Go to outing gear
- Thread starter meepitsmeagan
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No water bowl, I just bring a regular Nalgene bottle and Brisbane drinks out of that. Ru drinks out of the cap on the rare occasion he decides to drink.
Briz wears his Ruffwear Webmaster harness, Top Rope collar, and usually the stretchy Ruffwear leash. Sometimes I bring a Flexi. Last week he was being extra-touchy about harnesses so he wore his Premier Sure Fit harness, but the Webmaster is really the best one for boulder scrambles.
Ru wears his Ruffwear Climate Changer sweater, sometimes his Hurtta cold weather jacket or a sweatshirt. I often end up taking off his coat, but he never starts a hike naked. Over that goes his Midnight Pet single strand paracord harness and matching leash.
I usually have my Camelback pack with Brisbane's Ruffwear Grip Trex boots, vetwrap, tweezers, first aid stuff, a jacket, a Clif bar, some kibble, and occasionally Ru. I also tend to have matches, a knit hat, gloves, a flashlight, etc just in case.
Briz wears his Ruffwear Webmaster harness, Top Rope collar, and usually the stretchy Ruffwear leash. Sometimes I bring a Flexi. Last week he was being extra-touchy about harnesses so he wore his Premier Sure Fit harness, but the Webmaster is really the best one for boulder scrambles.
Ru wears his Ruffwear Climate Changer sweater, sometimes his Hurtta cold weather jacket or a sweatshirt. I often end up taking off his coat, but he never starts a hike naked. Over that goes his Midnight Pet single strand paracord harness and matching leash.
I usually have my Camelback pack with Brisbane's Ruffwear Grip Trex boots, vetwrap, tweezers, first aid stuff, a jacket, a Clif bar, some kibble, and occasionally Ru. I also tend to have matches, a knit hat, gloves, a flashlight, etc just in case.
Depends on where we're going and how far.
For our typical daily hike, all that's packed is leashes and that's to walk them from the car to the trail.
Now that hike is on private property and is only 2-5km loop depending on how long we choose to go for.
Same goes for the off-leash hiking trail that's nearby.
On our longer hikes, where they are supposed to be leashed, I put their harnesses on, and hook them up to my canicross kit. If I don't have any real direction and don't know how long I'll be, I pack their fold up water dish that came with the kit.
This summer I am hoping to do an overnight hike with Cobain (and possibly Rigby) which will involve me having to purchase some backpacks so that they can carry their own food & first aid kits.
For our typical daily hike, all that's packed is leashes and that's to walk them from the car to the trail.
Now that hike is on private property and is only 2-5km loop depending on how long we choose to go for.
Same goes for the off-leash hiking trail that's nearby.
On our longer hikes, where they are supposed to be leashed, I put their harnesses on, and hook them up to my canicross kit. If I don't have any real direction and don't know how long I'll be, I pack their fold up water dish that came with the kit.
This summer I am hoping to do an overnight hike with Cobain (and possibly Rigby) which will involve me having to purchase some backpacks so that they can carry their own food & first aid kits.
Is this just for the dog's gear?
If I'm just "walking" them I only bring leashes and it's generally whatever ones I find first. I keep water and a bowl in the car, so when we get back I will offer water to them.
For hiking I bring more stuff.
The essentials:
I always pack kibble and treats. I generally put them in the hip pockets of my pack so I can quickly grab them and treat my dog. I treat a lot out on the trails.
Then I bring a med kit with a few dog specific things in it.
If I'm just "walking" them I only bring leashes and it's generally whatever ones I find first. I keep water and a bowl in the car, so when we get back I will offer water to them.
For hiking I bring more stuff.
The essentials:
- Nalgene's in the winter, Poland Spring light plastic bottles in the summer- Nalgene's are great in the winter because you can poor hot water directly into them.
- Ruffwear Bivy Bowl- I have both the new model and the old one and I actually like the old one better. It doesn't fold down so I lash it to my pack but it's a lot lighter and I find when it's wet I actually don't want to fold it anyway.
- Ruffwear Webmaster- I need a harness I can use to help lift him during scambles and such. I am hoping to switch to the doubleback soon though. The chest is much more supportive as that's an actual climbing harness.
- Pawwax- I typically only do day hikes and I'll just wax before we hit the trail. If I'm doing an overnight, I will bring a little extra wax with me for the next day.
- Ruffwear CloudChaser- it's a wind/water resistant layer and it goes under the harness so it doesn't inhibit that being used. I haven't actually had to use it yet. He hasn't gotten cold enough.
