Spring has just begun, which makes it a great time to start hiking with your dog. Hiking is a favorite pastime for many people in the Pacific Northwest, and for many people, bringing their dog on their favorite hike just adds to the fun. It’s also an easy way to incorporate some extra exercise into your dog’s life.
Shoreline Store Manager Lizzie Humphries is an avid hiker who loves to take her dog, Sodo, hiking, camping and snowshoeing as often as she can. They also ride scooters together, which she admits isn’t much of a workout but is incredibly fun. Sodo is a dachshund, which may not be the first dog you think about when you consider choosing a hiking companion. However, Lizzie, Sodo, and her boyfriend have conquered dozens of trails together, and Lizzie has plenty of hiking tips to share.
LH: Before you start your first hike, it’s important to make sure that you’re prepared to face any obstacles or elements you might encounter when you’re hiking. Even if I’m a bit overpacked, I’ve always found that I’m going to be in the best position out in the wilderness when I have everything I might possibly need.
In addition to the equipment you’ll need for hiking, I have a list of equipment I’ll need hiking with Sodo. We always take a portable water bowl, plenty of extra water and treats or a dehydrated raw meal depending on the length of the hike. I also pack a ton of poop bags, a leash, and natural flea and tick repellent.
If we’re hiking in the snow or doing some snowshoeing, I bring a heavy waterproof jacket for Sodo and an extra wool sweater. Because he’s so low to the ground, Sodo gets drenched in the snow. You might not need to pack extra clothes if you have a taller dog with a thick fur coat.
We also bring along Musher’s Secret to make sure his pads are protected from any rough terrain. It also guards against snowballing or ice between his toes.
LH: We use a 6-foot recycled climbing-rope leash when we’re hiking. It’s durable, easy to clean, and it doesn’t retain that outdoorsy hiking smell. I like to use a longer leash to let Sodo explore a little bit. But he’s still on a leash, so I can pull him away if there’s a situation with another dog.
I believe that it’s important to always keep your dog on a leash when hiking. Even if your dog is friendly with other dogs, not all dogs are social. But all dogs deserve to enjoy the outdoors. So, keeping your dog on a leash keeps outdoor spaces safe for all dog personalities. You also never know who or what you’re going to encounter while hiking or camping. And you never know what could trigger your dog to run off the trail.
LH: We use a K9 Sport Sack. It’s also our main backpack for scooter riding. And it can be used for so many different activities. I like it because it’s ventilated, and it’s secure so he can’t hop out. There are two little spots for his paws and part of the bag clips around his neck.
Sodo is a really long boy and being conscious of his back is really important to me. So, it may not work for every dog owner, but I like to tighten the straps of the backpack so he’s curved up over my shoulders and the curve of my back. When I use the backpack, I’m usually leaning forward, so I know that his back is curved along my back.
We just went snowshoeing this past weekend, and even though Sodo’s great in the snow, the trail was really steep. Sodo started walking up the trail, but he made me slip three or four times at the beginning. So, I put him in the backpack, so we could continue the rest the way.
LH: There are so many wonderful, short hikes off Highway 2. They’re great for beginners who really want to get their dogs out on the trail, and who really want to spend some time outdoors. Also, moving slowly is never a problem. Hiking shouldn’t be about speed. It’s all about taking care of yourselves and working step-by-step up that trail.
My store is just outside of Seattle, so I feel like I ought to mention that there’s a lot of really great urban hiking here. We don’t always have time to drive out to the mountains. Greenlake is a perfect starter walk. It’s a three-mile flat walk that goes all around the lake, and we do that all the time if we’re not making our way up to the mountains.
Also, Magnuson Park has some excellent beginner hiking trails. If you live in Seattle, you don’t have to travel too far to get there, and it’s a great introduction to trail hiking in an urban environment.
LH: I do! It’s the Lake Serene and Bridal Veil Falls trail and it’s off Highway 2. It’s about 7 miles round trip. That was Sodo’s first long hike where he did not have to be picked up at all. And I really like it because it’s a good mix of flat and steep hiking. Plus, getting to Lake Serene is a huge payoff. It’s just gorgeous up there.
Although Sodo was the star of this article, Shoreline Store Manager Lizzie Humphries has two other dogs at home who aren’t fans of hiking. So, whether you have a canine homebody or a fearless adventurer at home, Lizzie is happy to discuss how to incorporate more exercise into your dog’s life.
Holiday travel plans with your pets?
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A little preparation can go a long way toward making the trip more enjoyable for everyone, especially pets who may find changes in routine or unfamiliar places stressful.
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From keeping your pet comfortable on the road to making sure they have everything they need, we’re here to help you prepare for your next trip together.
