Getting out and around the wilderness is great. Doing it with your dog is even better. And best of all? Taking the time to make sure that both of you are properly outfitted for both convenience and safety. You’ll be happy you did when it turns out you need the stuff.

Hiking with your dog can be a wonderful experience, but you should definitely give a thought to the canine-essential gear you need. If you’re looking to have an outdoor experience with your pet, and minimize the hassle, then here’s some extra gear that’ll make life easier for both of you.

If you’re planning on a hike much longer than a half-hour, you should make sure you bring along some food for your canine companion. For shorter treks, a few treats are usually fine, on longer ones you may want to bring a serving or two of their regular food. Hiking burns a lot of calories, for both of you. That means you’ll need to replenish afterward, and your dog may get hungry along the trail’s edge.

Treats are also a good idea for dogs new to hiking. Use them as a positive reinforcement measure to encourage your dog not to do things like chase squirrels or going off into the brush alone.

More doggie gear tips here…