Tails from the trail and tips on training your human

Hiking Gear for Dogs | Having a dog is one of the best feelings for any dog parent. Apart from their loving and playful nature, they are an excellent resource that benefits us in many ways.

They offer people protection, whether it is for their estate, house, or children, and can be an excellent company in times of loneliness. There is significant proof that dogs are great for their mental health as they can provide comfort and support. These are some of the reasons why dogs were eventually domesticated. One can say that the relationship between dogs and humans is centuries old and continues to evolve with time.

Now, instead of hunting, dog owners prefer taking their dogs on more friendly adventures. One of them is hiking, which is a challenging yet memorable bonding experience between a dog and its owner.

However, if you’ve been hiking with your furry friend, you’d know it entails a lot of planning and preparation. This extends to your dog too, who needs to be trained to behave well on the trail. You also have to ensure your fur baby has all hiking necessities readily available while hiking. Therefore, it is imperative that you can extra care when sorting hiking gear for your dog. Below is a list of items that you should include as hiking gear for dogs.

Hiking Gear Items

Dog Hiking Backpack

One of the basic items while hiking is a dog backpack. Just as you carry a backpack with all your necessary items, your dog can also carry a small backpack that can easily store essentials. Since hiking is a strenuous activity, it is recommended that you split weight by letting your dog carry its backpack. However, ensure the backpack’s weight aligns with your pet’s body weight and doesn’t cause an injury.

Food Items

This item is a no-brainer, but it’s good to reiterate. Always carry your dog’s food with your while hiking, as it’s not recommended to light a fire in the middle of the hiking trail. This is an important part of hiking gear for dogs as, without it, it will be difficult to continue the hike as your pet will need frequent nourishment.

Collapsible Bowl

Because you and your dog need to follow the ‘Leave No Trace’ rule on the hiking trail, make sure you carry a collapsible bowl for food. This item can be easily packed and allows your dog to consume food easily, without leaving any traces of it on the trail. Moreover, this is a suitable alternative to plastic and wrappers that may tarnish the beauty of the trail.

Water Utensils

Even though a hiking trail may have water resources such as a waterfall or a river, it’s recommended to bring your water bottle. The same rule applies to your pet. Make sure you bring a reusable water bottle with a detachable cup so your pet can hydrate itself easily. You can always refill water through the water resources, but drinking should be from a bottle or a cup to minimize contamination.

Poop Bags

One of the essential hiking gear items is a poop bag for your dog. It is important to keep one, whether it is a ziplock or a biodegradable bag. Leaving traces of poop on the trail is damaging to the environment and destroys the beauty of the place. Furthermore, it may put off other hikers in case they accidentally step on your dog’s poop.

Dog Tracking Gear

To ensure your dog’s safety on the trail, you should invest in dog tracking gear. There are plenty of dog tracking gears available online that can help you trace your pet if they are off-leash. It can be installed on a dog collar in the form of a GPS (Global Positioning System), or it can be included in your dog’s backpack.

Leash

A leash is another important item, especially on a hike. It allows you some control over your pet. However, make sure your dog’s leash isn’t retractable or extendable, as it may be an obstruction during control. Moreover, it shouldn’t be too long or too short that it is useless during hiking.

Collar

Another way to identify your dog is by putting a dog collar on it. Make sure you include your dog’s name, your name, emergency contact number, and your house address in case of an unforeseen incident, your dog can be easily identified and returned to you. You can also look for reflective dog collars, so it helps locate your pet at night.

Clothes

Dog gear also includes clothes according to season. If it’s too hot during hiking, make sure you have a cooling jacket for your pet. You can easily use it by dipping it in water and making your pet wear it. However, if it’s winter, then a fleece coat would be ideal for your pet. Make sure you have both these items depending on the season. If the weather is good and you don’t feel your pet needs such clothing, you can carry a reflective jacket instead.

First Aid Box

A first-aid box is important for your pet, just as it’s important for you. You can purchase a full-fledged set that is easily available online, or you can make your first-aid box. It’s always best to ask your dog’s vet for recommendations, but you can include gauze, band-aids, tweezers, antiseptic pads, and medicines.

Dog Shoes

You can also buy dog shoes for your pet in case the hiking trail is too hot. It can cause discomfort to your pet and may also quicken the onset of hydration.

The Bottom Line

On a concluding one, this list is not exhaustive. These are just some of the things your pet may need while hiking. As you continue to hike, you will become more experienced, and you and your pet’s needs will evolve with time. However, the list above can be a good way to begin planning for dog hiking gear.

by Maria A 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.