I love to hike in the winter with Chester and Gretel. It's great exercise and, as far as the views go, it's my favorite time of year. Chester and Gretel love it too because, while there are likely fewer smells in the snow they're more intense. It's very different than hiking in the summer but, if you and your dog are properly prepared, it can be a lot of fun for both of you and you'll stay warm … [Read more...]
Hiking 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.
Is That Barking Dog on the Trail Reactive or Aggressive?
I was hiking with Chester and Gretel having a great day when, out of nowhere, an off-leash dog came running down the trail toward them. The owners were nowhere in sight. I tried to quickly get off the trail, stepping between Chester and Gretel and the oncoming dog, in an attempt to avoid any conflict. It was too late, though. Chester and Gretel were startled by the dog coming right for them and … [Read more...]
Does My Dog Need to Wear a Jacket When Hiking in the Winter?
Unless your dog is an Arctic breed that is selectively bred to withstand subzero temperatures, they could probably use at least one warm jacket to get them through the winter safely and comfortably. Dog jackets aren’t just for looks - they can keep your dog’s body temperature stable when they go outside for potty breaks each day, on quick walks, and on long winter hikes. Your Dog’s Cold … [Read more...]
How Old Should My Puppy Be Before They Hike?
You wanted a hiking buddy with lots of energy and that was always excited to go when you are so you got a puppy. You can't wait to hit the trails with your new pup and introduce them to a life of adventure. But should you? Puppies shouldn't go on substantial hikes until their bodies have fully matured. So how old should your puppy be before they start hiking? At What Age is it Safe for Puppies … [Read more...]
Hiking with Dogs: 9 Insider Tips for Newbies
So you've discovered the wonders of hiking with your dog? Good for you! I've been hiking with my dogs for over 10 years so I can attest to how awesome it is. I can also attest to how overwhelming it can be as a beginner hiker. There is so much to know and learn. Here are my tips to get you started on on the right paw. Tips for Those New to Hiking with Their Dog There is no shame in being new to … [Read more...]
Help! Off-Leash Dogs Scare My Dog on Trails
Although I chose to hike on a weekday afternoon to reduce encountering off leash dogs, I knew we might encounter one or two. Chester and Gretel are what you call "reactive" dogs - an off-leash dog running up to them, especially when they are leashed, scares them. I rounded the corner and saw two larger dogs, both off leash. Their owner was nowhere in sight. I pulled Chester and Gretel to the … [Read more...]
Washington’s Toxic Plants Your Dog Should Avoid
Guest Post by Elena Edwards Moo and I went on a camping trip with some friends in the Hood River area of Oregon over Memorial Day Weekend. We parked our vans in an off-the-grid spot, and enjoyed awesome fellowship and stellar views. The area was super secluded, so I felt good about letting Moo off the leash to explore a little and have some fun herself (Moo’s not much of a wanderer, so she … [Read more...]
5 Popular Small Dog Breeds for Hiking
Because I hike with my own small dogs, I am extra aware of other small dogs on the trails. While I own and hike with Dachshunds, I've also done a lot of research into other small dog breeds. Based on that research, and my experience, these are the 5 most popular small dog breeds for hiking. Jack Russell Terrier A post shared by Katie (@trustyourtrail) on Dec 15, 2016 at 6:36am … [Read more...]
7 Tips for Handling Off-Leash Dogs While Hiking
This is a guest post written by an expert in adventure travel with dogs, Jen from Long Haul Trekkers. Scroll to the bottom of the article to read more about her. Thirteen miles into a 15-mile training run, my dog, Sora and I came upon a group of senior bird watchers stopped on the trail, peering among the trees in search of a bird. Two of them had small dogs along for the walk and Sora … [Read more...]
How to Get Your Dog Ready for Hiking Season
Oh, to be young again. I could sit on the couch for a month and then go out and hike for 15 miles. Sometimes I was sore the next day but I felt normal again 2-3 days later. Then age happened. And a back injury. And my knees started to grind terribly. My mind still thought I could hike 15 miles in a day after weeks of not doing much. My body had a different take on that. Instead of hurting for a … [Read more...]
