Getting My Dog Ready For Her First Backpacking Trip 

Here is Fancy's Gear List: lighterpack.com/r/awr76t

We had a miniature Poodle and she had problems in the winter with ice, snow and salt on the roads so I got her booties. We put all four on and at first she was like Fancy was in the video, picking up paws, looking at them and being tentative in putting her feet down. So, we just put them on and went for a walk. The walk was exciting and she forgot about the boots pretty quickly. After a few walks with them she associated them with walking so they were a GOOD thing. And, when it was icy and slippery out she grew to LOVE them. We'd put the booties on and take her outside and she'd take off on the ice, get up to full speed and then slide to a stop :)! Don't make a big deal of things when she is anxious, just proceed as if things are normal. If you react "normal", she'll figure out pretty quickly that it is OK. If you pay extra attention to her, she'll just be more stressed. Good luck and have fun. Looking forward to Videos this summer!

My pup went out hiking with me recently and got some nasty blisters due to rough downhill terrain, poor guy. He had never been a fan of dog boots, but as soon as he realized they gave him comfort while he was trying to heal, he was all about them! Now he loves them and runs and jumps confidently!

We currently have a Great Pyrenees rescue dog. She was found abandoned in the Bitterroot Mountains in SW Montana (we live near Bozeman). At first we were just asked to foster her until the Montana Great Pyr Rescue Group could find a home for her, since we've had three Great Pyrs. We wound up falling in love and adopted her. Rescue dogs are a challenge, and it took a few months before she started getting at least semi-comfortable with us. Being a Great Pyr, she has a tendency to roam, and despite having a one-acre back yard, she decided that getting over our four-foot chain link fence wasn't all that hard. SO, I set up a 110' run line from our back deck (covered) out to an Aspen tree, with a ten foot lead line. This gives her plenty of freedom and shelter if the weather gets bad. After about nine months she has completely warmed up to my wife and is sorta kinda warmed up to me. She still has issues but is very gentle and, despite being a BIG dog (even for a Great Pyr) the neighborhood kids love her. ANYWAY, rescue dogs aren't for everyone. They take patience, but in the long run can be very rewarding and fun to have around.

I just want to stress how important it is to try out everything on at least an overnight hike with her. Here are some things I have experienced backpacking with my dog: 1. The doggie backpack is going to drive you nuts. DO NOT put water bottles in her pack. They will slosh around and if the pack is even slightly out of balance, it will slide under her belly. I find I'm adjusting it every few minutes and it's super frustrating. 2. My dog absolutely refuses to carry more than 5 pounds and he's 50 pounds. 25% of the dog's weight is wildly optimistic. 3. My "rugged" Ruffwear pack is getting ragged after only 4 days of use. My dog runs through bushes and rubs up against stuff constantly. 4. Think hard about what you will do if she gets sick, runs off, or refuses to move. I don't mean to dissuade you from taking her. I love backpacking with my dog. But it's not exactly an idyllic endeavor.

I have good news! That's a purebred North American Back Fence Jumper!

Great choice on all of the Ruffwear gear for Fancy! I have all the same items for my pup, and I can say they are the best dog outfitter out there! To get a dog warmed up to the boots just takes encouragement. I know it's hard not to laugh when you first put them on, but dogs don't like being laughed at any more than we do. Just lots of encouragement and treats. start with calling them from 5 feet away and work your way farther away, should take about 30 min or so. I typically use the boots for first aid purposes, they do gather some small pebbles and dirt and not sure how advantageous they are at that point My dog has torn his pads on the trail before, I bandage it with some gauze and leukotape, then use the boots to keeps the bandage in place, and it keeps the dog from trying to bite the bandage off, dual purpose! The pack is awesome, it never causes him sore spots. I load him up with a maximin of 20% of his weight (12 lbs.) and he barely notices it, only up steep climbs to I noticed it slowing him down. It is a very durable pack, branches or rocks don't phase it, excellent pack. The Rover leash is my newest addition to the line-up. I was hitting some serious elevation changes and steep grades while wearing the leash around my waist to keep hands free for trekking poles and it worked like a champ, the bungee really does work well too. As far as the muzzle is concerned, I'm not sold on them. My dog is very reactionary to the same stimuli as Fancy. Dogs running up without respecting the space, boundaries and even their communication, normally instigates a little bit. Muzzles, in my opinion, don't allow the dog to "talk" to the other. There can be some very clear communication that does not end in bites or bloodshed. And we should allow them to communicate in their own way, on a leash, and/or under command of course. Anyways, just wanted to chime in, been watching you since your PCT hike, thanks for all the excellent content!

Well done on rescuing 'Fancy' and I know your dog will love hiking. I have backpacked with dogs here in the UK for many many years, the ones that I have rescued had anxiety issues too but the difference fresh air, countryside, freedom and the natural habitat makes mentally on the dogs has to be seen to be believed, its like a switch how much they improve. I used to carry first aid packs and so many extras for the dogs just in case of emergencies but over the years I have learnt all you need is 'Piriton' tablets which are an anti allergy tablet for humans i. hay fever, if the dog gets bit from bees or wasps etc pop two in its mouth and it will stop the dog going into shock, here in the UK we have adders (snakes) that are nothing like rattlesnakes but still can kill a dog so I always carry Piriton on me in Summer. I also have some super glue, sounds crazy I know but if your dog get badly cut and is bleeding, just clean the wound and then glue it up, that way the dog will still be able to hobble until you can get it to a vet. I had one of my dogs jump in a stream straight onto a broken bottle, the dogs foot landed on jagged glass, it ran out of the stream hobbling, blood pouring everywhere. Checked the dogs pad, completely cut in two, very deep gash, so I cleaned and glued it with super clue, bandaged it with standard roll bandage. The dog still managed to walk three miles by itself until I could get it to a vet. Normally you wouldn't close a wound but in emergencies you have no other choice, also good for bad dog bite wounds. I also have some standard Aspirin, I clarified this with several vets because of the conflicting information regarding Aspirin and dogs. Vets assured me in very short periods such as one or two days it is fine to give aspirin to dogs for pain or inflammation, I give half of a 300mg tablet just once a day, for a dog your size I wouldn't give it more than a quarter i.e 150mg a day, and only in emergencies. The biggest issue with dogs is ...tics, even though I give flea/tic repellant you still have to check for the little sods. Never used boots for dogs, if you walk them in the weeks before the hike on harder terrain for short periods their pads will get harder. Finally I use the Ruffwear Pallisades pack, its a great hard wearing pack. The Ruffwear sleeping bag is brilliant too, compresses really small in a dry bag and will fit inside a Ruffwear Pallisades pouch. It can get chilly in the evenings so the Ruffwear sleeping bag makes a good pad as well as a zip up bag. Hope that helps, good luck on your hike with 'Fancy'. Atb Bill.

