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Hiking
Newfoundlands
often enjoy hiking, because it's usually done at a slower pace, and of
course new terrain brings new scents. A
newf is a long distancr runner, not a fast
sprinter.
New terrain also
brings about new challenges, they have to
alert continuously and watch out for possible
sharp rocks or holes in the ground. When hiking, the dog isn't allowed
to jump around
and run it's energy supply to the end at the start, because there's
still a long way to go..
New smells,
physical barriers and the constant
alertness eat away the dogs energy supply much
more quickly than you could even imagine. Therefore, when you're
planning to go on a hiking trip, remember to take breaks much more often
than usual. Keep an eye on the
dog.
NB! In
a new environment, dogs don't usually show their tiredness, because if
they were in a wolf pack, they would be left behind at the sign of
weakness. So; If you see any signs of
tiredness; clumsyness, sitting down etc. , you know your dog is
extremely tired and needs rest.
We enjoy hiking,
because it's quality-time with the dogs. It's great to see how much they
trust us. They go over fallen trees, jump down steep rocky paths.. and
will follow us anywhere without a blink.
Normally we harness the dogs with backpacks, in which they carry their
own water and food. Remember not to pack it too heavy! Even only
a few pounds will make it much more difficult for the dog. Start slow!
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