Hiking Dog Co.

02/17/2025

Paws and Stretch! 👯‍♂️

Reduce Risk of Injury ❤️‍🩹
In both dogs and humans, tight muscles are more prone to stains and sprains. Stretching helps elongate muscles to prepare them for activity!

Improve Mobility 🤸
Stretching will enhance you and your dog's range of motion. This will help you to navigate hiking terrain more easily and longer strides equal faster running!

Improved Circulation 🌊
Warming up the muscles through stretching increases blood flow to them, which will help optimize their function. Dynamic stretching can also help improve your V02 max!

Mental Preparation 🧠
A pre-hike or run stretching routine can help your dog get into engagement mode, for better focus and preparedness. Targeting specific muscles before a run or hike can also help with your mind to muscle connection!

Tune into our Facebook and Instagram over the next couple weeks to explore tricks, poses, and routines that will help you and your pup paws and stretch!
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02/16/2025

Did you know that teaching your dog a new trick is not only fun but can also stretch and strengthen their muscles? The trick "play-bow" stretches their hip flexors, lower-back, and shoulder muscles on cue! 🧘

Play-Bow 🐶🙏
Begin with your dog in the standing position. Hold a piece of food between your thumb and the first knuckle of your index finger and bring it to your dog's nose. Lure from their nose downwards between their paws. The instant their forelimbs touch the ground, mark "yes" excitedly or click a clicker. Bring them back into a standing position and reward. Since we're teaching them to cue into the position from a stand, avoid rewarding while they're lying down. Once your dog starts to get the hang of it, say "bow" and pause before luring. You can transition the treat lure into a hand signal by faking them out that you have a treat to delay the reward. You can also increase the duration that they stay in the stretch overtime by delaying your click or verbal marker while they're in the position.

Stretching can be fun and a great way to prevent injury for both you and your dog! If you teach your dog this trick or try another other challenge from our tag us to let us know how it went! 🫶
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02/15/2025

Calling all pups (and their humans)! 🐕🔍 Ready for a Valentine’s Day mystery like no other? Join us for a FREE adventure that’s packed with fun, treats, and a little bit of detective work! 🕵️‍♂️💘

Your dog will get to enjoy:
🔎 A custom paw "fingerprint" keepsake
🍖 A treat scavenging investigation box
📸 A mugshot or detective themed photoshoot

It’s all happening in our Des Moines location for FREE on February 22nd from 11 AM to 2 PM—don’t miss out! 🎉🐾

02/14/2025

Why dogs make the BEST Valentines❤️🐶

02/14/2025

Would you say “yes” to being these hiking dogs’ Valentine? 💘🥾
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02/14/2025

Sending love to all our fur-iends and family today 💕!

02/13/2025

With Valentine's Day tomorrow we wanted to share some last minute date ideas...that can include your pup! 💚🐾

🏕️Go Camping
Some state camps are open year-round; check out the Iowa DNR website!

🥾Hike Together
Check out Margot Frankel State Park, Brown's Woods, or Maquoketa Caves.

🏖️Beach Day
Consider a sunset stroll at Oak Grove, Raccoon River, or Big Creek beaches.

🍿Drive-In Movie
Valle Drive-In in Newton Iowa is a great option for enjoying a cozy movie.

🧺Picnic
Head out to your local park or beach for some dinner out of a basket!

🍽️Patio Dinner
Check out your local patio or brewery for dinner with the sunset...and your pup!

Enjoy your Valentine’s Day! ❤️
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02/12/2025

🎉 February is National Pet Dental Health Month, and we’re celebrating with a SALE! 🐶🪥

Treat your dog to a fresh, clean smile and help them say goodbye to plaque and tartar with our tiered sale, running through February 15th! 😋💨

🛒 Buy 1 dental care product – Save 10%
🛍️ Buy 2 products – Save 20%
🎁 Buy 3 or more products – Save 30%!

The PlaqueOff line has everything your dog needs to keep their teeth healthy without the hassle: 🦴
• Dental care bones that scrub away plaque

• Soft chews that are a breeze to munch
• Powder that can be sprinkled right on top of their food! 🍽️
No more stressing about brushing their teeth! 🙌 With these tasty options, your dog will love having fresh breath, and you’ll love how easy it is. 🐕💨 Use one or all of them for ultimate dental care—just follow the dosage info, and you'll see results like a 32% reduction in plaque, 35% reduction in tartar, and 67% reduction in gingival bleeding! 🌟

Extra bonus: PlaqueOff features 100% natural, chemical-free ingredients, including Scandinavian kelp 🌊—a powerful, scientifically proven active ingredient that works with your dog’s saliva to soften tartar and prevent plaque buildup. Plus, it’s VOHC Accepted 🏅, which means it’s been proven to reduce plaque and tartar—scientifically backed and vet-approved! 👩‍⚕️🐾
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02/12/2025

Did you know? Dogs who chew regularly are much less likely to develop dental issues 🦷. Chewing is a great activity for energy expenditure and mental stimulation as well! Be sure to closely monitor your pup while they are using any chew toys for safety:

✅ Supervise Playtime – No toy is 100% indestructible. Keep an eye on your pup, especially with new toys, to make sure they’re chewing safely.

