Stay Safe on the Trail

Hiking with your pup is great for both exercise and enrichment. Here's how to do it safely.

- BY SARAH VINCENT

Karen Fine, D.V.M., a vet and a New York Times best-selling author, loves to take her dogs, Toffee and Sesame, hiking around her Central Massachusetts home. Being in nature offers health benefits for people and intriguing sights and smells for pets. Use this smart advice from Fine to hit the trails with your furry friend.

Be prepared.

Like people, dogs need training before taking ona big hike. Long walks should give them practice for a flat trail, but your dog will need climbing experience in advance of tackling a trail with an incline. Start small to let them build up strength.