Man, my Golden and I once got trapped in a rain storm without shelter and he very nearly ended up hypothermic. Ever since he's had a rain jacket, sweater and towels on our trips.
I've never used the Hurtta gear, but agree the ruffwear is a nice pack. We've been using a pack from Mountainsmith as well, and really like it. very well made
Love the Wanda edition. I think it is great that you showed this because I'll admit I was one of those people that saw a dog with a pack and my first thought was " I cant believe they are making the dog carry all that food.". Great to show how this is not the case.
Ive had lots of people stop me on trail and tell me my dog is carrying too much, untol they realize all her gear weighs pretty much nothing. So far, we haven't got to the point where I've had to carry any of her food, which has been nice!
These dogs that get to go to these incredible outdoor areas while also getting to carry small or even heavy loads is what dogs want they love that evolutionary feeling of working in a pack and carrying stuff is just known as useful to animals... they instinctivly know that carrying or pulling stuff is something humans need and when we see dogs trained to drink from their own hudration backpack water mouth hoses, then well see an example of dogs able to carry their own stuff that they actually use from water packs/hoses ro even food
@@MattyOutdoorsI have 4 huskies so hauling water is not an option for me, they can carry it. I admit it can be annoying to manage the correct weights on each side. They carry 2 liters each and little food with no issues as they are trained with the weight. The weight drops quickly as they drink also the weakest dogs are the first to have the water removed. If I notice and discomfort I dump the water. To keep the weight similar you remove both bladders and pour at the same time into the dog bowl. Thay makes it easier. My dogs are built for hauling and very strong so it's not the same as your dog, more of a shepherding breed.
Put a camelpack water hydration bag and hose and make one for a dog that somehow lets them bite down while looking up, and maybe pushing down on the pack with their paw with like sitting down or rolling on it haha i dunno i mean i bet theres a simple way to let a dog autonomously be trained to get their own water with minimal waste from some sort of wearable camelback water hose that goes right to the dogs helmet
Wanda is a mixed breed.. We have no clue what shes mixed with, she was a rescue pup off a reservation, complete with a kinked tail and all. She's roughly 55-60lbs for size comparison
It's good that you pack Benadryl. I think it is a must have item because it can save our dogs life in the event of a venomous snake bite. I always pack Benadryl anytime we are out during the time of year when rattlers can be active. I put my Golden Retriever through snake avoidance training but I still bring the benadryl as a backup because it can give you time to get off the trail and get your dog to a vet.
Wanda is an absolute sweetheart. As you are going through things she looks like she is asking "where are we going, Dad, and when?" Happy trails, Wanda.
I am so excited for this series! Will you be breaking down what you have as first aid for Wanda? That would be an amazing video! We purchased the Approach pack (I first discovered the pack through your channel, so thanks!) for our dog Rusty and he’s starting to associate the pack with outdoor adventure. He loves it! So far, I’ve only been out day hiking with him and the pack. It’s been super handy, he’s been carrying my extra mits, buff and hat, as well as other bits and bobs. Well wishes from Montréal!
Awesome to hear you're excited, as I am too! Always a ton of fun filming with the pups! :) As for my first aid kit, I do have a full breakdown videi of my first aid kit, which goes over the full kit, and talks about the items for Wanda specifically:) Love hearing that other pups get excited when their packs come out! Its such an awesome experience getting to hike with your pup! When my fiance and I take the pups out for longer walks, we'll often get the dogs packs on and make them carry the water and snacks and such. :)
Wanda is one awesome dog! So beautiful and she has one awesome temperament. She has a very similar loadout and equipment as my pup too. My Border Collie mix never complains and always gets excited for her backpack. I tried so many packs for her but never found a perfect fit. If you ever need a new pack...I absolutely can't recommend enough Groundbird Gear. Total custom built to your dog's body shape and removable pack from the custom.suzed harness. It's super stable too. My BC doggy is 68 pounds and literally looks just like your pretty all back Wanda, but with white feet. She was always in-between sides with companies like Ruffwear or Mountainsmith.
I looked at the groundbird packs, but with exchange, and shipping up to Canada, its just too pricey for me. We've been fortunate that the ruffwear, and her new Mountainsmith packs fit her extremely well!
@@MattyOutdoors it's awesome you were able to get a good fit...much cheaper than cottage companies for sure! I.didnt even think of the additional expenses for Canada at all. Bummer.
This is incredibly helpful! Thank you for sharing your perspective and bringing things backpacking that she may not need but gives you peace of mind. I was doing the same thing for my dog Charlie and I was feeling a little bit like a crazy person. :P Also, i really appreciate you sharing her sleep setup. This is something I've been struggling with to get the "correct sleep gear" for charlie. I know there are dedicated dog bed gear from companies like Ruffwear, but sometimes I wonder how comfortable or warm those products actually are, especially for the price they're asking for.
I looked into all the dog specific beds, and they all lacked in insulating properties, and were heavy/bulky. Same went for any dog specific blankets or sleeping bags, which is why I went the route I did.
@@MattyOutdoors Thanks Matt. Just recently found your videos. I have really enjoyed them and am just starting to take my Old English Sheepdog "Presley" hiking and backpacking. These videos are great for me for advice.
@@ChristianOutdoorLife that's awesome to hear! Backpacking trips with your pup are an absolute blast, I definitely prefer doing trips when I can bring Wanda with me.
