Dog training articles that offers tips and insights from your dog's point of view
Some of Our Favorite Trails
The love of hiking with dogs was what started our business back in 2013. There is no greater joy than taking your dog into nature to enjoy the sights, smells, sounds and new terrain as you exercise your dog’s mind, body and soul. We believe that any dog can become a great off leash hiking companion with time and the right training. Unless you have a solid recall even with intense distractions, we recommend staying on leash or letting your dog drag a long line on the trails.
Off Leash Trails
This was a favorite of our hiking pack. This park has a great 2.5 mile loop with some water to play in when the creek is full. We advise avoiding it on busy times, like weekends, as it can be too crowded. This park gets very muddy after a rain, so give it a few days to dry out if the weather has been bad.
Walnut Creek has many areas and miles of trails to explore, but the entire park isn’t off leash and there are a lot of mountain bikers. During busy times, we like to drop in in a neighborhood entrance instead of the main park entrance. Keep your headphones out and work on that recall so you can step aside for bikes.
This South Austin park is less trafficked and has some nice trails to explore with your dog off the main two mile loop.
Shoal Creek has a small off leash section for dogs, but the entire trail is a great walk. There are some on leash areas and some streets to cross, but this is a nice, central trail to walk that runs from 38th street all the way to the lake.
On Leash Trails
We love Bull Creek trail because there are so many different areas to explore on this trail! The water can be a bit stagnant so be sure you can call your dog off standing water. We also advise avoiding this trail for several days after a heavy rain as there is a lot of run off from 360 that can upset your dog’s tummy. Start in the lot off 2222 or up by Old Spicewood and explore the trails that weave up the hills.
This trail charges a fee on the weekends, but is free on weekdays. It’s a bit further than Turkey Creek and one of the prettiest trails in Austin. If you have two cars you may want to relay them and through-hike the 5.5 miles, or you can do a there and back from the main parking area on Big View Drive. There are a lot of steps on this trail, making it a great place for hikers to come train for more intense trails outside of Texas. We like the shaded trails and water holes.
In South Austin the Greenbelt has several entrances and 13.8 miles to explore. This park is busy on weekends and after work, especially at the most central entrances. There are some nice water holes, but we advise enjoying those on off peak hours to avoid overwhelming your dog. You can also find many quieter neighborhood entrances to this park.
Prepare to get lost in this quiet park with its many twists and turns. This is a great place to explore with your dog. I like to walk until I’m lost, then pull out my phone and plot my turns as I find my way back to the car. You can park in Longview Neighborhood Park and check out the unofficial play area there or park in the neighborhood streets off Westgate for a direct trail entrance.
This beautiful park has a great dam as well as several nice trails. Wear water shoes to cross the creek and walk the longer trail up the hill or walk down Spicewood Springs road along the creek, being mindful that some spots on this trail are close to the road.
Open Areas
We don’t advise that anyone go to a fenced dog park as these are often breeding grounds for too intense play and bad behaviors, but we enjoy some of the open areas where dogs can mix in some play with the walk.
Zilker can get very busy on nice days, but we like that there is always room to walk away from crowded areas or other dogs if your dog is overwhelmed. This park has a beautiful view of the skyline and plenty of room to spread out.
If your dog is a swimmer, be sure you are aware of the current algae status and have solid recall if you see them heading for the lake. Auditorium Shores is an area where dogs go to play off leash, but is unfenced and close to Riverside Drive, so you need to be sure to keep your dog in the grassy area. We like that this area is near the Ladybird Lake Hike and Bike trail and Palmer Events Center so you can mix play with some walking- as it should be!
Red Bud has very limited parking and short trails, but is a great spot to go during off peak hours when you are more likely to get a spot. There are some play areas as well as some tucked away spots to enjoy some quiet time by the water. This was a favorite for me on rainy days as the gravel paths didn’t get muddy and it wasn’t very busy.
Summer in Austin (used to be) the perfect time to go for a swim!
UPDATE: Since this article was written Austin’s lakes, creeks and waterways have developed a toxic algae that can be deadly to dogs. This algae is most common in warmer months, but swimming in or drinking from Ladybird Lake should be avoided at all times.
Before allowing your dog to be in any water in Austin check the City of Austin’s algae report. Even if algae isn’t present on the test samples doesn’t mean it isn’t in the water.
Check out these lists from DO512 and Tomlinsons for ideas on where to take your dog swimming, buy a kiddie pool for the backyard, walk before sunrise and after sunset where the air and pavement is coolest and make sure you explore Austin’s many greenbelts and trails to find the shadiest spot near you.
Here are some great spots we love:
Commons Ford is my favorite place to swim. The ramp into the water, while slippery, makes it easy to lead hesitant pups in and I love that you can stand while your dog paddles around you, allowing you to help support their torso if needed. They also know where the ramp to exit is if they get tired or nervous.
Red Bud is a great place to wade in the water at and have your pup swim out to you. There is a good woodsy spot downhill to the left from the big flat play area if you are facing the tip of the isle.
The Lake has a few parks with easier parking and less people, although some are rocky or have a small fee, they can be worth exploring when you are feeling adventurous.
Secret Beach, which you can now find on Google Maps, is a great place to wade if you time it right with the dam opening. Sometimes the current can be so strong it will sweep a dog away, other times it's so low you can only sit in it. Be prepared to run into quite a few others with off leash dogs. Either way, it is still a wonderful spot.
While the creeks are running, we like the damn at Bull Creek just north of the Lakewood or Laurelwood Dr entrances.
Lost Creek is my my favorite spot on the Greenbelt, while not legally off-leash, it can also be a fun place to swim,
Extra tips:
Do your best to beware of glass or food that has been thrown on the trail, especially any bones.
For good karma, bring a plastic bag to pick up trash or forgotten poo bags.
On busy times like the weekend, be careful! Unfortunately there are a ton of bad dogs out in the wild whose owners don't know better.
Keep your dog in your sight so he doesn't bother anyone, steal food or get into a bad spot with other pups.
Be ready to jump up and step in, shooing other dogs away who are showing tense body language, chasing too intensely or barking.
If needed, take a break by going back on leash for a bit. If it's a bad scene or too crowded, move on down the creek to a quieter spot.