Foot Care Tips for Backpacking with a Dog: Whether to Use Booties or Wax Hiking or Thru-Hiking

[@stargazingscotty9240]

Also, I carry the liquid bandaid for dogs in my pack, as well as the dog carrier system in case of emergency. I can't Hike or camp or drive without my dog, so I have to keep him in good shape and healthy. My Sister teases me that I have more emergency equipment for my dog than myself, but he is vital to me. He is not only my best friend, but he is also my freedom.

[@christyph3382]

Liquid bandaid for dog good idea thanks for sharing. I also have emergency dog carrier hopefully I will never have to use it.

[@ejrasmussen]

I walk my mini-aussie on average 3-5 miles a day on the pavement with no problems at all. But going up Mt Adams yesterday in Washington really did a number on his paws. He also experienced the same thing when we went hiking in the Chugach mountains this summer in Anchorage. I think what I've learned from your video is to be conscious of the terrain that your dog is walking over and plan accordingly. Just because we walk so much I figured his pads were strong enough for my hikes, but the volcanic gravel and sharp rocks wore through any toughness that he's built up. Going to be more prepared moving forward and use the booties when I feel the terrain is more abrasive than what he's capable of handling.

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Great insight!

[@lavanyalea]

Thank you for your insightful video! The first time Fuji and I went on long-distance hike in Spain, it really did a number on her paws, despite multiple hikes and long-distance hikes in the UK. The terrain was just different - soft/muddy in the UK vs dry/sharp rocks/gravels in Spain. She had minor blisters/peels on her paw after day 1, so on day 2 I put some boots, but it actually made them worse, because the boots got wet (from dipping in the river as well as constant rain for several hours) and caused friction to her paws :( Eeeeekkkk... So we took a few days rest, and finished the hike without boots but with lots of paw wax and setting off in the dark to avoid the heat! In a few weeks we will come back again, I am thinking of adding socks to the boots so they don't cause as much friction, as well as "airing" them every hour or so, or at least not have the boots on the whole day's hike, because the paws did get very hot and sweaty. So it was good to hear that you also only put boots on for sections of the hike that you think would benefit from boots. Guess I will have to give the paws a quick rinse if they're already dirty/gravelly/sandy before putting the boots on!

[@stargazingscotty9240]

I use Musher's Secret. I have a Service 🐕‍🦺 Dog, because I have Epilepsy, and can't Hike, Drive, Camp without him. I want to Thank You for your videos. I've gotten yelled at for not wearing booties. I only wear booties when the terrain calls for it. I use the Musher's Secret 2x per week, and only at Nighttime in the tent, after I clean his paws. This gives time for it to dry, and it lasts for about 7 Days, but I do the twice per week. You are thorough, and give great advice. Thank You

[@travisgrimm]

Very helpful. I completed the CT last year and will again this Aug with my heeler and thanks for the reminding me of that rad drainage.

[@GIRLplusDOGAdventures]

I'm going through the same issues and what to do! I've never needed booties even in canyon hikes and just struggle with sizing and just getting Remy to wear them. For the CT, since I'm segment hiking the first 200 miles, I'm going to use that to help toughen up the paws. The other cheap trick I'm going to try this year is just baby socks. I do use Musher's wax, but it's melty in the summer so also bought PAWJAM and going to try that. It's beeswax based and climbers use it for their fingers. Liquid bandage may be better to use than super glue. I actually like to carry this sometimes for small finger cuts or cracked hands in the winter. It's a lifesaver for that.

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Thank you for adding so much value to this conversation! The more we can all share, hopefully the easier it will be for people to find useful solutions for their dogs 😁 I did try kids socks on the San Luis Loop and lost several within a few miles because they stick to all the prickly bushes (this was near the sand dunes), so if using them without a boot I’d recommend taping them so they don’t fall off.

[@larryrush3414]

I am new to your channel and it was recommended by CT thru hikers. I am impressed and will check out your other videos. My dog Piper and I do a lot of hiking in the White Mountains of NH where we live and they are quite rough and rocky. She accompanied me on my thru hike on the AT in 2020 although I got her off in central Virginia after about 650 miles as it was getting hot. I use Mushers Secret frequently in the winter and occasionally in the summer to prevent her paws from drying out. I have purchased booties but really never used them because they fall off so easily. Do carry them just in case. Looks like your dog has a Groundbird Gear backpack which my dog Piper has. I hope you have a video on dog food you use while backpacking with your canine companions.

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Hi Larry! Congrats on your hike of the AT! I do carry boots just in case and am actually planning to spend more time toughening up my GSD’s feet to boots rather than the terrain this year as she has never had great success with wax and such. With my Terrier I use medical tape to help keep the boots on since they fall off her tiny feet too. For food I use Sport kibble as it is also high in fats & proteins, not just calories and is more affordable and better for dry/water deficient areas.

