Adventure Dogs and their Humans: Established in 1915

When you hit a trail with your furry friend, or play fetch in a park, do you ever wonder who has gone before you and been captivated by this very same place?

How many a hikers have enjoyed a hike up to this same peak, to look out at the splendor beyond? And how many paws have trekked through on this wanderlust before your canine?

These are the questions we ponder as we make our ascent up the trail. We decided to look and see just who was the first to share outdoor adventures like these with their pup, a tradition that would be fufilled by people and their furry adventurers for years to come!

The Gehrke Family: America's first canine-accompanied outdoor adventurers

Pictures of the Gehrke family from pbs.com

In 1915, a childless couple from Nebraska, Margaret and Edward Gehrke, decided that they were going to make a lifestyle of going to the places that were popularly loved by others. More specifically, they acted on their dream to travel to all National Parks in the United States, with their beloved furry canine companions in tow.

Margaret, a former school teacher, was a lover of books. Edward was a fishing enthusiast and dog lover who enjoyed photographing their adventures together. The life they had envisioned evolved as they began to make a beautiful life despite it being one without bearing children. With their furry children in tow, they made an intentional effort to visit all of the United States National Parks (18 in total at the time).

Their love of the the parks initially began as they were traveling home via train from a trip to San Francisco. They stopped to see the Grand Canyon, and it was then that the splendor of the parks would captivate their hearts. Initially they traveled by train, but eventually their signature traveling method would be made possible by the Buicks--17 of them in all--which would end up navigating their journeys. Each summer, they faithfully chose a park until they eventually reached their goal and saw all 18.

Margaret kept a journal, and made an entry of their adventures every single day, while Edward photographed all of their excursions. One particularly notable trip was documented in the piece "To A Dog" and devoted to their beloved furry canine companion Barney, who made the 7,000 mile journey in the Buick as they traveled to parks out west.

In the 1930’s, Edward began working on a traveling house to take to their next park adventure. Sadly, he died in 1939 before the “house-car” was ever driven to a National Park. He was 58. Margaret survived her husband for another 40 years. In her years following Edward’s death, Margaret continued to visit the parks, often with her furry companions by her side. The last park she visited was the couple's favorite park, Rocky Mountain National Park. Today, the photographs and the journals can be seen at the Nebraska State Historical Society.

Next time you go on a National Park excursion, don’t forget to give pause, and think of all the people and furry companions that have found splendor and comfort in the very same place. The mountains are calling you too, to greet them with two boots, and when possible, four paws. 

A Rad Dog Music Playlist for Your Summer Travels

You've filled your pack with gear, thrown the Pocket Bowl and Feed Bag into the back of the car, and filled a tall HydroFlask with water. The windows are down and your furry companion is grinning ear to ear as his jowls flap fantastically into the wind. But there's something missing from this very moment, and you realize what you need a soundtrack that puts this exact moment of road-tripping paradise to music. 

From old country to classic rock to funk, these 16 songs are sure to keep you and your dog(s) groovin’ while driving cross country, into the mountains for a trail day, or through town running errands prepping for those summer adventures. Play on!

A Summer Roadtrip Playlist for Your Dog-Friendly Travels

1. “Runnin’ Down a Dream” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers

2. “On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson

3. “We’re the Best of Friends” by Natalie Cole

4. “Who Let the Dogs Out” by Baha Men

5. “I Love My Dog” by Sublime

6. “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley

7. “Kick the Dust Up” by Luke Bryan

8. “Black Dog” by Led Zeppelin

9. “Diamond Dogs” by David Bowie

10. “I Wanna Be Your Dog” by Iggy and the Stooges

11. “Fox Chase” by Earl Taylor

12. “Old King” by Neil Young

13. “Atomic Dog” by George Clinton

14. “Happy Trails” by Roy Rogers

15. “These Boots Were Made for Walkin’” by Nancy Sinatra

16. “Wagon Wheel” by Old Crow Medicine Show

Have a favorite song you’d like to add to the list? Comment below to keep this playlist growing!

Happy roadtrippin'!

Six Dog-Friendly Ski Destinations for Winter-Loving Canines

Dog Friendly Nordic Trails Across America

Is there any display of joy more pure than a dog bounding through white powdery snow on a mid-winter's ski or snow shoe?

Dogs have long shown us their desire, endurance and ability to race through the snowy forests on their four legs far exceeds our own, and more mountain resorts and ski destinations are catering to this new furry customer, leading to a growing number of dog-friendly ski destinations--both downhill and cross-country.

From the far-West to the far-East, there are a variety of dog-friendly snow destinations that provide a variety of canine comforts--from dog waste stations to freshly-laundered dog beds. These are six of our favorites.

