The Weekly Woof™ Blog

One minute your dog is cruising down the trail. The next, they're limping, holding up a paw, or stopping to lick it. Torn paw pads are a common trail injury. They can look pretty nasty (and bleed a lot), but...

One of our favorite trail commands is “in line,” a simple way to get your dog behind you when you can’t see what’s ahead. We’re sharing how we use it on the trail and how to teach it to your dog.

Yeah, we are a dog gear company, and we’re here to tell you that you probably don’t need that much dog gear. Wilderdog exists to help people get outside with their dogs, and we don’t think getting out there should require a closet full of stuff. So here’s our practical guide to what you actually need, what’s nice to have, and what you can probably skip.

Off-leash freedom can be one of the best parts of adventuring with your dog, but it comes with responsibility. A truly off-leash-ready dog needs reliable recall, good trail manners, and an owner who knows when and where it’s appropriate to let them roam. Know the rules, know your dog, and when in doubt, clip the leash back on.

Nobody plans for an overheating emergency. You're out on a hike, hanging at the lake, camping for the weekend, or just taking a neighborhood walk on a hotter-than-expected afternoon. Then your dog starts slowing down, panting harder than usual, and suddenly you're wondering if they're just tired... or if something's actually wrong. Here's what to watch for, what to do if it happens, and how to help keep your dog safe when the temperatures climb.

Dogs + beer = good times... usually. Breweries can be a lot for dogs, from crowded patios to constant distractions. Here are five unofficial rules to help make your next brewery visit fun for everyone.

We spend a lot of time exploring Tahoe with our dogs. It's our backyard, our playground, and one of the most dog-friendly places anywhere. We'd like to keep it that way. That's why we're partnering with Keep Tahoe Blue to remind all of us of one simple habit: Pick it up. Pack it out. Toss it in the trash. 

A dog that pulls on a neighborhood walk is frustrating. A dog that pulls on a hike is exhausting. The most common mistake dog owners make is trying to address the problem in the most challenging environment possible. We’ll cover some effective (and ineffective) approaches to get you to a more enjoyable trail experience with your pup.

Meet Egg and Noodle. Egg is the woman who trained her Border Collie/Lab mix, Noodle, to help her forage for mushrooms in the Northern California woods. We chatted with them about all things dogs and mushrooms.

It sounds counterintuitive, but one of the most beneficial pieces of training you can give your dog is to do nothing. The goal is a calm, deliberate lack of reaction to the distractions and overstimulating environments that daily life is full of. A dog that has learned this skill can sit, lay down, and truly relax almost anywhere. Picnics in the park or meals at crowded cafes become much more calm when your dog is resting. Teaching “place” or “settle” gives your dog a cue that the current situation calls for relaxation rather than excitement.

Do good boys and girls really belong at the crag? That’s a can of worms we’re about to open. Last year, Outside Magazine ran an article which argued that all dogs should be left at home. But we’ll still argue that yes, dogs should be welcome at the crag. To keep everyone safe and happy, here’s what you’ll want to consider. 

Pico is the newest member of the Wilderdog family, and his journey is a testament to what can happen when people come together to help a dog in need. Just 24 hours away from euthanasia at an overcrowded shelter, Pico was given a second chance through the efforts of a breed-specific rescue, dedicated volunteers, and countless people who shared his story. Today, he's thriving in a loving home with a human sister and dog brother. Meet Pico and the rescue network that helped change his life.

Not all leashes are created equal. Beyond color, dog leashes vary greatly in strength, weight, handle type, and material. The differences may seem small for a quick walk around the block, but over the course of a long trail run or hike in the rain or snow, you’ll want to make sure you have the right leash for the job. Here is Wilderdog’s guide to choosing the right leash for any occasion.

There's a version of biking with your dog that looks effortless: smooth singletrack, a focused pup pacing perfectly behind you, dirt kicking up in golden light. And then there's the reality when it's done wrong. (And we've all seen it done wrong.) To help put together this guide, we got some help from Jess Smith, a seasoned mountain biker, dog owner, and Board Chair of TAMBA.

Through The Conservation Alliance’s Brands for Public Lands initiative, Wilderdog has joined a coalition of businesses dedicated to keeping America’s public lands protected and accessible to all. Wilderdog is proud to share a partnership focused on protecting the backcountry that has inspired our company and so many of our products.

 

Philadelphia is one of those cities where you don’t have to choose between urban exploring and getting outside. With riverside trails, historic parks, and easy access to nature, it’s a great place to spend a day out with your dog. Here are some of our favorite dog-friendly things to do in Philadelphia.

Spring is around the corner and with that, many of us are getting back into the outdoor fitness routines. Temperatures are warmer, snow is melting quick, and trails are calling us. This season tends to bring a boost in motivation —...

Wilderdog's Conifur has quietly become one of the brand's most beloved products. It’s an enrichment toy that keeps dogs busy, mentally stimulated, and endlessly entertained. The story of how it came to be is just as unexpected as the toy...

If there’s one underrated activity to do with your dog, it’s cross-country skiing. Or nordic skiing, skate skiing, or XC skiing, or launglauf if you speak German. Dog owners who love an outdoor adventure already know about trail running, hiking,...

Though the steel city has an industrial ring to it, Pittsburgh is a surprisingly very dog-friendly city. It’s filled with over 165 parks, plenty of breweries with dog-friendly patios, and is surrounded by trails along three rivers that pass near the city for outdoor adventures. Here is a list of some of our favorite dog-friendly activities in and around Pittsburgh.

What happens when a stray dog wanders into a group of Buddhist monks on a peace walk through India? Naturally, he joins them. Meet Aloka — the dog who recently tagged along on a 2,300-mile trek across the United States...