What Is Canihiking?
Canihiking is hiking with your dog in a safe, responsible manner while minimizing impacts to the environment. It combines hiking skills with dog training, trail awareness, and wilderness knowledge. Canihiking is focused on moving through nature in a way that prioritizes safety, mutual trust between handler and dog, and environmental stewardship.
Basic Steps to Get Started in Canihiking
- Use the right equipment.
The dog must wear a properly fitted, non-restrictive hiking harness and/or backpack. The harness is connected to an elastic bungee line designed to absorb shock. The bungee line attaches to a hands-free waist belt worn by the handler, creating a secure, flexible connection that allows controlled forward movement while keeping the handler’s hands free for balance and navigation. - Develop solid trail communication and cues.
Teach directional commands as well as cues like “slow,” “wait,” and “stop” and so your dog can move safely around obstacles. - Build distance and strength gradually.
Begin with short, easy hikes and slowly increase mileage, elevation, and difficulty over time. - Learn navigation and planning skills.
Learning how to use maps and an orienteering compass, trail markers, and GPS tools is essential so you can confidently plan safe routes for you and your dog. - Prepare for hydration needs and inclement weather.
Know how to manage hydration, basic water purification, and inclement weather situations. - Practice wildlife awareness and appropriate response.
Learn how to handle wildlife encounters, keep your dog under control, and respond calmly and safely in unexpected situations. - Follow Leave No Trace principles and practice good trail etiquette.
Respect leash rules, yield to other trail users, dispose of waste properly, and leave natural spaces better than you found them. Learn more about Leave No Trace.
What We Offer
Whether you’re new to the trail or already logging miles with your canine companion, there’s a place for you at Kzoo Canisports. Our activities focus on building skills, confidence, and teamwork. You’ll improve fitness, connect with others who share your passion for outdoor adventure and strengthen your bond with your dog.
We provide:
- Gear fitting assistance to help ensure dogs are comfortable and safe in harnesses and backpacks
- Skills sessions focused on navigation, hydration and nutrition management, trail etiquette training, and wildlife awareness
- Group outings to a variety of parks and trail systems
- Friendly camaraderie between members and their dogs, creating a welcoming space to learn, share experiences, and enjoy adventures together