Stumbled on your channel and found this video, and appreciate a fellow hiker/backpacker that brings their dog. I’m in AB as well so our conditions up here can change quite dramatically. My girl is a Ruffwear girl, almost every piece of gear we went out with is from them. It fits her well so I haven’t looked at too many other brands for her. Only her Salus Skippy pfd was the non-Ruffwear piece she had. A couple changes I have made this year as she’s getting older (9 years old this May) though is an inflatable sleeping pad from K9 Sport Sack and I’m ordering a rescue harness for her that I can carry her out on my back if something happens where she can’t walk. Fido Pro Airlift I’m getting for emergencies. I too use that Eddie Bauer Primaloft quilt, but I cut it down to be a cover (she usually just ends up sleeping on it though) and she sleeps in a Ruffwear fleece jacket. And I’m designing a tent like the one you have but for in our tarp. With food I’ve got her setup to 8~9lbs for 4 days. Looking forward to the park’s opening soon. Maybe we’ll see you out there.
Wanda does pretty much the same with her blanket. It's pretty rare she will keep it on throughout the night, unless it gets cold. Usually her cheap little vest thing we got on amazon is enough for her. Im intrigued on the inflatable sleep pad! If its lighter and less bulky then the blue foam roll, I may look into that! I like the emergency harness idea! I've got something fairly similar, thats more of a diy solution, using my hammock suspension, and ground sheet. We've tried it out, and it would work for getting her off trail if necessary. :) We're definitely excited for Parks to be reopened, and can't wait to get back out hiking!
Matty Outdoors it’s less bulky!!! 3” diameter by 7.5” length stuff sack, but it is 385g, so not lighter. Her other pad is the Ruffwear Highlands pad (original version) at 210g but it folds up into a rectangular prism and takes up too much space in her pack and make it harder to pack while keeping weight balanced. It’s designed like a Klymit pad with those spaces to allow for loft or warm air to be trapped. I use half a 1/8” foam as a utility/sit mat so I’ll probably put that under her mat for extra insulation.
Yah, we've got a pretty decent system figured out. Took a bit to get it dialed, and get her some light weight gear, but very happy with it :) And the pet palace, yea that thing is awesome! It legit feels like a little A-frame tent with my hammock hanging inside of it. Wicked piece of gear!
Good info! I use water bottles to balance out Gus's packs. If he is light on one side I'll just add or remove water to the other side to balance it out. Never hurts to have extra water. I have been using the Ruffware Palisades dog pack. Problem is Gus is between small and medium so the harness is an issue. I just bought the Groundbird Gear pack system for him. the harness is custom fit to his body and is awesome!. I also have had a quilt made for him that weighs like 8oz is 750 fill 30F I got form Cedar Ridge Outdoors. It's a great quilt, compresses down to about the size of a fuel canister. Our vet is a thru hiker so when we go on multi-day long hikes she will give me antibiotics to get Gus started on in case he comes down with Giardia or Letpo....
That quilt sounds like it would be pretty awesome! I may have to look into something like that in the future! The palisades was what I originally looked into, as the detachable saddle bags is a very handy option, but for the price, I just wasn't sure how often, if at all I'd need to use it. Definitely interested in hearing how the custom pack works out though!
@@MattyOutdoors The harness of the Groundbird Gear pack is awesome. We have not used the packs yet. But so far I like what I see. They most certainly do not give these things away. But hey, he's my dog and deserves the best.
Those really are amazing packs they make. The price of them was a big detractor for me. I love the pack design, but with the exchange rate, and shipping to Canada, I'd be looking at between 350-400.. International shipping is not fun!
Great info. I'm taking my black dog out to camp tomorrow night. She loves the trail but has struggled with sleeping in a tent. I'm hopeful that she's grown out of that, but we'll see!
I've always set my tents and stuff up in the yard, and let my pups get comfortable with them in a controlled setting, and its worked well for me. They will both put themselves to bed in the tent or under my hammock if they're tired.
@@MattyOutdoors we just got back from our overnight and she did great. It helps that it was significantly cooler (80F and lower humidity) than the first attempt (90+F) here in Kentucky.
She really is a great dog! I honestly lucked out with this dog, as she's been extremely easy to train. Her and I definitely have a special connection, much like Marty and Tikka. :)
Hello Matty, thank you for all this helpful information. What experience do you have in combining the raincoat with the pack? So far my dog hasn't used a raincoat but I'm thinking about it for a trip to Scotland just to keep her dry(er) and protected from wind. I worry about chafing and ruining the waterproof material from the rubbing of the pack. Any ideas? Greetings from Germany
I've never actually used the coat with the pack together. If it rains while we're hiking, she gets wet. But even on a sunny day, Wanda ends up soaked. She loves laying in rivers and lakes. The jacket is more for around camp, I'll usually put it on her in the evenings if it rains, just to try and keep her atleast somewhat dry before bed.
Awesome video! I don't hammock camp anymore because of the dogs. This is a game changer! Also loved the bowls. Getting ready to do thru hike of the Foothills Trail in South Carolina and you gave me some new ideas. I use Mushers secret paw wax on all of mine when they need it for cracked paws. Same thing sled dog use.
Hammock camping with the pups is the best! :) I've tried the mushers secret for Wanda, to help the ice build up in her feet, but her feet are so freakin furry, it doesn't seem to do much. The little soft booties seem to work a lot better for her. And they work great for her on rocky terrain, so I just slip them on as soon as we hit rocky sections, and shes good to go.
Hey Matty, I hope you are well. Are you still using The Pet Palace for your dogs and your hammock and how do you find it after using it for some time? I am torn between this decision right now and not sure if I should spend $200USD ($8K CDN) on it or buy a cheap two person tent for $150 CDN and have it right beside me with my dog in it. I can always use the tent myself if I wanted to on other trips and the Pet Palace really only does one thing (I know you can store your gear in there and keep it clean when I am on trail without my dog) so I am torn. Can you give me your opinion if you have a second.