- Ruffwear Ridgeline Leash- I've gone through a lot of leashes. I was excited when this one came out, but to be honest it's not really what I want either. I'm going to try the quick draw next. We hike offleash, so I really only need a light leash for times when we're passing other hikers as I don't want to the be rude person with a dog that goes up to people. I just grab him and close to me and then when we pass I let him go again. So I like a light, easy packed leash, just to use during that time.
- Roll of poop bags- I just bring the roll, not a holder. That's just extra weight. If I'm going to be doing a trail that I have to retrace to get home I'll put them behind a tree and mark them on the GPS. If I'm doing a loop trail, I'll bring an extra bag to put them all in and lash to my pack. I would die if a poop bag exploaded in my pack. Literally die.
I always pack kibble and treats. I generally put them in the hip pockets of my pack so I can quickly grab them and treat my dog. I treat a lot out on the trails.
Then I bring a med kit with a few dog specific things in it.
Harness
Biothane leash
water (for both of us)
treats
In my pack I keep
water bowl (love the "pop up" ones)
poop bags
small first aide kit (which includes stuff for human and canine)
kennel lead
I also toss the "hiking bag" in the truck- it has a couple of towels, avc/water spray, waterless shampoo, extra collar, & leashes, more poop bags (every bag I own has poop bags in it.), comb, flea comb, brush. The harness and biothane leash are kept in this bag, as well.
Biothane leash
water (for both of us)
treats
In my pack I keep
water bowl (love the "pop up" ones)
poop bags
small first aide kit (which includes stuff for human and canine)
kennel lead
I also toss the "hiking bag" in the truck- it has a couple of towels, avc/water spray, waterless shampoo, extra collar, & leashes, more poop bags (every bag I own has poop bags in it.
), comb, flea comb, brush. The harness and biothane leash are kept in this bag, as well.
It depends. Just going out the door and going for a ride or a quick walk somewhere? 5 or 6ft leather leash, Puppia harness (typically).
Longer walk or hike, I often have my little backpack and I'll just put a small bottle of water, his popware water bowl, maybe a few treats, poop bags. If we're going to a fairly secluded place where I know we won't run into many people, I'll bring his long line. But when we hike the battlefields in Gettysburg for example, I'll usually just put him on a 23ft Flexi, the 50ft line is a bit much for that environment. We'll be using the Ruffwear Front Range harness for hiking most likely.
Longer walk or hike, I often have my little backpack and I'll just put a small bottle of water, his popware water bowl, maybe a few treats, poop bags. If we're going to a fairly secluded place where I know we won't run into many people, I'll bring his long line. But when we hike the battlefields in Gettysburg for example, I'll usually just put him on a 23ft Flexi, the 50ft line is a bit much for that environment. We'll be using the Ruffwear Front Range harness for hiking most likely.
6' biothane leash
Prong Collar for Abrams
E-collar if it is a place that dogs can safely be let loose while hiking (although Abrams isn't to that point yet)
Water bottle (and attached dish) if no water will be available for the dogs on the trail. Water bottle comes with regardless for me.
Poop bags.
Treats.
Water left at the car for end of hike.
And depending on the length of the hike, I also will bring some granola bars to snack on.
If I know Abrams will be swimming at some point, I'll keep a towel in the car, too.
Prong Collar for Abrams
E-collar if it is a place that dogs can safely be let loose while hiking (although Abrams isn't to that point yet)
Water bottle (and attached dish) if no water will be available for the dogs on the trail. Water bottle comes with regardless for me.
Poop bags.
Treats.
Water left at the car for end of hike.
And depending on the length of the hike, I also will bring some granola bars to snack on.
If I know Abrams will be swimming at some point, I'll keep a towel in the car, too.
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Water- I bring a water bottle for myself and one for Roxie, a slim tupperware lid for her to drink out of.
Harness- Usually just her bright orange Lupine step-in harness, as I don't walk her in a collar anymore. I do want a proper hiking harness that she can use to pull me and whatnot, though. If we plan on going somewhere that I will need her to pull me, I use her stillwater ring harness for now.
Leash- 30ft All K9 beta biothane. Great since she can't be offleash, but basically has the freedom of being offleash. Plus I can take it up and have her pull me, or pull her off the trail and keep her close in the case of another dog passing.
Poop bags, some snacks, coat if needed, musher's secret if needed, etc.
Harness- Usually just her bright orange Lupine step-in harness, as I don't walk her in a collar anymore. I do want a proper hiking harness that she can use to pull me and whatnot, though. If we plan on going somewhere that I will need her to pull me, I use her stillwater ring harness for now.