Six Dog-Friendly Ski Slopes and Mountain Destinations

Lake Tahoe, California. Dog-owning snowshoers and Nordic skiers alike will find good reason to visit Lake Tahoe. Not only does Lake Tahoe offer dog-friendly cross-country ski trails at both the Hope Valley Outdoors Cross Country Ski Center and Tahoe XC, the Northstar resort also offers dog-friendly moonlight snowshoe hikes on the mountain (dogs must remain on-leash, however...gee wouldn't it be great if there was a leash for that?).


Jackson hole, Wyoming. In Jackson Hole, at Snow King Resort, not only is there an entire dog-friendly first floor, there are miles of dog-friendly snowshoe and Nordic ski trails.

Wanoga Sno Park outside of Bend, Oregon

Bend, Oregon. Often-acclaimed for being one of the most dog-friendly destinations in the United States and once named "Dog Town USA," Bend's ski areas are no exception. Though the downhill ski resort of Mt. Bachelor is off-limits to dogs, there is a groomed snow park play area complete with toys in the West Village parking lot of Mt. Bachelor. Just a few miles from the mountain, there are dog-friendly cross country skiing and snowshoe trails at Wanoga Sno-Park, which are groomed and maintained by Bend's local dog-advacacy group, the DogPAC.

Lake Placid, New York. The Lake Placid Resort--the "jewel of Adirondack Mountains"--provides dog-friendly lodging and five miles of canine-friendly play. Close by, Fido can enjoy 2,000 miles of hiking and Nordic ski trails as part of the largest mark trail in the United States. The topper? Upon check-in at Lake Placid Resort, your canine will be greeted with laundered dog beds and bowls of fresh water.

Chittenden, Vermont. Your four-legger will not miss out on any adventuring in Chittenden, where they are welcomed in rustic cabins at the Mountain Top Inn & Resort with a dog bed, bowl, and welcome treat. For the more active canines, there are a variety of hiking and XC ski trails which allow leashed canines.

Our top pick...
Telluride, Colorado. This is an active dog-owners paradise. Not only are four-legged companions welcome in certain dog-friendly cabins year-round on the 13-minute gondola ride to and from Mountain Village (for when Fido wants to hit the slopes), but the ride is FREE for pooches and pedestrians. That's not the only dog-friendly transportation in town: Telluride's shuttle bus, The Galloping Goose, also allows leashed pups along for the ride, which is convenient when hitting up one of Telluride's many pet specialty shops.

While in the Town Park, poop-bag stations are handy and there is an area for off-leash play. For more active adventuring, dog owners can enjoy three pet-friendly trails right from the center of town.

If you are trying to find a winter vacation destinations that combines all things you love--your dog, the outdoors, snow, and skiing--any one of these dog-friendly ski destinations is sure make the list. It's beautiful, powdery, snow-bounding fun for the whole family!

10 Tips for Photographing Dogs in Live Action Outdoor Landscapes

It was a day filled with jumping paws, frolicking canines, and fur-flying fun. We anxiously awaited to view the fabulous shots of excitable RAD pups modeling the newest of our fantastic gear, only to find blurry, chaotic shots that looked like a muddy, unfocused mess of fur.
We believe this photo shoot to be sort of an initiation to the big "dogs"--going from the organized, still studio sessions to live action shots of dogs modeling our gear. But we didn't expect such an enormous learning curve!

There are so many aspects to photographing live models well, let alone capturing these shots on models whose fur covers our products and whose excitable attitudes leave few distinguishable and focused shots!

 So, we thought we'd gather up all we learned from our Rad Dog photo shoot and share with you our...

Ten Tips for Photographing Dogs in Live Action Shots

1. Photographing dogs is a game of patience. Don't try to make the shot happen, rather, wait for the shot to happen. Dogs aren't humans; they don't take instruction. The best way to guarantee a nice shot is to put a dog in its natural setting and wait to capture them in action.

2. Less is more. Getting a good shot of one dog is hard enough. Two dogs--nearly impossible! This goes for human companions as well. The fewer people around--and the fewer the distractions--the more likely the dog is to cooperate.

3. No camera if fast enough for a hyper pup. No matter what the shutter speed of your camera, it is not contest against a spastic, crazy dog. So, if you are working with a high-energy pup, it's a good idea to take them for a quick jog or walk prior to the photo shoot to help them calm down come picture time.

4. Try different angles. Even a seemingly boring pose is much more interesting from an unusual angle. Simply taking a picture with the camera looking down on the dog can be dull...that's how we view them all the time. Try to get down to their level and capture their spirit by seeing things the way they see them, on all fours!

