Backdoor adventures give us the chance to sneak in some outdoor time as the daylight hours grow shorter through the fall and winter seasons.  Because of their limited duration, short learning curve, minimal amount of gear required, and close proximity to home, backdoor adventures make great spontaneous autumn adventures.  Here are five of our favorites:

1. Run (forest), Run.  Unwind from a busy day and get your cardio session in with your favorite canine companion.  Dogs make great running partners because they’re always motivated to get outside and will generally tire long after you do!
2. Beat the daily grind.  If you have a trail nearby, an early evening mountain bike ride might be just thing to keep you from feeling “cranky”.  If a trail isn’t right around the corner, cycle around the neighborhood or find a way to incorporate biking into your errands–for example, load your dog with a pack, head to the farmer’s market, and let your four-legged friend carry home the goods.  This works especially well when you need to wind down a hyper, young pup!
3. Hike (the trail, not the football)!  If Monday Night Football is not your thing, opt for an outdoor hike instead.  With fewer crowds, fresher air, and beautiful fall foliage, autumn is a great time for a hike!
4. Join the pack.  A dog park or dog-friendly community area is a great way to socialize your pup and get them exercise.  But who says you have to stand still and watch?  Take a walk or jog around the perimeter, or engage your dog in a game of fetch.
5. Sport du Jour.  Turn an old pair of skates, rollerblades, scooter, or a skateboard into a fall adventure.  Grab your wheels of choice, put your dog in a harness, and hold on!  Instant dog joring!

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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Resources:

http://gazetteonline.com/local-news/2010/08/14/summer-of-staycations-iowans-vacationing-a-little-closer-to-home

http://www.moneynews.com/Economy/US-Labor-Day-Travel/2010/08/25/id/368376

http://cl.exct.net/?ju=fe2d16787766037d751d74&ls=fdcc15707562007f761c757461&m=ff001672776306&l=fe6115767c65077c7d15&s=fe5e11797761047f7011&jb=ffcf14&t=

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.

3.  Average Temperature

Humans: Humans maintain an average body temperature around 98.7°F

Dogs: A dog’s average temperature is 100 – 102°F:

4.  Hair

Humans: Though humans have hair follicles on almost the entire body, evolution has caused us to lose most of our “fur” for the purposes of keeping warm.  The hair on our heads still functions according to its original purposes, however, which is to insulate in the cold and protect from the sunburn in the sun.

Dogs: Being covered in hair actually acts as insulation from the heat (note: fur also protects against biting insects and sunburn, so shaving your dog is generally not a good idea). In fact, the topcoat of hair is often referred to as the “reflective layer.”  When it’s cold out, a dog’s hair will stand up, trapping heat and creating an insulating blanket around the dog.  In the heat, the reverse happens and hair lies flat.  A double-coated dog will shed the undercoat in hot months to assist with cooling.

Q:

A: Yes, although it works more efficiently where there’s more evaporation (i.e. drier climates).

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work if it’s not wet?

A: The Swamp Cooler will provide SPF protection and sun reflection even when not wet, which will help keep your dog’s temperature down (like wearing white instead of black on a hot day), but for the evaporative cooling to occur, it needs to be wetted down, preferably with cool water.

Q: Should I put my Swamp Cooler in the freezer?

A: No.  There are no crystals or chemicals in this product that require “activation”.  Putting the Swamp Cooler in the freezer may degrade the material and cause the temperature shock to your dog.   Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog.

Q: Will my dog be soaking wet after putting the damp Swamp Cooler on?

A: Not really.  Initially their top coat may become damp, but the water in the Swamp Cooler will evaporate (cooling your dog!),so they will not be wet for very long.

Q: Can I use salt water to wet the Swamp Cooler?

A: While you can use ocean water, salt does not evaporate.  If you do use salt water, make sure to rinse your vest out thoroughly after use.  For best results, we recommend using fresh, cool water for optimal cooling and performance.

Q: How long will the Swamp Cooler stay wet?

A: Generally, 45 minutes to two hours depending on the climate.

Q: What’s the best way to recharge the Swamp Cooler?

A: Have your dog jump in a river, lake or pond.  Second best?  Pour water directly on the coat while the dog is wearing it.

Q: Will the Swamp Cooler work underneath a pack?

A: Yes, but not as well.  The areas exposed to air will cool most effectively.

Q: How do I activate the Swamp Cooler?

A: Just soak in cool water, wring out, and put around your dog like this.

It’s hard to believe that putting something extra on your dog may actually cool them down.  But the principle is simple: evaporative cooling.

What is evaporative cooling?

When you first step out of the shower or a swimming pool, you may notice a cool feeling when your skin hits the air.  This is evaporative cooling.  In fact, every human being performs the function of evaporative cooling each day… through perspiration. When sweat evaporates, we cool down.  If we move around, the air flow cools us down even quicker.

What is a swamp cooler?

Let’s apply the same idea of evaporation to other technologies; for example, a swamp cooler system in a house.  A fan pulls hot, dry air through water soaked pads.  The cooler air is then circulated through the house, reducing temperatures anywhere from 20 to 30 degrees.

Another simple example? Blow a fan over a piece of ice and notice the extra-cool breeze.  You’ve just created a swamp cooler.  It’s that easy!

How does Ruff Wear’s Swamp Cooler™ work?

The Swamp Cooler cooling vest works just like an “on-dog” cooler.  By soaking the vest in cool water, wringing it out, and placing it on your dog, you are helping your dog to “sweat”…allowing evaporative cooling to take place as the cool water is exposed to moving air.  The water heats up, vaporizes, and the surrounding air is chilled…noticeably cooling your dog. No more dashing from tree to tree seeking shade.  No more hiding when the leash comes out.  Your dog can beat the heat more comfortably.  Try one and see!