Fall is here. You can smell it in the air, feel it in the crisp breeze and see it in the beautiful reds and yellows of the leaves.
It’s the perfect time of year to experience the great outdoors with your favorite pooch. But you are an adventurer, a finder of remote paths, a trail-nut, and not one to settle for a mere stroll through the neighborhood. When you approach a familiar trail, the pitch of your dog’s bark raises an octave or two, and so it is confirmed: you are not alone in your desire for remote terrain, increased elevation and new opportunities to explore your wild side.
Then it rains, and the trails get soggy.
No problem! That’s why they invented Gore-Tex right? All you have to do is break out the rain gear, switch your hiking shoes for waterproof boots and you’re on your way. But what about your faithful trail companion? The one that never questions your navigational skills; the one who would never tell anyone what you did in the woods behind the giant sword fern? Is it just as easy for him to shift gear and become a muddy-trail dog overnight?
Almost.
By changing your dog’s gear and planning ahead, you and your pooch can blaze trails all year long. Consider getting a saddle-bag style backpack designed just for your dog – if you don’t already have one. You would never go hiking without your backpack, right? For multi-day camping or hiking trips, a dog pack is a must have. And you can never have too much storage when you’re hiking. When picking a pack for your pet, the rule of thumb is: what is true for you is true for him; the pack should be lightweight, fit snuggly and allow for freedom of movement. It should not bind or pinch your dog’s skin, and must be roomy enough to carry the essential items like food, water, and an extra leash. Packs with a mesh harness allow for air flow which means a cooler puppy (and not just because all the cool dogs are wearing them). Mesh also lets water drain away from the skin to prevent hot spots from continual rubbing. Make sure the harness has either a sturdy D-ring attachment or a connector for a leash. Some packs have a grab-handle that doubles as a leash clip – who doesn’t love form and function? The grab-handle can be used to assist your dog over large obstacles such as downed trees or uneven terrain then snapped to a matching leash (optional) when moderate control is needed. Doggie packs are relatively inexpensive and well worth the money. Most outdoor sports stores carry dog gear so shop around for a pack that fits your budget and your needs. Before you buy, try the pack on your dog and let him run around. Snap and unsnap all the clips and adjust all the straps to make certain you are familiar with how the pack will fit on your pet. Remember that dogs rarely complain that something is too tight; they can’t tell you when a strap is hurting them so use a two-finger rule to examine the fit.
When packing your newly purchased pack, plan on having enough food and water for your pooch. Because he will be burning more calories, more food and water than usual will likely be needed. Dry food is recommended and packing the food in something as simple as a zip lock bag will prevent infestation of the food.
As winter deepens and the sodden earth becomes unpredictable, your pet may be more comfortable hiking in booties. Your dog’s feet are designed to be tough with thick pads and hair to protect his tender skin. Each time you go hiking, extreme hot or cold temperatures will give your pet’s feet a beating, and for those pups who haven’t become accustom to the conditions, the result can be damaging. Picking shoes for your dog is similar to choosing footwear for yourself; think utility plus comfort. Dog booties can be bought anywhere doggie packs are found. A thick, textured sole is better for rainy weather or snow, while a thinner sole is great for dry-trailing. You want to protect your companion’s feet while still allowing them to move freely. Allow your pet to wear the boots prior to actually hiking in them; this time allows the dog to get used to having something on their feet and gives you the opportunity to check for proper fit and comfort. You can use doggie boots with or without liners. Liners are similar to SmartWool wicking moisture away from the foot, they also add extra padding which is nice if your pets feet are already abraded (scratched or cut) in any way. There are several different brands of shoes to choose from but they all have the same general form; a rubber sole, a secure, non-binding cuff cinch and a breathable, durable fabric top-part. Here is a tip about doggie boots that you should remember forever: you cannot over-tighten the Velcro cinch. You will not cut off circulation or damage your pet’s feet in any way, and the last thing you want to be doing while snowshoeing is looking for the missing bootie. And they do not sell them individually. Check and retighten your pooch’s boots whenever you stop to rehydrate or if they appear loose or floppy. The majority of booties come in packs of four in a bag of their own, but they fit nicely into the side pockets of the dog pack. Most stores will let you try the boots on your dog before final purchase, but again, it’s polite to ask first.
Another essential for backpacking trips and wilderness adventures is a first aid kit. While you may not need a full kit specifically for your pet, you should, at the very least, consider adding to your human version – a few extra gauze, tweezers (in the event he gets something in his paw) and hydrogen peroxide, for example. If your dog is allergic to anything or you will be in an area where there are bees, snakes or other critters that may be a threat, consider carrying Benadryl or asking your vet about an Epipen. Epipen dosing is based on size. The junior size is for people weighing 33 to 66 pounds. The regular one is for those over 66 pounds, so what you use in such an emergency depends specifically on your dog and should not be administered without prior discussion with your vet.
With the exception of your faithful friend you will likely have the trail to yourself, but remember that while most trails are dog-friendly, some people might fear strange dogs, so unless you are in a designated off-leash area, you should keep your pet safely on lead to prevent any dog-human miscommunication. Also, all maintained trails encourage the environmentally friendly ‘Leave No Trace’ which means if you pack it in, please pack it out.
Happy Trailing…
Kristine Spitzer graduated from Portland State University with a degree in Arts and Letters and currently resides in Oregon with her two children, two dogs, two cats and a rat. With her dogs Monkey and Whisper at her side, she enjoys hiking in the rain, exploring coastal caves, and following butterflies.
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