I've hiked a couple hundred miles with my Aussie shepherds over the years, here are my thoughts: 1) Dogs' foot pads are very sensitive, and they will blister bad if your dog is not accustomed to lots of miles every day. This is especially true for a "city slicker" dog that only walks less than a mile a day, even more so for a backyard dog that walks on grass. I accustomed my Aussies by walking them LONG miles on pavement, preferably when it's not too hot. They will build up caluses, just like we do, and they won't be as susceptible to blisters. This takes quite a bit of time and daily very long walks. I was once doing a day hike at Red Rock (north of Las Vegas) and I saw two guys having to bring down a doodle on their shoulders because its paws were too raw for it to walk. 2) Don't overstimate the capability of your dog to walk all day. My first hike with my first Aussie, he was so tired at the end of the day that we had to eat while laying down in front of his food bowl. He was completely wiped out. Didn't help that he was too fast up the hills and was continually backtracking to meet me (I'm slow uphill), I should have kept him on leash. 3) Don't forget your dog's caloric needs will be at least doubled, if not tripled. Make sure to bring a dog food that's very rich in both calories and nutrients. 4) I have a hunch that the sleeping pad will get torn up pretty quick from the claws, if she even uses it. An old light towel may be enough, depends what your dog is used to. 5) Boots... Never used them, my dogs didn't like them. 6) Nails.. Trim them a few days before hitting the trail (in case you get a bleeder - it will have time to heal). Don't cut them on the trail, you won't need to, the dirt and rocks will take care of it and it would be a risk for bleeding if you cut into the quick. 7) May want to have a plan in case of a skunk run-in. [I don't have one and never needed it, but it can happen]. 8) Expect the inside of your tent to get muddy. 9) Expect your dog's behavior to be different in the wild, especially with lots of other animals out there. My first Aussie had taken to being very protective, he would lay in front of my tent and would growl at any odd noise - he never did that at home. That's about all I have for now.

Amazing video! I have day hiked with my dogs, but have never gone on an overnight backpack with them. I worked with a lot of anxious dogs during my days as a veterinary nurse. I found that if I used a narrow bottomed container (like the X Mug) for water, they were very likely to knock it over. The Ruffwear bowls worked a lot better as they were wider at the bottom. In South Africa you can also buy an attachment that clips onto a water bottle, and it has a shallow flip-out dish thing that you can flip out and fill up with water from the bottle, but then you have to hold the bottle while your dog drinks. I found that harnesses overall were far preferable to collars, and that collars could end up choking the dog if they got snagged on something. I would also recommend getting Fancy micro-chipped if she isn't already, as anxious dogs can sometimes do silly things and get lost. Over the years I've found that what worked best when dealing with anxious dogs, was to mostly ignore their anxious behavior rather than trying to comfort them. I found that if I comforted them they were anxious for longer. It was almost as if I was reinforcing the idea that there WAS something to be anxious about. If I rather just acted normally and pretended they were acting normally too, they calmed down faster. All the things that you are already doing are great, such as slowly getting her used to the new gear. If you do need to bandage up a blister on a paw, remember to put some cotton wool or gauze or something else absorbent in between each of the toes to absorb sweat and provide cushioning for all the bony joints so that they don't develop pressure sores.

One thing I would highly recommend is a little LED light that clips to the dog collar so you can see her around camp. Agree with the comment about balancing the Ruffwear pack equally on both sides. We haven't had a problem with our bag sliding / sloshing around, even with 1 liter of water on each side of the bag. But we also use Ruffwear's collapsible water bottles that are designed specifically for that bag, and we push the air out of the bottles before putting them back in the saddlebag. We also make sure and alternate the side we're taking water from so the weight reduces evenly on both sides. Our dog is about 50 lbs and we've had to lift her using the "handle" on that backpack - that thing is seriously sturdy. If it's sliding around down to the dog's stomach - that sounds like a fit issue.

She is absolute gorgious she is timmed and she might never lose that she has a type of bad experience with people she seems like she loves you

Dixie, thanks for this. I had to let my 15 year old dog Ziggy go over the weekend and seeing other animals’ lives go on helps. He was a very special dog and quite bonded to me, so I didn’t feel comfortable leaving him behind for an AT thru-hike this year, so I postponed and am planning for next year. I know you had to leave the trail for your dog on your first trek, so I was mindful of that and stayed with him most of the last three months of his life. His end came sooner than I expected, but I didn’t think he would last until next season. It will be my first major hike since my teens. I’m planning to adopt the trail name of ‘Stardog’ and hike in his honor. I’m debating taking his ashes along, because he was at his happiest when with me. Not sure how spreading his ashes on the trail would fit in with leave no trace principles, but I could do this off trail. Thank you for your inspiration and everything else you do.

Just a heads up, my husband and I took our dog backpacking and when we stopped for lunch we were on a rocky area so we tethered our dog to a tree. Well, he disturbed an underground yellow jacket nest and while the bees were swarming we had to unhook his leash since he couldn’t escape. He was stung about 70 times and my husband was stung about 40. We had to book it off trail and hitchhike to the closest vet hospital since our dog was in shock. (He and my husband were okay). Scariest moments of our lives. I say all this to say that if you need to tether your dog somewhere for safety, tether her to you or something similar. Our situation would have gone a lot differently if our dog could have just run away from the yellow jackets. ANYWAY, it sounds like you are being very thoughtful about your pup. Good luck out there!

