Dogs have been in the spotlight these past few days with the world fresh from celebrating International Dog Day. Social media was abuzz with photos and videos of dogs and puppies. Even celebrities took the back seat and let their furry friends grab all the attention. They deserve it really. The dogs, I mean.
Many dog parents owe their sanity to their pets. Months of being cooped up at home and worrying about an invisible foe will do something to your head. Thanks to their dogs, many pet owners had something to do to take their minds off what was happening around them. They have someone to talk to, in a way, and hang out with. Many probably developed a deeper bond with their dogs during this pandemic.
Now that the country has reopened, it may be time to reward your pet by taking him on an outdoor adventure. Both of you definitely need the time outside. However, you have to take every precaution there is since there is no coronavirus vaccine still. Read up on these tips on backpacking with dogs before heading out with your canine companion.
Find the Right Trail
You’ll find that not all trails in National Parks allow dogs. The best way to know is to ask the park or ranger station. Give them a ring or send an email first before proceeding to the park. It would be annoying to go through all the trouble of preparing and traveling only to be told you can’t bring your dog along the trail.
Try searching for dog-friendly trails in national forests and wilderness areas. Check out the Bureau of Land Management Holdings, as well. They usually allow dogs.
Once you find a dog-friendly trail, do a bit more research on the place. Check the terrain if it’s something you and your dog can do. You don’t want difficult terrain especially since you and your dog haven’t been active in months.
See if there is access to water. If there’s none, you’ll be forced to carry water for both you and your dog. You’ll want a trail that has access to shade, too. When it gets too hot, your dog may burn his paws. Both of you may also suffer from dehydration and heat stroke.
Vaccinate Your Dog
Your dog should be up-to-date with his vaccines. When you’re out there, there is a chance you may encounter wild animals like coyotes. It’s also possible that water sources are contaminated so he needs the extra protection vaccines can give. Since you guys are the vet for his shots, might as well ask if your dog is healthy enough to go backpacking with you.
Get Some Training
You and your dog have seen little of the outside world this year, I assume. That means you rarely got to exercise. Since it’s now allowed to go out. You may want to get a bit of training and build your endurance before your backpacking adventure.
You may need a few weeks to strengthen your stamina. Start by doing some walking or light jogging with your dog. Gradually introduce hiking on uneven terrain. You may even want to do some swimming in between so you guys will be ready in case you need to wade or swim through a rushing stream or river.
Boost Immunity
Whether you’re backpacking with dogs or not, you have to strengthen your immune system. You’re better equipped to fight off the coronavirus if you’re healthy. The same goes for your dog.
Start by eating healthy. Include a healthy dose of Vitamin C-rich foods such as citrus fruits, berries, tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, bell peppers, and Brussels sprouts. Complement your diet with proper rest and exercise. Top it off with immune boosters just to be sure.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Crv3dUd40YI
Isagenix has a number of products that help improve one’s health. The Immune Shake Booster, in particular, comes with immune health-supporting ingredients such as the Wellmune beta-glucan along with maitake, poria, and reishi mushrooms. Simply add one scoop to your shake to get some of those immune-boosting goodness.
Once you’re out, you can still give your immune system a boost with the Isamune® With Zinc Daily Immunity Support Spray. Just spray into your mouth whenever you need a little support from a combination of immune-building ingredients including reishi mushroom, bilberry, blueberry, colostrum, echinacea, and zinc.
Antioxidants are also known to be beneficial to the immune system. A fast and easy way to get more antioxidants in you is by drinking them. Chef V makes highly nutritious organic protein shakes, detox soups, and its popular Green Drinks. Chef V’s Green Drink is made of organic leafy greens including black kale and green kale, which are known antioxidants. Other ingredients are green chard, collard greens green leaf lettuce, dandelion greens, and curly parsley. The Green Drink not only helps the immune system, it also improves digestion, provides a boost of energy, reduces cravings for sugar and junk, and helps weight loss.
As for your dog, strengthen his immune system by providing a balanced diet, proper hydration, enough exercise, and nutritional supplements. You both need to build up your immunity so that you’re better protected once you go backpacking.
