Exploring the Great Outdoors with Your Dog: Trust, Training, and Triumph

Going out and exploring the world with your dog can be one of the most rewarding feelings you ever experience. It’s not just about venturing into the great outdoors with your loyal companion; it’s about nurturing a unique bond and fostering a sense of trust that makes these journeys unforgettable.

The journey you and your dog undertake is a testament to the dedication and care you’ve invested in their development. You’ve nurtured your dog into becoming more than just a pet – a cherished friend who lends a listening ear, offers a comforting shoulder, and brings endless laughter to your life. By patiently training and guiding them, you’ve transformed them into a beloved member of your family, a reliable confidant, and an adventurous spirit always ready to explore.

Your bond aids in your training. Your dog must see you as; his friend, his Mom/Dad, a member of his family. He must trust you for you to trust him out in the desert. Though adventures are fun, they can be dangerous. Most of the time when adventuring we are off lead, meaning if Kai truly wanted to he could easily run off and never return. But, we have a bond, a trust. So, when it is time to head back home or to camp for the night Kai is there. I trust him, he trusts me.

You want to adventure with your dog, you see so many people out there doing it and it looks amazing! But.. how do you get there? Is your dog ready?

The answer lies in taking deliberate, steady steps. The key is to start slowly and avoid the rush. Adventures are meant to be fun and stress-free. If you have a new puppy/dog begin with the basic manners; Sit, Stay, Come, Down. These may not seem like a lot of fun because most people don’t consider them ‘tricks’. In reality, the basics – the foundations of anything are almost always the most important.

Here are some examples of how these foundations are important.

Sitting and Lying Down: When adventuring you are not always the only ones out there. Sometimes there are other people, and not every person is a dog person. Some people are scared of dogs for personal reasons. If your dog is sitting down or lying down, they are showing the strange person that they are calm. On average this helps relax the stranger, which in turn relaxes the environment which your dog reads. Overall, a good thing.

Staying: Let’s use our stranger again, perhaps this person is so terrified of dogs that they immediately start running when they see your dog (it happens). If your dog has a solid stay, he will not chase. If he does not chase, this can be good for you and the stranger. Perhaps this changes the stranger’s mind and the next time they don’t overreact and the sooner they can calm down the better. For you and your dog, it is good because this stranger may run so far, that your dog runs out of your range. This stranger might have a weapon and hurt your dog. Or your dog thinks the stranger is playing and nips at the stranger, who takes it as being bit and gets you in trouble with the law. There are too many scary situations that you nor your dog should ever have to go through.

Recall/Come Here: Another very important command – especially when adventuring off-leash. Some dogs are very adventurous and curious, they follow their nose/ears/sight wherever it may lead them. Sometimes faster than you can follow and soon enough they’re out of sight. Whether it’s getting dark, or they went behind a bend coming up it can be scary not knowing where your dog is. Again, too many things can happen to your dog from other people, to falling, to wildlife. Calling your dog back to you and him reliably returning can save his life and give you peace of mind.

Within this blog we will help teach these foundation manners, along with all sorts of knowledge and gear reviews for your upcoming adventures.

Remember though, take it slow. It’s okay to adventure on a leash with your dog in the beginning. Even if you have multiple dogs. Kita, Kai and I have been adventuring almost his whole life, I feel confident letting him off-lead when we are adventuring. Once upon a time though Kita was young, she was still learning and bonding with us. She would want to run off with Kai but, she had to stay on her leash. It’s okay, your dog still loves you.

Your dog’s love knows no bounds, and as you embark on this journey together, your bond will flourish, making every adventure a memory to cherish.

Remember, every day is a great day for an adventure!