Geocaching is a type of scavenger hunt that lets you search for treasure. The treasure might be as ordinary as a marble or a plastic army man, or it might be something coveted like a trackable geocache coin. And sometimes it's just the satisfaction of finding the cache and signing the log note that is the best prize of all, depending on the degree of difficulty and the challenge of finding it.
This is an activity that is perfect for everybody, whether you are single or married with several children. Some geocachers team up and go out searching together. And it's the perfect free vacation activity because there are geocache sites all over the world!
But if you are a pet owner, then you are really in luck. Geocaching takes place outdoors, which means your dog is welcome to join in the adventure. You might even meet up with other geocaching dog owners and seek cache sites as a group with your pets in tow.
Geocaching Dog Walking Tips for a Fun Adventure
However the last thing you want to do is offend someone by using bad pet etiquette or end the day stapling lost dog posters to utility poles. Here are some quick tips to help you and your dog have a safe, fun geocaching adventure.
1. KNOW YOUR LIMITS - If your dog is not people friendly and pulls on a short leash, then urban geocaching is probably not for you. If you plan to geocache in a park or a wooded area where squirrels are likely present, is your dog going to take off after them?
2. USE A LEASH - Even if there is no leash law, some geocache sites are tricky and involve caving, climbing trees, or wading through water. You'll want to have your dog nearby, especially if he is the only friend you have with you during your adventure, in case something goes wrong.
3. VISIT THE VET - You'll want to know that your dog is not only up to date on vaccinations (like a rabies shot) but also that she is in good physical health to make the hike. Make sure you explain geocaching to your vet so she knows this is a little more than a typical hike on a trail.
4. TAKE WATER - Ideally you want to have enough for both you and your dog. Dehydration happens quicker than you'd think, and the last thing you want to do is adventure your way into the nearest animal hospital for a parched puppy.
5. SCOOP THAT POOP - You don't want to step in doggy doo-doo while out on a geocaching adventure, and neither does anyone else. Be a responsible pet owner and carry biodegradable poop bags that you can safely dispose of in the nearest trash bin.
The Best Collar to Prevent Lost Dogs
The above dog walking tips are a good start, but what happens if your dog bolts during your geocaching adventure? This is where the dog walking tips get tricky. If your dog has a tattoo or microchip to identify it, then aside from randomly searching your primary goal is to pray someone finds your dog and contacts you.
However because you are already using GPS technology for geocaching anyway, you might consider investing in a GPS dog collar like the one above. Unlike other GPS collars, it combines a highly sensitive GPS receiver with an antenna that connect to a waterproof transmitter.
The battery life on this collar is 17 to 48 hours, depending on how often you have to update your dog's location. That gives you a great head start on finding your dog before he is picked up by animal control or meets some terrible fate like darting into traffic on a busy highway.
While I hope you never have to experience the fear of not knowing where your dog is, this collar can help save you time and stress in reuniting with him if he decides to take off on an adventure of his own. Just click the picture above to order one for your dog now!
