Hiking with Dog: Tips for a Successful Hike with Your Dog

While hiking with your dog can be an enjoyable bonding experience for you and your furry best friend, it can come with its challenges. Ensuring a successful adventure hiking with dogs requires careful planning and preparation. In this post, we’ll dive into essential tips and insights to help you embark on hiking with your furry best friend to have fun while being safe! From gear selection to trail etiquette, let’s review how to enjoy the outdoors hiking with dogs.

In this blog post, you will find recommended gear, the best dog-friendly trails in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, trail etiquette, and preparing for the ultimate adventure day outdoors with your pooch.

Recommended Gear for Hiking with Dogs

When hiking with your dog, having the right gear can make a difference in ensuring a smooth and enjoyable adventure. From day hikes to different camping types, each hiking adventure requires different gear, so tailoring your equipment to the specific trip’s needs ensures you and your dog have the best experience possible on the trails. Pack enough dog food, treats, first-aid supplies and warm gear to keep your dog happy, warm and dry. Read on for a gear recommendation list for your dog by day hikes, camping and backpacking.

Whether going on a day hike or extending your trip overnight, ensure you have all the necessities for your dog and be prepared. For added safety, you may want to consider investing in a GPS-tracking device for those early morning or late evening hikes. If you plan to venture into the backcountry for camping or backpacking with your dog, additional gear like a lightweight and breathable doggy backpack can help carry some* of their essentials. Also, pack enough dog food, first-aid supplies, and a cozy, insulated sleeping pad for chilly nights.

*Before your dog starts carrying their gear, do your research on max weight they should carry and slowly introduce the weight over time. If you have a puppy, wait 1-2 years before they carry any gear as the extra weight can affect their growing bones.

Recommended Gear for Hiking With Dogs

When it comes to enjoying outdoor adventures with your dog, having the right gear can make the difference between leaving the hike happy or miserable. For day hikes, make sure to pack enough food, treats and water for your furry best friend. I take a mixture of kibble, freeze-dried beef liver, freeze-dried salmon, training treats and a couple of bigger treats like lamb sticks or chicken jerky.

Harness

A sturdy and comfortable harness is a must, as it not only provides better control but also prevents strain on your dog’s neck. Whether you’re navigating tricky terrain or need to keep your dog close in crowded areas, a handle is necessary. Pair it with a hands-free bungee leash, and you will enjoy having both hands free while hiking with your dog.

Sweater

And let’s not forget about those chilly days or windy peaks and ridges; a warm sweater for your dog is a must-have accessory. Keep your dog snug and cozy, so you can both enjoy the great outdoors together, no matter the weather.

Rain Jacket

Before hitting the trails, check the weather and be ready for variable conditions. If rain is in the forecast, make sure to bring a rain jacket to keep your dog as dry as possible. After searching for a quality rain jacket, this packable rain jacket from Canada Pooch has quickly become a favourite of mine.

Treat Storage & Dog Bowls

I like to keep training treats ready and wanted a more durable option than ‘single use’ sandwich bags. My favourite part about these reusable Stasher bags is the smaller size, perfect to carry a few treats in with limited storage space. On day hikes, I always bring 1 or 2 collapsible dog bowls.

Smell Proof Dog Poop Holder Bag

Being a responsible dog owner out on the trails means picking up after your dog. I avoid holding poop bags during hikes by bringing an odour-blocking, leak-proof dog poop holder bag that I attach to the outside of my backpack. Make sure it’s big enough to hold multiple poops, especially if you are taking an extended overnight trip. And don’t forget to carry enough poop bags with you when hiking with dogs.

Water Bottle

While you can always fill up your water bladder with enough water for you and your dog, I prefer to carry along a Nalgene water bottle specifically for Willow, holding it in a side pocket or hanging it on the hands-free leash, that it is easily accessible when we make stops.

Hand Sanitizer/Wipes

Especially now that I have a dog, I carry a few individually packed Wet Wipes and hand sanitizer to keep my hands clean from dirt (and the rare poop). You will be grateful for Wet Wipes for those not-so-lucky times that your finger manages to poke through the bag… yes, it’s super gross, 🤢 if you have a dog; you know this can happen every once in a while.

Recommended Gear for Camping

If you’ll be camping in your car, or staying in a tent at a vehicle-accessed campground; it will be much easier to bring all the necessary gear you need for your dog to be comfortable and cozy overnight. While your dog’s bed and blanket from home can be a simple and cost-effective way, be prepared for them to get dirty. Ensure the material of the items you are bringing is simple to wash and doesn’t attract like velcro.

Another great option is to use old gear – sleeping bag, pillow, blankets are great ways to save money and to reuse old gear for a new purpose. A small towel for Willow is essential so I can clean her paws before entering the tent.

Sleeping Bag

You want to keep your dog warm so just as if they were at home so a sleeping bag for your dog is great for camping. Several brands make dog-specific sleeping bags, though I find they all pack quite large and are very expensive.

