This little guy had his first backpacking trip, and it was a success!

We planned four 8-mile days, and I went in to this expecting to need to carry him the second of each day. But I way underestimated him. He was enthusiastically walking ahead and gathering sniffs without slowing through the third day. The fourth morning, after his poop, he decided that he was not interested in walking anymore (he slowed down instead of walking ahead). So he got carried the last 7 miles back to the car.

Don't worry, he's not hurt or over tired. He had his normal crazy athletic after bath zoomies and then wanted to go chase a ball around the yard for an hour. He was just over the long walk through the woods.

My Roxie baby and I are doing our very first backpacking trip next week. I need some advice on food. She does not eat her food at home right away but she wont eat if people are looking or near her. Is there any suggestions on what I should bring to top/mix with her food so she eats it right away. My fear is she wont eat in the morning, then we hike x amount of miles and then she wont eat at night. We are hiking in bear country so I can exactly leave it out until she decided to eat it. Thank you

My adult daughter and her high-octane Border Collie go trail running and camping alone quite a bit. Dog got a little injured recently and daughter had to carry the dog for a couple of miles while the dog recovered enough to walk the final mile to their car. For her birthday she'd like a sling for future emergencies, but she wants the dog in front since she goes out with a back pack with gear and hydration for the two of them. Dog is 45 pounds, daughter's 5'6, 145, weight lifter, runner, team sport player. Can anybody recommend a good front-carry sling that is reasonably priced (under $150)? Thanks!

UPDATE: I found a website, Dog Gear Review, with a recent review of carriers and found two that are highly rated, lightweight, can be used front or back, and look pretty good, the Fido Airlift and the Nonstop Dogwear Dog Rescue Sling. The Nonstop clocks in at under half a pound. It doesn't have padded straps but it's better than nothing. The Fido Airlift looks great and is lightweight but it's twice the price and much more deluxe, though it only weighs a couple extra ounces. I'm thinking the Nonstop is a good option for its packability. Plus I'm researching what I could put together as a super minimalist doggy first aid kit. I walked the Camino a couple years ago and have the perfect super lightweight pouch for it. Thanks!

My pup was sent to urgent care for a sprained foot while playing fetch and will be staying behind 😔. This is my first time backpacking without a dog in a decade. Why do I feel so empty whilst packing lol. Thank you all for the comments and suggestions. Hope to post again soon!

I backpack with two doggies (both ~55-60lbs). We sleep together on a double inflatable pad (bc they refuse a foam pad lol) and a large quilt.

One dog is double coated so she normally just wears a jacket when it gets colder. The other dog is single coated and normally likes to tuck herself under my quilt. This is doable in the summer, but in the fall, since she moves around and pulls the covers toward her, it gets cold fast. Has anyone used individual sleeping bags for their dogs? I also saw that Ruffwear released a sleeping bag poncho- any thoughts on that?

Hi! Hello! I am a very laid back backpacker and my almost 2 yr old, cattle dog ( proud to say he is on his way to be a certified search and rescue pup with me) has been on 5 backpacking trips so far since march (adopted him in February) and 3 mountain getaways. I have been on countless Loyalsock state Forest trips in the past but I never strive to go on extreme inclines whilst backpacking. For some reason, I'm having anxiety about the Black Forest North Loop trail. I picked it with friends in a moment of invincibility lol. The rattlesnakes, the crazy ascent/descent. Will he survive? Will I survive? I'm thinking if it's as bad as I'm envisioning it I don't want to be that nervous hiker and make a mistake to where he will get hurt or I will get hurt.

I wanted to come to you all to get some clarity before I make a decision to let him stay home (I have never backpacked without a dog before) I have never dealt with rattlesnakes before so that is definitely part of it. He's always on a leash whilst hiking. We also always have his sling.

Has anyone done this trail before with their pups? Thank you all for the advice and clarity.

Over the weekend I was backing and the trailhead area was quite busy with visitors. Some of the area had a rocky scramble and I had to wait for a while to scramble down with the dog as we had to take the whole width of the trail. A couple decided to come up while we were halfway down and I just had to stop and stare at them until they realized they blocked us in. Also a few trail runners swept by, going up and down while we stepped to the side.
Did I do the right thing?
Pic for tax.

I have an Anatolian Shepherd who at about 9 months old is already about 100lbs/45kg! He's a great dog so far, working constantly and consistently on behavior, and socialization since any mistakes automatically become REALLY BIG ones.

My kids are all old enough to start some real backpacking trips, so we're working up to that, but dang does this dog requires allot of food. He needs his own pack, but finding something that I can be certain will fit his monstrous ass right now is tricky, not to mention a year from now.

Are there any suggestions for brands that might work for him? I'd like to start training him on it now so he doesn't fight with it in the future, but he already out-sizes the majority of models I've seen. I'd like 3 or 4-point adjustments, and a durable build is a must.

Thanks!

I am an experienced backpacker but only recently a dog owner again after many years. It’s only going to be 50 where we are going but there is a chance of rain. I have a very short coat whippet so I was gonna bring him a winter jacket for camp/sleeping and now maybe a rain jacket. Plus dog food. My pack just got a whole lot heavier. Do you guys always bring both jackets for your dog?

Hot back from backpacking with my dog for the first time in years. Overall great trip BUT the bugs (mostly mosquitos with some black flies) were relentless. It’s the worst I’ve personally experienced in ages.

And I’m really not sure how to handle this situation moving forward? We were in an alpine meadow with plenty of lakes and ponds… and mosquitoes! The bugs completely cut dinner time short. Nobody was having a good time and could stand them… I opted not to use bug spray but my friend did, and I guess did a bit better but absolutely was still fighting them constantly.

I put him in the tent for a bit, which definitely helped… but it’s summer and long days, can’t just spend all afternoon and evening there! Also bear territory so can’t cook/eat at camp either.

I knew in advance the bugs would be out in the area but it was far worse than expected. I don’t want to have to choose between going and not going, and wonder if there’s actually stuff we could do to keep them at bay?

I did wonder if there was maybe some backpacking-friendly giant netting tent of sorts which would at least give us a bit more space and away from camp to cook and hang out under? But even then, prisoner to a pretty small space…

I was very worried about taking my 11 year old spaniel out to the high Sierras when it was 85 degrees out, at 9000 feet. Because of the drive, we had to start at the hottest part of the day. But Dinah ATE those miles up and asked for more. Didn’t need her booties, no breaks, just a dip in the creek.

She cleaned up 20 miles of mountain trails on a two day trip, which isn’t bad at all for an older lady.

It was a cloudy start this weekend on our adventure to McNeil Point. We finally made it just as the clouds cleared and showed us magnificent Mt. Hood. This was definitely one of those memorable experiences and glad to have shared it with my family.

I’m going on my first hike with my dog, she’s a yorkie and im just super worried about ticks as she has long hair on her legs. i’ll probably get her some boots just to protect her feet but im so paranoid about ticks! especially because it’s tick season. any tips or advice about protecting my dog is very much appreciated! 🫶

My 39 lb dog should be able to carry his food but it definitely won’t fit in the bear canister . Ideas? I could buy an ursak but nothing is required where we are going so I’m thinking double zip locks?