Did you know that economics determine how far a person will venture for their outdoor adventures?  In a tight economy, people make more of the resources available, and hence, the “backdoor adventure” is born.

But what is a backdoor adventure?  Backdoor adventures are quick, close-to-home adventures that can be done at lunch, before or after work, or on weekends.  Backdoor adventures such as trail running, biking, hiking–even yoga or long-boarding–are fun, easy, and require little equipment.

The advantage of integrating the outdoors into your day-to-day lifestyle has a variety of benefits.  It’s no wonder these activities are taking the outdoor industry by storm; the advantages are clear:

  1. They have a short learning curve. Many backdoor adventures can be self-taught and don’t require lessons, reducing the barrier to entry.
  2. They are inexpensive. Backdoor activities are generally close to home and require little gear or equipment.
  3. Even the dog can come. Because these activities usually require less skill, they are appropriate for the entire family—dog, children, grandparents, too!
  4. It can be integrated into part of your lifestyle. Often referred to as “gateway activities”, backdoor adventures easily become part of a regular fitness routine.  In fact, those who participate in backdoor activities generally participate in a higher variety of outdoor activities, and more often.

So grab your yoga mat, hiking shoes, and of course…dog leash, and head outside!  What are you waiting for?

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The term “sun dog” may be used to describe a halo around the sun, but that doesn’t exactly mean every dog is an angel in the sun.  Despite the fact your dog would rather frolic in the snow than the sand, there are are plenty of ways to enjoy an outdoor adventure with your dog in the heat of summer.

Sun Worshiper

Five ways to make your sun seeker’s adventure more enjoyable:

  1. Apply sunscreen to the nose and other exposed areas.  Yes, dogs can get sunburn too!
  2. Pack along dog boots to protect your dog’s paws from hot terrain.
  3. Brush your dog to help with the natural shedding process.
  4. Consider shades.  Yes, even dogs can suffer from UV damage to the eyes, and there are companies that make eye protection to shade dogs from the bright sun.
  5. Opt for activities close to water so your dog can  cool off mid-adventure.

Shade Seeker

Five ways to make your shade seeker’s adventure more enjoyable:

  1. Pack plenty of hydration.  A cool, hydrated mouth is more effective in helping a dog cool down using evaporative panting.
  2. Plan your adventures for early morning or evening–when the heat index is the lowest.
  3. Try cooling gear such as the Ruff Wear Swamp Cooler™.  This will promote evaporative cooling, creating “artificial sweat” to help cool down your dog.
  4. Seek activity at higher elevations.  When the heat gets high, head up for a mountain adventure where the temperature is cooler.
  5. Opt for adventures in locations with lots of shade where your dog can take frequent breaks.

1. A dog with a diet that consists mostly of dry food requires more water than a dog whose diet is comprised of wet or raw food.

2. Dogs prefer cold water.

3. Snow is not a suitable supplement to water.  Ditto for salt water.

4. A healthy (but not overzealous) appetite for water can be an indicator of health, as it is directly related to kidney wellness.

5.  Dogs drink out of the toilet because: the porcelain naturally cools the water, the flushing keeps water “fresh” (so to speak) and oxygenated, and the water’s relatively clean.   Note: We do not recommend this.  The toilet can be filled with both bacteria and toxins from cleaning solutions.

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Optimal hydration is key in helping your dog go farther and longer on your outdoor adventures.

Certain things can affect your dog’s thirst level: age, food, size, exercise, weather, and medications.

Your dog might be a habitual over-drinker or under-drinker. If so, here are some tips:

The Hydrant

Signs your dog is an over drinker:

  • Beautifully moisturized lips (and snout, whiskers, tongue, and jowls)
  • Empty toilet

Seeking treatment for their drinking problem:

  • Consider purchasing lick bottles, rabbit feeders, or bowls specially designed to slow down water intake.
  • Automatic watering bowls are another option.  Or, if you are home all day, manually ration their water rather than letting their water bowl be a free-for-all.
  • Fill the bowl up with less water, more often.

The Garden Hose

Signs your dog is an under drinker:

  • Lip smacking
  • Cotton mouth
  • A kiss that feels like you’ve been licked by desert sand

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Question: How did “dog days of summer” get its name?

a.     Named after the Greek God, Canidae, God of Sun and Light

b.      Named after the astrological constellation Siruis, or “Dog Star”

c.      Named after a symptom of heat stroke, which causes humans to pant, similar to that of a dog

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Yes, humans and dogs have a few things in common.  We both have hair.  We both have skin.  We both sweat (sort of).  But there are four distinct differences between humans and dogs when it comes to temperature moderation.  So put the clippers away, your dog could be one Mohawk away from heating up like a solar panel.

1.  Sweat Glands

Humans: Humans have sweat glands on their skin, so they are able to cool down all over their body.

Dogs: Dogs only have sweat glands on the pads of the feet.

2.  Evaporative Cooling

Humans: Humans will sweat when their body needs to be cooled.  The sweat then evaporates, displacing heat as it vaporizes.

Dogs: Dogs only sweat through their paws.  Their main mechanism for cooling down is the evaporation that occurs by panting.  As a dog pants, the moisture in their mouth evaporates, cooling them down.

When a dog pants, evaporation causes the heat to dissipate at the mouth, cooling down the dog

Because a human is covered with sweat glands, heat dissipates over the entire body

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why a dog blog?

this blog, sponsored by ruff wear performance dog gear, was created as a community space for people who love to experience the outdoors with their dogs.

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