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Visit us in-store or online to shop travel essentials for your cat or dog today! 🚚 🛍️ 🐈 🐕
#mudbay #holidaytravel #pets
What would the holidays be without a Fluff & Tuff toy for your dog under the 🎄tree?
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Fluff & Tuff’s holiday toys are here! Find a new playtime favorite with Franklin Raccoon, Bonnie the Bunny, or the festive Peppermint Bone.
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Looking for a gift that gives back? This year’s Charity Toy, Santa Sprite, does just that: Fluff & Tuff donates 100% of its profits from this toy to help dogs waiting for their forever homes.
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Shop Fluff & Tuff this holiday season in-store and online at Mud Bay.
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Keeping your cat active and mentally stimulated is important. That’s where the PAW PAW PAW POW 💥 Cat Enrichment Toy comes in! Featuring two bases with wand attachments, this toy lets two cats play at once, if they’re willing to share. 😉
It also includes three interchangeable toy attachments and catnip spray to encourage play and keep the fun going. Perfect for indoor enrichment during colder days or whenever your cat is ready to play.
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Find the PAW PAW PAW POW Cat Enrichment Toy in-store or online at Mud Bay!
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Pumpkin Spice for your Pup!
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Lord Jameson Pumpkin Spice Organic Dog treats are soft, chewy, and made with quintessentially fall flavors: organic pumpkin, cinnamon, and ginger, plus organic oats and dates, all rolled in organic coconut for a treat your dog will love.
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Shop Lord Jameson in-store or online this fall 🍂 at Mud Bay!
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The holidays are almost here, and we’re getting ready! 🛷 ❄️
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Our Distribution Center is abuzz with holiday preparations as Muddies get this season’s new arrivals and returning holiday favorites ready to ship to our stores starting this week. 🚚 🎄
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We can’t wait to welcome you and your pets into our stores and kick off the holiday season at Mud Bay! ⛄ 🎁
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🎉 FREE HALLOWEEN COOKIES FOR YOUR DOG! 🎃 👻 🐕
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That’s right! Starting this Friday, October 30th, your dog can enjoy a free Bosco & Roxy’s Halloween cookie with any in-store purchase of a dog product at Mud Bay! Choose from three fun cookies: Creepin’ It Real 🕷️ Witchful Thinking🧙or Bat to the Bone 🦇Pick your favorite and bring home a little Halloween treat!
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Available in-store only through November 8th, or while supplies last. Limit one free cookie per visit. No minimum purchase amount required!
#mudbay #trickortreat #BoscoAndRoxy #Halloween
Holiday Pet Advent Calendars are now available in-store at Mud Bay! Now is the perfect time to grab one for your cat or dog, or as a gift.
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We have fun options from Bosco & Roxy’s, Lazy Kitty, and Spunky Pup that will bring festive excitement throughout the Holiday season.
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Give your cat a taste of Halloween 🎃 with Shameless Pets Catnip Is My Boo! These crunchy, star-shaped treats combine chicken and catnip for a tasty seasonal treat.
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Made in the USA and free of corn, wheat, and soy, they’re also baked using renewable solar energy, and the bag is made with 88% post-consumer materials.
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Shop Shameless Pets Catnip is My Boo at Mud Bay in-store or online today! 🛍️ 🚚
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The Mud Bay Halloween Giveaway has now concluded!
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Thanks to everyone who entered to win.
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Winners have all been selected at this time. Have a Happy Halloween!🐕😻
🍂 Fall is here, and that means shorter days, but you can still keep your pup active and engaged at mealtime and light up those darker evening walks. Plus, there’s always room for a little fishy 🎣 treat to chew on before you snuggle up this cozy season.
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Join Milo as he shows you part of his daily routine. Shop some of Milo’s favorites seen here in-store and online at Mud Bay. And if you can’t make it in-store, we can deliver everything right to your door with Mud Bay Same-Day Delivery. 🛍️ 🚚 🐕
#mudbay #fall #healthypets
Join Archie on a spooky 👻 🛍️ shopping adventure as he finds some festive favorites just in time for Halloween.
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You can shop like Archie for your pup at Mud Bay, and if you can’t make it in-store, we will deliver all the Halloween fun right to your door with Mud Bay Same Day Delivery. 🚚 🐕
#mudbay #halloween
Wet Noses Soft Baked Pumpkin 🎃 Dog Treats are made with human-grade ingredients and produced in Monroe, Washington, right here in the PNW. Made with only 9 simple ingredients, including pumpkin, flaxseed, and peanuts, you can break them up for training as a tasty reward or use them daily just to show your pup some love.
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They are easy to digest and make a perfect fall treat to add to your pet pantry. 🛍️ 🚚 You can shop Wet Noses Soft Baked Dog Treats in-store or online today!
#mudbay #wetnoses #pnw #falldogtreats #healthypets
