The Weekly Woof Blog

Dogs are naturally curious and, for better or worse, they explore the world mouth first. Our trail dogs are particularly vulnerable to eating the wrong things simply because they’re exposed to so much more than the average backyard pup. While some things that your dog may encounter (and consume) are pretty harmless (wild strawberries and peanut butter sandwich remnants, for instance), there are other things that can cause major problems for Fido. We chatted with the veterinary team at 360 Pet Medical in Bozeman, Montana, about what they see, and it’s common for trail dogs to come into contact with or ingest dangerous items. Here’s what’s on their no-chomp list:

Is your dog not the best walker on a leash? Do you often hear people yelling ‘who's walking who!?’ as your dog zigzags all over the sidewalk while you’re yanking on their leash? Getting your dog to walk politely isn’t an easy feat, nor is it their natural instinct. So if you're looking for advice on how to stop your dog from yanking your arm out of your socket, you have come to the right place!

Getting your dog to wear their booties is not always an easy feet (← hehe see what we did there). So we compiled some tips and tricks to train them to wear their dog booties in no time!

Whether it’s your first hike with your dog or you're a seasoned pro, we know that gear matters!  Even if you and your pup have traveled many trails together, it’s likely you’ve found yourself forgetting something a mile down the path. (We’ve all been there!) Not to worry, we've got you covered! We'll dive into the benefits of hiking with your dog, pre-hiking preparations you'll want to consider, and we’ll share the ultimate dog hiking list. You can use this handy packing list to make sure you have all the essentials for your next adventure with your four-legged best friend! 

The Ugly Hitchhikers. We’re not talking about people on the side of the road looking for a free ride; that might make a little more sense, but what we’re talking about is foxtail grass. These seemingly innocent seeds will catch a ride on anything passing by – a mechanism that has helped them become a highly successful invasive species. You have probably felt one of these pesky weeds in your sock while hiking, and they sure are annoying. But for our dogs, they can be pretty bad news. “The potential to cause serious damage is low, but when it does, it can be catastrophic,” said Dr. Sonni Gilbert, DVM in Heron, Montana.

Opie's two favorite things: snow and bikes. Actually, make that three - his human.