Leash- 30ft All K9 beta biothane. Great since she can't be offleash, but basically has the freedom of being offleash. Plus I can take it up and have her pull me, or pull her off the trail and keep her close in the case of another dog passing.
Poop bags, some snacks, coat if needed, musher's secret if needed, etc.
Just a walk: 6' leash of some sort (Zumi or Bold Lead right now), harness (generally an Xtra Dog one). A few poop bags in my pocket.
Short hike (less than 2 hours): 6' leash or Flexi, harness as above, small lumbar pack with dog treats, poop bags, and my phone, maybe a water bottle if it's hot.
Long hikes (up to 6 hours currently): 6' leash or Flexi, dog back pack (Granite Gear or Ruffwear) with collapsible bowl, dehydrated raw patties in a ziplock, poop bag dispenser, extra slip lead, and two 0.6L Platypus soft water bottles. My Osprey hiking pack with my 2L water bladder, first aid kit, rain gear (pants and coat if likely, just a poncho if not), extra pair of socks, snacks/lunch, map, cell phone, limited survival gear (matches, emergency blanket, compass).
Short hike (less than 2 hours): 6' leash or Flexi, harness as above, small lumbar pack with dog treats, poop bags, and my phone, maybe a water bottle if it's hot.
Long hikes (up to 6 hours currently): 6' leash or Flexi, dog back pack (Granite Gear or Ruffwear) with collapsible bowl, dehydrated raw patties in a ziplock, poop bag dispenser, extra slip lead, and two 0.6L Platypus soft water bottles. My Osprey hiking pack with my 2L water bladder, first aid kit, rain gear (pants and coat if likely, just a poncho if not), extra pair of socks, snacks/lunch, map, cell phone, limited survival gear (matches, emergency blanket, compass).
I'm glad to see this thread, as it gives me ideas of things I may not have thought of. I'm newer to the hiking with dogs, but have hopes to do some with Ripley. I don't think I'll ever get extreme, but there are some nice parks nearby I hope to visit and get into it a bit more.
I had planned to take poop bags, water, bowl, treats, longer lead and toys for breaks and maybe just some play time [thinking of a nice, huge open field on one trail]. I may do some recumbent triking on one of the wider trails and so I may carry more things in those cases.
I'm thinking I may make up a little first aide kit, maybe some boots and bandages just in case we get a cut and need something to cover until we can get back to car, etc..
I do have a question for those seasoned, what is an ok age to start a dog hiking? I plan to start slow, but I do want to assure I don't go out and do too much too soon in the case of Rip.
I had planned to take poop bags, water, bowl, treats, longer lead and toys for breaks and maybe just some play time [thinking of a nice, huge open field on one trail]. I may do some recumbent triking on one of the wider trails and so I may carry more things in those cases.
I'm thinking I may make up a little first aide kit, maybe some boots and bandages just in case we get a cut and need something to cover until we can get back to car, etc..
I do have a question for those seasoned, what is an ok age to start a dog hiking? I plan to start slow, but I do want to assure I don't go out and do too much too soon in the case of Rip.
Sure-fit harnesses and 6 foot leashes. No off-leash allowed at any of the places here so there's no difference.
I leave a long line and also Payton's life jacket in the car - I park by the lake so we go for our hike, then come back to the car and switch gear and he gets to go swimmy. Sometimes I bring a towel, but other times we just sit on the dock together watching the sun move across the sky and he air dries.
If it's warm I have a Gulpy that I carry so there's water for us both, but I find it pretty annoying honestly. I am thinking about digging out the backpack I bought and making Payton carry a couple bottles of water plus one of the flat collapsing bowls.
Poop bags... multiples, because Payton excitement poops when we're out for a hike at LEAST one more time than I expect he will.
My phone.
Auggie used to enjoy hikes but his feet and wrists no longer allow him to do much in terms of longer distance or duration. The last time I tried to take both boys out together, I put Auggie up on my shoulder for the last mile and a half back to the car because he started limping a bit and going really slowly. Only short hikes together for fun now; long endurance hikes are for Paytons only.
I leave a long line and also Payton's life jacket in the car - I park by the lake so we go for our hike, then come back to the car and switch gear and he gets to go swimmy. Sometimes I bring a towel, but other times we just sit on the dock together watching the sun move across the sky and he air dries.
If it's warm I have a Gulpy that I carry so there's water for us both, but I find it pretty annoying honestly. I am thinking about digging out the backpack I bought and making Payton carry a couple bottles of water plus one of the flat collapsing bowls.
Poop bags... multiples, because Payton excitement poops when we're out for a hike at LEAST one more time than I expect he will.