Go AVS!!! (Live in northern colorado)🏆🍻🍻. Getting a collie never crossed my mind when I thought of breeds. I have asthma and allergies to dogs so all non hypoallergenic were off the table. Well I’m glad bruno fell into my lap. Best dog I could have hoped for🍻🍻. He’s a 2.5yr old black and white. Doesn’t bark or whine. Let’s me sleep in. And can go for hours. I spend every minute with him. Lucky I can. The only thing I regret is not getting a dog sooner. I waited 20 years after 18. If you’ve got the time don’t hesitate!!! Thanks for the vid
Love the look Wanda gave the camera when you whipped out “her” lighter!!! 🤣🤣. Rocky mountain spliff monster! 😬 Is she an Aussie Shepherd? Looks so much like ours, nice dark shiny coat.
We had a couple dalmatians growing up, but they really weren't interested in playing, or doing much of anything. It wasn't until my late 20s that I fell in love with dogs. Better late then never I suppose :)
Great video. I've read and scene dog packs get a bad rap, dog abuse or some bullshit like that. If there with you make them carry something. Friend of mine takes his dog, he's got a 10% weight of dog that he can carry. Don't know if that's good or bad. What are your thoughts on that? Either way, great video.
Love that dog, shes a natural in front of the camera! It's wonderful to see the way you care for her. That pet palace is sick!! What does she carry on her collar?
On her collar she just has her tags, and a little waterproof light. Mostly so I can see her at night. She's a little ninja with the night time boops around camp!
My dog has been living the dream. I have been carrying all of her gear but after our 100 miles on the Long Trail in Vermont I knew things had to change. I ordered the Front Range and the pack you are using. My hound mix does like to wade in water, she does not swim. Do you have any issues with water getting into the pack? The Front Range has a drain hole but I don’t see one on the Approach. I plan on having her carry only two to three days of food and I will carry the rest. She has a similar sleep pad and a down quilt that I carry. Thanks
I was a bit worried that Wanda would try crawling in with me as well, but she took extremely well to it! I set the pet palace up at home a bunch of times in my yard, and put her sleeping gear inside it, and she quickly associated it with her bed.
Interesting. My boy, 50kg Dobie, has a down filled blanket which clips into a doubled over quilt and a fleece lined pair of PJ’s. He sleeps on a 3mm thinny mat which is doubled over with an aluminium faced foam mat on top as well. I check on him during the night and he always toasty warm, including underneath. He has a rain / wind jacket for day wear on winter days. He also has a flashing collar for night time use when outside the tent.
So far, she has carried 5 days worth of food without a problem. The plan is for a 9 day trip this summer, and I think she'll be just fine with that as well
Hey! How does she do on granite slab and talus? I'm considering taking my border collie on sections 1-3 of the sierra high route next summer, which is predominately off-trail and 8500'+. I suspect he'd be ok, needing a bit of support on big talus, but overall fine. What's your experience been?
@@shelbie3152 You're most welcome! I'm very happy to hear the video helped you and your pup out. Its an incredibly fun, and special time being out with your pup, so I hope you have an absolute blast on the coming adventures!
I do keep her on leash when we're hiking in the National Parks. In do most of my trips in the pluz areas, so shes able to be off leash on most of our trips.
@@jadenscheerschmidt2721 it varies by area. But in areas that allow off leash, they still need to be under control. I don't recommend off leash hiking unless your pup can loose leash walk 100% of the time, especially in the areas i go. a pup running down trail can easily trigger a predatory response from bears or cougars.
@@MattyOutdoors we believe Sam is a Borador (border collie/Lab) i have a bunch of training and hiking videos on my channel. check them out. i look foward to checking out the rest of your videos.
@@peckshadow That's a great mix! We don't know what exactly Wanda is, as she came to us as a rescue from a reserve. She's definitely got some retriever and collie. Great trail dog!
Dude: PLEASE provide the orange-saqued dog pet palace thing. OR talk about the brand name SLOWER. The ONE thing you cannot believe is good for your canine you carry? PLEASE? Otherwise, good video.
OK, so now I know the vendor: Cave Creek, But there are other variables the web site asks. as: Panel Pull outs front(door) side (2) (+ $5.00) Seam sealing floor corners (+ $10.00) Again: what do you exactly recommend? / NB
th-cam.com/video/4IecYePgqUY/w-d-xo.html Here's our video on the pet palace. Mine has panel pulls on both sides, and I did my own seam sealing. Pullouts are nice to have, to help open the palace up a bit more inside.
Hi, great video subscribed within the 1st few minutes. I've just adopted a 9 week old rescue border Collie, hoping to train her to hike, camp, kayak with me and all the other fun stuff. One quick questions 1-Do you ever use a chest brush gaurd for Wanda with a pack? Thank you
I just started bringing my dog backpacking with me. I am lucky to have picked up the same pack for her. It's a great piece of gear!! We have similar feels about them needing a coat and blanket too. Maybe they dont but maybe they do, I know my girl can't talk. So......great video anyway, new viewer and so far I'm impressed.
Awesome to hear you're getting your pup into it! I always find my trips are that much more enjoyable when my pups are with me. Pretty sure people like hiking with Wanda more then with me at this point, LOL! And I've always felt, it's better to be safe then sorry when it comes to her jacket and blanket. :)
@@cottontalesfromthetrail5474 ok bud, she was 3yrs old before we started training. 8 miles a day with full load including food was about 3 pounds. She only weights 29 pounds herself. Any more questions feel free to ask. Oh yeah and I'm sorry I waited as long as I did, she is an amazing hiker and she loves it!!!
Hey Matty been trying to figure out what to do with dog poop in the bush. Ive found mixed opinions on just flinging it into the bush as well as packing it in and packing it out. Whats your opinion on this?
