DIY Homemade Sunscreen for Your Dog

Dogs often love the things that can hurt them: the frisbee that hits them square in the eye, the Giardia-breeding puddle they want drink from, and the sun. Yes, dogs have sun sensitivies just like humans.

Not only can the sun leave dogs susceptible to heat stroke, it can also burn sensitive areas of their skin like their nose, belly, and areas where there's little fur to protect them.

Keeping your dog's skin protected against the sun is easy with a dab of sunscreen, but not all sunscreens are safe for dogs. Many human sunscreens contain zinc oxide, which is toxic to dogs if they were to--say, lick the dab of sunscreen on their nose.

Many pet retailers sell dog-friendly sunscreens, but you can also make your own homemade dog sunscreen.

Homemade All-Natural Sunscreen for Your Dog

3 TBSP Sesame oil
2 TBSP Coconut oil
1 TBSP Emulsifying wax or natural beeswax (use more for thicker lotion)
1/2 cup pure green or black tea brew (or half & half)
1 tsp Calcium Montmorillonite Clay
3 TBSP Pure Aloe Vera (no alcohol)
6 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil
5 drops Peppermint (Mentha piperita) Essential Oil
2 drops Carrot Seed (Daucus carota) Essential Oil
2 drops Myrhh (Commiphora myrrha) Essential Oil
2 drops Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) Essential Oil
1 drop Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum) Essential Oil

Mix sesame oil, coconut oil & wax in a double broiler and heat until melted.  Remove from heat and mix in essential oils.

In a bowl, mix tea brew, aloe vera, and calcium montmorillonite clay together and bring to lukewarm temperature on stove or in microwave.

Whisk vigorously while slowly adding tea mixture into the oil mixture.

Pour into a dark glass jar and store in the refrigerator.

Apply only as much as necessary on exposed areas and reapply after swimming.  Your dog will need a bath after their day in the sun is done.

Caution:  Experts recommend diluting essential oils considerably for use with pets. Please do not increase the amount of individual ingredients without increasing carrier oil and do not overuse.  Resist the urge to add citrus oils for scent as they can actually increase UV damage.  Avoid eye area and do not apply directly to genitalia.  Keep all essential oils out of reach of pets and children.

via "Natural Sun Protection for Dogs (With Homemade Sunscreen Recipe)"

When sunscreen is not handy, provide your dog with plenty of shade and hydration, maybe opting for trails and paths in shady, wooded areas with water access.

Happy Trails, Rad Pack! 

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Five Funny Misfortunes That Happen When Camping With Dogs

Once you've camped with your dog, you will never know any other way to do it. Providing both companionship and liveliness to you camping adventure, our four-legged adventurers are the perfect complement to the outdoor experience. During they day, they will trudge high and low without a word of complaint, and at night, they will literally howl at the moon beside you.

But part of what makes adventuring outdoors with your dog so much fun is the fact that they are, in fact, happy, clumsy, four-leggers who know nothing of social norms. They make adventuring an adventure!

Five Inevitable Misfortunes that WILL Happen When Camping With Your Dog

1. Your dog WILL wind up in the millimeters of extra room you have in your backpacking tent. You can buy your canine their own tent, bring their bed from home, or create the perfect mound of hay and leaves for them, but inevitably, they will end up in the small space between your feet and the bottom of tent. Save yourself the heartache of packing in their gear and just enjoy the foot warmer!

2. Your dog WILL eat something they are not suppose to: something dead, something gross, or something that belongs to you. If you're lucky, it will just be the last breakfast burrito, but if you're not, you might spend hours de-skunking your pup!

3. You WILL trip over your dog while making a tent exit for the bathroom. Whether making the dark journey from the camp fire, or from the tent when nature calls, your dog will inevitably be in the pathway between you and your destination, and it will inevitably surprise you every time.

4. Your dog WILL track mud, debris and water throughout your campsite. Bonus points if they also manage to get some hair-clad marshmallow mess on your tent and sleeping bag as well.

5. Your dog WILL NOT follow friendly social protocol. Most likely, they will do one of the following that will embarrass you: 1) stick their nose in at least one inappropriate place--another dog's backside, a stranger's crotch, or something smelly and dead, 2) whine like a child when you leave camp to shower in the morning, or 3) get distracted by a squirrel and leave you yelling after them for 20 minutes shortly after you just told the entire camp how well your dog listens.

