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Dog Winter Hiking Gear
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Best Hiking Gear For Dogs To Join Your Outdoor Adventures
There are so many winter nerves that Daisy will cure for a walk around the block, and you and your four-legged friend are ready to get out and explore. However, everything outside the door was cold, wet and slippery.
Backcountry ski setup or snowshoe kit means you’re all set, but what about your dog? Do they like frolicking in the snow or are they more likely to curl up on the sofa? Nervous about taking your dog out on an adventure beyond the mailbox and back? We are here to help
Most dogs love snow and can’t wait to play – but let’s face it, if you adopt a pandemic puppy, they may never see snow. Maybe they are young, maybe they are used to the warm weather or the comfort of the sofa. You can get the dogs in the snow, but that doesn’t mean you can get them to play in it. Be prepared to start slow and increase your child’s exposure to the outdoors. Rex wouldn’t be ready for a 10 mile snowshoe trail if he didn’t enjoy getting his feet wet at the dog park.
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But trust us—once you and Fido are ready for the snowy wonder, there’s no better feeling in the world than watching them frolic through painful trails with big doggy smiles. We need more reasons to go outside and your dog (or dogs!) will give you a good reason. So whether you’re heading deep into the snow in the woods or heading out for a walk in the park, check out what you need to know and pack before heading out into the snow with your dog.
The best way to keep your dog out of harm’s way is to make sure you can fully transport him.
Champ and his girlfriend, Kai, are hiking in a snowy winter in Canada’s Yukon Territory, outside the First Nations town of Carcross.
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Skiing? Take an avalanche lesson to learn your terrain. Learn how to use your own gear safely and confidently—if you’re a beginner skier, don’t bring your dog with you. Do some practice on your own to make sure you know how to skin, transition and ski with confidence before you take on the furry life forms out there. (Our Introductory Guide to Backcountry Skiing talks more about this.)
If you are new to snowshoeing, learn how to use your snowshoes well enough to avoid stepping on your dog’s toes. Climbing a hill in the snow itself is one thing. it’s a whole new ball game when you introduce four-legged furry friends into the mix.
Above all, make sure you have the essentials with you. Flares, finders and shovels are essential, as are extra food and water rations. Make sure you have a map too—even a picture of the map on your phone can help you figure out where you are. If you’re having trouble with the snow, so is your companion, furry or human.
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Check to make sure you’re headed for a dog-friendly trail. Whether you plan to cross-country ski, snowshoe or winter hike, know the local rules.
Splitboarder Keenan Sullivan prepares to descend as Champ takes in the view of White Pass, British Columbia.
If you use groomed cross-country ski trails, make sure the trail system allows dogs. It’s hard to find groomed trails that allow you to cross-country ski with your dog. This is a list of some East Coast cross country ski trails that allow dogs.
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Some trails are strict about their no dogs policy and you should abide by those rules. For example, some trails outside of Boulder, Colorado, are closed to dogs seasonally, such as during raptor nesting season.
Most hiking trails require dogs to be leashed on the trail, and this rule doesn’t magically disappear when you’re skiing. Pick up your pup’s poop by wrapping it in a doggie waste bag, get an extendable leash, and lead by example! This also applies to backcountry ski areas.
Even if leashed dogs are allowed at your ski resort, be careful where you let Rover roam free—if you let them. Dogs are less likely to cause avalanches than humans, but they can still happen. If your dog isn’t too interested in pulling back, stick to the leash.
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When you’re ready to make some turns, be careful—some dogs (especially herding breeds) think it’s a good idea to attack the skis. (Spoiler: it’s not.) Friends of the author have a cattle/heel mix, Raider, who likes to bite your ankles as you slide down, and has been cut more than once due to his herding instincts. To acclimatize, his parents would send one down the hill and wait for the skier to call Raider to them. That way, he has a chance to break free and run up the hill without hurting himself or his parents—win-win!
However, dog injuries do happen out there. A colleague of the author works on Ski Patrol in the Pacific Northwest with his snow dog, Iggy. Although Iggy is a professional avalanche/search and rescue dog, he was recently injured by a sharp ski blade at work. Since it can happen to any dog, you should also carry a dog-specific first aid kit along with your human first aid kit. REI sells travel medical kits specifically for dogs that protect you and the dog! If you want to make your own, include bandages, vet wraps, Pawz rubber boots (good if there’s a leg injury and you still have to walk back to the car!), triple antibiotic ointment, and a collapsible dog bowl for emergency food and water necessity.
We’ll cover this in more detail in Step 2, but you need to pay attention to your dog’s needs. If they are panting, stop and give them water. When you stop, check their feet for icy bits stuck between their toes. Give them a place to sit or lie out of the snow—perhaps on one of your spare jackets or their own quilted blanket. If they’re wagging their tails or shivering, warm them up! The author’s dog, Champ, is good at this
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He wants to keep playing and running around in the snow, but he has a certain look he gives his mom when he’s about to finish. Maybe he just needs a break or a snack, or maybe he’s ready to get back in the car. Champ can’t use his words though – Mom will just have to learn by watching.
You have an entire winter wardrobe — and so does your dog! While some of these items are intended only for avid hikers, others should be considered winter essentials for both indoor dogs who spend time in the snow and adventure dogs who plan to be out in the elements for long periods of time.
If nothing else, we would encourage you to get a jacket for your dog. Unless your fur baby is an Akita, Malamute, or Bernese Mountain Dog (each known for their cold tendencies), their fur may not be thick enough to withstand heavy snow or ice. Keeping the wind and water off them with a jacket will keep them safe on snowy or windy days.
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We have three favorite jackets: the Ruffwear Cloud Chaser Jacket, the Orvis Quilted Waxed Dog Jacket, and the Ruffwear Overcoat Dog Jacket. Each jacket excels in specific conditions—from extreme cold to wet weather. Determine the climate you are most likely to bring your dog to and choose your jacket accordingly.
Champ, the author’s dog, is an indoor dog with an outdoor soul. And it’s true – he’s lived in Colorado, Alaska and Maine all his life. You need a jacket that can withstand the cold and wetness of Southeast Alaska’s windy mornings, Maine’s sweltering trails, and Colorado’s powder days. As a 100-pound Lab/Great Dane mix, Champ is a hardy dog, but his short hair makes him vulnerable to the cold. Regardless of your dog’s size and outdoor experience, if you’re going out in the winter, most dogs will want a jacket. Here are our favorites and why.
The Ruffwear Cloud Chaser Waterproof Soft Leather Jacket is the perfect coat for lunch skiing in Colorado. It zips around your dog’s belly and chest and has short sleeves to keep snow off those tender areas.
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Champ’s bottom is where he’s most vulnerable and loses the most heat, so keeping as much snow off him as possible is key. (However, be careful when he goes to mark his area—we had some issues with the fabric covering his important parts and
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