Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Hiking Backpack for Dogs | Hiking is a challenging activity that requires planning and preparation, especially if you want to make it a fun experience. For people who hike alone, planning might not be as extensive as they’re only responsible for themselves. However, if you have a partner, specifically a canine partner, there should be absolutely no lag in preparation.

Although dogs can be excellent hiking companions, they still need to be trained, so they don’t create a ruckus on the hiking trail or taint your experience. Thus, apart from physical training and stamina build-up, it’s important to take note of some must-have items that should be in a dog backpack.

10 Must-Haves Items in a Dog Backpack

Water, Food & Collapsible Bowl

These items are a no-brainer, but it’s important to reiterate. Try to bring your dog’s food and water with you on the hike. The food could be either canned or cooked, depending on the duration of the hike and weather. This is to make sure you don’t have to light a fire to make food or heat it as it could be dangerous. Moreover, give your dog food in a collapsible bowl so it can fit easily into your dog’s backpack. Along with food, make sure you carry enough water for your dog, so there’s no chance of dehydration.

Dog First-Aid

A high chance of your dog getting injured as hiking is a bit of a risky activity. However, even if the trail you choose is dog-friendly, make sure you have the necessary first aid items if your canine gets hurt. Ideally, it should have gauze, antiseptic, bandages, cold compress, and tweezers. You can buy a first-aid kit with all the above components, or you can make one on your own, depending on what you will need.

Dog Leash

Hiking with dogs may be seen as a threat to other hikers or animals present on the trail. Even though your dog may be trained efficiently, it’s still a good idea to have some control over it so others can feel at ease. This is why a dog leash is a must-have, even on dog-friendly hiking trails. You may take a leash that can be fastened around your pet’s waist. But try not to take an extendable leash as it does not provide immediate control and may cause you trouble.

Cooling Coats

A cooling coat is a great idea if you’re hiking in the summer season. Even though you can stop under shady areas and have frequent water breaks, your dog may feel extremely hot because of its fur. A cooling coat can easily fit in your dog’s backpack and is a fool-proof way to relax your pet if they overheat. All you need is water to dip the cooling coat in so it may provide a soothing effect when your canine wears it.

Fleece Jacket

Just like a cooling coat is necessary for the summer season, a fleece jacket is a must-have item if you’re fond of hiking in the winter season. Even though your dog’s fur coat insulates its body, it’s always a good idea to have some sort of winter clothing. This is especially true when temperatures drop at night, putting your dog at risk for pneumonia.

Toys

Even though your dog may be tired during hiking, you should have a fallback plan if they get bored when you plan to rest or pause your hike at nighttime. A good way to divert your canine’s attention is to pack some toys in their hiking backpack. Ensure these toys are safe, so there’s less chance of choking on them.

Poop Bags

Some people avoid dog-friendly hikes because of this particular reason. Leaving your dog’s poop on a hiking trail is against the Leave No Trace ethic. Not only this, it’s not a pretty sight to step onto dog poo while hiking on a scenic trail. Therefore, make sure you carry poop bags or ziplock bags so you can dispose of your pet’s waste without causing anyone any issue. If you want to be more environmentally friendly, look for biodegradable bags you can dispose of easily without causing harm to the environment.

Dog Treats

It’s always a good idea to carry dog treats no matter where you are. It could be a great way to calm down your canine if it gets rowdy. Or you may want to reward them for listening to your commands while hiking. Moreover, this is a lightweight item your pet can easily carry, especially since you don’t have to bring a whole bag of dog treats. A little quantity would do just fine.

Collar or Harness

It’s always a good idea to be prepared for anything during a hiking trip. Your pet may get distracted or curious and might get lost on the hiking trail. To make sure you are prepared for this, make sure your furry friend has a collar or a harness on them. Make sure their collar or harness fits them perfectly, and there’s little chance of it slipping out. Ultimately, these items will help identify your dog in case they get lost.

Reflective Light

You may install a reflective light on your dog’s hiking backpack or their collar/harness so your pet can see clearly, especially at night. This also acts as an alert for other hikers and animals so they know of your pet’s presence on the hiking trail.