You are Fancy's Lifetime Trail Angel! God Bless You! Positive energy to you, your mom, and Fancy on this hike. Looking forward to your updates on this adventure.

Regarding the boots for Fancy...I’ve got a guide dog and use those same Ruffware boots. He uses them when we are hiking but mostly uses them when he’s working on city streets in the winter (snow is the bigger issue due to salt and ice melt). Getting him used to the boots as winter approaches I put the boots on him and get his toy out and play. He loves to play and forgets about the boots in no time. He “duck walks” at first but quickly learned he can stick the landing on a slick floor when wearing his boots. BTW, “vet tape” is good for injuries. It’s like a self stick ace bandage but very thin and doesn’t stick to fur or skin (at least not much. Great to hold gauze in place on humans too. Good luck.

Hey Dixie. Sounds like you've pretty much got it down. I'm not familiar with the PCT, but I am familiar with section hiking with dogs. Here's Stitch's list: -Musher's Secret (to toughen paws; apply daily.) - Palisades pack (had a tendency for the back portion to push on Stitch's spine, so keep it all loaded towards the shoulders) - Waterproof collar (Wet collars stink and rub. Ruffwear makes the Headwater collar.) - Roamer leash (Save yourself the trouble and just use the hip belt feature) - Z-lite pad & space blanket/fleece (Stitch, despite being 75 lbs, usually ended up sleeping between my legs anyway, so I just put the pad under my knees and embraced the suck.) - Field/tracking bell (or cowbell) for any off leash or a dropped leash. Sometimes it's just easier for them to pick the path. - Flashing runner's light - Sporting dog food (High calorie = low weight) - Rain coat (wet dog in a tent is NOT a pleasant experience, esp. when hiking) - Halti head collar (for in town) Great for leading in crowded spaces and doubles as a make-shift muzzle. Just be extremely gentle with it. Med kit - 1 boot & sock (Though you might need all 4 for hot ground?) - Cloth muzzle - Vetericyn or Wound Kote (prefer Vetericyn since its non-aerosol/ more packable) - Doggy pain killers Most everything else in their kit is found in ours, so pretty much anything you might need for yourself can be used on her. ALWAYS keep the collar on. If something happens, it's going to be the first thing someone checks for ID. It's not really for walking, though. Harnesses are best for the hike since they minimize strain on the windpipe. I've found it also minimizes the number of times I have to untangle myself. And if you really want to treat yourself, go ahead and teach her sled dog commands. That Palisades pack is perfect for light pulling if you attach it to the back loop, plus being able to tell her in advance which direction to head. (A working dog is also a confident dog.) Just start saying the appropriate command when you make a turn, and she's bound to pick up on it. There's some more in depth info if you want it. Anyway, hope that helps a little. If you have any questions, you can find me on Facebook. facebook.com/travelsinhindsight/

Obedience classes can be one of the very best tools for increasing a dogs confidence. Mostly because they become more confident with their owner as a leader, and then know they can rely on you for instruction. I backpacked/hiked extensively with my 100 lb Rhodesian Ridgeback, Roscoe "TBD" (The Beer Dog). He carried all the beer and his own gear and the trash. (and the bear bell) I read a book on backpacking with a dog, and discovered the miracle of black tea soaks for toughening feet. Make tea with a couple of teabags or one iced-tea bag with just 1/4 - 1/2 cup of water. Steep until completely cool and soak each foot for a minute or two. Will toughen for 2 - 3 days. I had horrible experience with pad blisters before I did this. I couldn't do booties with him, if climbing talus or scree he would fall. He couldn't grip with his toes and was a complete klutz. I brought a couple of booties in case of injury, but luckily never needed them. ( I am a vet BTW, and I have given the tea-soak idea to many of my clients, it really works!)

Jessica, in your video a few weeks ago about going to the PCT with your mother and dog, you mentioned your dog Fancy suffers from anxiety. Having just watched this most recent video and your interaction with Fancy, there is no doubt she is in the best care she could ever receive. Your way is amazing... it’s calming, informative, illustrative, honest, attractive, and humble. Please be safe, take care of your team, and never change.

Your Hank reminds me of my 13yr 120lb Kuma I just had to put down that I raised from a pup. He kept me strong through the toughest times I've had. Taking care of than loosing my mother to cancer being the main one. He was my rock. Our four legged family is quite a blessing. After seeing your Hank I have to say my eyes may or may not have teared up & the rest of your video became quite blurry. I wish Kuma & I had more trail time than we did. I can relate being single and roughly the same age as yourself my dog was my family. Some people think thats stupid but to me I guess he was like a child or brother, a bond far greater than most 2 legged kind I've met. I can thank my mom for the love of animals she blessed me with. I hope you have many more great memories with your dogs and your mom! Everyday is a gift! Never stop doing what you love with the ones you love the most. Happy tails & Happy trails! =-=

Sounds like your all set! To help your dog get use to her shoes. Have her swim in them. She will pay more attention to the water an moving her legs without stepping in the shoes. Once she gets use to them being on her paws she will start to walk. An most search and rescue staff is volunteers. They are almost always an incredible group of people. I know we would respond to retrieve a dog in distress. Great job with the videos too! Looking forward to this next hike!

You're such a good dog mom! You're very patient and thoughtful.

This video warms my heart! To see how much care you have taken to ensure Fancys safety and that she also has fun is just amazing. I hope your hike is going great!

I like people who like good dawgs. 👍 There's a reason why dogs come into our lives ...

