Hiking and Camping with Your Dog

I can't even remember a time before I had a playpen for my dogs. I mean, there was a time but apparently it was so unnoteworthy or stressful that I blocked it out. So why do I think that a dog playpen is a must for every dog owner? I'll get to that later. But first, why not just use a dog crate? Note: I have small dogs but pet pens can also be used for larger dogs. I have links to … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

Camping with your small dog is a fun way to bond with them while enjoying everything the great outdoors have to offer.  I’ve been camping with my miniature Dachshunds for over 18 years and it’s one of my favorite things to do with them. They love the sighs and smells of the outdoors and seeing them come alive brings me joy. In order to have a successful camping trip, you should be … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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. We stayed at the Denny Creek campground near … [Read more...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]

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...]