and what you know. This is where good preparation makes all the difference.
2. Care for your dog
An injured or frightened dog may react differently than usual. Approach calmly, avoid sudden movements, and take care when examining or treating an injury.
The most common issues on the trail are:
- Open wound or paw cut: Stop activity and assess the wound. Apply firm, direct pressure to control bleeding, clean and protect the wound where possible, and contact a veterinarian if the wound is deep, heavily contaminated, or the bleeding does not stop.
- Signs of heatstroke: Stop activity, begin cooling your dog, and contact a veterinarian immediately. Heatstroke can be life-threatening even if your dog appears to recover.
Heatstroke: Learn how to prevent, recognize, and act
- Suspected fracture: Keep your dog as still as possible, avoid putting weight on the injured limb, and seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.
- Viper bite: Stop activity, keep your dog as calm and still as possible, and contact a veterinarian immediately. Carry your dog where practical rather than allowing them to continue walking.
Risks shift with terrain, location, wildlife, and season. Knowing what to expect where you’re headed helps you prepare for the potential dangers and challenges you may face.
3. Assess and decide what comes next
Helene’s rule of thumb is: “Consider whether your dog seems alert and able to continue without making the injury or condition worse”. When in doubt, err on the side of caution. Continuing can turn a manageable injury into a more serious one.
From there, it mostly comes down to geography: how far away help really is, whether the terrain ahead eases up or gets harder, and whether a spot with phone signal is within reach for a call to the vet.
4. Safely carry your dog back to the trailhead
If your dog cannot walk or must avoid any more activity, you are what gets them safely back home. Small dogs can be carried in your arms, or in your pack. For larger dogs, carrying them on your shoulders is an option, but using a rescue sling or harness is the safest and easiest option – and worth the extra 182 grams (size M) in your pack – especially for larger dogs. That’s what NRH handlers carry on every rescue.
Prevention is the best protection
Match the route to your dog’s fitness
“Many underestimate how demanding the terrain is and how long the hike actually turns out to be”, says Helene. “The most important thing is to assess whether your dog is fit enough for the hike”. An off-leash dog covers much more ground than you do; wearing a backpack or pulling in front of you also requires more energy, so building up your dog’s fitness before a long day matters. Steep terrain is more demanding on muscles and joints than flat ground, so check what’s ahead, and be ready to carry a young or older dog on the longer stretches.
Pack the right gear
Too often forgotten or left at home to save extra weight, a dog's own first-aid kit is something Helene insists every hiker should carry.
A basic dog first-aid kit should include spare protective booties, bandage supplies, wound cleanser or disinfection solution, a snout wrap, vet-approved pain relief, a rescue sling, and energy-rich food. In tick country, a tick remover is a good addition too. Your vet’s number – or the nearest emergency clinic’s number – should be available somewhere you can find it fast (even if you run out of phone battery).
Just as important is carrying fresh water for your dog, with some extra in summer. It doesn’t only prevent dehydration and heatstroke, it can be the only water your dog gets if natural sources are dry or contaminated.
Finally, pack according to the weather and terrain. A raincoat, warm jacket, or cooling vest if the forecast calls for it. A harness with a handle if you’re heading somewhere steep, rocky or with obstacles. Protective booties for walking on sharp stones or snow. In snowy mountains, dog goggles and a dab of high SPF sunscreen on the nose guard against snow blindness and sunburn, and an insulated mat keeps your dog off the cold ground during breaks.
Monitor your dog’s behavior, and offer regular breaks
Just as for you on longer hikes, or in demanding conditions, especially with younger and older dogs, taking regular breaks gives you a chance to offer water, assess your dog's energy levels and check paws, gait and general behaviour before small problems become bigger ones. In winter mountain conditions, offer breaks in the shade whenever you can - even when the sun is veiled - for a reprieve from the sun's reflection off the snow.
Breaks are also the perfect time to enjoy the scenery and capture moments in nature together!
Seeming uncomfortable, hanging their head, or becoming more irritable than usual can mean they need a break, or that the hike should end. A shorter hike is still a good hike. Getting home together matters more than reaching a particular point.
Get acquainted with the local challenges and regulations
Wildlife, terrain, and local rules shift by region and country. Knowing what to expect helps you prepare for the potential risks you may face.
Look up wildlife or plants that could cause trouble, such as venomous snakes, ticks, bears, or poisonous plants, and know how to react if you encounter them. If you’re likely to cross grazing land, check for livestock and guard dogs, and learn how to behave around them.
Many parks and countries enforce seasonal leash laws to protect nesting wildlife and grazing animals, and knowing them before you go helps protect wildlife, livestock, your dog, and the trails you share.
Try your dog’s gear at home
Practice fitting and using your dog’s rescue sling, harness, and booties at home – not for the first time on the trail where you might have no signal to look anything up, and no calm moment to introduce new gear safely. When using a weighted backpack, introduce weight gradually.
Once the hike is over, give your dog a full-body check, including their paws, and offer food and water before they take a well-deserved rest.
