So we do a lot of day trips/half day trips to different nature escapes in the Midwest. This is a list of must haves while traveling with your pup! Hiking with a dog can be easy if you prepare for it.
1. Backpack
You need something that will be comfortable while walking/hiking, but large enough to hold all the necessary items for a successful day. Traveling with dogs never seems light.
Olive’s Backpack Choice – This black and gold north face. I’ve had this for about 5 years now and it barely looks used. It’s easily washable (I’ve made quite a few falls into the mud and it always comes clean).
Fern’s Backpack Choice – Whichever backpack you can get on sale at T.J. Maxx. I love a good bargain.
2. Pen/Highlighter
This is always nice to have when going to a state park or a new nature escape. We love to use the physical map provided at entry and highlight the trails we are hoping to go on. We mark the trails that are dog friendly before we leave the car.
Olive’s Pen & Highlighter Choices – I am a bit picky about my office supplies. I love the zebra sarasa fineliner pens and the zebra midliner highlighters.
Fern’s Pen & Highlighter Choices – Whatever I can find in the bottom of my backpack or the center counsel in the car.
3. Dog Treats
Hiking takes a lot of effort. If you have ever finished a hike and felt hungry, think about our four legged friends. We always make sure to have a treat for the pups when we stop to eat ourselves.
Olive’s Dog Treat Choice – Olive’s pup prefers hot dogs and pepperoni as a treat.
Fern’s Dog Treat Choice – A dentastick and a mini bag of kibble. Fern’s dog think dentasticks are the best treat ever.
4. Dog Bowl
Whenever we travel with our dogs, we want to make sure they stay hydrated as well. Olive’s & Fern’s Travel Dog Water Bowl. This is great because it folds up and can click onto our backpacks using the attached carabiner.
5. Dog Seatbelt
Our dogs seatbelts have been a game changer when it comes to driving day trips. They easily connect to the collars and makes sure the dogs are safe during the traveling portion of the day.
Olive’s Seatbelt – I have the Vastar 2 Pack Seatbelt and it works well! I can tighten and loosen it as needed so my dog is as comfortable as possible.
Fern’s Seatbelt – I prefer the iBuddy Dog Seatbelt that wraps around the headrest and uses a carabiner to connect to the dog’s collar. It is a flexible seatbelt so she can move to get comfortable, but cannot make it to the front seat.
6. Dog Harness
Fern does not leave the house without a harness on her dog. She is silently judging every dog owner who does not use the freedom no pull harness with a martingale collar. Whatever harness you use, we highly suggest a harness and collar for hiking trips.
7. Extra Leash
Fern’s rule is to always travel with an extra dog leash. Dog leashes can break and if you have a pup who chews, they can chew through a leash in a matter of seconds. We recommend leaving an extra leash in your hiking backpack.
Love the highlighter idea! Also completely agree on a spare leash! I always take spare slip leash so if there’s a problem with a leash, a collar or finding any lost dogs, I can grab them without any worry!
Great tips! I used love going hiking with my dog but he’s too old for big walks now. Lovely post.
Very smart list. I know I’m going to need this one day. Thanks for sharing!
We have been out of practice with bringing a pet on our outings. Now we can be prepared when we welcome a new family member.
Such a great list! I love outdoor adventures with my pup. I always use a seatbelt, but didn’t think of an extra leash. Great tips! Thanks for sharing!
I enjoy going for a hike with my German Shephard, He is so agile and strong that I sweat more controlling him than hiking. By the way, I appreciate your tips for hiking with a dog.
Greta suggestions. Some of these items I haven’t thought to bring in the past, like an extra leash or a pen or highlighter. I especially love the contrast between some of Olive and Fern’s suggestions – made me smile lol.
I never would have thought to travel with an extra leash, but that makes total sense! Why have a really uncomfortable walk back to the car when you could just attached another leash!
This is a great list! We always bring dog treats and a water dish in a backpack when we go hiking with our pup. Thanks for sharing!
I didn’t know there was such a thing as dog seatbelts!
I do all of these things when I hike with Parker except being a highlighter for the map. I am a big fan of the Gentle Head Leash. I also bake homemade peanut butter pumpkin dog biscuits which are great for hikes.
Great tips for hiking with a dog! I’d love to get a dog to join me on my hikes one day. Saving for when I do! 🙂
Love this! Nothing better than a good long hike in nature with a pupper!
A hunger attack after a long hike is for real. It makes it necessary to feed the dogs as well. Good point.
Great ideas, love the collapsible water bowl. I actually sometimes use those for camping for myself for food. So light and easy to pack
My parents just got a new dog and I’d love to take him on a hike! Thanks for the tips!
Love the idea of a dog seatbelt! I had no idea they existed. And the rest of the list is super useful. I will share with all my friends who have dogs.
Great list! I’m hoping to get a puppy soon, so this is super helpful. A dog dish so they can always drink water is so important!
This is a super helpful list! I would never have thought about bringing a pen or a highlighter. I don’t have a pup yet but one day this may come in handy.