Whether you’re looking for a buddy to take mountain biking, skiing, running, kayaking, or hiking, most dogs are up for anything given a bit of training and encouragement — and, of course, the right gear.
Our editors have traveled thousands of miles with their dogs, by car, foot, ski, and almost any other means of adventure. Needless to say, we’ve tried a lot of gear and have come up with a few makeshift solutions of our own. These things not only make a human’s life easier when traveling and exploring with their pup, but they also ensure the health, safety, and happiness of the dog.
Consider this your outdoor dog gear checklist, and find tips and tricks for making the most of your time with your pup below.
Note: Dogs, like people, have varying levels of fitness. Be sure to ease your pup into new activities and conditions, and take extra care in hot weather. Consult your veterinarian before any major changes to your dog’s lifestyle.
Leash
While many outdoor lovers prefer to let their dogs run wild and free, it’s not always safe, nor legal, so having a couple of leash options handy for different activities is important. The standard recommendation is a 4- to 6-foot leash made with a durable material. We are partial to those made with climbing rope, like Ruffwear’s Knot-a-Leash.
A great DIY option is a used climbing rope. It is not only strong enough to contain even the most spirited puller, but it is also sturdy, no matter how many rainstorms you navigate or games of tug-o-war you play. It is also dynamic, meaning it absorbs a lot of impact. This will make sudden tugs easier on both your dog and your shoulder.
If you’re camping, you’ll want to keep your dog tethered but also allow them to sniff around and explore. Ruffwear makes a hitching system that keeps your dog safe but mobile via a long lead that’s attached to a rope strung between two trees.
Waist Leash
While running with a traditional leash does work, the hands-free option has revolutionized my running routine with Welly by allowing me to maintain my natural gait, rather than getting tugged to one side. One of the first to debut these types of leashes was Stunt Puppy, and we’ve used the brand’s Stunt Runner leash for several years.
The Stunt Runner (pictured above) has an adjustable waist belt and a strong buckle, which is said to hold 200 pounds.
A flexible bungee-like connector between you and the dog permits some give when you’re on the run. And tubular nylon webbing — the same stuff you’ll see in climbing gear — makes for a super-strong leash that has lasted for several seasons, even through a chewing phase. It also has a reflective option if you plan on running in the city before sunrise or after dark.
Dog Harness
Owners of supremely leash-trained dogs need not pay much attention to this section. With an excitable pup, however, a harness is non-negotiable.
Whether you have a dog you’re still training or one who has never quite caught on to the concept of heeling by your side, a harness can help your dog avoid jerk-and-pull injuries to their trachea, which can happen when the leash is directly attached to the collar.
We went through a number of different harnesses before identifying a couple that (a) helped control pulling, (b) didn’t cause excessive chafing, and (c) allowed for our dogs’ full range of motion.
Early on, we found a harness that did a good job of addressing the pulling, but a veterinarian warned us of potential orthopedic issues down the line because the front of the harness fell directly across the front of her shoulders and chest, impeding her range of motion as she stretched her legs forward during runs.
While we’ve come across others with similar designs, we are partial to Ruffwear’s Front Range Harness. With a leash attachment on both the back and the front, you can experiment with what works best for your pup. The padded chest and belly panel disperse pressure even when she darts in pursuit of a squirrel or flees from a sinister garbage can in our path.
Food and Hydration Accessories
Perhaps the most important thing to have on hand while adventuring with your dog is water. There are a number of different portable bowls out there that are easy to stick in a pack on a hike, or, as I usually do on longer runs in the summer, shove it in the waistband of my shorts.
The Rad Dog Pocket Bowl is perfect for this because it folds up into a tiny square and weighs less than an ounce.
If you’re planning a long day on the trail, it’s important to bring some sustenance for your pup as well. Choosing a high-quality food or treat to carry with you can help keep your dog’s energy levels up for hours. Zuke’s Power Bones are a great choice as they are a specially made energy treat for dogs. You can also share things like peanut butter and cheese out on the trail.
Poop Bags
This goes without saying. Be a good ambassador for outdoor lovers and dog owners everywhere, and pick up after your pooch. Buy a roll of bags or reuse a plastic grocery bag.
Just make sure you always have something with you any time you’re out and about with your dog. Ramsey makes a combo poop bag dispenser/holder that conveniently stores used bags until you have a chance to throw them away.
Protect Your Pooch From the Elements
Dogs with light coats can get cold as soon as temperatures dip below 30 degrees. Those who live in northern climes and adventure year-round have to find a solution to keep their pups warm.
Among our favorites is the Powder Hound by Ruffwear. When choosing a jacket, look for one that provides 365-degree warmth by covering the dog’s back, sides, and chest. For cold, rainy days, we’ll often reach for a lighter-weight option that is wind- and water-resistant.
If you’re worried about getting the right fit for your dog, check out Voyagers K9 apparel, which makes breed-specific models.
Booties are another must-have piece of gear for chilly pursuits. No dog enjoys wearing them, so if they are easy to kick off, they certainly will.
For running on pavement in the winter, we settled on Pawz. These are 100% biodegradable rubber dog boots that look similar to balloons, and cinch around the dog’s ankles snugly. They come in packs of 12 and are disposable — we have found they will last a couple of weeks on daily runs in the city — less time during more serious adventuring in the mountains.
For fancier options, Muttluks have high cuffs and adjustable Velcro to tighten around the ankles. We’ve used these through an entire winter of running on pavement and skijoring on snow, and they rarely came off.
Ruffwear has a number of year-round options that are great for gnarly terrain in both cold and hot weather.
If booties don’t work, Musher’s Secret offers a different kind of solution to paw protection. Smear the waxy substance on your dog’s paw pads before heading out the door (the excess absorbs so it won’t make a mess in the house). It provides a modicum of protection, especially against the cold.
