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...]
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.
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...]
How to Keep Your Dog From Running Away While Camping
You're sitting around the campfire chatting with your friends when suddenly you realize your dog is missing. Maybe you hear barking, or yelling, from the campsite next door and realize your dog is over there sticking it's nose where it doesn't belong. Or maybe your dog has chased after a chipmunk and you're panicked because he's not coming when you call his name. Whatever the reason - … [Read more...]
5 Different Ways to Camp With Your Dog
Summer is here and you are looking for ways to spend more time in the outdoors with your dog. Camping with your dog is a great way to do that. It's like taking your life and moving it outside. Your dog will love exploring all the new sights and smells, it will help clear your mind, and it can improve your bond with your pet. There are several different ways you can camp and each one suits a … [Read more...]
Washington’s Toxic Plants Your Dog Should Avoid
Guest Post by Elena Edwards UPDATED: 9/3/2020 Moo and I went on a camping trip with some friends in the Hood River area of Oregon over Memorial Day Weekend. 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 stays within sight). The hills were painted with bright yellow Tansy … [Read more...]
Dog Camping Gear: 10 Must-Have Items for Your Next Adventure
Are you new to camping with dogs or have you done it so infrequently that you forget what dog camping gear you should bring? I've been camping with my dogs for years. I've gone through a lot of trial and error and have decided that there are 10 things I won't leave home without. This isn't an exhaustive list but it's our must-have list for every camping trip. To me, it's just not pleasant or … [Read more...]
5 of the Best Dog Breeds for Hiking (for Those Who Want a Small Dog)
While I own and hike with Dachshunds, I've also researched other best breeds for hiking in the small dog category. There are a lot of advantages to hiking with a small dog so I want to help spread the word that they can make great adventure companions. The Best Dog Breeds for Hiking That Are Under 30 Lbs Jack Russell Terrier A post shared by Katie (@trustyourtrail) on Dec 15, 2016 at … [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
It's no longer healthy for my dogs to be weekend warriors. Truthfully, it never was. When Gretel was young, and I was younger too, we could sit on the couch for weeks, go out and hike 15 miles, and easily do it again the next day. Then age happened. Honestly, though, each time we pulled something like that off, I was risking injury for her. Like with people, in order to reduce the change … [Read more...]
When You Want to Go Hiking but Your Dog Gets Carsick
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 … [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). UPDATED: January 20, 2017 On our … [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 … [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 your Dachshunds wear boots in the snow? What boots do you recommend? 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 Performance Waterproof Dog Jacket Working Like New
If you are like me, you want only the best, highest quality waterproof dog jackets for your dog. My dogs are very active so, while they need something waterproof, they also need it to be waterproof to dissipate body heat. If body heat isn't vented from the waterproof jacket, moisture can build up inside causing your dog to get wet from the inside. A wet, cold dog is not only uncomfortable, but … [Read more...]
4 Lessons Learned During My Dog’s First Snow Adventure
This is a guest post from my friend Elena and her Dachshund Moo. She recently moved to Seattle from Texas so this winter was Moo's first experience in the snow. Elena wanted to share what she learned. Being from the South, Moo’s exposure to snow was 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 in, and I … [Read more...]
Is the Leptospirosis Vaccine Necessary for My Dog?
UPDATED: September 1, 2020 Last fall, one of our friend's dogs - Jeffie - died from leptospirosis (lepto for short). He got it from the back yard and died suddenly. Jeffie's owner starting educating people about lepto and get the word out about the risk. I wondered, "Does my dog need the lepto vaccine?". I got curious and asked my vet about the vaccination. She shrugged it off and said dogs … [Read more...]
