Dogs and the great outdoors go hand and paw! And for good reason. Being in the wilderness offers many great opportunities for both dogs and their owners to explore, which is great for both ends of the leash. It is a great way to spend time with your dog while you both reap the many benefits.
Spending time outside with your dog offers so many physical and mental benefits. And studies show that having a dog can get you outside to walk more often.
But don’t stop at walks alone! There are so many different outdoor activities that can be enriching for both you and your canine. It is important to consider activities you and your dog might enjoy and adequately prepare both ends of the leash for any new activities you want to explore.
You can explore many options, including camping, hiking, paddleboarding, and kayaking.
No matter the activities you want to try, preparation will make them much more enjoyable. Read below for some great tips and gear to help you better enjoy your time forging grand adventures with your dog in the great outdoors!
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Why Outdoor Activities Are Good For Dogs
Being outside also offers our dogs so many enrichment opportunities. Canine enrichment has become a big buzzword in the pet world. People immediately think of enrichment toys such as puzzle toys and snuffle mats. But enrichment means so much more than just feeding dogs in toys.
Vocabulary.com defines enrichment as “something more meaningful, substantial, or rewarding. Enrichment improves something.” In the animal world, we try to use enrichment to give animals opportunities to practice behaviors they would practice in their natural environment.
And there is nothing more natural than being outside! With so many visual, audio, physical, and olfactory enrichment opportunities, it can be an excellent outlet for your dog to experience limited activities when they are home on the couch.
And it is good for the human end of the lead, too! Health.com reports a wide range of reasons people should spend more time outside, ranging from better breathing to reduced depression.
But to be sure you reap the most benefits, having the right tools and training is essential to make your time outdoors as safe and stress-free as possible.
Today, we will look at some of the best tools to get you started. Soon, we will add articles exploring training to help you and your dog get the most out of your time outdoors.
What Can I Do With My Dog Outdoors?
There are so many dog-friendly outdoor activities. The trick is finding one that both you and your dog enjoy.
For instance, I love water activities, but I have one dog that will barely wade in the water, so we had to find something else for him to do. You can condition some dogs to enjoy activities they didn’t take to right away, but to start with, you want to pick an activity your dog will enjoy naturally.
Spend time in the forest
Hiking with your dog is a great activity to start with. Most everyone has access to hiking trails. You can start with easy paved trails, and as you and your dog build up your fitness level, you can tackle more terrain and add distance to your hikes. You can find trail ratings online to guide you. You also want to make sure you are finding trails that are dog-friendly. Hike With Your Dog has a database of trails that allow dogs.
Camping with your dog seems like a natural fit, too. But first, ask yourself: Do you like to camp? If not, adding the extra responsibility of a dog probably won’t change your perspective. But if you love it, with a little training, it is a great activity to share with your four-legged friend.
Activities for dogs that love water
Swimming is a great way for a dog to keep cool on hot summer days. But not all dogs are natural swimmers. If your dog does like to swim, water retrieves are a great way to tire it out while keeping it cool.
Kayaking, Paddleboarding, and surfing are great ways to spend time with your dog on the water once trained to stay calm and not literally rock the boat!
These are the best activities to start with. If you and your dog try these and decide you want to be true outdoor warriors, you can investigate activities like search and rescue, skijoring (your dog pulling you on skis), or even canine parkour! But just like with human fitness, start slowly to build up your dog’s stamina and see where it leads you.
Essential Gear To Get Before You Begin
Before your dog even steps a paw outside of your home, there are essential pieces of equipment you must have on hand (or on your dog).
Here is the essential gear you need before heading into the great outdoors. All of these are recommended even for short hikes:
Even if your dog is chipped, be sure they also wear an ID tag with a secure clamp on their collar or harness. The O-rings that come with most tags all too often get pulled off if they are caught on a tree. Alternatively, you can get a plate ID that slides on your dog’s collar. A physical ID tag will help anyone who finds your lost dog get in touch quickly.
No matter where you take your dog, bring poop bags. People often say, “The bears poop in the woods, so my dog can too.” The problem with that is the bears are eating things within the ecosystem. The nutrients in our dog’s waste are not native to this ecosystem and can negatively affect it. Read here for more information on this. Be a good steward. The more dog owners that pick up after our dogs, the more places they will be allowed to go!
And bring more than you think you will need. You can’t be sure there will be water sources where you are going, and even if there are, you can’t be assured it will be safe for your dog to consume. Some dogs with sensitive gastrointestinal tracts can experience adverse effects just from drinking water that differs from what they are used to processing. You can bring them their own water bottle. Or, if you want less to carry and have a water bladder for yourself, bring a collapsible bowl.
While some items may vary depending on where you like to go for adventures, several things should be in every first aid kit. These include bandages (including gauze and vet wrap), wound cleaner, and hydrogen peroxide. A premade kit will give you a great start that you can add to depending on your location and activity.
Do not rely on an Apple AirTag. These will only be effective inside the home network or near an iPhone or iPad. Tractive is a dog owner favorite and will track your dog in real time, so if your dog gets away from you, you can better narrow down your search area.
During your outdoor adventures, you want to be sure your dog gets plenty of opportunities to cool down. This includes lots of shade and water. But what happens if you can’t find shade and your dog needs to cool off? Soak a Cooling Vest by KYEESE in water, and it can help cool them down while you find shade.
5 Essential Core Gears for Hikes
A little pre-planning before you and your dog hit the trails can help to minimize issues you might run into on your adventure!
