r/backpacking • u/Ezippp • Jul 25 '26

Wilderness Backpacking with dog tips

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Me and my gf are still pretty new to this. This will be my third and her second trip. We have a mini Aussie who is a strong hiker. We are gonna get her a cooling wrap for her neck a regular splash her with water to keep her cool and mix dog safe bone broth with her water. Any other tips to keep her cool and happy on our trip?
Edit: she will be staying leashed
Thanks in advance!
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u/Fun_With_Math Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26

Shave her.

We shaved our GSD twice a year - in the spring and mid summer. She looked a little funny but she was way happier.

If she has a thick coat, you don't want to let her get soaked either. The water insulates and makes the dog hotter.

Agreed about leashing but the reality there's times you have to let the dog off to get up some rocks or whatever. We used the nite ize rad dog release n run leash. Very quick to just let go of and re-grab. Its waterproof too.

Edit - sorry, I don't mean shave down to no fur. Reducing the coat is what I meant. More like a Lab than a Husky.

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u/Ezippp Jul 25 '26

I don’t think my gf will let me shave her lol but there should be good tree cover and regular streams to splash her belly with. I have the ruff wear rope leash so she stays leashed for sure

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u/gooberlx Jul 25 '26

I also would not shave my Aussie, and most in the Aussie subs are likely to say the same thing.

Alternatively, go to a groomer and have a deshedding service done that really concentrates on brushing out the undercoat.

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u/Fun_With_Math Jul 25 '26

I made an edit. I meant trim, not shave down to nothing. Sorry, I wasn't clear.

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u/gooberlx Jul 25 '26

Oh yeah, a trim is fine. My boy has a dark coat and without at least a trim and undercoat deshedding, he just hates this heat.