It depends where you are! In the US at least it's mandatory to pack poop out. Dogs aren't a native species so their waste can be super detrimental to the environment, especially in places with lots of traffic (and lots of poop).
We rescued Wanda as a puppy, and she was a stray, so we're not 100% sure what she is, but she's a mutt. We figure she has Collie, and probably some form of retriever as well. As for tips, definitely work on recall, and leash training. Having a dog with excellent recall, and response to single word commands can make a world of difference, be it on leash or off. For the overnight stuff, do some trials at home. Set your shelter up in the back yard, and and set their backpacking bed up in it, and do a few nights in the tent at home, to get them used to the situation.
@Hilary Lannan We've actually had quite a few people with pure bred flat coats come up to us out on our walks around the city and mention the hilights as well, so that's very likely one of the breeds she has in her. :) Whatever breeds she has in her seem to have built the perfect dog for me 🙂
Matty Outdoors Yoooooo. I’d agree with the collie x flat coated retriever hypothesis. My 9 month old pup is 1/2 collie, 1/4 flat coated retriever and 1/4 English springer spaniel. He looks very similar to Wanda! He also has the liver coloured tinge to his black coat 😁
Awwww....I 💖💖💖💕 Wanda! She is such a sweet doggo!
She really is the sweetest girl! Makes it so easy to film with her:)
im obsessed with how she just sits there lol like yup this is my stuff
She gets so excited when her backpack comes out, she knows good times are happening :)
Man, my Golden and I once got trapped in a rain storm without shelter and he very nearly ended up hypothermic. Ever since he's had a rain jacket, sweater and towels on our trips.
Love it! Such a good girl! One day she'll be able to operate the lighter. Haha
She really is the best! Love how chill she is. Makes filming this kind of video a possibility!
As for the lighter, we're still working on that one..
Thank you! Im just getting into backpacking with my big ol Rotty! These videos have been a great resource for us! Keep up the great work!
Thats awesome to hear! It's very special hiking with your pup!
You have a great dog there, she looks ready to go
She's definitely always ready for a trip! :)
I love my Ruffwear. Hurtta from Finland is also a very good and durable European brand.
I've never used the Hurtta gear, but agree the ruffwear is a nice pack. We've been using a pack from Mountainsmith as well, and really like it. very well made
Love the Wanda edition. I think it is great that you showed this because I'll admit I was one of those people that saw a dog with a pack and my first thought was " I cant believe they are making the dog carry all that food.". Great to show how this is not the case.
Ive had lots of people stop me on trail and tell me my dog is carrying too much, untol they realize all her gear weighs pretty much nothing. So far, we haven't got to the point where I've had to carry any of her food, which has been nice!
Some dogs really like to have a job! Makes them feel like they're contributing to the group! I'm sure as she gets older, you'll lighten her pack.
Cute dog! She was like "yay we're going somewhere!" Haha 🍌🍌
She always gets happy when her pack comes out. She knows whats up :)
@@MattyOutdoors haha I'm sure! 🍌🍌
Wanda is so cute!!
I agree!
These dogs that get to go to these incredible outdoor areas while also getting to carry small or even heavy loads is what dogs want they love that evolutionary feeling of working in a pack and carrying stuff is just known as useful to animals... they instinctivly know that carrying or pulling stuff is something humans need and when we see dogs trained to drink from their own hudration backpack water mouth hoses, then well see an example of dogs able to carry their own stuff that they actually use from water packs/hoses ro even food
a dog hauling a hydration pack would be miserable, as you'd be constantly adjusting things back and forth to even weight
@@MattyOutdoorsI have 4 huskies so hauling water is not an option for me, they can carry it. I admit it can be annoying to manage the correct weights on each side. They carry 2 liters each and little food with no issues as they are trained with the weight. The weight drops quickly as they drink also the weakest dogs are the first to have the water removed. If I notice and discomfort I dump the water. To keep the weight similar you remove both bladders and pour at the same time into the dog bowl. Thay makes it easier. My dogs are built for hauling and very strong so it's not the same as your dog, more of a shepherding breed.
Put a camelpack water hydration bag and hose and make one for a dog that somehow lets them bite down while looking up, and maybe pushing down on the pack with their paw with like sitting down or rolling on it haha i dunno i mean i bet theres a simple way to let a dog autonomously be trained to get their own water with minimal waste from some sort of wearable camelback water hose that goes right to the dogs helmet
I hike in areas with plenty of water, so Wanda really never actually carries water. If need be, I'll carry for her.
Is Wanda an Australian shepherd? Asking because she looks exactly like mine, size and all. Hence why I’m watching this 😂
Wanda is a mixed breed.. We have no clue what shes mixed with, she was a rescue pup off a reservation, complete with a kinked tail and all.
She's roughly 55-60lbs for size comparison
It's good that you pack Benadryl. I think it is a must have item because it can save our dogs life in the event of a venomous snake bite. I always pack Benadryl anytime we are out during the time of year when rattlers can be active. I put my Golden Retriever through snake avoidance training but I still bring the benadryl as a backup because it can give you time to get off the trail and get your dog to a vet.
benadryl is so overlooked when it comes to pups
Wanda is an absolute sweetheart. As you are going through things she looks like she is asking "where are we going, Dad, and when?" Happy trails, Wanda.
She's so chill, makes filming with her so easy
You ever wanna jam on some trails with me and my dog let me know
thanks, i appreciate that
I am so excited for this series! Will you be breaking down what you have as first aid for Wanda? That would be an amazing video! We purchased the Approach pack (I first discovered the pack through your channel, so thanks!) for our dog Rusty and he’s starting to associate the pack with outdoor adventure. He loves it! So far, I’ve only been out day hiking with him and the pack. It’s been super handy, he’s been carrying my extra mits, buff and hat, as well as other bits and bobs. Well wishes from Montréal!
