Summertime is undoubtedly one of the most popular seasons for hiking. Those of us who hike with our pups need to be cognizant of the temperature and know how to keep a dog cool in hot weather. According to the Washington State Animal Response Team (WASART), some of the most frequent calls[...]
Hiking with a dog that has leash reactivity can be extremely frustrating. From owners who do not obey leash laws to those who allow their dogs off leash with no recall, finding safe spaces to enjoy the outdoors with your dog takes work, skill, and planning. Other dog owners may tell you[...]
You got a new dog! Woo hoo! How very exciting. Dog socialization is probably pretty high on your to do list for this new pup. In fact, it’s on my list of things to do after you get a new dog. Maybe you’re thinking that you need to take your dog to the dog park daily, invite[...]
In 2017, a fire ripped through the Columbia River Gorge, leaving 153 hikers stranded overnight six miles into the Eagle Creek Trail. After this happened, there was a lot of talk about the importance of bringing along the 10 essentials for hiking. You just never know what might happen when[...]
We’re just entering fall in the Pacific Northwest, which means the rainy weather isn’t all that far away. Hiking in the rain scares off a lot of people, however I don’t mind. If I waited until the rain stopped, I wouldn’t go outside for five months. So, it’s just something I accept so[...]
After returning to the Pacific Northwest once we finished our bicycle trip, I wanted to take the opportunity to better explore the region where I grew up. One weekend, Dave was in Portland and I was itching to hike. I didn’t feel like asking around to find a hiking partner the night[...]
If you want to start a heated conversation among dog owners, just ask about their encounters with other dogs on the trail. Hiking with dogs comes with a set of responsibilities that some simply do not understand or just choose to ignore. I’ve been there. When I first became a new[...]
You may be surprised to learn that your favorite hikes may contain several common plants, insects, and other parasites that are toxic to dogs. Before you head out on the trail, be sure you understand which are poisonous, especially if you’re hiking away from home in an unknown area. The[...]
Few of us care to admit when we start to notice signs of aging in our senior dogs. I know I denied the inevitability in Sora as she became older (pro tip: blue merle dogs really hide the gray!) However, if your dog is healthy, in good shape, and still has plenty of energy, there is[...]
Sometimes, ok, often, I do this often, I drive myself crazy trying to be the most sustainable version of myself I can. I research for hours and hours about best products. I try to factor in my veganism. Is the vegan version less harmful or the animal version? And now I do the same for the[...]
Most adventure dog parents I know or associate with are fairly savvy when it comes to the principles of leave no trace. For those who have never heard of them, they are seven sets of guidelines created by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics that provide direction to enjoy time[...]
No matter how long we walk our dogs in the parking lot or around the trail head before starting off on a hike, they will inevitably poop just far enough away from the start (and therefore trash can) that it’s exactly too far to pick it up and jog back to toss out. So what do we do? While[...]
I never used to be much of one for spring. It’s not that I don’t like to welcome the warmer weather, I think it’s more that it feels like it takes a long time to arrive. The thought of spring makes one think about warm weather and sunshine, but that’s not really the case in the Northwest[...]
Getting outdoors in the winter is not easy. It’s dark. It’s cold. And if you live in the Pacific Northwest, it’s raining. However, there are plenty of great reasons to get outside and foster a love of outdoor winter activities with your dog. Last winter, I embraced the gray days and[...]
I’ve been scheming this post for a few months now. After publishing New Year resolutions to include with your dog, I knew I could expand that list to create an adventure dog challenge. When Sora died, so many of you reached out and told me how much our adventures together inspired[...]
I genuinely believed that Sora would live to be at least 15. I know we all think our dogs will live to a ripe old age, but with her, I saw how much life she still possessed. I took note of the frequency of her zoomies, the speed at which she would chase after Laila, the voracity with[...]