If you've found my article, you're probably wondering "What is hiking?" or "What is the definition of hiking?" When someone says they're going for a hike, what exactly do they mean? How is hiking different than walking? When I started this blog, I had been hiking for almost 15 years. I was sure I knew what hiking meant. Note: This article was originally published in January 2014 In … [Read more...]
Hiking and Camping with Your Dog
Dogs make great hiking and camping partners. Hiking with your dog is a great way for both you and your dog to get exercise, get some fresh air, and provide your dog some mental stimulation. Camping out in the woods with your furry best friend by your site is fun. Here you will find tips and information to get started hiking with your big or small dog and make your trip more enjoyable if you already have some experience.
9 Beginner Mistakes I Made When Hiking With My Dog
If you are thinking of taking your dog hiking for the first time, you might be a bit nervous. You want to make sure both you and your dog have a good time and no one gets injured. Well, I started hiking with my dog 15 years and I made a lot of mistakes. I consider myself a bit of an expert on hiking with dogs now but I learned what I know through bad experiences, and trial and error, … [Read more...]
How to Keep Your Dog’s Paw Pads From Tearing or Getting Cut While Walking
Whether your dog likes to hike, participates in sports like agility or flyball, or they just walk a lot, you are probably concerned with making sure their paw pads don't tear, get cut, or otherwise get injured. One of the biggest keys to preventing your dog's paw pads from getting damaged is to toughen them up and make sure they are flexible while being durable. In this article, I share … [Read more...]
How to Find Off Leash Dog Trails in Washington State
You probably landed on this article because you are looking for trails in Washington where you can hike off leash with your dog. While it may feel like you and your dog have few options, there are probably more off leash dog trails than you think. I always knew that there were off leash trails in the state but, like most, I didn’t understand exactly where it’s allowed and where it’s … [Read more...]
How to Train Your Small Dog to Hike Off-Leash
Off-leash dogs are a controversial topic. Some pet owners despise the idea of dogs running around off-leash, while others prefer the freedom that being off-leash provides their dog. I see more big dogs hiking off leash but it can be done with small dogs too as long as you train them and take precautions. In this article I’ve compiled helpful information on how to train your … [Read more...]
The Best Hiking Backpacks for Small Dogs
If you want a backpack for your small dog - which is generally accepted to be dogs 25 lbs or under - but are having a hard time finding one that fits, you’ve come to the right place. Looking for Backpacks to Carry Your Small Dog in? Check Out This Article. I’ve been hiking with my small dogs for over 15 years. I also worked at a large outdoor retailer for 6 years. I’m not only … [Read more...]
How to Make Sure Your Dog Doesn’t Die of Heat Stroke
As dog owners, we like to think we are always being careful and bad things won’t happen to our dogs. I remember the first time Gretel got heatstroke. It was scary. It was a hot day in Seattle so we decided to hang out on the water in hopes of staying cooler. We went paddleboarding for a few hours on the lake by our house. It was warm but it didn’t feel particularly hot. There was a nice … [Read more...]
How to Protect Your Small Dog From Wildlife While Hiking or Camping
For me, getting out into nature to enjoy a hike with my dogs is one of the most relaxing, fulfilling activities we can do together. But adventuring out in the wild with my small dogs means that we may be faced with potential threats. Each time we venture out into the woods, we are intruding on the habitat of the wildlife that lives there. I’ve done a lot of research over the … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Your Dachshund Will love Hiking
Believe it or not, most Dachshunds love hiking. That is my experience anyway. I founded a Dachshund club in 2010 to help people get active with theirs and many times a Dachshund has come to our hikes that has never done it before. The owners are shocked how their Doxie takes to hiking right away and how happy it makes them. I've seen many Dachshunds "come alive" on the … [Read more...]
Can Dogs Get Altitude Sickness?
