10 Tips To Leave No Trace With Your Dog

The popularity of having outdoor adventures with your dog has skyrocketed over the past few years. Hiking and camping with dogs can make for a great experience, but it can also damage those around you and the places that you visit. When we allow our pets to have a negative impact on our outdoor spaces, more restrictions for dog owners will follow. As people who adventure with dogs, it’s important that we are outstanding members of the outdoor community so that we can protect wild spaces. These 10 tips to leave no trace will help you to enjoy the outdoors with your dog while protecting shared wild spaces.

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If you’re new to traveling with your dogs check out: 16 Tips For Traveling With Dogs

If you’re thinking about doing a National Park trip with your pups check out: The Most And Least Dog Friendly National Parks

Packing List For Travel With Dogs

• Extra Tags (in case you lose yours)
• Copy of Rabies Vaccines and Health Records
• Leashes
• Harnesses
• Hammock Seat Cover 
• Dog Seat Belts 
• Crate/Kennel 
• Dog Bed (I usually bring one for the car)
• Food & Water Bowls 
• Food & Extra Water 
• Care Products – I always bring Benadryl, Famotidine, Nose & Paw Ointment 
• Dog First Aid Kit 
• Poop Bag Holder
• Biodegradable Poop Bags And THIS handy little thing
• Cleaning Supplies (at the very least carpet cleaner)
• Toys/Kong/Bones/Treats (Freya needs distractions on long road trips)
• Ball (its always a good idea to have at least a ball)
• 50 ft leashes for Airbnb yards 
• Towels (esp if you have messy dogs like mine) 
• A Current Photo (in case they get lost)
• Backpack 
• Collapsible Water Bowl

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Now let’s get down to it – What can you do to leave no trace with your dog?

10 Tips For Leaving No Trace With Your Dog

1. Plan Ahead 

Being in the outdoors with your dogs takes a little more research than normal outdoor trips. Doing your research will let you know if your intended destination is dog friendly, regulations, and dog friendly trails. For instance, if you are looking for dog friendly National Parks, you probably don’t want to visit Rocky Mountain National Park or Yellowstone National Park. But Acadia, Grand Canyon, Cuyahoga, or Shenandoah would be a perfect fit for you. For more on dog friendly National Parks check out: The Most Dog Friendly National Parks.

2. Keep Your Dog Leashed And Under Control

This is another part of researching, but you’ll need to know the leash regulations. In most cases, dogs are to be kept on a leash no longer than 6 ft at all times. But I can’t tell you how many times Loki, Freya, and I have been on a trail and come across a free-roaming pup. It’s great if your dog is well trained and listens well, but for those who allow their dogs off leash in these areas, you could be causing damage to both the trails and other visitors. Just because your dog is friendly does not mean that leashed dogs on the trail are friendly.

Keeping your dog under control is a common courtesy and I’ll be the first to admit that sometimes in Loki’s excitement to get on trial – he can be a little out of control. He’s a big talker and loves to start jabbering away about how excited he is. In these instances we will stand to the side, sit and calm down a bit before starting on the trail. We aren’t trying to ruin anyone else’s enjoyment of the outdoors by causing a ruckus.

When I hike or walk with both Loki & Freya I used a belt with 2 bungee leashes and that system works pretty well for us. As you can see from the photo below they love the tangle the leashes together but this doesn’t impact their fun or enjoyment at all!

3. Be Considerate Of Others 

I know you love exploring the outdoors with your dog as much as I do, but remember that everyone enjoys the outdoors differently. There are some people who would prefer we didn’t bring our dogs at all (I know, that thought is pure craziness). Most people are wanting a little peace and tranquility while they are in nature and if you’ve got a dog that constantly barks, well, they aren’t getting much of that peace and tranquility are they? This is one of the biggest reasons that dog restrictions are put into place. But what can you do?

Your dog should never be allowed to run up to people and jump on them, be aggressive wit other dogs, or otherwise cause a disturbance by barking or begging for food from other hikers. Be aware that some people are afraid of dogs, and you should never allow your dog to approach a fellow hiker unless they ask.

