Backpacking With Dogs: Most Frequently Asked Questions
Few things go together better than dogs and the outdoors, which is why it’s natural for most dog-loving backpackers to want to include their furry friend on their next wilderness trek. However, planning your first outing can be overwhelming as there are so many additional things to carry and plan for!
If you are hoping to start backpacking with your pup, then have no fear! In this article, we’ll break down the answers to the most commonly asked questions by those who are new to backpacking with dogs.
Preparing to Backpack With a Dog
A quick note from me, the editor (Emory…)
This article was put together by Bailey Bremner. She’s a wealth of knowledge when it comes to backpacking with dogs and has many miles underfoot (and paw) to show for it. Heed her words and advice as you prepare for your outing with your own dog. Doing so will put you AND your bestie in a great position for a grand adventure. You can learn more about Baily and her background at the end of the article.
How do I get my dog ready to sleep in the wilderness?
The common solution to many dog-related problems is typically to “start slow” and this one is no different. Rather than jumping right into a week-long, remote backpacking trip with your furry friend, it is usually a good idea to get them used to the tent first and build up from there. Many new backpackers report good success setting up their tent in the living room for the dog to check out, then spending a night camping in the backyard before going on an overnight car camping trip. Once your dog has demonstrated that they are a tent pro, try out a short backpacking trip close to home before branching out to longer trips. Also, keep in mind that many dogs will be tuckered out after a day of hiking, so will likely be better behaved when backpacking.
What commands should my dog know?
You will get many opinions on which commands are necessary for hiking with a dog. These are just a few suggestions that can be useful in a variety of situations. Some things to take into account are 1) that many people use different words to teach the same behavior or command and 2) be sure to spend some time building duration, distance, and reliability with distractions so that your dog will react appropriately when confronted with new, interesting circumstances.
“Stop”: This command could be a sit, down, or stand depending on your preference. “Stand” may be better for delicate dogs, such as a Greyhound, while dogs who are more likely to move may benefit from down. Of course, you can always teach all three.
“Stay”: Your dog should be able to stay or wait where you tell them to.
“With me” or “heel”: Having the option to have your dog walk next to or immediately behind you is important for staying safe on multi-use trails, when encountering wildlife, and in many other situations.
“Watch me”: Inappropriate eye contact is often interpreted as a challenge by many animals, including predators and other dogs. Being able to have your dog look at you on command can be helpful for preventing confrontations and can also be used to stop your dog from offering a different, inappropriate behavior.
How should I train my dog so that they are in shape for the trail?
The old adage that says “the best way to get in shape for hiking is to hike” applies to dogs as well. Basically, just be sure to include your dog in all of your training hikes or other similar training activities. If you have been exercising without your dog or are more fit than your dog due to other circumstances, be sure to scale back for a few weeks. Dogs are more likely to hide their discomfort and pain so it’s important to start off slow and build up over a few weeks at a minimum. A great thing to remember is that if you are sore after a backpacking trip, your dog likely is as well. If your dog is young, old, has a medical condition, or you are just worried, consider consulting your veterinarian as well as a certified professional canine fitness trainer for help.
Does my dog need boots?
For the large majority of dogs, the best thing you can do is try to build up the calluses on their feet. Walking on pavement, gravel, and rocky terrain throughout the week will help to toughen up your pup’s paw pads naturally. Like most things on this list, take it slow to start so that they don’t accidentally get raw pads or another injury!
There are several products on the market that can help with the process of toughening up your dog’s feet. One of the most common and popular is a paw wax, such as Musher’s Secret, that is applied to the foot. The salve works to heal cracks and nicks without softening the pad too much. Because of this, make sure you either buy a dog-specific product or use a beeswax-based bar. Products like bag balm and vaseline can soften the pads too much, leading to further injury.
Another option is Tuff Foot, a tincture spray that helps keep infections at bay and dry out the feet. If you aren’t seeing the desired results with a paw wax, this could be something else that you can try.
Now even though your dog hopefully doesn’t need boots, it is still a good idea to bring some along for a variety of reasons. Some dogs genetically have delicate feet and even the toughest dog can have an accident in the backcountry. Dog boots are very useful for protecting your dog’s feet from thorns, snow, hot pavement, and highly abrasive surfaces such as lava rock. Boots can also be used to cover and protect wounds in an emergency until you are able to get your dog to the vet.
