blog for active outdoor dogs

The Ruffwear pack has a long history of experience in and on the water…heck, our Top Dog Otis even has a drop named after him on the Upper North Fork Kaweah River in California. Here at Ruffwear, we are big fans of “learn by doing” and in the spirit of this approach, we’ve put together some tips for you and your pup on making the most of your water-soaked adventures.

Since its initial introduction in the late 1990’s, Ruffwear’s K-9 Float Coat™ has been liberating our four-legged friends off the bank and into the water. Who says your dog can’t go with you everywhere?

Get your dog used to their new float coat before jumping in. Remember the first time you put on a life jacket? Imagine the puzzled look you’ll get from Sophie before she discovers the benefits of her new gear. Letting your canine run around along the shore is a great way to help them to get accustomed to it.

Give your dog a chance to get comfortable on the watercraft. From paddleboards to canoes and kayaks, we all need a moment to get our sea legs and so do our dogs. Using treats can be a great way to encourage your dog to get accustomed to the feeling of their newly-found sea-paws.

Launch smoothly, quickly, and efficiently. Often dogs will relax when they can no longer see the tempting bank that seems close enough to jump to. As with most things, getting the flow of having a new canine water dog takes practice.

Develop boat-specific commands. From keeping Fido centered in the Canoe, to stabilizing Ripley at the bow of the paddleboard, water specific commands can help you work together. Nothing like a few capsized test dunks to get you started.

“Yeah, I’ll steer while you take photos. Good idea!”

Practice makes perfect when venturing into another new undertaking of life with your best friend. Ears perked, a slight smile encroaching, and suddenly you realize they’re enjoying their sea-paws just as much as you are.

It’s the time of year when hot paws are dashing from one shade patch to another in pursuit of cooler temps. So, who would have thought – a dog coat for summertime? Boots to beat the heat? Here are a few tips straight from Ruffwearians across the country to help keep your canine cool as we all dash forward into the best summer yet.

Ruffwear Swamp Cooler™ 

“WOW. We live in the Sonoran Desert and experience THREE MONTHS of 105 degree PLUS weather. Before finding this product, we could only take them for their daily walk late at night! Now, we can hike in 110-degree heat and the dogs act like it’s a pleasant 75 degree day! This product has really changed our lifestyle. The only problem is that strangers come up to us and demand why we put “coats” on our dogs in such hot weather It would be nice if the vests had “COOL VEST” written largely on the sides!”- Cubby and Bella from Scottsdale, AZ

“Having a service dog and a job where I work outdoors for the majority of the day. It is a concern to keep him cool. After having a chance to use this product over several days, I have found it extremely beneficial. It can be easily worn under his Ruff Wear harness and does not impede on his ability to do his job. I am most happy with is purchase, but I think my service dog” is happier”- Pilyo Hawaii from Honolulu, HI

“We are having a heat wave high 90 temps. This is the only way I’ve found that I can take my dog out to exercise without her overheating.” – David from Baytown, TX

Bark’n Boots™ Grip Trex™

“I love these boots for the hot summer because my dog dances around if the ground is too hot. She also has very soft pads, which can tear. The only thing I would recommend is making the area where the due-claws are more padded because it can rub. Other than that they are perfect!” – Ava from San Diego, CA

“I really like these boots! I’m a rock climber and spend a lot of time on hot rocks throughout the summer and my poor dog kept burning her pads. Finally I decided to try these and couldn’t be happier. An added bonus, she looks adorable in them Regardless, we love them. THANKS!”- Lauren from Northern CA

Gearing up for summer is fun! Almost as fun as the adventures that make us laugh, sigh, and smile all at the same time

Show us a dock with potential for air and we’ll show you a wet dog. For water hounds, kayak dogs, paddleboard sidekicks, and kayaking canines alike, summer is here – it’s time to get wet.

For over a decade, Ruffwear has been the leader in canine flotation and safety. Along the way we made improvements, modifications, and adjustments to our float coats, including the latest version of the K-9 Float Coat™, brand new for the Spring/Summer 2012 season.

As we developed this current version of our canine life jacket, we focused on water safety, fit, and application of the latest product innovations.  Here are some key features and benefits that can be found in the new K-9 Float Coat from Ruffwear:

Low Profile Handle – Whether you’re submerging all four paws for the first time or pulling aboard your water-logged dog in rough waters, our handle is there when you need it.

Ever noticed that our handle is up towards the front of your canine’s back, rather than in the middle like a suitcase? With the handle close to the dog’s head, you can lift your dog headfirst out of the water, while the bulk of the body weight remains in the water (and buoyant) as your dog exits. Also, your dog can use their front paws as additional leverage on docks or boats when they are lifted headfirst in this orientation. For additional support when lifting extra heavy dogs, we recommend tucking your hand under the top and back of the coat to create while lifting.

Concealed Leash Attachment – Under the low-profile handle is another safety feature worth barking about. Our leash attachment is tucked up under the handle so it’s unlikely to snag while in the water.

Hydrophobic Webbing / Sheltered Buckles – Keeping your gear streamlined when swimming in uncharted territory is important. With this in mind, we tucked the belly buckles away, sheltering them from snags, sticks, or seaweed. In addition to this, our hydrophobic webbing is designed to stay put when wet, keeping the float coat secure and in place over time.

Telescoping Neck – A permanently attached neck closure system adjusts for a range of dog sizes – always staying put for a secure fit.

So, what are you waiting for? Next time you pull out your water gear and head for the lake, river or ocean, you’ll likely have a tail wagging beside you that says, “take me too!”

At the Ruffwear headquarters, we sniff out the best materials, colors, and designs for our dog gear. Once our product team has honed in on every detail, we send the gear off to the hands and paws of our super-testers.  Making the best dog gear out there is a tough job – but somebody’s got to do it!