When hiking I always give those without dogs the right of way, whether I am going up or down the trail. I always pull Loki and Freya to the side (being aware of vegetation) and make them sit and wait for other to pass.

4. Pack Out What You Take In

With the addition of dogs to your outdoor time, you’ll want to pack out everything that you take in. This includes things like food, water bowls, water bottles (getting a reusable waterbottle is the best option), and toys that your dog may play with during your walk or hike. And, of course, the most important thing to take with you…

5. Dispose Of Waste Properly

Yes, it sucks when your dog takes a big one on a trail, Loki does this to me all the time, and you have to spend the rest of your hike with a smelly bag strapped to your side. BUT leaving your dogs waste behind can do so much damage particularly to local wildlife. It can spread domestic diseases so easily to local wildlife. Plus, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost stepped in dog poop next to trails. Please, pick up after your pet, it’s one of the easiest ways to leave no trace with dogs. I use these biodegradable poop bags and one of this handy carrier so that I don’t have to put the smelly bags in my backpack.

6. Consider Your Dogs Comfort Level

When hiking with your dog you want to take their fitness level into consideration before choosing a hike. You’ve got to take your dog into consideration when it comes to outdoor adventures. For example, if you have an older dog pick a shorter trail with less elevation gain. If you’ve got double-counted dogs don’t take them on a 10-mile hike in the middle of the day in the dead heat of summer. You don’t want your dog to be injured because you’ve pushed them beyond their limits. Know your dog well and consider what will be best for both you and your dog.

7. Leave What You Find 

Now, I understand that like my Freya, your dogs probably love sticks and want to carry them on the trail or while out exploring the outdoors. But leave stick play for at home or at the dog park. When you are in shared outdoor spaces it’s important to stop your dog from removing things. Don’t forget to inspect them for ticks or other pests to help prevent spread to other areas.

8. Respect Wildlife

This one is tough, and I know it, owning 2 huskies with high prey drive, I get it! But dogs can dramatically impact an environment by harassing wildlife.  Keeping them on a leash or under control is important to prevent these disturbances. If you are hiking or camping in a place where leashes are not required, it is important that your dog has good recall. Dogs that take themselves for adventures are more likely to sustain an injury, bother wildlife or unknowingly bring wildlife (including bears) back to camp.

Fun Story: Loki is generally just an observer when it comes to wildlife. However, while we were in Yellowstone he was really into bison. He would vibrate with excitement when he was watching them out the window and start doing his excited husky yips. I kept the windows up at all times, and the bison seemed completely unbothered by his sound. BUT had I left the window down enough for him to wiggle out this could have been a completely different situation.

9. Travel & Camp On Durable Surfaces

Staying on the trail might be a struggle for some dogs and their owners. And it certainly isn’t as fun for your dog who would rather run up and down hills and through the woods. However, it’s better for the planet and will allow everyone to enjoy their hike. Dogs and their people going off trails in parks can cause erosion and soil damage or trample delicate plants. If you can, it’s always best to stay on a trail. 

As I mentioned above, if you absolutely need to go off a trail, for example stepping aside to allow someone to pass you, try to stick to durable surfaces like rock, sand, or gravel rather than allowing your dog to play freely among plants and trees.

10. Take Only Photos, Leave Only Pawprints 

The seven principles of Leave No Trace are designed to help us meet one important goal: leaving nature and outdoor shared spaces just as beautiful for others to enjoy. I’ve switched them up a bit to make them dog friendly but the 7 Leave No Trace principles are:

Plan ahead & prepare, Travel & camp on durable surfaces, Dispose of waste properly, Leave what your find, Minimize campfire impacts, Respect wildlife, and Be considerate of others.

Whether you’re a canine or human outdoor enthusiast, following these principles is an easy way to ensure respectful and sustainable hiking and outdoor exploration with your dog. Take only photos and leave only pawprints.

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