For many of us - myself included - dogs are family. I take them everywhere with me, including hiking and camping. The thought of one of my dogs getting lost in the woods scares me. Also, I always wonder what I would do if I found a lost dog in the woods (I even carry an extra leash in my backpack just in case). Learning what to do in the event of an emergency may make the difference … [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.
How Your Dog Can Become a BARK Ranger
Social media has encouraged more and more people to hike and camp with their dogs. That’s what I try to do on this blog too – inspire first-timers to get out and inspire those that already do to explore further. I’m conflicted though because I know that every foot and paw out in nature is having an impact and it’s not a good one. Even if everyone was as environmentally … [Read more...]
Valley Fever in Dogs – What You Need to Know
There are many risks that we may encounter when adventuring outdoors, depending on our location. From dangerous algae in the waterways to running into a bear in the woods, outdoor adventurers must be prepared. UPDATED: This article was originally published in July of 2012. For many located in the western states, or who travel there, the risk of valley fever in dogs is one … [Read more...]
5 Ways I Prevent Ticks on My Dogs
I used to live in western Washington with my dogs where ticks are rare (although the encounters are increasing) but now we live eastern Washington where ticks are prevalent. I’ve really had to increase my knowledge about ticks and learn how to prevent ticks on dogs. Read: Why and Where You Need to Protect Your Dog From Ticks in Washington State I’ve tried several products, and … [Read more...]
Should You Protect Your Dog From Ticks in Washington State?
Although ticks are not as prevalent as they are on the east coast, protecting your dog from ticks in Washington state is still important. Tick bites used to only be a concern if you lived on the east side of Washington State, where ticks have always been encountered regularly, but that has changed in the last decade. Now, you have to be cautious no matter where in the state you … [Read more...]
What Does Hiking Mean? How Is It Different Than Walking?
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...]
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. UPDATED: June 26, 2022 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 … [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...]