Awesome to hear you're excited, as I am too! Always a ton of fun filming with the pups! :)
As for my first aid kit, I do have a full breakdown videi of my first aid kit, which goes over the full kit, and talks about the items for Wanda specifically:)
Love hearing that other pups get excited when their packs come out! Its such an awesome experience getting to hike with your pup! When my fiance and I take the pups out for longer walks, we'll often get the dogs packs on and make them carry the water and snacks and such. :)
She is soo cute !! She looks at the camera as she knows we are watching 😊
She always has a knack for looking at the right times :)
Wanda is one awesome dog! So beautiful and she has one awesome temperament. She has a very similar loadout and equipment as my pup too.
My Border Collie mix never complains and always gets excited for her backpack. I tried so many packs for her but never found a perfect fit.
If you ever need a new pack...I absolutely can't recommend enough Groundbird Gear. Total custom built to your dog's body shape and removable pack from the custom.suzed harness. It's super stable too.
My BC doggy is 68 pounds and literally looks just like your pretty all back Wanda, but with white feet. She was always in-between sides with companies like Ruffwear or Mountainsmith.
I looked at the groundbird packs, but with exchange, and shipping up to Canada, its just too pricey for me. We've been fortunate that the ruffwear, and her new Mountainsmith packs fit her extremely well!
@@MattyOutdoors it's awesome you were able to get a good fit...much cheaper than cottage companies for sure! I.didnt even think of the additional expenses for Canada at all. Bummer.
Oh I love it! when she gave you the paw and you said nice to meet you to your own dog. that was hilarious!
I do it too to mine 😆🙂
Its almost a daily occurrence with us
This is incredibly helpful! Thank you for sharing your perspective and bringing things backpacking that she may not need but gives you peace of mind. I was doing the same thing for my dog Charlie and I was feeling a little bit like a crazy person. :P Also, i really appreciate you sharing her sleep setup. This is something I've been struggling with to get the "correct sleep gear" for charlie. I know there are dedicated dog bed gear from companies like Ruffwear, but sometimes I wonder how comfortable or warm those products actually are, especially for the price they're asking for.
I looked into all the dog specific beds, and they all lacked in insulating properties, and were heavy/bulky. Same went for any dog specific blankets or sleeping bags, which is why I went the route I did.
@@MattyOutdoors EXACTLY! I thought I was going crazy. I'm going to do what you did and make my own!
I love the collapsible bowls. Where did you say you got them from?
Amazon
@@MattyOutdoors Thanks for responding but they must not be available anymore because I can't find them. To bad they look awesome.
try here
www.fozzils.com/
@@MattyOutdoors Thanks Matt. Just recently found your videos. I have really enjoyed them and am just starting to take my Old English Sheepdog "Presley" hiking and backpacking. These videos are great for me for advice.
@@ChristianOutdoorLife that's awesome to hear! Backpacking trips with your pup are an absolute blast, I definitely prefer doing trips when I can bring Wanda with me.
Oh God 😅😍 i didn't focus on anything you showed. Iwas just looking at wanda all time. She was like, Yeah show them my stuff. 😍
Where did you find her water/ food bowls?
i got them at my local MEC, from a company Fozzils
Stumbled on your channel and found this video, and appreciate a fellow hiker/backpacker that brings their dog. I’m in AB as well so our conditions up here can change quite dramatically. My girl is a Ruffwear girl, almost every piece of gear we went out with is from them. It fits her well so I haven’t looked at too many other brands for her. Only her Salus Skippy pfd was the non-Ruffwear piece she had. A couple changes I have made this year as she’s getting older (9 years old this May) though is an inflatable sleeping pad from K9 Sport Sack and I’m ordering a rescue harness for her that I can carry her out on my back if something happens where she can’t walk. Fido Pro Airlift I’m getting for emergencies. I too use that Eddie Bauer Primaloft quilt, but I cut it down to be a cover (she usually just ends up sleeping on it though) and she sleeps in a Ruffwear fleece jacket. And I’m designing a tent like the one you have but for in our tarp. With food I’ve got her setup to 8~9lbs for 4 days.
Looking forward to the park’s opening soon. Maybe we’ll see you out there.
Wanda does pretty much the same with her blanket. It's pretty rare she will keep it on throughout the night, unless it gets cold. Usually her cheap little vest thing we got on amazon is enough for her. Im intrigued on the inflatable sleep pad! If its lighter and less bulky then the blue foam roll, I may look into that!
I like the emergency harness idea! I've got something fairly similar, thats more of a diy solution, using my hammock suspension, and ground sheet. We've tried it out, and it would work for getting her off trail if necessary. :)
We're definitely excited for Parks to be reopened, and can't wait to get back out hiking!
Matty Outdoors it’s less bulky!!! 3” diameter by 7.5” length stuff sack, but it is 385g, so not lighter. Her other pad is the Ruffwear Highlands pad (original version) at 210g but it folds up into a rectangular prism and takes up too much space in her pack and make it harder to pack while keeping weight balanced. It’s designed like a Klymit pad with those spaces to allow for loft or warm air to be trapped. I use half a 1/8” foam as a utility/sit mat so I’ll probably put that under her mat for extra insulation.
Pretty cool dude! You look like you have it down path by now! And that palace looks great!
Yah, we've got a pretty decent system figured out. Took a bit to get it dialed, and get her some light weight gear, but very happy with it :) And the pet palace, yea that thing is awesome! It legit feels like a little A-frame tent with my hammock hanging inside of it. Wicked piece of gear!