Backpacking Gear for Dogs
What gear does my dog need?
You are probably going to groan when reading this answer for the millionth time in this article, but the answer is “it depends”. One of the reasons so many people love dogs is how variable they are in size, coat length, and temperament. Besides that, there are so many places to hike and explore that conditions will absolutely impact what gear your pup needs to stay comfortable. While below you will find some suggestions on gear to bring, it’s a good idea to think about how you can adapt the 10 essentials to your dog and what items can be shared between the two (or more) of you.
Leash, collar, poop bags, lightweight bowl, paw wax, boots, vet wrap, gauze pads, Rimadyl or emergency prescription pain medications from your vet, extra water capacity, cut down sleeping pad, copy of rabies certificate
Optional/Dog Dependent Items: dog pack, coat, umbrella, toy, blanket or dog sleeping bag, emergency carry sling
Should my dog wear a pack?
Some dogs enjoy or at the very least don’t seem to mind wearing a pack. Others might do fine with a pack in some situations and some pups either don’t like carrying a pack or physically shouldn’t be putting the extra strain on their joints. The important takeaway with this question is to keep in mind that dogs shouldn’t be forced to wear a weighted pack just to “carry their weight” or contribute. If they run around and are having a lot of fun, great! Just remember that dogs can’t verbally tell us if they don’t want to do something so if they seem like they aren’t enjoying it it’s best to either carry everything for them or leave them at home.
How much weight can they carry?
Currently, there is not any scientifically-backed research outlining how much weight a dog can safely carry. That said, most veterinarians recommend between 10-25% as being a safe amount. Keep in mind that the majority of dogs will fall closer to 10% with 25% being more appropriate for draft-type breeds such as St. Bernards, Rottweilers, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. Regardless of the breed, always be sure to start out with an empty pack, slowly add weight so your dog can adjust, and make sure that the saddlebags are equally weighted. The pack shouldn’t restrict shoulder movement nor place too much strain on the middle of the back.
What do I do with my dog at camp if they can’t be off-leash?
Dogs should always be kept on a leash where regulations require physical control of the dog and/or when the dog does not have a 100% reliable recall with the many distractions found in the wilderness. For those scenarios, there are a variety of options for keeping both you and your pup sane in camp. If hiking with at least one other human, someone can hold the leash while setting up the tent which can then be used as containment if you need a break. Another option for those hiking solo is to bring a tie-out system such as the Ruffwear knot-a-hitch or by tying a long line to an extra tent stake.
Food and Water Considerations
What food should I feed?
If you are planning to be out in the backcountry for a week or less you can actually just keep your dog on their normal food, including both the type of food and amount. You would really only need to consider a change if planning a longer trip, such as a thru-hike, or if you normally feed food that requires refrigeration. For dogs that normally eat raw food at home, consider switching to a comparable dehydrated food in the backcountry.
Should I switch to dehydrated for a weekend trip?
This will really depend on your dog, your budget, and how much weight you are willing to carry. While dehydrated foods tend to weigh less and be easier to pack, they also are much more expensive and require water. On the flip side, carrying enough kibble to feed a large breed dog can be a challenge for some owners. If you are really worried about the weight but are limited by budget or sensitive stomachs, consider trying a mix of the two.
Should I increase how much I feed?
Most dogs that are out for a week or less should be fine to eat the same amount as at home.
Does my dog need snacks?
While training treats are always ideal to reward good behaviors, snacks to keep up energy are not necessary for most dogs.
Should I filter my dog’s water?
The answer to this question will primarily depend on your risk tolerance. Most veterinarians advocate for filtering all of your water; however, many experienced backpackers allow their dogs to drink from free-flowing streams and report few problems with giardia. It’s always good to err on the side of caution if you are worried, but be sure to bring a filter with a fast flow rate or use tablets if you do decide to filter everyone’s water all the time.
Closing Thoughts
When done right, backpacking with a dog can truly be one of the greatest joys in life! Hopefully, this article has answered some of the questions that you have, but if not you are welcome to ask in the comments below.
Bailey Bremner
I’m Bailey, also known as PseudoSloth on the trail! I have always enjoyed spending time outside but rediscovered my passion for hiking when I got my dogs, Skittles, and Prima, in 2014. Since then, we have hiked everywhere from the plains of Illinois to the glacial valleys of Alaska.
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