While these all may seem like pitfalls to taking your dog camping with you, there truly is nothing better then a little open air wilderness and star gazing with your best friend! 
 

Earth Day Tips for Earth-Friend Dog Owners

We know that dogs like to run on the green.

We know good dog food can cost you some green.

We even know that dogs can glow green with jealousy if not getting enough attention.

But what's less obvious is how you, as an earth-conscience dog owner, can help ensure you are as environmentally "green" as possible when it comes to raising your pup.

It doesn't have to be an enormous effort on your part to green up your practices and become a more earth-friendly dog owner. Simple eco-friendly initiatives work too! So, in honor of Earth Day (April 22nd), we've listed six simple ways to reduce your carbon paw-print!

How to Be a More Environmentally-Friendly Dog Owner

1. Go bulk. When you can, buy dog treats and food in bulk, to help cut down on packaging waste. In addition, try to avoid foods and treats with pesticides, opting for more natural ingredients.

2. Start cooking. Another alternative to natural dog food is preparing and cooking your own dog food. Making your own dog food is healthier, can cost less than some organic dog food blends, and cuts down on packaging waste. You can also make other homemade dog products, like dog toys and dog shampoo. Click to find out more about homemade dog food. 

3. Pick up. Dog waste is bad for the environment and litters our trails. It is important to pick up after your Rad Dog on the trail, but you could be doing a lot of environmental damage with the types of waste bags you use, too. Opting for a plant-based dog waste bags is an easy way to green up your pick up routine.

4. Search the shelter. Finding a home for a shelter dog isn't just good philanthropy, it's eco-friendly too! By choosing a shelter dog, you are making more room in our shelters, discouraging the mistreatment of animals, and helping maintain a healthy pet population of spayed, neutered and immunized dogs.

5. Lasting products. Purchasing quality product that last means less consumerism, less packaging, fewer natural resources, and less money! The Rad Dog Release 'N Run is the perfect example of a lasting product where less is more. One purchase, one package and you get a long-lasting leash AND collar in one. And, because it's made with Cordura® climbing webbing and Spectra® cord (one of the world's strongest and lightest fibers), the Release 'N run is strong enough for dogs weighing up to 110lbs. The internal retracting mechanism, originally designed for extended use in salt water by scuba divers and for the tethering of tools and weapons for the police and military, has been designed for maximum strength and durability. This means you get a quality, long-lasting product you may never have to replace. 

6. Respect the outdoors. Keeping your dog on-trail means that there is no opportunity for them to disrupt fragile plant and animal life. There is nothing greener than enjoying the outdoors, but dogs and owners alike must do it with respect for our precious outdoors.

Just a few simple steps in the right direction, and you and your dog can dramatically reduce your carbon paw print this Earth Day!

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Live Unleashed This Spring Break

If the sunny breaks in the clouds have you yearning to get "unleashed" this spring break, we want to encourage our entire Rad Pack to do just that! So get outside, hop in the car, and go explore the world unleashed this Spring with you, your dog, and a Rad Dog Release 'N Run leash/collar in one!

One thing we love about Spring is many Northwest trails loosen up on their leash laws prior to the summer rush, which means you and Fido can gallivant unleashed through forest, trails, and dog-friendly parks. But even the best trained, most free-roaming dogs need a leash now and then:

• When a squirrel scurries across the trail
• When another dog seeks too much unwanted affection
• When your dog doesn't feel like waiting his turn at the watering hole
• When your lab decides it's an ideal time for a soak in the spring 

What we love most about dogs is their adventurous nature, instantaneous reactions to outside stimuli, and the ability to #liveunleashed. But that's also what gets them in trouble! With the Release 'N Run retractable leash and collar in one, you and your dog get the best of both worlds--a collar most of the time, and a leash when you need it!

We know what your thinking: "The person that invented this thing MUST have been a dog owner!" And you are exactly right! In fact, the entire premise of the Release 'N Run leash and collar combination started with a trail run in the foothills of Colorado. While enjoying the freshness of the Rocky Mountain air and exploring the latest scent on a nub of sagebrush, Rad Dog owner and inventor Brian couldn’t help but feel restricted by the need to carry a dog leash with him on his run. Just like the rest of us, Brian wanted to enjoy the adventures of traveling, trail running, hiking and biking with his dog, but without all the gear. He thought, "how can we do this unleashed?" A little while later, the Release 'N Run was born! 