Hi, my partners name is Traky. A mostly Basenji some Lab,Pit mix. Someone had dumped him off when he was about 2 or 3 months. When left alone he would become destructive. So of course I had to take him out on the trail, what a change in his personality. He's very friendly very happy and does not mind being alone now. When he sees the camping gear comes out you cannot believe the excitement this guy goes through.... Yeah, he's a trail junky. he uses the same pack that you have chosen from Ruff Wear. We've tried others but they moved around 2 much throwing his balance off. This pack when fitted and loaded right allows him to swim, rock climb and walk on logs over streams or general manoeuvres in heavy downfalls or marshy areas. I way all his food out into individual bags to keep left and right side well balanced. One bag from each pocket is a meal. I'm very OCD about his pack. because when it's out of balance his legs get tired on one side and his pads take more wear. Dogs can't tell you if they're pack is correctly balanced or not, it requires extreme focus on your partner and " feel what he feels ". Here in the southwest water is extremely importantand I cannot afford to throw out whatever water he chooses not to drink. so I use a sea to summit collapsible bowl with a screw-on water tight lid. when he's had his fill I screw the lid on hook it to my pack and it's there for the next time . .cannot afford to waste any water. The pack usually comes off the at lunch break other breaks, as soon as we hit camp etc. Another reason why I love this pack for. In the morning the harness goes on let him run around get rid of some energy then the pack comes on when I'm ready to hit the. I use a spring loaded retractable leash for him. I found the others drag on the ground get wrapped around sticks just too many problems. The spring-loaded one always keeps a light tension on it it is hooked to me via a carabiner. As far as snakes go I'm always concerned about that. There is no one hundred percent guarantee for either of us to bank on. He's 3 years old now and becoming to confident. so when it comes to snakes I'm going to have to enroll him in my own little school. That consists of a non-lethal snake, rattler on a string and a ' shock ' collar. Cougars and other large animals he just naturally tends to respect. Generally he's pretty good about perceiving danger. He has no sleeping bags or sleeping bags he does not like them. but I do keep a sleeping bag liner handy just in case it gets cold at night beyond his comfort level. One night he did choose to sleep in the bag withwith me and I'm glad you did because his body heat really helped that night. I've had some people look at my medkit thinking I'm a little crazy, but I'm packing his stuff also. Yes I carry ibuprofen for him and me also Benadryl... yes it's handy for lots of things I don't know about helping with bites from a snake. Gauze, his footcream etc. I've never needed to use cream on his pads even as a puppy. But b4 bed afew time's I think he really enjoyed it. Mostly the attention!! I'm blessed in the fact that I never have to worry about him around other dogs or people 🙏. He never seems to be concerned even when other dogs try to attack him. He's mister cool 😊👍🏼. Always has been. Shoes,,,, yep... mostly around lava beds. We never realize how many stickers r out there until ya take a dog out....if deem the trail 2b to iffy it's boot time. I NEVER leave them on longer than needed...his pads, even w socks, get moisture and that softens them wich is not good. But he likes them cuz he knows the value of them... Anyway have fun...B PATIENT !!!!! Alert 😮 Remember food intake will change, and they have no idea what the trail ahead or the day will be so u think 4 them... I've had to put chopped jerky in his food to make sure he's powered up for whatever comes that's not smooth and easy. They need calories just like us so his food is blended. Jerky, cashews,almonds banana chips ,,, stuff he likes n needs thank God he loves peanut butter n tortillas 😃. The very best for you and your new partner!!! It a learning curve but really not so bad and Traky boy brings a whole new dimension to my trail life so I truly hope your experience will be as funny and as rewarding.

I've heard so much about people going on the trail to heal. This is the first time I have heard of a dog going on the trail to heal. That is so beautiful and what a great momma you are to give her this opportunity. It is making me all teary eyed.

Everyone seems to forget dogs have been around longer than we have . I’m not talking about “lap breeds” but proper dogs that have been bred from wild breeds. They’re not stupid and in most cases they can look after themselves. My Cattle x German Shepard willingly runs next to my car for 15-20kms every afternoon and will happily do another 20kms after that as long as he can cool of in the river along the way. For them, walking 40 or so kms a day is no problem. Fair enough on hot ground the boots might be a good idea, but millions of years of evolution have made the paw of the dog more than capable to cover rough ground. A dog like yours wants to be out on the trail covering distance and you shouldn’t worry that you’re “making” it go with you, it’s much rather be out there than at home.👍

Thanks for thinking of Fancy needs first, we have been hiking with a Shepherd mix 29lbs she great, but we always remember she didn’t ask to go, and take it at her pace. I have a couple of suggestions first check out a product call The Fido Pro Airlift, just google it. It is used by the National Asso. Of Search Rescue. Approx 10.5 ozs fit in an 7x4 stuff sack. Lightweight and made for backpackers. We use the Ruff wear products and have been very happy with everything. Also bring a small toy, at the end of the day they are still a dog and even if we are tired they still want to play. A quick way to check if she needs her shoes on is hold the back of your hand on the ground for 5 seconds if it’s to hot for you it’s to hot for her, put the shoes on, we use them and she will get use to wearing them and not even notice after awhile. If you hadn’t had her fitted for them do so you need the right size not just by weight but by paw size and you need to really know how to put them on her properly as not to come off. And one last thing at the end of the night when you are giving her a once or twice over make sure you check between her toes, bugs and small rock and dirt collect there and can quickly become a problem if not cleaned or removed. Happy trails, and thanks you for rescuing her and loving her quirkinesses.

Just another reason we love Dixie!!! 🐶❤️🤗

I can’t wait to see videos with Fancy on your trip! And your mom, too.... of course 😊

It's honestly insane how identical our fur babies are!! Literally I wouldn't be able to tell them apart 😂 I wish I could show her to you!

Dog packs are a challenge but doable. Light, soft yet bulky items are what my pup carries. Her blanket, sweater for night sleeping, soft bowl, our emergency blanket, bandanna, etc. avoid objects that will poke her through the pack and balance it well. If I remove my pack for a break I take her pack and harness off to. I do extensive backpacking in OR with my introverted dog and she loves the trail. She loves a wet bandanna around her paws in the hot rocky sections. You may want a baby sling if u need to carry her.