Sleeping Pad

Bring along a sleeping pad for your dog to keep them elevated from the cold ground. There are different options of dog specific sleeping pads, though shop around to find the best solution for you. If you are front country camping, sleeping pads or even a dog bed works great. For backpacking these sleeping pads will take up a lot of space so get creative and use items you are already taking (i.e. clothes).

Knot-A-Hitch Dog Leash System

If you’re the type who enjoys spending some downtime outside of your tent and sticking around your campsite, using the Ruffwear, Knot-a-Hitch Portable Dog Hitching System is the perfect solution. We used this leash system throughout the summer when camping and at my slo-pitch games. It is a bit bulky, but quite light so if you plan to bring it backpacking you can easily attach it to the outside of your pack.

Recommended Gear for Backpacking

Water & Food Dish

The roll-up silicone water and food dish is my best find to date for Willow to keep me at ease and save me from major ground cleanup. It has a wide mat perimeter to catch food your dog drops, rolls up & packs small, and is easy to clean. The first couple of times I went camping with Willow she managed to dump and overturn her water and food bowl every time. She caused me to get upset and frustrated as I picked up every last bit of kibble and food splayed across the ground.

Thermal Onesie

My next best find for backpacking is the thermal onesie I ordered last minute for our autumn 2-night backpacking trip to Egypt Lake. You have no idea how happy I was to have this for Willow as our first night camping started snowing on us as the tent was put together. By morning there was so much snow and even with the layers I had for Willow, she took a bit to get warmed up outside the tent.

Rain Jacket

Check the weather forecast before you go on your overnight or multi-night backpacking trip and be prepared for varying weather conditions, especially in the Rocky Mountains. A rain jacket for your dog is the best way to keep your dog dry and warm from rain, and snow, and clean from mud. The Rain Ready Packable Raincoat I linked earlier in this post has been a lifesaver and Willow has gotten to test it out. I love that it packs up into a small pouch that’s included and they’ve designed it for easy access to leash up a harness.

Sweater

That makes for the third item, a warm sweater. Whether it’s colder daytime weather or overnight, as long as the sweater is dry you can add it as a layer overtop of the onesie to keep your dog extra warm on those particularly cold nights. Willow only has one sweater currently, the Sherpa Cool Factor Hoodie, which I take with me on almost all hikes and camping trips Willow has come on. I put it on when we reach windy summits and I can tell how much she appreciates having it in those moments.

Small Blanket

As I browsed the pet store in Kensington, I came across the perfect-sized small fleece blanket with a Navajo pattern. I always pack a small fleece blanket for Willow on trails I know will have little tree coverage and for ridge hikes that are often quite windy. The fleece blanket always comes with on the camping and backpacking adventures we go on.

Complete DIY Sleep System

This year for backpacking, I opted to use an old 1-season, summer-rated sleeping bag that packs quite small. I opened up part of the sleeping bag and zipped it up as much as possible with Willow’s body inside while wrapping the extra below and around her. I had the fleece blanket underneath her and on top of the seat pad. With the layers she had on, Willow was quite cozy and reluctant to get out of bed in the mornings.

Seat Pad

For backpacking, I was already planning to bring my Therm-a-Rest 3-season seat pad. It was perfect for additional padding while keeping her warm. The seat pad is smaller, so this may not be a great option depending on your dogs size.

Chew Sticks & Toys

Chew sticks are great to bring and keep your dog busy while you cook or when lounging outside. A small toy is another item you may consider to bring for down time. If your dog is like Willow, you can skip on the ball and find small sticks to throw around.

Here is a free downloadable PDF checklist for all your doggy adventures of day hikes, camping and backpacking.

Click the image to open the PDF file and then download it to your computer.

Dog-Friendly Trails in the Rockies

These easy rated dog-friendly hiking trails are great hikes year-round and have fabulous views. Parking for the off-leash dog park in Canmore is the same parking for the Three Sisters Viewpoint.

Easy Rated Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails

Trail Name	Park	Length	Elevation Gain
Troll Falls	Evan-Thomas Provincial Recreation Area	4.7 km	227 m
Heart Creek Bunker Trail	Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park	4.0 km	235 m
Three Sisters Viewpoint	Canmore, AB	1.0 km	17 m
Lake Louise Lakeshore	Banff National Park	4.5 km	37 m
Peyto Lake Panorama View	Banff National Park	2.4 km	93 m
Emerald Lake Loop	Yoho National Park	5.1 km	44 m

Moderate Rated Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails

Here are four moderate rated dog-friendly trails you can go hiking with dogs on. Waterton Lakes National Park is inaccessible by car during the winter months with shops open between mid-May through September. The Grotto Canyon Trail is a fantastic option for winter hiking with dogs once the water has frozen. Put booties on your dog to keep their paws from freezing.