5. Play with filters and color correctors. Because dogs were made to blend in with natural landscapes, it can be difficult to see them in their full beauty when competing with an outdoor landscape. Think of a white Shepherd in a snowy field, or a brown Aussie in a pile of leaves; a little color correction can turn this shot from boring to magnificent. Most pet photographers who photograph pets outside, up the saturation and sharpen the image to enhance the photo.

6. Sunny day not ok. For the reasons listed above, an overcast or cloudy day can actually be your friend. That's because the sun can sometimes wash out a dog in a natural setting, and a slightly overcast sky can give the photographer opportunity to play with color.  

7. Have a plan. Deciding ahead of time what sorts of poses, activities and scenery you desire can help bring a calmness to the chaos of a dog photography shoot. Dogs usually take our lead, so if we are relaxed and prepared, they are more likely to follow suit.

8. Bait your dog. Depending on the type of incentives your dog likes best--treats, attention, games--use those as incentive to get your dog to follow instruction. Just use treats sparingly so you don't end up with a roll of pictures of your dog sniffing your pockets.

9. Slow down the action. While action shots are great, it can be difficult to get one where the dog's attention is forward, upright and the dog is in a good position. Not to mention it can leave you out of breath. So, try to mix it up and take some still shots as well, with the dog using props to show action; for example, carrying a large stick or frisbee. Or, opt to snap the photos as the dog comes to a halt, rather than when the dog takes off.

10. Shoot tight. Yes, the doggy breath may be off-putting, but a close shot and close crop leaves less to adjust later and truly captures the personality of the dog--without furiously wagging tails to compete with!

Training Your Dog for the Trail: How to mountain bike with your dog

What dogs were meant to do: bound through giant snow drifts, chase squirrels off-trail, and jump into mud with the enthusiasm of kindergartener at recess.

What dogs are generally not so good at: staying on-trail, staying on-course, and minding their own furry business. 

As much as we would love for our dogs to meander freely down congesting trails and paths, we all know that when a dog is off-leash, there's a good probability of rodent-hunting, tail-sniffing, and puddle diving.  So, we opt to keep them on-leash instead. 

If the requirement for your dog to be on-leash has you limiting your trail activities, don't fret!  With the right dog gear for the trail and a little practice, you can enjoy the trail with your dog any way you like it: on foot, on bike, on skis, and on snowshoes.

To help you along your adventure, consider these Rad Dog tips for taking your dog on the most difficult of canine trail adventures: mountain biking.

Tips for Training Your Trail Dog to Mountain Bike With You:

1. Train your pup early.  The saying, "can't teach an old dog new tricks" maybe incorrect, but there's some truth to the fact that dogs are easier to train initially than to retrain when they are older.  So, if you can, start leash training your dog at a young age. 

2. Leash train using baby puppy steps. Leash training should start out slow and short while your puppy's bones are developing. Even with older dogs, there is a "break-in" period where your dog needs to get in shape before a long trail adventure. Start by walking, then move to a light jog, working your way up to a full run.

3. Switch to a short leash and bike. When your pup is ready, find a quiet place free of congestion to train your dog to run with your bike.  Using a short leash, run your dog alongside the gutter-side of your bike, about a foot away from your handlebars as you pedal along. Tug the leash anytime your dog drifts away from the bike, paying close attention as you approach other people, dogs, cars, and other distractions.

4. Get verbal.  As you train your canine to run alongside your bike, be sure to give them verbal cues as well as physical cues from pulling on the leash.  Words like "Haw!" "Go!" "Right!" "Easy!" and "Whoa!" all help communicate to your dog the correct response. This also helps form a pattern of behavior and command that is useful both on, and off-leash.

5. Test drive on a wide, empty trail. After you have established a consistent pattern of behavior where the dog is able to accompany you alongside the bike in a predictable manner, you can give a wide trail a go.  Select a low-traffic, easy, and wide trail where the dog can run alongside you with few distractions.  After a lot of practice and consistency, your dog may be ready to run with you off-leash. A dog collar-and-leash-in-one, such as the Rad Dog Release 'N Run can offer you the flexibility of leash when you need it, without the added hassle.  When a leash is required, simply pull the handle on the collar of the dog, freeing the leash for use.  More utility, less gear!

6. Time to go singletrack. As you and your dog get more familiar with trail riding together, you will eventually want to teach them to run behind you so you can ride singletrack. This is done easier if your dog is on voice command because you can yell "heel" as the dog heads towards your back tire.  One of our sources suggests this approach to training your dog to run singletrack (though we have not personally tried this): "Attach a five-foot pole to the leash. Start with the dog alongside you. Say "Heel!" and move the pole back to position the dog behind your rear tire."

There are a variety of great resources out there from avid mountain bikers who take to the trail with their dog regularly.  For more information, check out this article by Utah Mountain Biking, "Training Your Trail Dog."

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