Whether you are moving to Colorado or hiking a to mountain peak over 10,000 feet, you may be wondering if your dog can get altitude sickness. I became curious about this a few years ago when I was planning a road trip to Colorado with my small dogs. Article originally publishes August 2015 We planned to stay in Denver, Leadville, and several other high elevation towns. We also planned … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Dachshund to Walk in a Harness or Jacket
There are many reasons a Dachshund may refuse to go for a walk. Two of the most common scenarios I see are related to a harness or dog jacket. If your Dachshund is used to walking on a collar, and you are trying to switch to a harness because you learned it’s safer your dog may not like the feeling of restriction or may feel weird walking because the harness touches their body in a … [Read more...]
12 Reasons Your Dachshund May Refuse to Walk on a Leash
I hear it all the time: “What do I do when my Dachshund refuses to walk?” It’s not uncommon for me to hear stories of people who tried to take their Dachshund out for a stroll and their dog dug in - pulling in the opposite direction on the leash - refusing to take even that first step. I also hear a lot of stories from people who were happily walking along with their Dachshund and their dog … [Read more...]
15 Tips for a Successful Group Hike with Dogs
I've watched as, over the last few years, hiking with groups of friends and their dogs has become more popular. Whether you call them group hikes or pack walks, going with other friends and their dogs can be fun. However, there are some things that can be not so fun if the group doesn't think ahead. And these potential issues can be easily amplified the larger the group is. Large groups … [Read more...]
Can You Take a Dachshund Hiking?
Many people don't think that Dachshunds can hike. That's especially true for those that haven't owned a Dachshund. However, I've also heard many stories from other owners over the years about their Dachshund sitting at home. They say they didn't think theirs could hike but want to try it now that they saw us out on the trail. I get excited when I hear that. Obesity is one of the most common … [Read more...]
17 of Your Questions About Hiking with Small Dogs Answered
People generally don't expect to see small dogs hiking so I find they have a lot of questions. I don't mind answering. I've been hiking with my Dachshunds for 15 years and I'm passionate about opening people's minds to the idea of small dogs as hiking companions. I compiled a list of common questions I've received from our blog readers and social media followers over time. I figured if one … [Read more...]
8 Ways to Celebrate National Trails Day with Your Dog
Those of us that hike with dogs don't need much of an excuse to get out on the trails. However, if you need a little extra motivation, celebrating National Trails Day with your dog might be the extra push you need. What is National Trails Day? American Hiking Society's National Trails Day ® is a celebration of America's magnificent Trail System. The holiday was created to encourage people to … [Read more...]
Backpacks for Carrying Dachshunds
I've been searching FOR-EVAR for a backpack to safely carry a Dachshund around the city or on a hike. Note: although I was searching for a back for Dachshunds, what I found would be my recommendations for any small dog. Especially if they had back issues. I've seen almost every option available and tried several. Almost all of them cause a Dachshund to sit upright, definitely or … [Read more...]
How to Start Hiking with Your Dachshund
How do you start hiking with your Dachshund? To quote Nike, "Just Do It!" Well, not so fast. It is recommended that you get your Dachshund cleared for exercise first by your vet to make sure they are healthy enough. But after that, yes, just do it. I've rarely met a Dachshund that didn't decide they like to hike. Is it Safe for a Dachshund to Hike? The short answer is yes. The little bit … [Read more...]
Easy DIY Insect Repellent Dog Bandana
UPDATED: APRIL 26, 2020 One way to help prevent nasty critters from bothering your pet while camping, hiking, or hanging out in your back yard, is to have your dog wear an insect repellent dog bandana. You've probably seen these available online or in pet stores. But did you know it's super simple to make your own? There are several reasons that you may want to make your own instead of … [Read more...]
Why I Chose Vectra 3DⓇ Flea and Tick to Protect My Dogs
I admit that I didn’t use flea and tick protection for my dogs for a long time. In Western Washington, it used to be rare for us to run into fleas or ticks so we didn’t need to. However, that has been changing over the last few years. Today, the number of these pests has increased in the region so it's more important than ever to protect your dog from flea and ticks if they venture … [Read more...]