Hi Dixie. I've taken my dog out with me on both backpacking and canoe trips. We go out for a 1-2 hour walk in the woods every day in all kinds of weather. I hope you're doing that with Fancy. Dogs need to learn how to behave in that environment and it's not something we can teach them. It also helps them build up thear pawpads. Given Fancy's anxiety problems, i think it's doubly important to do this so you'll know how she behaves outside her familiar environment. Dogs also need to have a rock-solid recall. You cannot keep them on a leash 100% of the time. You seem to be adding a lot of stuff to your kit specifically for the dog. My golden retriever didn't care about having his own sleeping pad as long as he knew exactly what corner of the tent was his. It's good to know you can sneak her under the quilt if she gets cold. It seems to me that your 25% of body wight estimate is very optimistic. My 100 lb. dog would carry 10 lbs no problem but 15 lbs was pushing it. I recommend you watch some of the 'Brant & Garvey' channel to get a flavor of walking the AT with a dog. ru-vid.com/show-UCYX2u59E9uxUD92oFVKdZeg Brant has a lot of great tips. Plus Garvey is so darn cute! Good luck with your hike.

I'm so looking forward to your videos with Fancy and your mom on the trail. We're learning so much from your prep and the hike itself will be even more so.

Love her! She is so compelling. Hope she is still doing better. Her playing in the snow is so great!

One of the things I put in Angus' pack, when he was young enough to pack with me, was a light weight cable. That way I could cable him to a tree in camp and he would have a bit more roaming space. He chewed right through that leash like you bought within 15 minutes when I teathered him with it while setting up camp. Made for a short trip.

She is so adorable!! Also for helping her get used to boots we used baby socks with the rubber grips (for toddlers) works good. They are lose enough that it doesn't pinch and still gives them some grip (especially while indoors). I hope this helps and she does well. :)

Check out the Ruffwear cooling vest. We live in SoCal, and it does a great job of keeping our two pups cool and happy on a hot trail. Also, rattlesnake aversion training is a good combo with the rattlesnake vaccine.

Boots freaked my dog out when at home or in the backyard. Once we hit the trail, he couldn't care less about the boots. But he LOVES the trail and to him, new trails is everything to him, so the boots became a non-issue. Helped us summit many Rocky Mountains together, otherwise those sharp rocks would have torn his pads up.

You might also want to add cornstarch to your first aid kit for Fancy. If one of her nails is broken so far that it bleeds, you can dip her toe into the cornstarch to help with stopping it.

I always took a selfmade sleeping bag for my dog on the trail. I made it from an old thin fleece shirt, just cut off the sleeves and sew in a cord with a tanka on the bottom. This was verry helpful when the dog was wet and dirty. I just pulled the shirt-sleeping bag over the head of my dog, closed the collar with the snap and pulled the string at the bottom together. My dog could not walk around in the tent but all the dirt and moisture was enclosed in the bag. Next morning I took the bag off, turned it inside out in front of the tent and all the dirt drizzles fell off. You can not imagine, how much dirt a dog can make in your tent special in bad weather conditions.

I have to use the boots for my dog in the winter. Snow and ice build up in his feet immediately and they work really well. He recognized the benefit of the boots immediately and loves them. He does trot pretty hilariously while still inside but he forgets about them pretty quickly when we get outside

You could get a bandana or sign for her pack that says something like, I'm nervous please give me space. Sweet baby, you are such a good dog mom!

Bravo on doing a leave no trace with you dog too. Bag Balm is great treatment for the foot pads. You can get it in a small 4 oz. tin. When I hike and backpack with my Malamute I use a Flexi-lead which I can lock off at different distances depending on terrain. I use about 10 feet of 1 inch tubular climbing webbing that I drape across my body. There are overhand knots at each end and it is hooked together with a carabiner. The webbing can be hooked around a tree or bolder to keep my dog at the campsite easily. Good luck on your trip and enjoy every moment with your mom and dog on the trail.

It makes me so happy to see the thought you are putting into Fancy’s safety! I agree with you on the Benadryl, I too have heard both (I live in rattlesnake country-AZ) but either way it should not hurt. Just be sure to know the dosage needed and be aware that it can act like a sedative...we sure don’t want that sweetie pie to misstep and fall off the trail. If it were me I’d also bring some Zyrtec. She’ll be in areas that have plants she’s not accustomed to and having allergies can be miserable. Benadryl isn’t the most effective choice for environmental allergies. I know you’ll research this and when you do you’ll learn that it must be the normal Zyrtec (or it’s generic) but no versions that contain pseudoephedrine. Happy tails & trails!

Happy trails to Fancy

My dog does the high stepping when I first put on his boots, too. When we get to boots season, I put them on when I am home with him and let him step around inside. My dog calms down after a few days of wearing them for an hour or two inside. I recommend starting with an hour, and working your way up. I think it's a good safety thing to have boots on hand. Also, I am another who uses a Flexi leash. I have a short "traffic" length leash attached to the handle as a backup "oh-no" wrist wrist loop, which has been a handy extra leash for stray dogs that I have been able to hold onto and return to their owners (at least once a year), and to use as a strap for tethering. The Flexi leashes take some practice to build your refexes for when to lock it down, but it allows my dog to feel like he can explore a bit away from me, and still keeps him attached to me and easy to rein in when needed. I think Fancy will love hiking with you and your Mom, and that it will be a great confidence booster and bonding experience. Be prepared to carry her pack. I carry my dog's Rough Wear pack on top of my own much of the time for a number of reasons.

Hey Dixie- I might recommend using a camp towel for Fancy's bed. Not quite as plush as the fleece blanket, but about 3-4 oz for a large and multipurpose! Also, I agree with everyone take Fancy out on many training hikes with her gear to get her used to it and toughen her paws. She will start to associate the gear with fun adventures. For the booties, liners really help. Also, I found it was best to use the booties when you are moving or after they have gotten an initial shake out of energy. Also, my dogs always were happy to put them on when their paws had already been worn a bit. Definitely use on lava rock and granite!

So, Hank is Fancy's service dog.