Good info! I use water bottles to balance out Gus's packs. If he is light on one side I'll just add or remove water to the other side to balance it out. Never hurts to have extra water. I have been using the Ruffware Palisades dog pack. Problem is Gus is between small and medium so the harness is an issue. I just bought the Groundbird Gear pack system for him. the harness is custom fit to his body and is awesome!. I also have had a quilt made for him that weighs like 8oz is 750 fill 30F I got form Cedar Ridge Outdoors. It's a great quilt, compresses down to about the size of a fuel canister. Our vet is a thru hiker so when we go on multi-day long hikes she will give me antibiotics to get Gus started on in case he comes down with Giardia or Letpo....
That quilt sounds like it would be pretty awesome! I may have to look into something like that in the future!
The palisades was what I originally looked into, as the detachable saddle bags is a very handy option, but for the price, I just wasn't sure how often, if at all I'd need to use it. Definitely interested in hearing how the custom pack works out though!
@@MattyOutdoors The harness of the Groundbird Gear pack is awesome. We have not used the packs yet. But so far I like what I see. They most certainly do not give these things away. But hey, he's my dog and deserves the best.
Those really are amazing packs they make. The price of them was a big detractor for me. I love the pack design, but with the exchange rate, and shipping to Canada, I'd be looking at between 350-400.. International shipping is not fun!
@@MattyOutdoors Are you in BC or Alberta?
Alberta
Great info. I'm taking my black dog out to camp tomorrow night. She loves the trail but has struggled with sleeping in a tent. I'm hopeful that she's grown out of that, but we'll see!
I've always set my tents and stuff up in the yard, and let my pups get comfortable with them in a controlled setting, and its worked well for me. They will both put themselves to bed in the tent or under my hammock if they're tired.
@@MattyOutdoors we just got back from our overnight and she did great. It helps that it was significantly cooler (80F and lower humidity) than the first attempt (90+F) here in Kentucky.
@@jacksonccooper That's awesome to hear, glad you had a successful trip!!
That was awesome! Such a well behaved pooch and so cute just sitting there watching you, looking at the camera....most of the time!! :)
She really is a great dog! I honestly lucked out with this dog, as she's been extremely easy to train. Her and I definitely have a special connection, much like Marty and Tikka. :)
Hello Matty, thank you for all this helpful information. What experience do you have in combining the raincoat with the pack? So far my dog hasn't used a raincoat but I'm thinking about it for a trip to Scotland just to keep her dry(er) and protected from wind. I worry about chafing and ruining the waterproof material from the rubbing of the pack. Any ideas? Greetings from Germany
I've never actually used the coat with the pack together. If it rains while we're hiking, she gets wet. But even on a sunny day, Wanda ends up soaked. She loves laying in rivers and lakes. The jacket is more for around camp, I'll usually put it on her in the evenings if it rains, just to try and keep her atleast somewhat dry before bed.
Awesome video! I don't hammock camp anymore because of the dogs. This is a game changer! Also loved the bowls. Getting ready to do thru hike of the Foothills Trail in South Carolina and you gave me some new ideas. I use Mushers secret paw wax on all of mine when they need it for cracked paws. Same thing sled dog use.
Hammock camping with the pups is the best! :)
I've tried the mushers secret for Wanda, to help the ice build up in her feet, but her feet are so freakin furry, it doesn't seem to do much. The little soft booties seem to work a lot better for her. And they work great for her on rocky terrain, so I just slip them on as soon as we hit rocky sections, and shes good to go.
@@MattyOutdoors I may try the booties. What bowls are those you have? They look great!
I have been doing a few videos if you ever want to check them out. I'll be following you for those great videos
The bowls are from a company called Fozzils. They're awesome.
Hey Matty, I hope you are well. Are you still using The Pet Palace for your dogs and your hammock and how do you find it after using it for some time? I am torn between this decision right now and not sure if I should spend $200USD ($8K CDN) on it or buy a cheap two person tent for $150 CDN and have it right beside me with my dog in it. I can always use the tent myself if I wanted to on other trips and the Pet Palace really only does one thing (I know you can store your gear in there and keep it clean when I am on trail without my dog) so I am torn. Can you give me your opinion if you have a second.
I still use it every chance I get, its one of my favorite pieces of gear ive picked up.
Go AVS!!! (Live in northern colorado)🏆🍻🍻. Getting a collie never crossed my mind when I thought of breeds. I have asthma and allergies to dogs so all non hypoallergenic were off the table. Well I’m glad bruno fell into my lap. Best dog I could have hoped for🍻🍻. He’s a 2.5yr old black and white. Doesn’t bark or whine. Let’s me sleep in. And can go for hours. I spend every minute with him. Lucky I can. The only thing I regret is not getting a dog sooner. I waited 20 years after 18. If you’ve got the time don’t hesitate!!! Thanks for the vid
Your choice in hockey teams sucks, but having a dog gains you a couple points!
what brand of dog food do you feed her? Her coat looks so silky
Wanda gets the Purina pro plan for sensitive skin. Was recommended by our vet to help with hot spots and dry skin
Love the look Wanda gave the camera when you whipped out “her” lighter!!! 🤣🤣. Rocky mountain spliff monster! 😬
Is she an Aussie Shepherd? Looks so much like ours, nice dark shiny coat.
Wanda is a mutt, rescued off a rez, so honestly no clue what breeds she is
Wanda Rocks !!!!
Indeed she does! I love her :)
@@MattyOutdoors A boy and his dog !I love it bro ! I can relate man ! Had dogs my whole life !
We had a couple dalmatians growing up, but they really weren't interested in playing, or doing much of anything. It wasn't until my late 20s that I fell in love with dogs.