[@escapetheindoors]

Great info! Been eyeing the Ruffwear booties, but mushers booties make way more sense for random use while backpacking.

[@TheMostImportantStep]

I do like the Ruffwear booties in some situations (such as on the snow), but they can definitely be more challenging to correctly size and a much bigger bummer if you lose one on the trail!

[@NancyandMako]

Such a great video!!! Mako my Standard Poodle and I have been training for the AT for 2 years and I totally agree that it is good to train in lots of different terrain. Such a great video!!!! Slow and steady!!! Your pups are beautiful good good luck!!!

[@ryko1246]

Great video! Exactly what I was looking for, thabk you very much for sharing all your research and insights! you got a new sub!

[@mtadams2009]

I am very happy I have found your channel. I have done a fair amount of backpacking with my 50-pound hound mix. The last couple of years we have been doing the Long Trail in Vermont, it's about 270 miles or so and I have learned a lot. I am concerned about my dog's feet because that is the reason, I have seen most people to have to leave the trial. My little Maggie has never had any issues with her feet. She did have issues with her pack, so I now carry everything. We plan on hiking the Colorado Trail too. Do you have any additional tips. Take care

[@TheMostImportantStep]

The Colorado Trail has a ton of granite which can be extra hard on dog feet, so a good regimen from before you start is what I would recommend. Also be prepared to take extra zeros or slow down if need be to help with the feet. Best of luck and I'm happy to talk the CT if you would like, you're always welcome to email.

[@mtadams2009]

@@TheMostImportantStep Thanks to much and I more then likely will take you up on that offer. This will be my first big trip in the West. I did some rock climbing trips in the Tetons back in the day but those were low miles and I was not hiking with my Maggie. She had no issues on the LT but it’s only about 270 miles and I am sure it’s much different terrain. I want to be very prepared. I plan on going slower, especially since we are flat landers. Take care

[@erinhalloran9171]

Do you have advice for hiking on sand? My dog (1.5 year old Irish Setter) isn’t the biggest fan of boots (we normally use wax) but we will be hiking through Indiana Dunes National park in a few weeks and I’m thinking the sand might get too hot for her to walk on with just wax. Edit: her boots are from ruffwear

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Hi there! I usually don’t put booties on my dogs when walking on sand. In the past when I’ve visited sandy places in the summer (like Great Sand Dunes National Park) we’ve gone early in the morning before it gets hot. That being said, booties should help with heat if walking during the day. You can always test the sand with your hand to see how hot it is. If you can’t hold your hand on the ground for more than 15-30 seconds I’d go ahead and put the ruffwear booties on. Enjoy! Indiana Dunes is one of my favorite places to visit in the Midwest!

[@tracykooken2606]

Dogs, like people adapt to their areas.......Mnts, desert, snow etc...... I watch him closely.... read ur dog. I will MASSAGE him after rough trails !!!! I wish he could do my feet 8) but he is MY dog, My responsibility !!! And I love him ❤

[@michaelfarrell6448]

What about flex seal? And I am being serious to certain degree? Maybe something less toxic but you get the avenue of thought I'm on

[@TheMostImportantStep]

I do know that some people live the paw pads with tape. I have tried that once and it didn’t work very well (didn’t stick). The other issue is that dogs sweat through their feet, so I would be worried about them over heating during the warmer months. It would depend on why boots are needed too- the issue in winter is more with snow balls forming between the pads and some dogs need the cushion of boots on road walks. If shredded paws are the biggest problem in the fall, then something like this might work

[@hillarythompson5642]

@Bailey Bremner I couldn't find the Bear Balm anywhere on amazon or through a Google search. Is that product for sale anywhere still?

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Yes! Here it is: www.bearbalm.us

[@JohnKline-cg5vp]

That web site has expired. Quick internet search brought up no results. Have you found something comparable or better?

[@kurterikson9441]

Did you get a lot of crap thru-hiking with your dog? Seems like people are very opinionated about long distance hiking with dogs

[@TheMostImportantStep]

I really haven’t had too many negative encounters, and pretty much all of them have been online rather than in person. Some of that might be because I don’t hike the popular trails though

[@dsilvadoray]

Are you ready for the hike? We would like to join you around south New Mexico. Our hiking team is called walking planet earth (FB)

[@TheMostImportantStep]

Getting closer! Skittles got her stitches removed on Wednesday, so we are dialing up the training. On the home stretch! That would be sweet! Not sure when we’ll hit NM since we’re going SOBO, but will be posting updates here and on Instagram

[@oxgon]

@@TheMostImportantStep what happened to your pup I didn't see a they are post about it Hope he's okay