The sunlight filters through the hues of reds, oranges, and yellows as paws and feet crunch through the crisp, fallen leaves. A pack of pups darts by Nicole Reither as she takes in the gorgeous sites and breathes the clear autumn air.
Doesn’t this sound heavenly? For Nicole Reither, it is literally heaven on earth.
National Take a Hike Day is November 17, and what better way to celebrate than by taking in nature through exploring new trails? Hiking with dogs can be a great way to get out in nature – in any weather if you’re brave enough – while bonding with your canine companion. Let’s learn about a person who has made hiking with dogs her livelihood along with the best tips for hiking with your dog before you embark upon a journey in the Great Outdoors.
Nicole and canine client Kublai
From a Desk to Dogs: Starting a Dog Hiking Business
Nicole Reither has always had a love for animals and grew up with dogs. At one point, she even wanted to be a veterinarian. However, life brought her to the workforce instead of a veterinary practice.
Nicole recently left her corporate job and turned her passion for hiking and dogs into a successful dog hiking business.
An idea to reality
Nicole says, “When I was working a corporate job in Boston, I had to search high and low for professional dog walkers. When I finally found someone I could depend on, I said to her every morning when she would pick up my dog, ‘I want to be you! I want to spend my days with the dogs – what a dream!’”
Now Nicole has turned her dream into a reality with her dog hiking business, Brandywine Tails & Trails. “I was at an age and stage in my career in the commercial construction industry where I was getting burnt out and finally had the opportunity to do what I have always dreamed of,” Nicole states.
The fine (paw)print of starting a business
Brandywine Tails & Trails is a dog hiking service offering an hour of off or on-leash hikes in dog-friendly trails, pastures, and parks Monday-Friday. Nicole also offers complimentary pick-up and drop-off for busy clients. For the first session, she offers a “treat and greet” to see if the dog client is a good fit, and then they get one free hike before taking a regular spot.
A day in the life of hiking with dogs
Nicole laughs when she tells what a day is like as a professional dog hiker, saying, “It’s absolute craziness from picking up the dogs to getting slobbered on.” There is never a dull moment when you’re running a dog hiking business!
Other people notice Nicole’s daily efforts to keep the dogs happy and well-behaved. “Everyone is amazed that the dogs get along and listen so well,” notes Nicole. “I say they are like kids, so much better with other people than with their parents!”
Beyond the hiking harness
Nicole gives back to the dog community beyond just the trail. She’s had the opportunity to sit on several boards for the Humane Society and the MSPCA, furthering her love of dogs. “I will always treat other people’s dogs as if they are my own. Five percent of all walks get donated to local non-profits. I also support local businesses as well. I love to support places and services my clients use, and I had a local sign company and a local printer help assist me with marketing materials,” says Nicole, showing that her business doesn’t just operate in a silo.
The future is bright
Starting a business can bring many challenges, taking the owner on an adventure of learning curves. Nicole has experienced some challenges but is excited about her dog hiking business’s bright future.
Nicole realizes that she can have a great business plan, but ultimately, she will need to attract a steady stream of clients. In today's current climate, “online marketing is key. I am a bit older, so I have to ask my teenager for help making Instagram posts and ads.”
It’s exciting to dream about expanding a business. “Currently, my best marketing as it stands now is word of mouth. A website is in the works.” Some other goals are to grow the territories, hire help, and add concierge services for the dogs. She also has a line of merchandise debuting soon for people to advertise her business in a visible yet practical way.
Why Do People Hire a Dog Hiking Business?
It’s easy to romanticize time spent in the woods with your dog, taking in the sights and sounds of nature. However, reality can paint a different picture. Several factors can hinder or prevent a person from taking a hike with a dog, which is why they’d call a service like Brandywine Tails & Trails.
Time constraints
Even if an owner is also an avid hiker, sometimes they don’t have the time they’d like to get out in nature for chunks of time. Careers and responsibilities don’t lend themselves to hours spent in the woods, especially during the work week.
Health challenges
Health concerns are another challenge. People might have health issues like recovering from surgery or a chronic daily illness that prevents them from being able to get outside with their dogs for a hike. Hiring a dog hiking service can ensure regular exercise occurs no matter the health challenges owners face.
Socialization & training
Well-rounded dogs are unphased by different experiences, but they first need opportunities to practice their dog socialization skills. Hiking allows dogs to meet a variety of other dogs in unfamiliar environments, teaching them how to greet properly, play nicely, and not bark excessively. Other hikers will pass by your dog, exposing them to strangers and allowing them to work on some training commands like Come, Sit, Wait, and Down.
Nicole has seen a huge growth during her time with certain dog clients. “Most of my dogs currently are Covid puppies who have little socialization skills with other dogs,” notes Nicole. “Getting them socialized and working on their recall has been such a wonderful experience.”
Meet a dog’s exercise needs
Some dogs have so much energy that they would benefit from something more rigorous and challenging than a brisk walk around the block. High-energy breeds like Australian Shepherds, Border Collies, Siberian Huskies, and more might need up to two hours of physical and mental exercise a day, and hiking is a great way to tire them out. As Nicole says, “A tired dog at the end of the hike is a happy dog!”