✅ Size Matters – Choose a toy that’s big enough that your dog can’t swallow or choke on it. If it fits completely in their mouth—too small!

✅ Inspect Regularly – Check toys often for wear and tear. If pieces start breaking off, it’s time to replace them. Swallowing chunks of toy? Not a great snack.

✅ Know Your Dog’s Chew Style – Some dogs are gentle nibblers, others are aggressive chompers. Pick the right durability level for your pup to prevent accidental breakage.

✅ Toys Aren’t Meals – Chew toys should be fun, not food. If your dog is eating the toy instead of just chewing it, swap it for something safer.

02/11/2025

🚨 We have been informed that the microchip company, Save This Life, has unfortunately abruptly closed. This means any microchips under this company are no longer traceable! Please visit https://www.aaha.org/for-veterinary-professionals/microchip-search/ to check to see if your pet’s microchip is still valid. If your chip has been affected please register it as soon as possible with another company such as HomeAgain, 24petwatch, PetLink or AKC Reunite. Please let all friends, families, co-workers, neighbors… EVERYONE know!

This is a public service announcement, but Fix A Friend has NEVER used these microchips that we are warning you about.

Also… if your pet isn’t Microchipped, please get them one! It may be the one thing that gets your furbaby back home one day! 🐾

02/10/2025

If your dog accidentally consumes chocolate, in all cases, the best course of action is to call your vet! 🩺

🍫 Be sure to keep all yummy chocolate out of reach of our furry friends this Valentine’s season. Small dogs can jump onto counters too!

We wish you and your pup a safe Valentine’s season! ♥️
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02/10/2025

💞 Love is in the air, and your dog deserves some Valentine’s treats! Stop by this week to grab a bag of heart-shaped treats or a special chew for your pup 💝🐾
Find a Hiking Dog Co. store in Des Moines, IA & Lincoln, NE!

02/09/2025

🎉 It’s National Pet Dental Health Month! 🐾🦷

Give your pup the gift of fresh breath and healthy teeth this February with our tiered sale! 🐶🌿

🪥Buy 1 dental care product – save 10%
🫧Buy 2 products – save 20%
🦷Buy 3 or more products – save 30%!

The PlaqueOff line includes everything your dog needs for a hassle-free dental routine: 🦴
• Abrasive bones to scrub away plaque
• Soft chews that are easy to eat
• Powder to sprinkle right onto their food!

No more struggling to brush their teeth! 🦷 ProDen’s PlaqueOff line has been proven to decrease plaque by 32%, tartar by 35% and gingival bleeding by 67%. 🐕💨 Use one product, or combine them for the ultimate dental care routine. 🏙️✨

Bonus: PlaqueOff is made with 100% natural, chemical-free ingredients like Scandinavian kelp 🌿—proven to work with your dog’s saliva to soften tartar and prevent plaque buildup. Plus, it’s VOHC Accepted ✅, meaning it's scientifically proven to reduce plaque and tartar! 🌟

02/09/2025

Have a fun Sunday, fur-iends❤️!!!

02/08/2025

Is your pup ready to crack the case or pull off the pawfect heist? 🕵️‍♂️🐾 Join us for a FREE Valentine’s Day adventure filled with mystery, treats, and pawsome activities! ❤️✨ The adventure includes:

🔎 A paw "fingerprint" keepsake
🍖 A treat scavenging investigation box
📸 A mugshot or detective photoshoot

Let the fun (and treats!) begin—on February 22nd from 11AM to 2PM! 🗓️⏰

At our Des Moines store.

02/07/2025

02/07/2025

Game time! Wanna have some quick fun with your pup? Try these 3-minute games to strengthen your bond:

👀 Hide & Seek – Your dog’s favorite detective mission (spoiler: they ALWAYS find you!).
💪 Tug-of-War – Grab a sturdy toy and see who wins!
🎓 Training Tune-Up – A quick round of sit, stay, and come keeps those skills sharp!

What’s your dog’s go-to game? Drop it in the comments! ⬇️🐾

(Stop in to see us and grab a great tug toy - like the N-Gage Squeaker Ball w/ Bungee shown in the photo!)

02/07/2025

TAKE A DOG ON A DATE! Want to share a little extra love this Valentine’s Day? Take a shelter dog on a Dog’s DATE Out – a seasonal spin on our popular Dog’s Day Out program!

Just register for a time slot Feb. 14-16 to pick up an adoptable dog at ARL Main, ARL Animal Services or ARL Club WDM and give them a fun day outside of the shelter! You’ll get a free Date Kit (while supplies last) that includes everything you’ll need for a successful first date with a dog, including toys, treats and even a collapsible water bowl!

Learn more and sign up to secure your dream date at https://ow.ly/PFLS50UVl0q!

Thank you to Chewy for providing the Date Kits!

(Pictured: Lydia, available for adoption and ready for you to ask her on a date!)