A leash and water bowl are certainly enough for most outdoor adventures, but it’s fun to have other gear for extracurricular activities.
One favorite in this category is a skijoring harness. Both Ruffwear and Skijor Now make systems. Of all the activities we’ve attempted to run the energy out of our boisterous dog, nothing rivals skijoring. These systems simply employ a human hip belt, bungee towline, and dog harness that allows the dog to pull out in front as you ski behind.
For the warmer months of the year, doggy life jackets are another great recreational accessory to have handy. Especially if you plan on paddling with your pooch, a life jacket like the Kurgo Surf N Turf or the Stunt Puppy Float Doggy can provide great peace of mind.
Most models also have a handle on the back, making it easy, depending on the size of your dog, to lift them out of the water back onto a boat or a dock.
Dog packs are another convenient extra piece of gear to have for your dog for anyone planning on hiking long distances. Note that dogs who are barrel-chested, skinny, and long can prove tricky when it comes to properly fitting gear like this.
If you’re camping and don’t want to share your sleeping bag with your dog, there are plenty of travel-friendly dog beds to keep them cozy and warm. Of course, any dog bed does the trick, but Ruffwear’s dog sleeping bag is highly packable and made of durable material.
Medical Bag or First-Aid Kit
Having a few dog-related medical supplies in your possession can save you and your dog a whole lot of pain and suffering in the case of an emergency. We have a few things tucked in the back of our bathroom closet at home and a travel first-aid kit in our car for when we’re on the road.
If you don’t want to assemble your own, we have reviewed a convenient and compact first-aid kit appropriate for dogs from Adventure Medical Kits. Fortunately, we haven’t had to use more than the bandages, though the kit offers peace of mind.
Our home first-aid supply contains many of the same things any human would have in their bathroom pantry. We simply relied on the Humane Society’s recommendations, which include things like gauze pads, adhesive tape, antiseptic wipes, an ice pack, and tweezers.
You should also have a large plastic syringe and hydrogen peroxide, which will help induce vomiting if your dog ingests any sort of poison. In addition, the Nite Ize Doohickey Pet Tool is handy for a keyring, and includes a burr comb, tick remover, and, conveniently, a bottle opener.
Travel Safety for Dogs
While we occasionally permit the scandalous act of allowing our dog to sit in the passenger seat and stick her head out the window, on long car rides, we always bring a kennel/crate. While it takes up a significant amount of cargo space, it ensures both her safety and comfort.
We’ve discovered the latter counts for a lot on a 16-hour car trip from Colorado to Minnesota, because when she has a quiet, warm spot to sleep, she doesn’t make a fuss the entire trip.
We originally used a traditional wire crate, but have since switched to the G1 Kennel by Gunner. Sure, the thing is a beast, but that’s kind of the point. To complete the den-like feel, we usually throw in the Alcott Explorer Sleeping Bag or any blanket we have on hand, along with another blanket over the top to keep it fairly dark inside the crate.
Petmate also makes sturdy, travel-friendly crates that one of our testers recommends.
While we can fit three people, gear for a week, and the kennel in our 2011 Outback, any extra luggage or people would make it a tight squeeze. In those instances, we use the Sleepypod Clickit Utility Dog Harness, another one of the few devices that performed well in crash tests.
This option offers three points of attachment and allows your dog to travel safely without taking up more room than a single seat.
If you’ve got multiple dogs or want to try to keep your backseat somewhat clean, a protective cover can be a good investment. Products like the Shodu Waterproof Dog Car Seat work like a giant taco, keeping your seats clean while preventing your dog from falling in between the seats.
Technology
The newest Halo Collar is a solid option for people who camp or bounce between trailheads. It lets you set a wireless fence wherever you are. Open the app, mark the boundary, and you’re done. It works almost anywhere, which makes it an easy way to give your dog some room at camp while keeping them inside a line you can trust.
For anyone who chooses hunting dogs as their outdoor adventure partner, Garmin’s Alpha series continues to lead the pack. These collars pair with Garmin handhelds and stay accurate in steep terrain, thick cover, and places where your phone becomes a useless brick.
Hunters and long-range wanderers rely on them because they work when the backcountry gets complicated. If your dog goes everywhere you do, the Alpha series is the dependable choice.
Of course, GoPro’s Fetch dog harness camera mount tops the list. Whether you want your dog to film your mountain biking excursion or your outdoor wedding, it offers a totally unique perspective.
Light-up collars or beacons provide an extra level of visibility and safety on the roads. In the woods, it can simply help you keep track of Fido after dark.
We use the Nite Dawg LED Collar by Nite Ize because it provides a 365-degree glow, making it easy to see Welly even from a distance, no matter which direction she is facing. In the past, we’ve even clipped light-up key chains to her collar to keep track of her.
If your dog has a tendency to wander off, Tractive and Fi make devices and smart collars with GPS tracking. While most people won’t need this level of tech, it can be a lifesaver in certain circumstances.
FAQ
What if my dog gets injured on trail?
In any outdoor situation, you should be prepared to rescue both yourself and your dog. Come prepared with a rescue sling, which allows you to safely carry your injured dog efficiently and comfortably.
How do I know if my dog is overheating?
According to the American Kennel Club, signs of overheating in dogs include “frantic panting, extreme salivation, bright-red membranes, and labored breathing.” If you notice these symptoms, move your dog to a cool place and spray with cool (not icy) water. Getting your dog a cooling vest can be a smart prevention strategy.
Do National Parks allow dogs?
Most National Parks do not allow dogs on trails, but a select few, including Acadia and Shenandoah, welcome pups. Check out the complete list of Fido-friendly parks here.
Read the full article here
