Hiking / Backpacking with Yorkies - YorkieTalk.com Forums

allybuddy · 07-27-2016, 10:34 AM

Hello all,

I am wanting to do a overnight hiking/camping trip with my 2 yorkies (Ally - 10yrs 11 lbs & Buddy - 6yrs 7lbs) and was wondering if anyone has ever done this before?

I have a lot of work to do in terms of training them certain commands and getting them used to walking long distances. This would not be a car camping trip, I would like to walk into the wilderness and hike thru a trail this way for about 2-3 days.

Has anyone ever done this with yorkies?

DvlshAngel985 · 07-27-2016, 12:53 PM

I haven't personally done this myself, but it sounds awesome!
I do short hikes with my yorkie that will be an hour or two up and then coming back down. He loves it! My only concern is the overnight in the wilderness thing. Will they be safe from predators?

Rosy1013 · 07-27-2016, 01:23 PM

I am planning on taking mine on an overnight hiking trip as well. I also plan on a good deal of hiking, but I'm just going to keep a close eye on Max to make sure he doesn't seem fatigued. He is pretty big, about 12 pounds, and he has tons of energy. Planning on keeping him in the tent at night with us. I think he'll love it! He loves walking more than anything.

Rosy1013 · 07-27-2016, 01:24 PM

Should add that I am waiting till October, so it won't be so hot.

gemy · 07-27-2016, 03:29 PM

Not with Yorkies, only large dogs. But my Yorkie could hike for six hours fine. The first thing that comes to mind is water, our big dogs would carry their own on backpack. Will you be able to carry all food n water?

Next is where will they sleep? They need to be secured inside the tent. The last thing you want is Yorkies escaping in the night.

Lilah Charm · 07-27-2016, 04:37 PM

I think Lilah would run out of energy and need to be carried. I have to admit, one of the reasons that I chose a small dog to join my life was because the world is a large place for those little legs to cover and although yorkies are enthusiastic and energetic I would be worried about over working their small bodies. Lilah runs across my kitchen to get the ball several times- and then she is burnt out and sleeping well, ya know what I mean? Lol. I'm sure that every yorkie is different but I would be a little nervous.

yorkiemini · 07-27-2016, 05:07 PM

We do some hikes in the Smoky Mountains.
Cali has more energy than I have LOL
Needs lots of water and highly recommend Seresto flea and tick collar.
If they are not used to long walks watch their feet and check them often.

Britster · 07-28-2016, 12:06 PM

Sounds AWESOME! Most yorkies I know - larger and small - are full of spunk & energy. They are terriers, after all. Definitely just have all the essentials, enough water, protection for night-time sleeping (make sure they are secure and can't escape a tent, etc). Have a good harness & leash combo and like you said work on some training commands - have a good recall just in case they get loose. Make sure you can carry everything on your back. MAY be helpful to have a carrier of sorts for the pup too depending on size and stamina.

DvlshAngel985 · 07-28-2016, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lilah Charm

I think Lilah would run out of energy and need to be carried. I have to admit, one of the reasons that I chose a small dog to join my life was because the world is a large place for those little legs to cover and although yorkies are enthusiastic and energetic I would be worried about over working their small bodies. Lilah runs across my kitchen to get the ball several times- and then she is burnt out and sleeping well, ya know what I mean? Lol. I'm sure that every yorkie is different but I would be a little nervous.

I think it depends on the yorkie, and their personality. Mine went on a several hour hike up a mountain. He was fine and wanted to keep going. I was done and wanted to go home. On the off chance he's tired, I just scoop him up and carry him for a bit. On hikes, he hates being carried. There is just too much to explore.

allybuddy · 08-03-2016, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

I haven't personally done this myself, but it sounds awesome!
I do short hikes with my yorkie that will be an hour or two up and then coming back down. He loves it! My only concern is the overnight in the wilderness thing. Will they be safe from predators?

Yes, I bought new sturdy 4 foot leashes so they will be close to me the entire time. They will both stay in the tent with me. Basically anywhere I go they go and I will not let them out of my sight.

allybuddy · 08-03-2016, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rosy1013

I am planning on taking mine on an overnight hiking trip as well. I also plan on a good deal of hiking, but I'm just going to keep a close eye on Max to make sure he doesn't seem fatigued. He is pretty big, about 12 pounds, and he has tons of energy. Planning on keeping him in the tent at night with us. I think he'll love it! He loves walking more than anything.

I am working on building up their conditioning by going on longer walks. And yea their first hike would probably be in the fall, it is just way to hot for them right now. They pant like crazy after a 20 minute walk in the summer.

allybuddy · 08-03-2016, 06:15 AM

Thanks everyone for replying. I was going to reply one by one but this is easier.

I will probably have to buy a swaddle looking thing for Buddy (as he is a tripod and I will not let him climb high elevations) and Aly might be able to carry a little doggie backpack with some food. Otherwise I will be carrying their items for them (which I don't mind). I just really want to get them out of the city and let them enjoy nature a bit. I did take them on a 1 mile walk and they were both pooped afterwards, they basically slept the rest of the day. I have to watch them because they will keep on walking if I let them but once they start panting too much I know it's time to stop.

