It all happened when I met Charlie. I fell for him immediately.  He was fun, handsome, engaging, and loved to eat and play–a welcome change to what I’m used to. … Read More

I rarely walk my dog. Because I’m a trail runner, I run with him, but even when injuries stop me from running, I still don’t walk my dog. In fact, many dog trainers I know… Read More

Hand feeding your dog their daily meals is one of the most powerful tools to train your dog new skills. In addition, you will build motivation, develop a stronger bond, and improve their beh… Read More

Running with your dog is a great way to provide regular exercise, prevent obesity and also bond with them. Dogs are truly the best running partners, and as long as you approach the t… Read More

If you’ve never gone camping with your dog or you don’t go often enough that you forget what dog camping gear essentials to pack each time you head out, then this is the post for… Read More

Until I had traveled to Park City with an old dog several years ago, I had never wondered about altitude sickness in dogs. My dog, who had a heart murmur, was running around happily, and the… Read More

The first step in successful training a dog is through clear communication. In order to do this, we teach the dog a set of marker words that pair a sound or word to a behavior through classi… Read More

Aversive tools in dog training are a controversial topic. Certain dog training tools and methods, namely prong collars and e-collars are regularly cited as abusive and unnecessary in dog tra… Read More

Sitka and I recently spent a few days exploring some of the dog-friendly winter activities in Spokane, Washington with Visit Spokane. Despite growing up in Washington, I had never really… Read More

Fees at pet-friendly hotels can add up quickly, so knowing which hotels allow dogs to stay for free can keep vacation budgets down. Fortunately, there are some great options for those travel… Read More

Hypothermia in dogs is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary treatment if the symptoms are severe. The best way to prevent this problem is to monitor your dog when y… Read More

Have you ever wondered how cold is too cold for your dog? I love winter hiking with my dog. The scenery changes, there are fewer people, and we can participate in different activities, l… Read More

There are many reasons someone would want to use an e-collar with their dog that has nothing to do with behavioral issues. A lot of dog owners think that e-collars are only for “b… Read More

I generally do not allow strangers to approach or pet my dog, and I never allow on-leash greetings with other dogs.  The culture in the dog world has created the assumption that it i… Read More

With rising temperatures and record heat waves across the planet, we are seeing an increase of blue-green algae blooms in bodies of water. Sometimes, these blooms are toxic and can be harmfu… Read More

Like humans, dogs can become dehydrated and it can be serious.  Learning how to recognize the symptoms of dehydration in dogs can save your dog’s life. This is especially impor… Read More

If you’re a runner with a dog, chances are you like to bring your dog along with you. Long distance runners might wonder how far a dog can run. Is it safe for their four-legged pal… Read More

If your dog isn’t a bite risk, why would you ever need to muzzle train your dog? Because muzzles rock. Truly.  They have a poor connotation associated with aggressive dogs… Read More

When you’re short on time or the weather is uninviting, enrichment activities are a great way to give your dog some mental stimulation when you can’t give them physical activity… Read More

Knowing what I know now about dog socialization, the dog park is a place I avoid entirely, unless I’m sticking to the outside to work on training. The purpose of dog parks is to cre… Read More

During the end of a long trail run, on an on-leash trail, I learned the hard way that my dog was not ready to hike off-leash. Sixteen miles into an 18-mile run, Sora and I came upon a group… Read More

Teaching your dog impulse control is an important life skill that can help keep them safe and curb unwanted behaviors like darting out of doorways or jumping on people. Impulse control means… Read More

Working with a professional dog trainer after I adopted Sitka was one of the best decisions I made for the both of us.  I felt resistant at first because I believed that needing to hire… Read More

Like many, I learned about balanced dog training and the use of aversive tools like the prong collar and e-collar after exhausting the use of positive reinforcement only training with a chal… Read More

Visit Bend hosted me on this amazing trip to Bend to celebrate Bend Ale Trail Month. All opinions are my own. Did you know that the Bend Ale Trail was the first ale trail in the west? It sta… Read More