You mentioned about how rescuers may not dash out for your dog, and this is a fear we have too... Every week, regardless of walking distance we practice a shoulder carry, to make sure my human can handle my growth weight (This week I'm 4stone while my human is only 8st) and to make sure I'm comfortable with being lifted and carried... If the rescuers won't come in, we know we can get out. With a loaded pack it's actually easier because it acts as a roll-off stopper (so a more gentle grip on my legs is possible) but make sure you can carry your pack, your dog, and the dogs pack weight combined... We've seen other dog owners carry extra carabiners to hang all the stuffsacks on the outside of their pack and carry carry their dog in the pack itself. On soft terrain you can give yourself a break and drag you kit behind you from any sheet and simple ropes you have already... A damaged and replaceable ground sheet is better than a prolonged injury to your dog

If the muzzle is the hard plastic type, how I got my dog used to his was smearing a dab of peanut butter in it. After he got used to it purely as a treat delivery vehicle, it was a little bit easier to progress to actually strapping it on as he enjoyed his treat.

Pad aid is worth taking. I always carry it in my doggy first aid kit. It is a spray but I decanted some into a small 2oz pump spray bottle. Vet wrap is also good and can be used as a bandage for humans as well. It's all I carry as a bandage in either of my first aid kits. And either soda crystal or a apomorphine pill to make her throw up in case she eats any poison or baits.

I can’t recommend bringing along the puppy booties enough! We had a particularly hot weekend trip near the AT where our pup’s pads peeled on our way out on the loop and sweated and swore the rest of the way (mostly at my partner) that we hadn’t packed her booties. The hot slate really did a number on our poor pup, so watch out for rocks that have been baking in the sun all day. The mushers wax will also treat anything that happens to pop up. If her pads do peel it’s not that big of a deal, especially because you have the booties and the socks! Have fun!

The Benadryl definitely works to alleviate the swelling from a snakebite. My German shepherd got bit last year by a water moccasin and I immediately called my vet and he told me how many mg to give him. It reduced the swelling on his snout where he was bitten.

You sound like an awesome dog mom💞. What a great trip for both of you.

At the vet’s office you can buy it OTC, Adaptil (they make a collar - last 4-5 weeks or spray to put on her blanket or harness). Really helps with anxiety

Dixie, this video hit the spot for me. I've watched every video you've put up, and I've followed you faithfully in real time since you passed Pennsylvania on the AT! I've been backpacking since 1957 (age 10 then), all section hiking, about 30 nights a year but Rusty--a rescue--joined my family 9 months ago. He and I spent our first night out together last weekend and many more coming in the Cloud Peak Wilderness this summer. My take-aways from your video and from my one night. I'M GETTING DOG BOOTS (Ruffwear or Mutluks). I'm avoiding blow up air pads and going back to Ridgerest. I'm carrying the pack and food and gear. Rusty loves to romp the woods near the trail, and I love to watch. I'm getting Rusty footwear for protection. He's already gotten sore paws from our Wyoming winter walks-snowshoes-xc ski trips. I'm taking my Garmin training collar to "call" him with a tone when out of shouting distance. I'm letting Rusty set the distances each day. I'm leaving my Duplex at home and taking my Triplex for just Rusty and my ULA Catalyst and me. I'm getting utter cream or musher's cream. I'm getting dog boots and taking the time to get Rusty used to them. Thank you for inspiring me to hike more.

Not necessarily "hiking" related, but training related. If Fancy gets freaked out when dogs approach her, she might start associating the muzzle more with that experience than with the treats she gets when she's got the muzzle on. Maybe you've covered this in your training class, but my suggestion (non expert) would be to 'bolus treat' or 'jackpot' with the muzzle on as another dog is approaching her. My thought with this is she will be aware of the dog coming over, but more focused on the food. If you have friends with dogs, I'd suggest doing this a few times with the friend's dog on leash approaching Fancy before you hit the trail.

I am such a dog guy, I would love to have a four footed hiking partner. I really hope Fancy has a great time, I would get one of the dog trackers to hang on her collar. You can see her location on your cell phone. I don’t think she would run off, but just in case the peace of mind would be great.

My baby girl Indiana would have been 13 on December 12th of this year. She was my walking in the woods buddy. She suddenly passed this summer. I’m glad you’ve posted this video. I’m trying to graduate from day hikes to overnight hikes and I would love to take my other dog Rue with me to continue that tradition I had with Indy and make more happy memories.

Hey Dixie. I rescued a reactive dog 2.5 yrs ago. Hiking therapy has been the best. Be aware booties can make a dog over heat so keep a close eye on pup. They sweat through their feet. I carry veterinarian tape and gauze in doggy first aid kit in case of pads getting injured. If it gets chilly I wrap my boy up in my down jacket. and he is fine. You can see his latest adventure on my video. He still doesn't like other dogs, but I keep a treat pouch on my hip belt to distract him. Good luck and have a great time!

I also have a dog with high anxiety, however my dogs instinctual response is Fight rather than Flight. He never hurts anyone, but boy, can he put on a big show. Hiking and backpacking has been a lifesaver. He's like a whole new dog. He's both confident in himself, and confident that I will protect him if need be. One of the hard truths about owning an anxious dog is you can't ever have a "normal" dog. But with hard work and an established bond, the anxiety becomes more and more manageable, and you can be confident your dog is happy, and establish a tight bond. While my dog still sometimes falls into his old habits of putting up a front, I honestly can't imagine trading him for anything. He's a great dog, and he's so willing to learn and work with me. He just needs some help. I hope Fancy comes back from the trip with a new understanding of herself and comfort in knowing her human mom is there for her.

I’ve taught my dogs how to drink from a camelback. I carry two camelback bladders, one for me and one for the dogs. Saves time by not having to pour water into a cup. We use the bowls during long breaks. Also, my pet emergency kit includes Benadryl and Pepcid and Coban wrap for cuts. You should teach Fancy Mae the command “leave it”, comes in handy if the try to eat something they shouldn’t, chase something they shouldn’t and in case you come across something she is a little to curious about. Good luck!