Trail Name	Park	Length	Elevation Gain
Tunnel Mountain Summit	Banff National Park	4.3 km	262 m
Bertha Lake Loop	Waterton Lakes National Park	14.6 km	634 m
Helen Lake Trail	Banff National Park	11.6 km	533 m
Grotto Canyon Trail	Bow Valley Provincial Park	7.1 km	342 m

Difficult Rated Dog-Friendly Hiking Trails

Some of my favourite dog-friendly hikes are rated as difficult. As most of these hikes are in Kananaskis Provincial Park, be bear smart. Keep your dog on leash and make loud noises to keep bears away.

Trail Name	Park	Length	Elevation Gain
Gypsum Ridge	Peter Lougheed Provincial Park	6.3 km	459 m
South Pocaterra Ridge	Peter Lougheed Provincial Park	8.2 km	632 m
Egypt Lake Trail	Banff National Park	26.1 km	1,298 m
Floe Lake	Kootenay National Park	20.3 km	976 m
King Creek Ridge	Peter Lougheed Provincial Park	6.9 km	792 m
East End of Rundle (EEOR)	Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park	4.8 km	838 m
Ha Ling Peak	Bow Valley Wildland Provincial Park	7.4 km	755 m
Smutwood Peak Trail	Peter Lougheed Provincial Park	17.9km	929 m

Provincial & National Park Pass Info

All National Parks across Canada require visitors to have a park pass. In recent years, Kananaskis Provincial Park has implemented a park pass requirement for visitors. Plan ahead and purchase the appropriate park pass in advance to avoid waiting or poor signal.

National Park Pass

When entering National Parks in the Rockies, there are typically huts where you can purchase a daily or yearly pass. You can purchase yearly passes at any National Park Visitor Center, online through the Government of Canada’s website and various MEC locations. More information is available on Parks Canada website.

Kananaskis Conservation Pass

The Visitor Centers within Kananaskis are not always the most visible or well-located and have limited operating times. If you are planning on visiting anywhere within Kananaskis, go online and purchase your pass while you still have cell service to avoid getting ticketed. If the Kananaskis Visitor Center is closed, there is Wi-Fi available you can use but may be slow. The daily and yearly Kananaskis Provincial Park pass must be registered with your vehicle’s license plate and you don’t need to display anything. More information is available on Alberta’s website.

Trail Etiquette Hiking With Dog

Trail Etiquette for Camping and Hiking with Dog

Camping and hiking with dogs can be a fun experience, connecting you with nature and strengthening your bond with your furry friend. To keep a positive and peaceful outdoor adventure for all, it’s essential to follow some basic trail etiquette when hiking with dog.

1. Know the Rules:

• Before hitting the trail, research the specific rules and regulations regarding dogs in the area you plan to visit. Some trails may have leash requirements or designated dog-friendly areas.

2. Leash Up When Necessary:

• Keep your dog on a leash in areas where it’s required or when encountering other hikers, wildlife, or livestock. This helps maintain control and prevent any unexpected incidents.

3. Yield Along the Trail:

• When passing other hikers, step aside and ensure your dog is under control. It’s courteous to yield the right of way to others, whether they have dogs or not. This also means keeping them away from people so they aren’t lunging towards humans who may have a fear of dogs!

4. Pick Up After Your Pup:

• Always carry poop bags and promptly clean up after your dog. Nobody wants to stumble upon surprises on the trail, and leaving waste behind can harm the environment.

5. Prevent Excessive Barking:

• Keep an eye on your dog’s behaviour to prevent excessive barking, which can disturb other hikers and wildlife. A well-timed “quiet” command can be invaluable. Treats will help with training on this one.

6. Respect Wildlife:

• Keep a safe distance from wildlife and prevent your dog from chasing or harassing animals. Your presence should not disrupt the natural habitat. This is also for the safety of your dog, yourself and other hikers!

7. Camp Responsibly:

• When camping with your dog, ensure they are well-behaved and don’t disturb other campers. Use a leash or a tether system at the campsite to avoid your dog running around the campground. Again, this is for the safety of your dog, yourself and other hikers while keeping wildlife and your dog from any interactions.

8. Manage Food and Waste:

• Store dog food securely to avoid attracting wildlife to your campsite. The way you store your own food and waste is the same way you should be storing your dogs. Dispose of dog waste properly, following Leave No Trace principles.

9. Be Prepared:

• Carry essential items for your dog, including water, food, a first-aid kit, and any necessary medications. Consider a doggy backpack for them to carry some of their supplies and enough gear to keep them warm and dry.

10. Be Mindful of Allergies & Fears:

• Some hikers and campers may have allergies to dogs or a fear of dogs, so be aware of your surroundings and respectful of others’ sensitivities.

By following these trail etiquette guidelines, you can ensure a positive and enjoyable outdoor experience for both you and your dog, while also promoting responsible and respectful behaviour among fellow outdoor enthusiasts. Remember, a well-behaved dog enhances the hiking and camping experience for everyone, including your furry friend.