My phone.
Auggie used to enjoy hikes but his feet and wrists no longer allow him to do much in terms of longer distance or duration. The last time I tried to take both boys out together, I put Auggie up on my shoulder for the last mile and a half back to the car because he started limping a bit and going really slowly. Only short hikes together for fun now; long endurance hikes are for Paytons only.
I started with both of mine around four months and just carried them when they got tired. I also started carrying boots when Briz was around 6 months and 25 lbs. We got to the bottom of the canyon and the ground was too hot, somewhere there are pictures of me with baby Brisbane slung over my shoulders.
Thanks for the replies. So it sounds like a couple miles won't be an issue at all...there's a 3 mile trail I'm thinking of starting on, and it's easy enough to cut through the middle and end the walk if need be. Should be a good starter for us.
One last question, flea and tick control? I have this ungodly fear of ticks, but unfortunately they are pretty thick...even on the well kept trails, you will see them. I don't want to hinder the fun, but my tick-pickin' fear isn't helping. There are some more, woodsy trails that I would LOVE to explore...but I've heard stories of people having to pick 20+ ticks of their dogs by the end and I can't even fathom, not to mention I imagine there are risks to the dog?
What are some things you do to keep the numbers down, if you can? Or am I destined to stay on the tame ones?
One last question, flea and tick control? I have this ungodly fear of ticks, but unfortunately they are pretty thick...even on the well kept trails, you will see them. I don't want to hinder the fun, but my tick-pickin' fear isn't helping. There are some more, woodsy trails that I would LOVE to explore...but I've heard stories of people having to pick 20+ ticks of their dogs by the end and I can't even fathom, not to mention I imagine there are risks to the dog?
What are some things you do to keep the numbers down, if you can? Or am I destined to stay on the tame ones?
Thanks for the replies. So it sounds like a couple miles won't be an issue at all...there's a 3 mile trail I'm thinking of starting on, and it's easy enough to cut through the middle and end the walk if need be. Should be a good starter for us.
One last question, flea and tick control? I have this ungodly fear of ticks, but unfortunately they are pretty thick...even on the well kept trails, you will see them. I don't want to hinder the fun, but my tick-pickin' fear isn't helping. There are some more, woodsy trails that I would LOVE to explore...but I've heard stories of people having to pick 20+ ticks of their dogs by the end and I can't even fathom, not to mention I imagine there are risks to the dog?
What are some things you do to keep the numbers down, if you can? Or am I destined to stay on the tame ones?
One last question, flea and tick control? I have this ungodly fear of ticks, but unfortunately they are pretty thick...even on the well kept trails, you will see them. I don't want to hinder the fun, but my tick-pickin' fear isn't helping. There are some more, woodsy trails that I would LOVE to explore...but I've heard stories of people having to pick 20+ ticks of their dogs by the end and I can't even fathom, not to mention I imagine there are risks to the dog?
What are some things you do to keep the numbers down, if you can? Or am I destined to stay on the tame ones?
But I usually use K9 Advantix in the summer -- I find it works best for us, Frontline doesn't seem to do all that much. I'm planning on giving NexGard a try this year. Just avoid really tall grassy areas and always check afterwards just to be safe and you should be able to keep them to a minimum.
I use Frontline and I also use a natural outdoor spray, it's made by Pal Dog but I don't think the company exists anymore. Frontline will kill them within 24 hours after they get on the animal, but in that 24 hours they will still bring them home... hence the outdoor spray which is to help repel completely. Payton also goes in the lake after every hike so I think that helps with fleas, not sure about ticks. Since using the natural spray there have been no more flea issues and only one small tick. The tick was between his paw pads.
I have looked at other natural products like the rose geranium oil but I haven't bought anything else since I still have my Pal Dog spray.
I have looked at other natural products like the rose geranium oil but I haven't bought anything else since I still have my Pal Dog spray.
That happened to me last week! Had to take a really overgrown trail to get back to where I wanted to be, and ended up with tiny ticks all over Brisbane's neck. I ran my hands through his fur to find them and got most of them, fle combed him thoroughly when we got home, and still found one embedded the next day when I washed him. So gross, but clearly from going through the brush since I picked them all off halfway through the trip and he didn't get covered again on the way back. Brisbane is on Comfortis, which doesn't say anything about ticks but supposedly works.
Ru never gets any kind of ticks on him ever, and maybe like one flea every couple of years. Pretty sure the bugs don't know he's a dog.
Ru never gets any kind of ticks on him ever, and maybe like one flea every couple of years. Pretty sure the bugs don't know he's a dog.