Outdoors With Your Pup: Hiking

We sat down with Jacquie Littlejohn, owner of Art Gallery Littlejohn Contemporary and amateur botanist and mycologist to chat about her appreciation for nature and going on hikes with her Norwich Terrier, Tigger.

So how did you first get into hiking with your pup?

I grew up in upstate NY so nature was always a huge part of my life but then when I lived in New York city for 35 years I just didn’t really get out in nature. It wasn’t until I moved my gallery from SoHo to Chelsea and moved to Connecticut that I started intentionally carving out time to be outdoors. This was for my own mental wellbeing and also because my dog Ruffy (at the time) needed to go on walks. We started initially walking at our local preserve and it just escalated from there to even more outdoor activities. Luckily I live near so many beautiful nature preserves but we’ve also been fortunate enough to hike in some exceptional places including Sedona in Arizona.

Did these walks and hikes with your pup change your relationship?

Without a doubt. I started hiking with my current dog Tigger right when she was a puppy and found that I really knew what I was doing after learning together with my first dog, Ruffy. It’s amazing how magical it is being outside together with your dog, with both of us observing, loving, and absorbing nature together. Tigger will prick her ears, hearing something even before I do. We really communicate differently as a result. I can tell by the specific noises she makes whether she has noticed a deer versus a fox versus a coyote and have really keyed into her communication just from all the hikes we’ve taken together.

Wow, that’s amazing! What would you say is the most challenging part about hiking with Tigger?

There are two. First off – you have to be careful about ticks! Be aware of which trails are tick prone and take that into account during tick season. I once went on a trail in the spring when the seed ticks, or baby ticks, had just hatched and Tigger stepped in a nest and we had to bring her to a vet to get them all removed. Depending on when tick season is, we will completely avoid certain hikes. The second challenge is leashing. I’ve realized that even the most friendly dogs will change when they’re in nature. Their natural instincts can kick in and I’ve even had a scary run in with bigger dogs who tried to attack Tigger thinking she was prey while out on a hike unleashed.

That’s really helpful advice. What are some of your other important tips for hiking with your pup?

This is similar to what I just mentioned but I always leash Tigger using a retractable leash. Both for her safety and also to protect nature as well. It helps make sure she doesn’t go too far off the trail and disrupt the environment and it also prevents her from attacking any of the natural wildlife. I also made sure to get her a vest for when it gets cold and a backpack that she can comfortably sit in while I hike up higher elevation. Finally I make sure to apply Musher’s wax to her paws and check them regularly to make sure nothing is lodged between her toes. Since dogs can’t complain you have to be a good parent and make sure to check that they’re okay.

Those are all great tips for people who want to get into hiking with a pup! One last question– what is your favorite type of hike?

I think the two of us both love a mix of terrains where there is water and different types of elevation as well. I often go to this trail called Kettletown near where I live in CT and love that it has a variety as well as some beautiful rocky outcroppings overlooking the water. When Tigger and I hike there we really find our zen zone as I like to call it!