Bring tweezers (to remove smaller things like thorns), needle nose pliers (in case there’s a run in with a porcupine), and a flea comb to remove bugs or burrs in your First Aid Kit.
Even if you are only planning a day hike, a headlamp is crucial in an emergency. If you get lost or hurt and it gets really dark in the woods, this will enable you to see your surroundings. In fact, make sure to pack a waterproof safety light for your dog like this rechargeable light by Ruffware, which will help you keep track of your dog’s location in the dark.
If your dog gets injured and cannot walk, can you carry him to safety? If not, you need to pack a rescue harness. These tools allow you to carry your dog slinged on your back. This can be risky for your back, so you want to be sure when you select a harness with features like thicker shoulder supports and a waist belt (to minimize slipping) like this harness to keep your discomfort minimal. Before investing in this product, it is also crucial to match your dog’s measurements with the product.
It’s not glamorous, but we must not leave anything behind as responsible hikers and dog owners—even our dog’s poop. There are a few ways to do this, but my favorite is this smell proof container that attaches to your dog’s leash.
Don’t ever spray your dog with DEET products; for more information on why, check out this article by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. But they do need to be protected. You can talk to your vet about prevention, too, but for a great topical defense for your dog (and you!) Cedarcide Original Bug Spray, which repels bugs and scorpions too!
Additional Gear to Consider
Do an internet search or talk to other hikers online to determine the type of terrain and animals you might encounter on your hikes. This will help you determine if you need the following:
Hands-free bungee leash
If you are on uneven terrain, a waist leash will free up your hands for better balance, and you can even use hiking poles. This leash by Tuff Mutt features a bungee (so you don’t get pulled off your feet) and two emergency handles you can grab if you need extra control.
Bear Bells
You likely already have these if you hike a lot in Bear Country. If not, I love this bell with a magnetic silencer so it doesn’t make noise on the car ride to the trailhead.
Bear Spray
Bear sprays irritate dogs’ mucous membranes, so they should only be used as a last resort. However, if you are being approached by a bear, it may be necessary. Frontiersman has an easy-access holster and a 30-foot range, so you can spray toward the bear when it is further away.
You may be wondering about snake bite kits. They did not make the list because most veterinarians I checked with said they were ineffective. For more information read the ASPCA’s article on what to do if a snake bites your dog.
Top 5 Must-Haves for Camping With Your Dog
While most of the gear mentioned above can be helpful on camping trips with your pup, the following equipment will help make your campsite more pleasant and safe for your dog.
Dog Bed
The perfect dog bed to bring camping is waterproof and easy to clean. Ruffwear makes a great portable dog bed that compresses down for easy packing.
Temporary ID Tags
These write-on ID tags allow you to create a new tag when you go on a trip so that you can write your campground and site number. This info can speed up a reunion if your dog wanders off.
Dog Containment System
Keeping your dog safe and contained can be a challenge. You can put up an ex-pen. But my favorite option (which was recommended by several dog trainer friends) is the Knot-a-Hitch system which keeps your dog safely on leash while allowing more freedom and exploration. It works like a trolley system and is super easy to use. Bonus: you want to ensure your dog always has access to shaded areas. Ruff and Ruffus make pet playpens that offer UV protection so your dog can escape the sun when needed.
LED Collar
I always relied on my children’s LED shoes to quickly locate them while camping. I do the same with my dogs, only with their collar. I started with reflective collars, which were helpful to keep them visible to drivers when walking around the campground. But I prefer the higher visibility of light up collars. These are rechargeable too.
Dog Food Bin
Get an airtight container to store your dog’s food in to prevent moisture and pests from getting in. And make sure the lid is put on correctly each time.
Required Gear for Water Sports
There is a lot to consider before embarking on water sports. Will your dog like the water? Or will they like the water too much and keep jumping off your watercraft of choice? Before you start training for your water sport of choice, it is important to consider safety.
PFD
A personal floatation device is non-negotiable.My lab is a strong swimmer, but what if a current swept her away? She would try to swim back to me until she passed out. My favorite dog life jacket is this one by Outward Hound. They have my must-haves: handles to easily grab my dog and lift them back to safety and a neck float that helps to keep their head above water while swimming. It also has reflective strips to help with visibility in the dark.
Eye protection
This offers UV protection for your dog’s eye. With the reflection of the sun off of the water, it is more important to take this precaution when on the water. Rex Specs set the gold standard when it comes to dog eye protection. They are pricey because they are very sturdy, which is key when you are going on adventures with your dogs! They also have the best-fit options for a variety of breeds and sizes.
Non-slip traction mats
These mats can be cut down and have marine grade adhesive backing to stock on your kayak, surfboard or SUP board so your dog can feel secure with safe footing.
Dog-safe sunscreen
Yes, dogs can get sun damage. The lighter and thinner the coat, the more at risk they are. So invest in a sunscreen like Bodhi Dog Sunscreen.
Water
This has been mentioned above, but I will mention it again. Many people assume that their dog will just drink off the side of the boat. And they might. But you want to prevent ingestion of algae or other organisms by offering them fresh water on the boat.
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In Conclusion
When you are fully prepared, you will not regret embracing outdoor activities with your dog. The best outdoor dog gear can help prevent issues from becoming disasters.
Whether you want to hike the trails, swim in the water, or just sit by the campfire, the right tools will help you and your dog fully embrace all the wonders the great outdoors offers.
Please let us know if there is gear that has made your time outside with your dog more fun or even more manageable.