Please keep this videos up I go hiking all the time with my pup and still learning how lol

We're just starting working with our dog. Fancy is going to be in great hands. Sounds like you have everything thought through. We're looking at the same pack. We're taking the dogs out for day hikes. We're lucky to have several close by. Thank you Dixie!! Wonderful for site.

I have had a canine hiking and canoeing partner for the last 5 yrs. I have used boots for canadian winter hikes. What you showed on your video of Fancy with the boots was exactly how my toolee did. In my experience it just took time wearing it and a regular walk returned. My guess is the lack of sensation was why the odd walk occurred till Toolee got used to the different feel of wearing the boots.

You obviously have done a ton of research and great to see another responsible doggie mom on trail. We have the IDENTICAL gear! Fancy will love it and will have a blast. 1st overnight loop last weekend. You might consider bringing hemostats for quiills, slivers, etc. Cut our trip a little shorter. Tweezers will not work for quills or deep splinters. Amazon multicolor cheap and light. Have a blast.

My dog hates the boots too but what helped her is we played ball with her. She loves playing ball and doesn’t even notice the boots when she plays. Then she doesn’t mind the boots anymore.

Im so happy with how you worked with her to get her ready!! This is a great video to reference!!! Thanks so much! We take one of our dogs on day hikes and our new puppy will be starting soon when the weather gets better. For the boots I recommend putting them on a distraction, food or play, whatever motivates her and getting her to run to get the treat or you. This will help get her to think they are normal.

I have a German Shepard mix named Missy. I rescued her 4 years ago and have been backpacking with her ever since. She also had very bad anxiety but hiking really helped her gain a lot of confidence. Here’s some advice I’ve learned over the years while hiking with my girl. 1. Learn the signs of heatstroke in dogs. Black coated dogs absorb more sunlight and are at a higher risk of overheating. I would consider carrying a cooling vest. 2. I carry CBD oil for my dog. Not only does it help with her anxiety but it also relieves some of the aches and pains of hiking all day. 3. Bug Spray is a must! I use deet free, plant based spray. It keeps all those pesky mosquitos and gnats away. 4. Make sure to adjust her pack after you’ve added weight. If you adjust when empty it will fit loose and cause chafing. I personally don’t care for the Ruffwear packs. In my experience, they’re not durable. My dog wears a Mountainsmith K-9 pack.

I like carrying the Aqua dog auto mug. It is good to have on the go to give her water without having to stop and pop a bowl up and possibly waste water.

For all those wanting dog hiking footage I have some on my channel. Slowly posting more as I get time to edit etc.

You are such a good dog mom! Fancy is a lucky pup! I hope you have a wonderful time with your mom and your dog.

My dog Elvis and I have been backpacking for a few years now including sections of the PCT and the Sierras. You seem to have covered all the major gear and medical equipment for the pup. I also have a picture of Elvis’ vaccination records on my phone just in case, instead of carrying a piece of paper. Looking forward to your adventure! Happy trails.

That dogs got it made now👍👍😃

The OllyBottle is available on Amazon and it is a 1 liter water bottle with a detachable bowl on the side. It always you to carry one bottle and share without getting dog slobber in your personal water. I would suggest looking into it.

What a sweet dog and great job to you using treats and positive methods to help Fancy! :) I plant a trekking pole to protect my dog, blocking other dogs who approach my dog rudely. You can also just body block other dogs (give 'em the butt!) to keep them out of her face. Protect her in between you and your Mom and announce to other people you don't want their dog to approach. Never reach in to a dog fight! I will also carry a push button umbrella at times to protect my dog(s). The umbrella can help to protect when closed (plant, block, stab if an aggressive dog attacks) and many dogs are put off if you suddenly open it. When open, you can use the umbrella as a barrier between two dogs without getting hurt yourself. Obviously, you would need to teach Fancy about the umbrella first or she will jump out of her skin, poor gal! Also, I suggest a "Pack-A-Paw" Rescue Harness in case you need to carry her out of the back country. It weighs 7.4oz. mountaindogware.com/dog-carrying-harness-usa.html Happy trails! :)

Hey girl I think you got it covered. You definitely did your research! Fancy is adorable! Thank you for saving her life. This trip will build her confidence even more. One thing to bring is a tick comb! It's good for her and you and your mom as well. Just make it a ritual when you stop for the night before going to bed to check each other for ticks. If black flies and mosquitoes will be a problem check with your Vet about using Lemon eucalyptus oil as a natural repellent for her. Also you and your mom can use it too. Just make sure she doesn't lick it.

I always hike with my dog and the ruffwear bowl Works very well with water! Enjoy your time together, it is such a great way of spending quality time.

I would bring a small pair of needle nose pliers, that way if anything gets poked into her pad (like cactus spikes) you have something to remove it with. I grew up in a desert area and we always carries a pair because prickly pair cacti love to get into dogs feet. Side note, i love how considerate you are to your puppo! Happy hiking!

I'm with Fancy, I don't like having my butt sniffed either.

I hope you all have the times of your life.

Fancy’s boots: I use Ruffware boots for my large Giant Schnauzer mix, “Seamus”. He did the same foot-slapping walk that Fancy does in this video. Seamus adjusted very quickly because I immediately took him biking (he heels to the right of my bike on lead). Fast-paced activity made him forget abt the boots as he focused on me and my commands while trotting alongside. I thank you for this video because Seamus and I will be hiking the Timberline Trail this fall. Our first hiking adventure, so your info is much appreciated.

Also carry a very small tin of bag balm (made or cow utters) if her paws get sore, or wounds it’s very healing. Not to mention rub it on your hands and feet it will help you too.

I have a rescue dog also and we have all the same problems as you do, but I love him all the same and he has made so many improvements. love how you care for your dog and what your doing with her..

I'm a Search and Rescue volunteer in WA state - my organization has taken calls for dogs before and there's also an animal-specific organization (for dogs and horses) that does rescues as well. Of course it's better to avoid those situations if possible.

