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...]
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.
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 to … [Read more...]
Camping Out With 9 Wiener Dogs
The first time I took my Dachshund camping was in 2003, not long after I got my first one. In 2010, I started a Dachshund club - the Adventurewiener Club - with the aim of helping other owners do fun things in the outdoors with theirs. In 2014, I organized my first multiple-Dachshund camping trip with the group just outside of Seattle. The 8 That Would Semi Hold Still We stayed at the … [Read more...]
How to Take a Funny Photo of Your Dog Using Treats
Have you been inspired by the Dogs Catching Treats photo series and want to capture your own? Well, I did. I was stuck around home for a while and decided to make this one of my special projects to keep me busy. I thought this might be a fun thing for other people to do so I decided to share some of my advice and tips for how to to do it. First Step: Choose the Right Treat Make it … [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 … [Read more...]
Protect Your Dog from the Elements by Layering
If you are taking your dog outdoors, a key to keeping them safe in all kinds of weather is layering their clothing. I don’t know about where you live, but in Washington State, we pretty much have to be ready for any weather condition at any time. As they say around here (I've actually heard people from all over the world say it about where they live), “If you don’t like the weather, wait 5 … [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 … [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 … [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 … [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...]
10 Important Safety Tips for Hiking with Your Dog In Winter
Hiking with your dog in winter is a great way to get exercise in the colder months. I love to hike in the winter with Gretel. As far as the views go, it's my favorite time of year. The mountains look so much cooler with snow on them. Gretel loves it too because, while there are likely fewer smells in the snow, they're more intense. Hiking in the winter is very different than hiking with your … [Read more...]
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. This article is about hiking with your puppy but the same information applies whether you … [Read more...]
9 Expert Tips for Hiking with a Dog
So you've discovered the wonders of hiking with your dog? Good for you! UPDATED: May 2, 2019 I've been hiking with my dogs for over 15 years so I can attest to how awesome it is. I can also attest to how overwhelming it can be everything there is to know about hiking with a dog. I've been hiking with my dogs for over 16 years and have learned a lot along the way. Here are my … [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...]