Rad Dogs #liveunleashed

With a janitor’s keychain, and a needle and thread, and some cut climbing webbing, the first version of the Release 'N Run retractable leash and collar in one was born.  Many versions, and many hikes, trail runs, in-town walks, skiing adventures, and boating outings with wife Paula and dog Fletcher, and the “finalized” RNR went into production.

What started out as a common problem for adventurous dog owners has become a business for Brian and Paula. They want everyone to have the freedom to adventure with their dogs freely, so we can enjoy the outdoors and #liveunleashed!

10 Great Places to Travel With Your Outdoor Dog

Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Oregon

We've got a New Year's Resolution that we think is one RAD idea: travel more with our dogs this year!

Our products are all about getting out without the fuss, which got us thinking, "How can we get out more often, see more places, and do more things with our dog?" The answer: take a look at some of the best travel adventures for dog owners and the canine companions.

So, here is the list of dog-friendly hot-spots we'd like to check out this year! Where's your favorite dog spot? Tell us, so we can share with our fellow Rad Pack! 

Top Ten Rad Spots for Dogs

Paw Playground in St. Petersburg, Florida

California: Pismo Beach
What goes better than dogs, salt water, and sand? Pismo Beach is one of California's only dog-friendly beaches. You can spend the day playing frisbee in the sand with Fido, and enjoy the comforts of four pet-friendly hotels at night.

Colorado: Colorado Springs
Colorado is known for the dog-hospitality, and Colorado Springs is not exception. There are an unbelievable 51 dog-friendly hotels, dog-friendly restaurants and breweries, fantastic trails, and Bear Creek Dog Park which is a favorite watering hole amongst the four-leggers.

Florida: Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is home to Ft. De Soto Paw Playground, THE ONLY part of the beach area reserved for dogs to run and have fun on a hot day. There are a variety of dog-friendly hotels to choose from, and a nice selection of restaurants with dog-friendly patios to dine on tapas with your Rad Pack by your side.

Illinois: Chicago
Chicago is home to many pet boutiques, dog-friendly hotels, and dog-tolerant businesses, but perhaps the best kept secret in Chicago is the Montrose Dog Beach, where dogs can frolic amongst themselves in the water and off-leash.

Casco Bay Mailboar in Maine

Maine: Portland (Casco Bay)
Maine is home to an absurd number of dog-friendly beaches, harbors, and watering holes. But maybe the most unique dog-friendly spot in Maine is aboard a real working mailboat! You and Rad Dogcan tour the islands of Casco Bay, including Little Diamond, Great Diamond, Long, Cliff, and Chebeague aboard a boat bringing mail and freight to the islands.

Massachusetts: Boston
You can tour around Boston via dog-friendly water taxi! Curl up at night in one of the many dog-friendly hotels downtown with no pet fee, then catch a treat at the dog-friendly "Blunch" restaurant. There is also Castle Island Beach which allows dogs on-leash during the off-season.

New Mexico: Santa Fe
Santa Fe has an astonishing 33 pet-friendly hotels, dog-friendly trails, and even a dog-friendly gallery (Andrew Smith). There is also a dog-friendly spa/resort and many dog-friendly restaurants like the Cowgirl BBQ which features a dog-friendly patio and nightly music.

North Caroline: Charlotte
Charlotte has 67 pet friendly hotels, including Aloft Charlotte Uptown At the Epicentre, and a dog-friendly Whitewater Rafting Center. It is also home to The Dog Bar, located in the NoDa Arts District, the bar serves beer, wine and liquor and allows dogs of all sizes INSIDE or outside!

Oregon: Crystal Crane Hot Springs in Burns, Oregon
Crystal Crane Hot Springs between Burns, Oregon and Crane, Oregon, have dog-friendly cabins, teepees, tent spaces, and RV accommodations.  Enjoy a walk around the high desert wilderness during the day, and soak under the stars or in the private bathhouses in this dog-friendly, no-frills soaking experience. Rates start at just over $50/night.

Washington: Leavenworth
The German-inspired town of Leavenworth, Washington has four pet friendly hotels, including the Bavarian Ritz Hotel. The dog-friendly "Let's Go Tubing" adventure is popular amongst dog owners, and there are also a variety of dog-friendly trails and outdoor activities.

