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<\/a><\/p>\nWhy do you like wandering with Grace? How is she beahaving durings hikings? How do you know, if she likes it?<\/b><\/p>\n Its the same as if you ask a\u00a0Mother how she knows if\u00a0 her child is happy Grace always knows that she is going out for a\u00a0trip and she can\u00b4t wait. During the trip she is always happy and really enjoys it. Than I\u00a0feel the same as she does, and that is the most beautiful about hiking with the dog.<\/p>\n Many people don’t know, if their dog will have enough strenght to walk long trails. How many miles it is possible to walk with dogs? How long are your trails with Grace?<\/b><\/p>\n This is really individual. Generally a\u00a0not trained dog is a\u00a0lot more efficient than not trained person and it can manage a\u00a0lot more. However, I\u00a0always keep saying that during hiking the distances should be selected with regards to the shape, age and health of the dog and the dog handler \u2013 walking tours should make us\u00a0 and the dog happy. Any terrain, difference in altitude but also the weather play an important role. All of this has got significant impact on duration of the hiking trip. Our trips are around 20-25 km long on average. This is an optimal distance, we are able to enjoy the countryside from various views and places, and there is no need to hurry. Of course we are able to double or triple the distance if necessary.<\/p>\n How did you start preparing to hiking with Grace? You have her since she was a little puppy. How long were your first trails?<\/b><\/p>\n Regarding this issue Its absolutely clear to me that for\u00a0 correct development of skeleton of the\u00a0puppy or young animal an adequate exercise is extremely important. Young animals in development are extremely sensitive to lack of activity but as well as too much exercise, both can cause serious damage during growth. I\u00a0stick to the rule –\u00a0never overload a\u00a0puppy younger than 10 months (period of massive growth) ! We do a\u00a0lot of regular short\u00a0 walks on meadows, and forest on soft surface and\u00a0 combine these with some doggie games.\u00a0 I\u00a0try to avoid concrete and asphalt surface.\u00a0 When we plan a\u00a0weekend trip\u00a0 for a\u00a0dog at this age the distance should not exceed 3-6 kilometers by\u00a0slow walking pace. I\u00a0try to socialise the dog and get it used to various places, surfaces, stairs, tunnels, bridges etc. so that it is not anxious and insecure as an adult dog. After the massive growth is over (after 10 months of age) I\u00a0increase the walking distance step by step. After 12 months of the age (even later at some breeds) an X-ray of hips\u00a0 is recommended. If everything is ok, the dog is ready for subsequent increase of load without any restrictions. Apart from hiking I\u00a0try to keep the adult dog fit by daily walks a\u00a0few kilometers long, jogging or aporting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How can you longer the distance? Do you see, when she can walk further or not? When she didn’t have enough force, did you carry her?<\/b><\/p>\n If the dog handler is careful, everything is a\u00a0very smooth process and it does not happen that the dog would not keep up with the pace or would get exhausted. In any case the owner should pay attention to his or her dog, if it is not tired. An attentive owner will notice. Generally the\u00a0 symptoms are that a\u00a0puppy tends to sit down more often, whines or slows down. Really temperament dogs do not even slow down or you can rarely see any fatique symptoms, therefore the owner should correct the dog\u00b4s activity. A\u00a0lot of young dogs do not realize that their energy source is over and they can be absolutely \u201ewashed out\u201c. We cannot allow this. I\u00a0personally do not mind to carry the puppy in arms for a\u00a0while, if I\u00a0think it is too tired. However I\u00a0try not to reach such stage. Sometimes less is more.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is it worth to come to Slovakia for hiking with a dog? Which are the trails, where you can enter with a dog? Are there some places, where it is forbidden to walk with dogs?