Better late then never I suppose :)
@@MattyOutdoors For sure !
Why are dogs so beautiful
I'm not sure, but im thankful they are
Dogs are so beautiful because they give us unconditional love !
Great video. I've read and scene dog packs get a bad rap, dog abuse or some bullshit like that. If there with you make them carry something. Friend of mine takes his dog, he's got a 10% weight of dog that he can carry. Don't know if that's good or bad. What are your thoughts on that? Either way, great video.
My pup is about 60lbs, and she carries maybe 8-10lbs for longer trips. Her weight is mostly food, so it gets lower every day.
Making movies boring dad. Let’s go chase squirrels instead.
the only thing she chases is birds in the yard. never chased a squirrel before
Great reviews. Thank you.
Love that dog, shes a natural in front of the camera! It's wonderful to see the way you care for her. That pet palace is sick!! What does she carry on her collar?
On her collar she just has her tags, and a little waterproof light. Mostly so I can see her at night. She's a little ninja with the night time boops around camp!
That's so much stuff. Are there things you stopped carrying? Can you show what's in the med kit?
she pretty much carries it all still, but some has been replaced with more UL options. I've got a med kit video on my channel too
BEAUTIFUL 🐕.
My dog has been living the dream. I have been carrying all of her gear but after our 100 miles on the Long Trail in Vermont I knew things had to change. I ordered the Front Range and the pack you are using. My hound mix does like to wade in water, she does not swim. Do you have any issues with water getting into the pack? The Front Range has a drain hole but I don’t see one on the Approach. I plan on having her carry only two to three days of food and I will carry the rest. She has a similar sleep
pad and a down quilt that I carry. Thanks
The pack definitely isn't waterproof, at all. I use trash bags to line her pack, and that works great at keeping everything dry
@@MattyOutdoors Thanks
I don't think my little floof ball would handle things so well... He'd want in the hammock with me.
I was a bit worried that Wanda would try crawling in with me as well, but she took extremely well to it! I set the pet palace up at home a bunch of times in my yard, and put her sleeping gear inside it, and she quickly associated it with her bed.
What a good girl.
that she is!
I carry a closed cell foam pad for the dog now. It's insulated and it works better than blanket.
Wanda sleeps on a closes cell foam pad, but I still bring a blanket to toss over her on chilly nights
Interesting. My boy, 50kg Dobie, has a down filled blanket which clips into a doubled over quilt and a fleece lined pair of PJ’s. He sleeps on a 3mm thinny mat which is doubled over with an aluminium faced foam mat on top as well. I check on him during the night and he always toasty warm, including underneath.
He has a rain / wind jacket for day wear on winter days.
He also has a flashing collar for night time use when outside the tent.
How much does her pack weigh everything included
4lbs plus however much food she's carrying
what a good dog. Helpful video, Matty. Thanks.
She really is, I definitely lucked out with this girl! Glad you enjoyed
holy crap wanda is cute af
Yep, she definutely is!
omggg your dog!! i love her
She's the best! :)
How many days of food can she typically carry with this setup
So far, she has carried 5 days worth of food without a problem. The plan is for a 9 day trip this summer, and I think she'll be just fine with that as well
Subbed for Wanda! 🎉
She appreciates you!
Hey! How does she do on granite slab and talus? I'm considering taking my border collie on sections 1-3 of the sierra high route next summer, which is predominately off-trail and 8500'+. I suspect he'd be ok, needing a bit of support on big talus, but overall fine. What's your experience been?
Wanda is very agile, and handles that stuff fine. I do put her booties on, to protect her paws on the sharp rocks
Thanks. Very informative!
glad you enjoyed
What do you recommend for flies and mosquitoes for your dog
I treat my dogs with advantix II, it works great.
Oh man, Wanda is a gem!
She's pretty awesome!
Hey there! What is the brand of the foldable dog bowls?
Those are from Fozzils
Matty Outdoors Thank you so much! This video is super helpful for prepping our 9 month pup for his first backpacking trip!
@@shelbie3152 You're most welcome! I'm very happy to hear the video helped you and your pup out. Its an incredibly fun, and special time being out with your pup, so I hope you have an absolute blast on the coming adventures!
Wanda is sooo perfect!! Aussie Shepherd?
We're not 100% sure, she was a rescue. But we figure she's a collie retriever mix
I was slightly shocked that you had your dog on a leash in such a place. I’d imagine you must be on a popular trail to do so.
I do keep her on leash when we're hiking in the National Parks. In do most of my trips in the pluz areas, so shes able to be off leash on most of our trips.
@@MattyOutdoors I thought they still had to be leashed in pluz? Are there only certain conditions?
@@jadenscheerschmidt2721 it varies by area. But in areas that allow off leash, they still need to be under control. I don't recommend off leash hiking unless your pup can loose leash walk 100% of the time, especially in the areas i go. a pup running down trail can easily trigger a predatory response from bears or cougars.
hey: thanks a bunch for the info.. do you not have a tent then?
I have a couple tents, but i much prefer sleeping in my hammock. I find it much more comfortable
what breed dog is it
Wanda is a mutt. We figure she has some retriever and collie, but not sure
Who makes the pet palace/screened enclosure?
Its made by Cave Creek Hammocks. I've got a full review with more info on it
th-cam.com/video/4IecYePgqUY/w-d-xo.html
Love videos on hiking with dogs! Wanda looks like a puffier version of my Sam
Glad you enjoyed! I love getting out with my pups, so there is lots of hiking and backpacking videos with mine :)
What kind of dog is your Sam?
@@MattyOutdoors we believe Sam is a Borador (border collie/Lab) i have a bunch of training and hiking videos on my channel. check them out. i look foward to checking out the rest of your videos.