When we think of a super-tester, we think of Conservation Canines. The dogs that are part of the Conservation Canines put Ruffwear gear to the ultimate test and use it up until the bitter end in the most demanding conditions. When asked to put the TurnUp™ rubber toy through the wringer, our favorite ball- oriented canine scientists leaped in.

Turnup! My favorite!

Without hesitation, the Conservation Canine Team put the TurnUp to the test against…well, practically everything they could get their mouths on.

“We've thrown in the towel and without a doubt the TurnUp is the toughest toy we've ever found. The dogs have chewed and chewed on it, we've watched them try to pick up two at a time, try to eat without dropping it, or the best of all, watching them try to run with it and it keep slipping out of their mouth.” – Heath Smith

For Conservation Canine Sampson, cutting other industry tuff toys into thirds takes no more than 30 seconds of pure bliss during a brief moment of reckless abandon. After 63 days, Sampson was able to create the team’s first-ever TurnUp fatality. Considering most things don’t last 5 minutes with his super-canine chewing strength, 63 days was impressive enough to the team to keep them jumping (and chewing) for more.

The dogs that work with the Conservation Canines are often toy-obsessed and the scientists use specific dog toys as a reward once the dogs locate the object of their field work – the scat of wildlife species. The teams have used the TurnUp most often in their rewards for the dogs largely because of the TurnUp’s long-term durability.

Where will your dog’s TurnUp end up? 

Before their name exits your lips, your river-obsessed hound has turned a simple trek through the woods into a mud-venture worth remembering. Smiling from ear to ear, how can you blame them? This of course is before they run towards you with that proud, wet grin of accomplishment while simultaneously covering your lower half in wet mud.

For those who always have two paws in the river and two paws on shore, there are a few things we’ve developed with you in mind.

Most notably is our Spring 2012 release of the Headwater™ Collar – Stinkproof Perfection. Just imagine a waterproof collar that shakes off the stink of playtime!

Ruffwear’s Headwater Collar features 1” waterproof, coated webbing that will keep your collar looking new. With four color choices, all with highly reflective patterns, we’ve found that healthy balance between fashion and function.

-Through proven reliable 4-point stitching (the same method trusted on Parachute Bridles and tie-down straps), the collar will stay firmly on your four-legged friend.

- As with all Ruffwear Collars, the Headwater also features the anodized aluminum V-ring providing a secure leash attachment.

What’s your favorite thing about the new Ruffwear Headwater Collar?

Riding and playing are Lindsey’s passion. From being a driven leader of the cycling industry to enjoying life, work, and play in beautiful Central Oregon, Lindsey understands exactly what it means to take gear to the max. Naturally, her  furry best friends follow suit.

This is the story of rescuing our dream girl. I have always loved the way Blue Nose Pit Bulls look. I’ll admit, after seeing a few episodes of Ceasar Milan’s, The Dog Whisperer, I was convinced our next dog had to be a Blue Nose Pit:

"Bunny Ears"

I checked petfinder.org almost every day for 6 months after our beloved boxer/rotty/pit mix passed away. I was desperate to find our little red-nosed pit-mix Rocco a sister, but I wasn’t going to settle for any dog.

Suddenly, one day there she was.

The most beautiful little Blue Nose Pit Bull I had ever seen. The photos of her were stunning, but it was the video of her walking up to the camera with sweet, soft eyes and a constantly wagging tail that had me at “Hello”. My heart jumped out of my chest when I saw her sweet gray eyes and seemingly mellow demeanor, I HAD to have her.

I emailed Star Paws rescue down in LA immediately asking if she was still available.

The woman told me she had over 100 inquiries about her and was sending her to her new home tomorrow for a one-week trial.  My heart sank, I KNEW she was the one. I just knew it.  I sent the woman a long email about how we live in beautiful Bend, Oregon at the border of the Deschutes National Forest. My husband and I run a mountain bike tour and we travel the country promoting the mountain bike lifestyle. I told her our two wonderful dogs have always come with us just about everywhere and have experienced the most beautiful lakes, rivers, mountains and forests around.  I sent photos of my dogs in their Ruffwear life vests sitting in our kayaks, swimming in crystal clear waters, and basking in the sun on the shores of the cascade lakes. I BEGGED her to think of me if for some reason her trial run in her new home did not work out.

Two days later I got an email that exploded my heart. The woman who adopted her left her home all day the first day she had her, and her landlord was not happy she brought home a Pit Bull. The rescue took her back and asked if we still wanted her!!!!  Even more amazing, the rescue held her for us for 3 weeks so we could plan our trip down to LA to pick her up during Thanksgiving, when we would also be able to spend the holidays with my husband’s family who live down there. The woman said she wanted to see her get out of LA. YES!

When we arrived at her foster home I knew immediately we made the right decision.She was beautiful, sweet, loving and a happy happy girl.

Gracie with her Sqwash™

Today Gracie is the best dog I’ve ever known. She is nice to every dog she meets and if another dog dominates her, she turns her back and closes her eyes until they are ready to be nice and play. She sits in our laps even though she is a little big for that now, and sleeps under the covers in our bed every night. She lays on top of Rocco any chance she gets and they love to ride in the kayaks and swim in rivers and lakes together as we traverse the country in our sprinter van.

Both my dogs love adventures and have seen more of North America than most people I know. Both dogs were rescued from the streets of southern California.

Rocco is 9 years old and Gracie is now a year and a half and both dogs began their traveling lifestyle at the ripe ages of 8 months old.

We wouldn’t have survived without all of our durable Ruff Wear gear, as it’s easy to travel with and holds up no matter what you put it through.

To read more about the lives of Lindsey, Kirt, Rocco, and Gracie, click here.