<\/b><\/p>\n Slovakia and its countryside is suitable for hiking with a\u00a0dog. There are not many restrictions here. The dog can acompany you almost everywhere, if the terrain allows that. I\u00a0have not come across any restrictions yet. In some National parks there are prohibition signs at the entrance, but the Slovak Legislation does not mention this fact, therefore the dog can have access anywhere, nevertherless at some places it must be on the leash. In reality this is seldom checked\u00a0 But you have to make sure that the dog does not run away too far from you, because there is a\u00a0risk of meeting a\u00a0hunter. Even if the law says that a\u00a0hunter cannot shoot a\u00a0dog with visible collar, there have been cases that he did… Therefore you have to\u00a0\u00a0 always keep an eye on a\u00a0dog that is not on the leash\u00a0 and if you are unable to do this, its better to attach it on the leash and be considerate of other people.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Often, when I talk about climbing in mountains, I think of your trails. Can you write, where is it worth to go in Slovakia? Can you write something about your experiences in hiking?<\/b><\/p>\n Slovakia is a\u00a0colourful country. Full of beautiful forests, meadows, plateaus, hills or mountains. Everyone can find its favourite spots. I\u00a0can say that each village or town\u00a0 is surrounded by beautiful countryside and they have wonderful hiking opportunities. In every forest you can find a\u00a0lot of nice paths that are worth exploring. We have a\u00a0lot of world\u00b4s unique rarities.<\/p>\n Slovak mountains are magnificent. Whether we talk about mountain chains or our biggest pride the High and Low Tatras \u2013 our highest mountains. We have a\u00a0very rich network of hiking paths and hundreds and hundreds of marked or not marked trails. Its up to you to choose. I\u00a0do not know if somewhere in Central Europe there is a\u00a0country with better and more hiking opportunities than\u00a0 Slovakia. We have walked through many mountains, each mountain has got its specific features.. however my \u201epersonal triumphs \u201e are the peaks of the High Tatras (altitude above 2000 m). Myself and Grace have conquerred 5 of them by now .<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Is<\/b> it possible in Slovakia to ride lifts with a dog? What do you need to have? Do you use ski lifts with Grace?<\/b><\/p>\n There is a\u00a0\u201esaying what is not profibited, is allowed\u201c . I\u00a0have not seen any prohibition signs that a\u00a0dog cannot be transported on a\u00a0cable car. And sometimes, if you ask politely, they allow you and your dog to places where usually the dog is not allowed . Everything can be negotiated. I\u00a0do not tend to use cable cars, but I\u00a0have some experience with them.\u00a0 It can make your hiking day\u00a0 more interesting. I\u00a0would not worry at all to travel with a\u00a0dog on a\u00a0cable car. Its an advanture for dogs too. We have used a chair\u00a0lift too, but this can be done only with an absolutely obedient dog, of which we know the reactions, we trust the dog and the dog trusts us. Otherwise a\u00a0risk of injury is too big!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n What<\/b> routes<\/b> do you recommend<\/b> for beginners<\/b> in Slovakia<\/b> (dogs<\/b> and<\/b> people)<\/b> and what<\/b> for experienced<\/b> walkers<\/b>?<\/p>\n For beginners I\u00a0can recommend shorter trails with moderate elevation through meadows and forests.\u00a0 The terrain of such trails is maintained in good condition and it offers a\u00a0lot of natural and cultural sights of interests. For experienced hikers I\u00a0can recommend a\u00a0tour along our mountain ridges and hikes in\u00a0 alpine or subalpine zone (if the surface is suitable for dogs), or exploring areas with sporadic visitors only.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n How<\/b> old is Grace and in how many countries have you been with her? Or maybe you know how many miles on the trails Grace made with you?<\/b><\/p>\n Our Grace is now 2,5 years old and has visited 12 European countries. Each country has some interesting and exceptional places. I\u00a0keep a\u00a0\u201ehiking diary\u201c to which I\u00a0put down all the places we have been to with Grace, I\u00a0have not counted yet how many kilometers we have together in our feet and paws, but it must be hundreds and hundreds. I\u00a0have pointed out the most charming places\u00a0\u00a0 in my unique project \u2013 hiking tips with a\u00a0dog, which you can find on our web site (LINK<\/a><\/strong>). It is a\u00a0unique and the only database in Slovakia where I\u00a0gather all out hiking tips from my country.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/b><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n