Exercise can meet more than just a physical need for their bodies – dogs need plenty of mental stimulation throughout the day, something they don’t necessarily get staying at home by themselves. A scent walk is a slower, less structured type of walk that prioritizes the exploration and investigation of scents that capture a dog's attention. Scent walks let dogs engage their senses by engaging their minds and presenting new olfactory experiences, keeping their brains sharp and attention focused. Hiking is a great way to incorporate scent walks into a dog's routine.
Change of scenery
Even though dogs are creatures of habit and thrive on a daily dog routine, it’s always fun to switch up the norm. Choosing a new route like an outdoor trail can be both physically and mentally exciting, providing opportunities for new sights and smells. Dog owners may only be able to squeeze in a few laps around the same block, so hiking can be a whole new world for them.
Nicole with Casey the Boxer
Preparing for a Dog Hike
Dogs are just about always up for a hike, but you’ll need to be prepared first, whether you are exploring a short greenway path or embarking on a multi-day backpacking trip. Any seasoned hiker will tell you that weather can turn unexpectedly and quickly, and things will happen out on the trail that you least anticipate.
Better to be safe than sorry! Here are some ways you can be prepared and proactive before you lace up your boots.
Carry water
Get an inexpensive collapsible water bowl and keep a bottle of fresh water, enough for you and your dogs. You can’t always guarantee a creek or stream even if it’s on the map because when you get there, it could be dried up or stagnant and not safe to drink.
Have an emergency kit
Keeping a small emergency dog first-aid kit and knowing how to treat minor injuries out in the field will be very helpful if you encounter setbacks. You don’t need to lug the entire kit with you - choose items that are compact and sufficient enough to provide a temporary solution until you can seek medical care. Consider keeping gauze, antibiotic cream, tweezers or a tick key, a whistle, and local emergency veterinarian contact information in your kit.
Follow local laws
Part of being a responsible dog owner is following rules and regulations involving you and your dog out in spaces beyond your home. Do your research beforehand and check for signs that outline leash expectations, park hours, and other guidelines. Some municipalities have tag laws as well. Never trespass!
Know what to do during wild animal encounters
While most of us might think of encountering a bear in the wilderness as a brush with a wild animal, you can encounter wild animals inside city limits, too. Depending on where you live, you could also come face-to-face with skunks, porcupines, coyotes, moose, and snakes that could do some damage (even fatal damage) to your dog. If you educate yourself on what to do if your dog encounters wildlife on the trail, you’ll know how to prevent a catastrophe. Take steps to prevent rabies in dogs by vaccinating and avoiding strange-acting wild animals. Be wary of ticks that cause Lyme disease in dogs as well.
Practice proper paw care
If the weather is outside of a normal range, like extremely hot or icy ground, or if you’re going to traverse some rugged terrain, consider a variety of dog paw care products like dog booties and balms to protect their paws.
Use proper identification
When you take your dog out on the trail or in the field, you’ll probably have a chance to let them roam off-leash depending on your dog’s level of training, personality, and instincts. Providing proper identification for your dog is paramount due to your pup possibly bolting off after a scent, being a little too friendly with strangers, accidentally joining another group, or worst case scenario – being stolen. At the very least, ensure a microchip contains current information, and consider using leashes with phone numbers embroidered into the design in case tags fall off along the trail somewhere.
Safety first
If you are hiking with your dog in the early morning hours or at dusk and past sundown, use a reflective leash, vest, and light for visibility. Darker dogs and clothing can blend into the murky light. Tell someone details of where you are going and when you plan on returning. Practice car safety for dogs and use appropriate restraints best for your dog’s size.
Nicole keeps her canine clients safe in a variety of ways. “All dogs wear bright orange dog safety vests with my name and number on them, especially during hunting seasons. The vests are equipped with Air Tags for a tracking device,” says Nicole, proving that you can never be too cautious with dog hiking safety.
Gus and Charlie enjoy a nice, long hike and a pup cup at Starbucks after
Caring For Your Dog Post-Hike
The fun doesn’t end when you’ve come back to the parking lot. Nicole extends the fun after their on or off-leash adventure by switching up post-hike activities. ”We sometimes go on field trips to Starbucks for a little pup cup, to the local pet store for yummy treats, or to the creek for a little swim. The dogs love staying together in a pack!” Nicole states.
Some other ways to wind down from a hike include:
- Provide an opportunity to cool down
- Make a safe, cozy spot for a long nap
- Brush their coat to remove dirt and debris
- Do a body scan for ticks, cuts, scrapes, or chafing
- Give them a lovely doggy massage
- Practice paw care for dogs by looking for cuts and applying soothing paw balm
Take a Hike With a Pawrade Puppy
Like Nicole, we are dog lovers at Pawrade and enjoy being active with our pups in fun ways. Getting out in nature is a great way to ground ourselves while bonding with our canine companions.
However, you’re going to need a dog to go hiking with first! That’s where Pawrade comes in. Take a look at some of the best dog breeds for hiking to choose puppies for sale that will fit your active lifestyle. And if you can’t always hit the trails, Nicole at Brandywine Tails & Trails is at your service for a wagging good time.
