Try aquatic hiking with your dog!
Today, I'm talking about an activity Too W'ouf! Do canyoning with your dog: Have you ever thought about it? I'm not talking about venturing down narrow ravines, descending white-water slides and diving from waterfalls or cliffs. It's more of an aquatic hike to do with your dog. A refreshing activity following the bed of a calm river… The “beginner” version of canyoning.
I love snorkeling with Musher. As a good Labrador, she enjoys it! Rather than telling you about my adventure, I chose to interview the magnificent Maïa, a 16-month-old young staffie, and her mistress, Samantha, to tell us about their experience.
Inseparable, Samantha and Maïa met for the first time in a breeding. September 13, 2016: LOVE AT LOVE on their “little black pig”! Walks on the beach, in the snow, group outings, cycling, canoeing... A great bond has now been created between the two adventurers. They no longer go out without each other and of course Samantha always takes her dog on vacation with her!
They tell us about their day canyoning during their stay in Spain where they slept at dog-friendly campsite : Canyons of Guara and Formiga.
Canyoning with your dog
We did this water hike with our dog in Spain au Rio Vero accompanied by a guide. Before getting there you have to walk for 30-40 minutes to the Villacantal bridge, located near the medieval village of Alquézar on the banks of the Río Vero river. On our way, we crossed a dam, walked along footbridges (Camino de Passarellas) and passed through a small cave. We were 6 adults. 12 feet and 4 legs!
Your dog's equipment for canyoning
We didn't know what to expect, so we hadn't prepared any specific equipment. I didn't have time to buy one. dog life jacket, but I recommend it for anyone who would like to try this great activity. It's much safer and it allows you to lift / catch your dog easily if necessary! As for us, we had a wetsuit and sneakers. Plan a hat for the sun and spare things that can be put in waterproof cans as well as water and cakes 😀
Musher and Sophie: Remember to take enough water to make your dog drink. Some dogs drink from rivers or puddles: Musher, Madame!, only drinks from his bowl. Hiking with your dog cannot be improvised ! Precisely in this article, I give you all my advice to make a hiking with your dog successful. You will also find the equipment that you can take with you so that your dog does not miss anything.
Canyoning day with my dog
A real starlet my female dog! With her baby face, she quickly makes everyone fall in love. It was the mascot of the day 😀
We had chosen a course where it was possible to avoid obstacles that were too complicated for Maïa, so as soon as we had to climb a rock or take a jump, I joined the shore with her and we went to the side. When we were waiting for the others, she stamped with impatience, a real adventurer! I think she had fun but she would take even more pleasure in trying the experience again now that she knows what to expect.
We were very proud of her courage and the determination she showed! In any case Maïa and I had great aches for 2 days 🙂
Musher and Sophie: Canyoning is a white water sport with natural slides, jumps and abseils in the bed of a river. Your dog won't be able to do all that. If you choose a “beginner” canyon, it is (normally) always possible to avoid the scary obstacles. Tell the guide who supervises you that your dog is accompanying you, he will be able to tell you if the course is well suited. I tested this activity when I didn't have Musher, the guide told me “yes, yes you can avoid everything…”. Arrived at the end of the course: a jump between two cliffs impossible to avoid. I think he still remembers my glare when I realized the trap was closing in on me...
Aquatic hiking for all dogs?
Yes I think so, but they have to be tough, brave and good swimmers. I will not go with a dog that is too old or sick, it is still very sporty.
Musher and Sophie: This activity is ideal for dogs who love water and are very comfortable in the water. It requires a lot of effort from the dog to swim, run in the water, climb… It is suitable for healthy dogs. Do not attempt this activity with a dog who can't swim or who doesn't like water: it's not the right time to learn to swim or to be reconciled with water.
We don't really know where the wind will take us this summer, but I would love to do it again and I think Maïa will too! I still want to specify that it was not very intense canyoning for humans (no “tubes” or “rappel jumps”). It was a pexcursion in the water to do with a dog. There is between 10 cm and 2 m of water on this course, small slides, a few rapids and some rocks, but nothing extreme!
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My dog would have enjoyed it, it's really the dream activity for her who loves being in the water. Canyoning is a great activity to cool off in the middle of summer. What could be better than walking with your feet in the water?
I will add one last piece of advice for the road… Always be very attentive to what your dog is doing during this walk. If he often reaches the shore and does not want to return to the water, he may be tired... Take a break while he recharges his batteries.
Also pay attention to the river you take: depending on the period, it can be dangerous and even deadly because of the cyanobacteria.
If there is current, be careful that it doesn't get swept away and hit a rock. Always be close to him so you can help him when needed. For this, the life jacket is perfect. Thanks to the handles above, you can hoist your dog up and out of the water or direct him in other ways.
Swimming with your dog is a real pleasure. I love doing that with Musher. Be careful to teach him how to go around you, otherwise he will "swim" on you and beware of scratches...
I explain how to bring a little freshness to your dog during a walk in the article: Heat stroke: how to protect your dog?
Many thanks to Maïa and Samantha for sharing their Too W'ouf experience with all of us. If you want to know more about Maïa's adventures, you will find her on her facebook page: maiasbt