I bought new sturdy leashes for them so I can have them close by and I will start their training this weekend. Also got some Musher's Secret for their paws (which I have not tried yet) but was highly recommended by a lot of people that do hikes with dogs.

The deer tick thing scares me. I keep their body hair really short but they still have that teddy bear cut around their faces and I worry ticks will latch on. I will have to buy some sort of tick spray/collar that will keep these buggers away.

Thanks again everyone!! Happy hiking =)

yorkiemini · 08-03-2016, 07:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by allybuddy

Thanks everyone for replying. I was going to reply one by one but this is easier.

I will probably have to buy a swaddle looking thing for Buddy (as he is a tripod and I will not let him climb high elevations) and Aly might be able to carry a little doggie backpack with some food. Otherwise I will be carrying their items for them (which I don't mind). I just really want to get them out of the city and let them enjoy nature a bit. I did take them on a 1 mile walk and they were both pooped afterwards, they basically slept the rest of the day. I have to watch them because they will keep on walking if I let them but once they start panting too much I know it's time to stop.

I bought new sturdy leashes for them so I can have them close by and I will start their training this weekend. Also got some Musher's Secret for their paws (which I have not tried yet) but was highly recommended by a lot of people that do hikes with dogs.

The deer tick thing scares me. I keep their body hair really short but they still have that teddy bear cut around their faces and I worry ticks will latch on. I will have to buy some sort of tick spray/collar that will keep these buggers away.

Thanks again everyone!! Happy hiking =)

We hike the Smoky Mountains

Get the Seresto tick and flea collar. It is what I use for hikes, recommended by my vet. She only wears it for hiking, other wise I put it in a zip lock bag for the next hike. Also get some bear spray in case any predators (human or animal) show up. Those even come with a belt holder/clip for quick use.

Enjoy!

1014hernandez · 08-03-2016, 09:42 AM

My little fur baby is only 4.5 lbs and after walking on beach she's tired after an hour... luckily I can just put her in my side sachel and go the rest of the way with her!!

MarkFromSea · 08-03-2016, 09:54 PM

One of our outdoor activities is hunting edible wild mushrooms in National Forests. Another is taking walks to and in local parks. My dogs are much safer in the woods than on our city walks, that's how I feel anyhow. Our local city area has lots of coyotes, bald eagles and other bigger dogs. Oddly, seems to be fewer of all of those in the woods or they are very wary of people in the woods and just stay away.

This last year we spent about 60 days total hunting. I've got a 15 lbs, 7 lbs, 5.3 lbs and a 5 lbs pups, I take one to three of them with me on each multi day trip. They spend most of their time off leash since we are usually well off of any trail and rarely encounter other people.

I wouldn't bother getting a pack for them to carry, they're just so small and what they could carry wouldn't amount to much so you can easily carry it. It would be a cutesy thing but, I just don't think it is feasible for this size of dog. Decades ago, I did take a lab with it's pack for 50 milers, that was feasible.

I use a small tuna can for their water bowl and offer them water often. I use a plastic "chip dip" container with lid for their food. One thing I noticed is they seem to eat less while out camping so I stir a little peanut butter in with their food, hence the bowl with a lid helps keep that nice, neat and quick to offer it to them often as well. I just use a gallon size ziplock bag for the dog food supply to refill their bowl. Our longest trip was 10 days, essentially car camping moving from area to area and hiking into the woods to search for wild edible mushrooms.

07-27-2016, 10:34 AM	#1
allybuddy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: TX Posts: 26	Hiking / Backpacking with Yorkies Hello all, I am wanting to do a overnight hiking/camping trip with my 2 yorkies (Ally - 10yrs 11 lbs & Buddy - 6yrs 7lbs) and was wondering if anyone has ever done this before? I have a lot of work to do in terms of training them certain commands and getting them used to walking long distances. This would not be a car camping trip, I would like to walk into the wilderness and hike thru a trail this way for about 2-3 days. Has anyone ever done this with yorkies?

07-27-2016, 12:53 PM	#2
DvlshAngel985 Donating YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Los Angeles, California, USA Posts: 12,693	I haven't personally done this myself, but it sounds awesome! I do short hikes with my yorkie that will be an hour or two up and then coming back down. He loves it! My only concern is the overnight in the wilderness thing. Will they be safe from predators? __________________ Littlest JakJak We miss you Kaji

07-27-2016, 01:23 PM	#3
Rosy1013 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: aiken, SC Posts: 157	I am planning on taking mine on an overnight hiking trip as well. I also plan on a good deal of hiking, but I'm just going to keep a close eye on Max to make sure he doesn't seem fatigued. He is pretty big, about 12 pounds, and he has tons of energy. Planning on keeping him in the tent at night with us. I think he'll love it! He loves walking more than anything. __________________ Love our Max!

07-27-2016, 01:24 PM	#4
Rosy1013 Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: aiken, SC Posts: 157	Should add that I am waiting till October, so it won't be so hot. __________________ Love our Max!