Prepare Your Backpacking Gear
What You Will Need
Let’s start with your attire. Wear layers of lightweight synthetic clothes. Start with a polyester or nylon short-sleeved shirt and pants or shorts. Merino wool is also a good fabric. For the top layer, wear a long-sleeved shirt.
The rest of your outfit will depend on the weather. If it’s wintertime, wear a synthetic jacket. Use a rain jacket during rainy season. Oh and don’t forget your sunglasses, gloves, socks, hiking shoes, and underwear. You’ll also need a change of base layer clothes.
For your backpacking gear, first you’ll need a backpack. Choose one that is sturdy, lightweight, spacious, and has lot of storage options. Some basic backpacking gear includes a tent, sleeping bag, and sleeping pad. It’s important to have a decent shelter to protect you from the elements. Remember, three hours without shelter in harsh climate and you’re a goner.
Aside from your shelter and sleeping gear, you need ways to stay warm and dry. Pack thermal blankets, poncho, and a tarp. Garbage bags will also be useful in keeping your gear dry.
You’ll want a hot meal and coffee to start your day. Bring a camping stove and cookset. The BioLite CampStove 2 comes with a FlexLight with 100 lumens of brightness and a 2600 mAh battery that can be used to charge your phone and other small devices.
Oh, you can use it to cook and boil water, too. The set includes a portable grill with cover. After a day of hiking, you can reward yourself and your pet dog with a slab of newly cooked juicy meat each. The BioLite KettlePot, which also comes with the set, is perfect for making hot coffee.
Some of the tools you shouldn’t leave behind are a flashlight, headlamp, camping lantern, pocket knife, multi-tool, waterproof matches, lighter, fire starter, signal mirror, compass, emergency whistle, and paracord.
Some of the devices you’d want to take with you include your phone, a powerbank, and a solar charger. You can install GPS on your smartphone but you could use a separate GPS tracker. Try the Garmin inReach Mini GPS Satellite Communicator. This little tough guy can show you downloadable maps, charts and other images you may need while backpacking.
Other backpacking items that you should have include a hygiene kit, toiletries, and, of course, food and water. Some optional ones that may come in handy are trekking poles and bear spray.
What Your Dog Will Need
Since you’re backpacking with dogs, you’ll need to pack supplies and gear for your pet. Start by getting him his own bag. The Outward Hound Lightweight Dog Backpack is a popular choice among dog owners. The day pack can hold the essentials when you take your dog out for a walk. It’s also good enough for hiking or backpacking thanks to its durable and breathable mesh material. You may want to get the large one so your dog can carry his food and other necessities.
Speaking of dog food, consult your veterinarian on what kind and how much food and treats, your dog will need during your trip. It’s important to bring more than what he usually eats at home since your dog will be using up more energy than usual.
You should consider keeping it in a bear-proof canister if you’re backpacking through bear country. If you don’t want to deal with bears, make sure you find a trail that’s not known for grizzly sightings.
Even if you’re out in the open, you need to put a leash on your pooch. Your playful and curious pet may need to be controlled at times, especially when you’re in unfamiliar territory. Without a leash and proper training, your dog may run away and get lost. He can also get in contact with thorny or poisonous plants. Worse, he encounters and roughs it out with a wild animal. In such a scenario, he can either get hurt or infected with ticks or some disease.
Don’t forget to put on his ID tag. Make sure the tag is up-to-date. In case you get separated and someone finds him, they can track you down and return your pet.
Other backpacking gear for your dog includes a collapsible bowl so your pet doesn’t have to eat from the ground and a water bottle for quick water breaks. The Lesotc Pet Water Bottle is designed for dogs to have a drink easily and without wasting precious water.
Bring a first aid kit for you and your dog. The Tender Corp Adventure Dog Series Medical Kit Trail Dog from Adventure Medical Kits includes items for treating wounds and sprains. It also comes with a tick and splinter remover, hydrogen peroxide, antihistamine, and a first aid manual for pets.