When You Want to Go Hiking but Your Dog Hates the Car
If you were to ask me what my picture-perfect weekend would look like, it would involve packing up my favorite human, my beloved pup, all my necessary gear, and driving to the mountains. I imagine that there are quite a few people who would agree with this notion. That being said, these outdoor excursions can be cut short, or made incredibly stressful for all involved, when our mountain-climbing … [Read more...]
Training Your Dog to Hike: Start Small Then Go Big
You have heard us go on and on about how ingrained the stereotype of small dogs is – of how they are often underestimated and are capable of so much more. We even wrote a guest post about it over at Will My Dog Hate Me? and I compiled a list of the 10 most common comments we hear on the trail (implying they very surprised to see small dogs out hiking). On our blog, we share our stories and … [Read more...]
15 Small Dogs Breeds That Make Great Hiking Buddies
Once upon a time I was a cat person. Then, in college, I watched my Geology field trip friends pal around with their dogs. I decided I wanted a canine best friend. Bad. I researched A LOT of dog breeds to determine which was the right one for me. Small dogs weren't even on my radar and I settled on a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Then I ended up living with a roommate that got a Dachshund puppy. I took … [Read more...]
Winter Hiking With Dogs: Watch for Hypothermia
Chester and Gretel venture out in colder temperatures than most small dogs do. Or, at least, they are outside in cold temperatures longer than most dogs. Our average winter hike is in snow, at 25-30o F temps, and 3-4 hours long. I've never had a serious problem with Chester and Gretel in the many years we've been braving the elements. However, I would be lying if I said they never got … [Read more...]
Does My Small Dog Need to Wear Boots in the Snow?
I've received these questions a lot over the years: Does my dog need to wear boots in the snow? Do Chester and Gretel wear boots in the snow? What boots do you recommend for dogs? Well, today I'm going to answer all of these questions in one blog post so the information is easy to find later. I'm going to share what I've learned here. But first, let me tell you a little about our experience and … [Read more...]
How to Keep Your Waterproof Dog Jacket Working Like New
For our regular readers, you know I'm a gear snob. I want only the best, highest quality stuff for myself, Chester, and Gretel. While they still have several different jackets for traveling and walking around the City, I only use super warm and breathable waterproof ones for their hiking and outdoor adventures. If you are looking for a waterproof jacket for your dog, please see my article The … [Read more...]
4 Lessons Learned During My Dog’s First Snow Adventure
Please welcome Elena and her Dachshund Moo to the blog. I introduced her in our 6-year anniversary blog post the other day . She's been helping me out and will now be sharing her own articles, and experiences, here. Being from the South, Moo’s exposure to snow is minimal… very, very minimal. There was once a few years back when a light dusting of snow covered the ground in the town I grew up … [Read more...]
Does Your Dog Hike? They Might Need a Lepto Vaccine
Last fall, one of our friend's dogs - Jeffie - died from leptospirosis (lepto for short). He got it from the back yard and he went suddenly. Jeffie's owner wanted to educate people about lepto and get the word out about the risk. I got curious and asked my vet about the vaccination. She shrugged it off and said dogs don't really need it in Washington State unless they hike. Of course, in my … [Read more...]
Don’t Be THAT Guy – Good Etiquette When Hiking With Your Dog
Search the internet and you will find that dogs on hiking trails is a subject that is hotly contested. There are very passionate voices on either side. I am of the belief, obviously, that it is ok for dogs to be out on the trails. However, bringing your dog along comes with great responsibility to both people and the environment. I admit, I did some things that weren't cool when I first … [Read more...]
7 Reasons to Hike With Your Dog
People are increasingly finding the desire to get back to basics, simplify and connect with nature. We are surrounded by so much stuff competing for our time – our cell phone, Facebook, Twitter, Email, people who need something from us, etc. Getting out in the woods and unplugging, even for a few hours, can get us away from that stuff and allow us to relax and spend time connecting with nature and … [Read more...]