@@peckshadow That's a great mix! We don't know what exactly Wanda is, as she came to us as a rescue from a reserve. She's definitely got some retriever and collie. Great trail dog!
What are you use for mosquito spray for the pup
i spray some picaridin on her buff, and she gets a treatment of advantix for ticks and fleas
Dude: PLEASE provide the orange-saqued dog pet palace thing. OR talk about the brand name SLOWER. The ONE thing you cannot believe is good for your canine you carry?
PLEASE? Otherwise, good video.
Pet Palace from Cave Creek hammocks.
OK, so now I know the vendor: Cave Creek, But there are other variables the web site asks. as: Panel Pull outs front(door) side (2) (+ $5.00)
Seam sealing floor corners (+ $10.00)
Again: what do you exactly recommend? / NB
th-cam.com/video/4IecYePgqUY/w-d-xo.html
Here's our video on the pet palace. Mine has panel pulls on both sides, and I did my own seam sealing. Pullouts are nice to have, to help open the palace up a bit more inside.
Awesome vid, man! Gave me lots of inspiration and good info for my first hike with my pup.
Let’s Go Oilers!
Glad you enjoyed!
Hi, great video subscribed within the 1st few minutes. I've just adopted a 9 week old rescue border Collie, hoping to train her to hike, camp, kayak with me and all the other fun stuff. One quick questions 1-Do you ever use a chest brush gaurd for Wanda with a pack?
Thank you
Glad you enjoyed! Hopefully you and your pup have some amazing adventures together!
No, I dont use a brush guard
What kind of dog is she?
Collie Retriever mix
I was gonna say flat coat retriever
Wanda's such a good girl!
Shes the best!
Such a cute dog❤
Yah, shes not too bad
I just started bringing my dog backpacking with me. I am lucky to have picked up the same pack for her. It's a great piece of gear!! We have similar feels about them needing a coat and blanket too. Maybe they dont but maybe they do, I know my girl can't talk. So......great video anyway, new viewer and so far I'm impressed.
Awesome to hear you're getting your pup into it! I always find my trips are that much more enjoyable when my pups are with me. Pretty sure people like hiking with Wanda more then with me at this point, LOL!
And I've always felt, it's better to be safe then sorry when it comes to her jacket and blanket. :)
@@MattyOutdoors finally found a dog friendly packer that has good content. I can tell you are passionate about hiking and your pup. Good times!!
I very much appreciate that, thank you! :)
Mike, how old was your dog when you started hiking with her? What kind of mileage do you do with your dog? Thank you!
@@cottontalesfromthetrail5474 ok bud, she was 3yrs old before we started training. 8 miles a day with full load including food was about 3 pounds. She only weights 29 pounds herself. Any more questions feel free to ask. Oh yeah and I'm sorry I waited as long as I did, she is an amazing hiker and she loves it!!!
Beautiful dog!
thanks so much! :)
Kitty is not impressed 😍
She always gets jealous of Wanda!
Hey what rand are the collapsible dog bowls? They look great. I have to outfit my collie boy Finn. Good to meet you guys. I liked and subscribed.
fozzils
@@MattyOutdoors thank you
Instant sub, great team an great content 👍
Should try Aurora Booties for dog boots amazing!
ive tried a bunch of different booties, but have had the best luck with the little blue ones she carries.
Love those dog bowls. Where can I find those at?
I got them at my local MEC, but I'm pretty sure amazon carries the fozzils stuff
Hey Matty been trying to figure out what to do with dog poop in the bush. Ive found mixed opinions on just flinging it into the bush as well as packing it in and packing it out. Whats your opinion on this?
I usually bury it, or pack it out.
It depends where you are! In the US at least it's mandatory to pack poop out. Dogs aren't a native species so their waste can be super detrimental to the environment, especially in places with lots of traffic (and lots of poop).
As mentioned, some areas may have specifics on what to do, but thats just what I do.
Do u feed her extra kibble on long days?
Not usually, just a few treats here and there on trail
Love it 👍👍👍
Glad you enjoyed! Have you checked out her new updated gear loadout?
@@MattyOutdoors yes awesome 👍
What do you use on Wanda for insects such as ticks?
We use Advantix for ticks. Thats all we really have to be concerned with here.
@@MattyOutdoors thank you for all the great information and videos.
You're most welcome!
What type of pup is Wanda? Im going to be training an Aussie Sheppard to backpack with me and wondered if you have any tips!
We rescued Wanda as a puppy, and she was a stray, so we're not 100% sure what she is, but she's a mutt. We figure she has Collie, and probably some form of retriever as well.
As for tips, definitely work on recall, and leash training. Having a dog with excellent recall, and response to single word commands can make a world of difference, be it on leash or off. For the overnight stuff, do some trials at home. Set your shelter up in the back yard, and and set their backpacking bed up in it, and do a few nights in the tent at home, to get them used to the situation.
Wanda looks exactly like my Irish Setter/Chocolate Lab Mix!! Even down to the brown highlights that only show up in the sun.
@@faith5645 that would definitely explain the hilights! I had never thought about chocolate lab, but you could very well be right!
@Hilary Lannan We've actually had quite a few people with pure bred flat coats come up to us out on our walks around the city and mention the hilights as well, so that's very likely one of the breeds she has in her. :)
Whatever breeds she has in her seem to have built the perfect dog for me 🙂
Matty Outdoors
Yoooooo. I’d agree with the collie x flat coated retriever hypothesis.
My 9 month old pup is 1/2 collie, 1/4 flat coated retriever and 1/4 English springer spaniel. He looks very similar to Wanda! He also has the liver coloured tinge to his black coat 😁
Fake news