Even if you’re prepared to treat your pet for sprains and wounds, you should still put dog booties on him. He needs the booties to protect his paws from sharp rocks, thorny plants, scorching hot surfaces, and snow.
Other items you need to bring when backpacking with dogs include a dog coat, separate towels for cleaning muddy paws and drying fur, nail clippers with file, and their favorite toy.
Backpackers don’t normally wear a mask. How times have changed. Now, you’re supposed to wear a face mask whenever you go out. If your loved one’s safety is concerned, I don’t know why you would take the risk and not wear a face mask. Just put it on and be on the safe side. It’s that simple.
The N95 respirator is your best protection against COVID-19 aside from self-quarantine, social distancing, and frequent handwashing. The cone-shaped N95 mask that is available on Survival Frog is approved by the NIOSH.
The N95 respirator may be a tad pricey these days. Plus, medical professionals and volunteers need them more so the supply may not look too good. Your best option other than a surgical mask is a cloth face mask like the Pirates Will Be Pirates Face Mask from Redbubble. The washable mask is made of two layers of polyester-spandex fabric.
Use activated carbon filter with your cloth face mask for extra protection. The PM2.5 filter is made of two outer layers of anti-stick cloth, two layers of filtering cloth, and one layer of activated carbon.
Some Tips When Backpacking with Dogs
So you’re off to go backpacking with your dog. You’re both in fine physical health. Your packs are ready. But are you truly ready? Even with all the preparations, you can’t dismiss the possibility that something wrong might happen. You should also prepare for this.
Hike Early
It’s not wise to start your backpacking trip late in the day. Why you ask? Well for one thing, it would be too hot. Start early in the morning so you can cover more ground before the sun is in its full glory. It’s also a good idea to reach a good spot to spend the night before it gets dark.
Filter Your Water
In case you run out of drinking water, don’t drink water from a stream or pond directly. Filter it first. Always bring a personal water filter whenever you go outdoors. In case you get lost or stranded, you just need to find a water source and use your filter to drink safely.
The LifeStraw Personal Water Filter is one of the most popular in its field. It can filter up to 99.99% of bacteria, parasites and fine particles. However, you shouldn’t let your dog use your filter. Besides, I don’t think dogs can drink from that.
You need the Katadyn Vario Dual Technology Microfilter. This small yet amazing device can filter two liters of water in just one minute. That’s more than enough for you and your dog every time you need a water break.
Freeze Your Water
The day or night before your hike, put your water bottle or hydration bladder in the freezer. Don’t fill it to the brim, though. Come morning, the water should be frozen. It will gradually melt and leave you with cold water as you go on with your day. You will have less water since it takes more space when frozen. You should bring extra water and your filter.
Keep Cool
Even if you choose a trail with lots of shade, it can still get too hot for comfort. Aside from frequent water breaks and resting under a shade, you should find other ways to stay cool.
Make your dog wear a cooling vest like the Canada Pooch Chill Seeker Dog Cooling Vest. If you prefer him to keep his pack on, you can use a cooling cat instead.
As for you, wear headgear such as a hat or bandana. You can soak the bandana in clean water before wearing it on your head or draping it over your nape if it gets really hot.
Wear sunscreen. It will protect your skin from the UV rays and help prevent dehydration. Remember the last time you had sunburn? Agonizing, right? Don’t be stubborn and bring a sunscreen to your backpacking trip. As a wise man once said, “Everybody’s free to wear sunscreen.”
Leave No Trace
If you or your dog needs to go, make sure you don’t leave anything for other people to see or step on. Bring poop bags and a scoop for your dog’s excrement. Never leave your poop bag behind even if you promise yourself to pick it up on your way back.
Another option is to bury the poop. Bring a foldable shovel so you can dig a hole at least 200 feet from the trail when the need arises. When it comes to pee, pull your dog to a spot away from the trail, too. Don’t let him urinate near a water source.
Hiking or backpacking with dogs is one activity that every dog owner should do at least once in their lifetime. This is one experience you and your furry friend will likely never forget. Follow Gentleman Pirate Club if you want to know more about backpacking and other outdoor activities you can do with or without a dog.