07-27-2016, 03:29 PM	#5
gemy YT 2000 Club Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Huntsville,Ont,Canaada Posts: 12,335 Blog Entries: 2	Not with Yorkies, only large dogs. But my Yorkie could hike for six hours fine. The first thing that comes to mind is water, our big dogs would carry their own on backpack. Will you be able to carry all food n water? Next is where will they sleep? They need to be secured inside the tent. The last thing you want is Yorkies escaping in the night. __________________ Razzle and Dara. Our clan. RIP Karma Dec 24th 2004-July 14 2013 RIP Zoey Jun9 th 2008-May 12 2012. RIP Magic,Mar 26 2006July 1st 2018

07-27-2016, 04:37 PM	#6
Lilah Charm Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Oregon Posts: 2,721	I think Lilah would run out of energy and need to be carried. I have to admit, one of the reasons that I chose a small dog to join my life was because the world is a large place for those little legs to cover and although yorkies are enthusiastic and energetic I would be worried about over working their small bodies. Lilah runs across my kitchen to get the ball several times- and then she is burnt out and sleeping well, ya know what I mean? Lol. I'm sure that every yorkie is different but I would be a little nervous. __________________ Alyssa and Lilah

07-27-2016, 05:07 PM	#7
yorkiemini Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: USA Posts: 4,285	We do some hikes in the Smoky Mountains. Cali has more energy than I have LOL Needs lots of water and highly recommend Seresto flea and tick collar. If they are not used to long walks watch their feet and check them often. __________________ . Cali , and Cali's keeper and staff, Jay No, not a "mini" Yorkie - She loves to motor in her Mini Cooper car

07-28-2016, 12:06 PM	#8
Britster Action Jackson ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 17,814	Sounds AWESOME! Most yorkies I know - larger and small - are full of spunk & energy. They are terriers, after all. Definitely just have all the essentials, enough water, protection for night-time sleeping (make sure they are secure and can't escape a tent, etc). Have a good harness & leash combo and like you said work on some training commands - have a good recall just in case they get loose. Make sure you can carry everything on your back. MAY be helpful to have a carrier of sorts for the pup too depending on size and stamina. __________________ ~ Brit & Lights! Camera! Jackson! CGC ETD TKP ~ Follow Jackson on Instagram: https://instagram.com/jacksontheterrier

08-03-2016, 06:15 AM	#12
allybuddy Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: TX Posts: 26	Thanks everyone for replying. I was going to reply one by one but this is easier. I will probably have to buy a swaddle looking thing for Buddy (as he is a tripod and I will not let him climb high elevations) and Aly might be able to carry a little doggie backpack with some food. Otherwise I will be carrying their items for them (which I don't mind). I just really want to get them out of the city and let them enjoy nature a bit. I did take them on a 1 mile walk and they were both pooped afterwards, they basically slept the rest of the day. I have to watch them because they will keep on walking if I let them but once they start panting too much I know it's time to stop. I bought new sturdy leashes for them so I can have them close by and I will start their training this weekend. Also got some Musher's Secret for their paws (which I have not tried yet) but was highly recommended by a lot of people that do hikes with dogs. The deer tick thing scares me. I keep their body hair really short but they still have that teddy bear cut around their faces and I worry ticks will latch on. I will have to buy some sort of tick spray/collar that will keep these buggers away. Thanks again everyone!! Happy hiking =)

08-03-2016, 09:42 AM	#14
1014hernandez Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Montebello, CA, USA Posts: 225	My little fur baby is only 4.5 lbs and after walking on beach she's tired after an hour... luckily I can just put her in my side sachel and go the rest of the way with her!! __________________ "Whoever said that diamonds are a girls best friend ... Never owned a dog."

08-03-2016, 09:54 PM	#15
MarkFromSea YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: King County, WA Posts: 3,817	One of our outdoor activities is hunting edible wild mushrooms in National Forests. Another is taking walks to and in local parks. My dogs are much safer in the woods than on our city walks, that's how I feel anyhow. Our local city area has lots of coyotes, bald eagles and other bigger dogs. Oddly, seems to be fewer of all of those in the woods or they are very wary of people in the woods and just stay away. This last year we spent about 60 days total hunting. I've got a 15 lbs, 7 lbs, 5.3 lbs and a 5 lbs pups, I take one to three of them with me on each multi day trip. They spend most of their time off leash since we are usually well off of any trail and rarely encounter other people. I wouldn't bother getting a pack for them to carry, they're just so small and what they could carry wouldn't amount to much so you can easily carry it. It would be a cutesy thing but, I just don't think it is feasible for this size of dog. Decades ago, I did take a lab with it's pack for 50 milers, that was feasible. I use a small tuna can for their water bowl and offer them water often. I use a plastic "chip dip" container with lid for their food. One thing I noticed is they seem to eat less while out camping so I stir a little peanut butter in with their food, hence the bowl with a lid helps keep that nice, neat and quick to offer it to them often as well. I just use a gallon size ziplock bag for the dog food supply to refill their bowl. Our longest trip was 10 days, essentially car camping moving from area to area and hiking into the woods to search for wild edible mushrooms.