The Bottom Line

Hiking is a great way to relieve stress. It’s a chance to forget all your worries by absorbing the sights and sounds of nature while having your best friend by your side. However, make sure you and your best friend are strapped with all the necessary items that both of you may need on the hiking trail. But most importantly, make sure you check off everything you need for a hiking backpack for dogs.

by Bobby J Davidson

We are in business to provide great products for the outdoorsy hikers, campers and their dogs; and to help clean our parks, rivers and oceans for a better planet earth for hikers and their dogs.

Parks Clean

Parks are high-traffic areas in most cities. This means that trash is bound to show up in and around your park and playground.

When discussing ways your family can help clean your local park, don’t overlook a literal cleanup! Picking up trash will make a huge difference in the appearance and vibe of your park. A clean area will encourage others to keep the park pristine. When picking up trash and debris, make sure to wear gloves to protect yourself, and put trash in appropriate receptacles or lawn bags. You can also contact your local trash company to schedule a pickup when you are finished.

Rivers Clean

The storm drain on your street collects the water from your roof, driveway, and sidewalk and funnels it directly in your local lake or river. Nutrients from grass and leaves, pet waste, and fertilizers “enrich” our lakes and streams — feeding algae blooms and harming fish. Chemicals from washing your car in the drive and household chemical spills add up, taking a nasty toll on our favorite swimming areas and fishing spots. Soil can also be picked up by runoff, reducing the clarity of water and hurting fish.

So as you prepare your lawn and garden, here are a few helpful tips to keep our lakes and rivers beautiful and safe for all of us.

Use mulch and vegetation to keep soil from washing away.
Sweep or rake grass and leaves away from street curbs.
Mulch and compost grass clippings and leaves.
Keep paved surfaces to a minimum.
Capture water runoff with a rain garden and rain barrels.
Wash your car on the grass, where the water will get filtered.
Keep chemicals away from storm drains.
Collect your pet’s waste.
Aim your rain-gutter downspouts onto grass.

Beaches Clean (do it for the ocean)

In 2007, the United States Senate and House of Representatives passed the National Clean Beaches Week Resolution to recognize the value of beaches to the American way of life and the important contributions of beaches to the economy, recreation, and natural environment of the United States.

Clean Beaches Week, celebrated annually July 1-7, offers the perfect opportunity to encourage stewardship and volunteerism along our coastlines. But where do you even begin? Follow these tips to get started.

Identify a clean-up site. Choose a place that needs some TLC, making sure that volunteers can safely access the site. Get permission, if needed, for your clean-up event, perhaps from the local parks agency.
Choose a site coordinator. (That might be you!) A beach clean-up takes a lot of work and needs an organized person to keep everything on track before, during, and after the event.
Visit the site in advance. The coordinator will need to know where to set up a volunteer check-in station, where to leave trash and recyclables, and what area(s) volunteers will clean.
Gather supplies. Depending on your location, you’ll need supplies such as trash bags, a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, and large coolers of water. You should also provide (or ask volunteers to bring) items such as reusable work/garden gloves, reusable water bottles, sunscreen, and bug spray.
Plan how to handle the recyclables. Reach out to recyclers in your area (and perhaps your community’s solid waste departments) to make arrangements for accepting any glass, plastic, and aluminum that you collect.
Line up event partners. Contact local businesses for donations of drinks, food, and supplies. Ask a local solid waste hauler to donate their services for trash removal.
Plan for handling hazardous waste. Determine how you’ll dispose of any medical and sewage waste you might find. One solution: A wide-mouth container with a tight-fitting lid, such as an empty laundry detergent bottle. Clearly label that it contains hazardous waste.
Get volunteers to help. Recruit friends, family, co-workers, and neighbors. Create an event on Facebook and ask volunteers to sign up online. This will give you an idea of how many people to expect and will help communicate event details.
Stay safe. Be prepared for a variety of health emergencies, from minor cuts and scrapes to heat stroke.
Take photos! Post pics online to share the success of your event and recognize volunteers for their hard work.