Pet-Centric New Years Resolutions for Dog Owners

While many of us will make New Year's Resolutions this year to "be healthier," "get organized," or "save more money," we tend to focus our resolutions on what makes us a better person, rarely considering how we can be a better friend to our four-legged besties! So, dog owners, here are a few ideas of New Year's Resolutions you can make that will make both you and your dog, better in 2015!

New Year's Resolutions for Dog Owners

1. Get outside with your dog more. They say..."fat dog, fat owner." Well, that may be a bit of a generalization, but the point is, getting out and exercising with your dog is good for both of you! Not only will it make you and your dog healthier, but exercise and the great outdoors helps with mood improvement, decreased anxiety, and overall happiness!

2. Feed your dog better. Not only should you consider feeding your dog healthier food (or for the truly ambitious--making your own dog food), but vow to not feed your dog table scraps. Table food is the No. 1 contributing factor to dog obesity, and can cause health issues such as diarrhea, diabetes, and pancreatitis.

3. Play with your dog more. Playing with your dog can help improve your dog's behavior and contribute to your mood as well. Reserving ten minutes a day to toss the ball, tug on a rope, or take your dog for a run around the park shows your dog gratitude for all the contributions they make to your well-being.

4. Train your dog. A well-trained dog makes for better outings. Do yourself and your dog a favor this year and invest in training your dog so that you can do more things together.  A dog on voice-command means more off-leash outings, more hikes, and perhaps even new adventures like dog-jouring, mountain biking, or backpacking!

5. Consider fostering a dog or adopting a shelter dog. If you don't currently have a dog, or if your dog has recently passed and you are considering a new dog, consider the benefits of fostering a dog or adopting a shelter dog. Not only will these dogs make for loving and grateful companions, but you are helping your community out and supporting your local humane societies with these good deeds as well.

Outdoor-Inspired Gifts for Dogs and Dog Owners

Traditionally, the holiday season is a time to mingle indoors. Holiday brunches, fireplaces, and Christmas dinners are just a few activities that beckon us inside. But that's the perfect reason to remember that your pup needs ample time outdoors! Rather than grazing around the holiday dinner table, your dog should be walking, snowshoeing, or skiing right alongside you during these brisk winter months.

That is why we decided to create a list of our favorite outdoor-inspired gifts for dogs and dog owners. They will have anticipating day break and getting you and your dog outside where you belong!

Best Outdoor-Inspired Gifts for Dog Owners

1. Donation to Trail or Park Programs in the Dog's Name. 

For an incredibly unique and thoughtful gift, why not donate to charity in your or your loved one's dog's name? You can donate to canine programs, The Humane Society, or better yet...off-leash parks in the area or trail organizations. If you frequent the local swim holes, trails, or dog parks, why not give a little back to those places that have brought so much joy to you and your dog?

2. Clip-On Dog Light.

Any active outdoor dog owner doesn't let low light get in the way of their jog, hike, or walk. With a huge variety of low-priced dog lights on the market, this makes the perfect stocking stuffer for the outdoorsman's dog! Just turn on and head out, no matter what time of morning or night!

3. Instant-Leash and Collar In One.

Outdoor dogs know: adventure could be lurking around any corner. Dogs and active humans don't want to be restricted to an adventure because they forgot to bring a leash with them. With the Rad Dog Release 'N Run, the leash is ready whenever your dog is! That's because the leash winds neatly inside the dogs collar, accessible instantly with a pull of the handle!

4. A Good Pair of Gloves.

There's no such things as pockets for active dog owners! Even if you are able to find an off-leash trail to run, ski, hike, or snowshoe, there's no chance you'll be able to tuck those hands away while making a mad dash through the wilderness! That's why a good set of gloves can never be overrated--for active dog owners and just plain active outdoorsmen alike!

5. Dog Waste Bags.

Because no one ever saw a dog use a port-a-potty! Waste bags are a necessary evil. We must keep our trails and outdoor spaces clean by picking up after our dogs, and as any good dog owner will tell you: you can never have too many doggie waste bags! Splurge this Christmas and buy your dog or fellow dog owner some Rad Dog Waste Bags. They are made from recycled plant starch, so you can reduce environmental pollutants caused by dog waste while also reducing your carbon paw print!

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