This is super helpful, you read my mind! I'm also going to try the Palisades pack for my hike. Thermarest pad- I'm eager to see how this goes for you. I haven't bought one yet but my plan was to fold it in half and cut it down to size for added comfort. Great minds think alike, lol! Mine will also be in Spring/Summer but we'll be doing Europe so I'm worried about the cold. I think I will also get the sleeping bag, just in case. Boots- I've made the mistake of not using boots on my dog once. Never again. I usually use cheap ones from PetSmart if it's a hot day or of we'll be hiking but for this trip, we'll be getting the Ruffwear brand. Advice: I threw mine to the wolves. I told her if you want to move, you gotta do it with boots. Deal with it. She got over it quickly, she's also a nervous Nelly sometimes. My dog warmed up to people a lot, or maybe got better at ignoring them, while we were in Mexico for a week so I'm hoping that Europe will have an even stronger effect.

Hi Dixie, When I hike and backpack with my dog, I put a heavy duty carabiner through the loop on my trekking poles and attach the leash. Works really great! You can use paracord to reinforce the loops if need be. I agree with some of the other comments about making sure the weight in the pack is evenly distributed. I use the same pack you selected! Enjoy your time with your dog. I have found I enjoy the trail more with my dog!

Awhh! What a sweet girl. I’m sure she will come around soon enough!

Thank you so much for this video. I have one dog sounds a lot like Fancy and I want to take him out but am nervous about other loose dogs. It makes me feel better that I am not alone with a dog that doesn't love other dogs.

Look up pack a paw rescue harness. It’s the easiest way to hike your dog out in an emergency. Also, like others have said ask your vet about some type of pain relief or buffer just in case. We have a very minimalistic kit for our dogs but have had to use all of it at different points. We have hiked/backpacked over 3,000+ miles with our dogs. Some practice hikes will definitely help you dial in her system just like you would for your own.

Musher's Secret is something that I use on my dog's paw pads to keep them supple and protected. You can get a small can that will fit in her pack. I also make "pemmican bites" for my dog's snack breaks. Hi fat/protein/energy concentrated into snack sized bites and helps to keep her going strong. Also, I would suggest taking a small package of K9 electrolytes along. Your vet will have some, or you can get some at Tractor Supply or feed stores. Just incase she gets over-exerted. And be sure her Heartworm prevention and flea/tick prevention is current. I'm so excited for you all! Have fun!!!

We have taken our our dogs on 4 or 5 trips, each 3 or 4 nights. They are well behaved and just make everything more fun. When I pull their packs out they run over and stick their heads through the opening, so they are pretty happy wearing them. In Desolation Wilderness (near Lake Tahoe), which has tons of granite, their feet have gotten beaten up. The booties are ridiculous looking and they definitely are not fans at first, but without booties, their feet would get destroyed. I love that, as their packs get smaller from eating food, I transfer small things from my pack (trash, small items, etc.) -- so my pack gets even lighter and theirs stay about the same. Be really careful about the straps rubbing their armpits raw. We've had to go through a few different packs with our younger dog to find one that worked.

I have the exact same pack for my pup, Havana. (And the singletrak pack for my other pup, Bella.) She is an Australian shepherd and weighs about 55lbs. One things I would keep an eye out for is rubbing under her arm pits. That is the only place I have had issues so far with the palisades pack when its loaded and we are on trail. The ruffwaer trail runner bowl is something I keep on me at all times if my dogs are with me; it holds water well! The only issue is if two dogs try to drink from it at once, the sides tend to get pushed down and water dumps out. As for the boots, if your pup has dew claws, the socks are a must (they also tend to make the boots slide off easier in some situations so its a catch 22)! We found that their dew claws are the area that rubs the most. As for getting her used to them, do short intervals with lots of treats. Try to get her to focus on something else, like training or practicing basic commands. That way she is distracted from the funny things hugging her feet. (Ps. if you get into slushy snow, beware they come off sometimes!). Also, I LOVE that you have her muzzle trained! So many people do not understand that its such a great tool and helps keep everyone safe. Regarding Benadryl (I work at a vet and am applying to vet school this semester), dogs don't have the same histamine receptors like we humans do, so the Benadryl is not actually helping with allergic or inflammatory reactions. The reason Benadryl "helps" is because it knocks the pup out. If the pup is drowsy, they are less likely to scratch, chew, etc, at themselves in reaction to what they are feeling from whatever they encountered. So a good idea to have it as a tool that can be helpful in some circumstances (like getting her to chill and go to sleep the first night or if she is extra stressed or itchy one night). Also, like we have for ourselves, make sure you have medical supplies that will work for her for taking care of basic things (ticks, cuts, scratches, etc). I also carry a copy of their medical records(print or digital) so that in the case of an emergency, the vet I go to has their entire history. Hope this informations helps; its just a bit of what Ive learned and experienced in taking my pups backpacking with me! -Katie, Havana, and Bella (@adventuredoghavana on insta!)

Hurray for leases and muzzles! I am positively overjoyed whenever I see hikers being responsible for all dogs safety. It definitely makes hiking logistically more challenging, but I think totally worth it. Best of luck to you and hope the trail helps her grow!

My standard poodle, Gus, had ACL repair. To help prevent him from sliding on our wood floors we kept slipper socks on him. Orvis made the best socks, they wouldn’t slide off his feet.🤙

Benadryl save my dog's life when he got stung by a wasp

We use a Costco 1lb down blanket fur our pup at night. It works great paired with the foam pad and let's our dog spread out if wanted.

Another good reason for booties is Pine tar, it will stick to their paws and then Pine needles and gravel will stick to that.

Saw a comment about hemostats for pulling out quills and such, which I think is a good suggestion. If she does get into a porcupine, remember to cut the tips of the quill off before pulling it out to let some of the air out. As a kid, one of our dogs would grab a porcupine about once a year and this tip seemed to make it easier to pull the quills out of his mouth and cheeks. Unfortunately, these interesting creatures are more and more rare, but there's still a chance you might encounter one.