Gunner Kennels kindly sent me the G1 Medium to test out. I can truly say that this kennel is life changing. I feel so much safer driving knowing that Sitka is contained and will be protected… Read More

This post is sponsored by Dexas International, creators of some of my favorite travel and camping essentials for dogs. I only work with brands I use and would personally recommend, and I thi… Read More

Thank you Crystal Mountain Resort for hosting Sitka and me in exchange for this honest review of our experience. Spoiler alert: we can’t wait to go back. Crystal Mountain Resort, a ski… Read More

This post is sponsored by TailTrax, an innovative app for pet parents that allows you to store all of your pet’s most important information to access anytime, anywhere. All opinions ar… Read More

It’s here, it’s here! It’s the REI Labor Day sale with all the fun items for your future outdoor needs. I am definitely all about scoring a good deal and will often wait fo… Read More

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I earn a small commission. As you know, I do my research when I recommend products! I have either used or would personally purchas… Read More

SPOT LLC sent me the SPOT X 2-Way Satellite Messenger for me to test and provide an honest review. All opinions are my own. I spend hours trail running in the woods alone with Sitka most wee… Read More

Bend, Oregon is a popular year-round destination for anyone who enjoys being active in the outdoors. It is especially popular for those who travel with their dogs! I lived there for about ei… Read More

Many dog owners talk about crate training benefits, but if you’re new to dog ownership or you’ve always had a dog that does well free roaming in the home, then you may wonder wha… Read More

I partnered with Hotels.com to bring you this dog-friendly guide to Gatlinburg, TN Straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is known fo… Read More

Like many unknowing dog owners, I used to allow my dogs to ride in the back seat or hitch of the car without worrying about their safety. They lay down and were calm, so I never saw a need t… Read More

We received a complimentary stay from Basecamp Tahoe South in exchange for an honest review and posts on social media. All opinions remain my own. Lake Tahoe has always been on my list of pl… Read More

I partnered with Hotels.com to bring you this dog-friendly guide to El Paso El Paso, Texas sits in the westernmost corner of the state, squeezed in between the border with New Mexico and Mex… Read More

This post is sponsored by one of my favorite adventure dog gear brands, Kurgo. I’ve used their gear for years and would never recommend anything that I wouldn’t use myself! My op… Read More

If you have a reactive or nervous dog, it can make life a bit more challenging. It can be especially stressful when it comes to introducing your nervous dog to other dogs and people. I have… Read More

Disclaimer: Voyagers K9 Apparel sent me this Rain Coat to test and review. I have purchased other jackets from the brand previously because I love the quality and design. I test my products… Read More

I partnered with Hotels.com to bring you this dog-friendly guide to the Florida Keys. If you’ve been wanting to escape to the tropics, planning a dog-friendly visit to the Florida Keys… Read More

Disclaimer: Diggs sent me a Revol Dog Crate and a Snooz Pad to test and write an honest review on my blog. My opinions are my own and I think this crate rules. This post contains affili… Read More

Disclaimer: We received the Burley Tail Wagon as part of a sponsorship for our bike trip. The opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own and we were in no way compensated for this r… Read More

I partnered with Hotels.com to bring you this dog-friendly guide to Yosemite National Park. Yosemite was California’s first national park and is a designated UNESCO World Heritage site… Read More

Hiking with a dog that has leash reactivity can be extremely frustrating. From owners who do not obey leash laws to those who allow their dogs off leash with no recall, finding safe spaces t… Read More

I partnered with Hotels.com to bring you this dog-friendly guide the Grand Canyon. The Grand Canyon is the second-most visited national park in the US, and for good reason. The mile-deep gor… Read More

Teaching a few basic dog training commands right off the bat goes a long way in terms of obedience, relationship building, and leadership. The biggest keys to success for teaching these esse… Read More

Disclaimer: Voyagers K9 Apparel sent me a Winter Coat to test and review. I have purchased other jackets from the brand previously because I love the quality and design. I test my products t… Read More

Many dog owners have the idea that meeting every dog you pass during a walk is an essential part of dog socialization.  It is not. On-leash greetings are actually the opposite of what y… Read More