The Summer Adventure Dog Checklist

Summer is adventure season, and one thing is guaranteed: whether you’re planning to tag a summit, hike to a swimming hole, or camp as many weekends as possible, it’s always more fun to bring the dogs along. But that means planning ahead so you and your best friend are prepped for adventure. Meet two outdoor enthusiasts who bring their dogs everywhere and have hard-won advice for how to do it right.

When Stephen Martin hiked his first 14er, he remembers feeling like it wasn’t something he would get into. Then he started hiking with his dog, Ollie. “Sharing the experience with my dog was kind of the catch,” says Martin. The duo has since hiked almost 40 of Colorado’s 14ers together and are now joined by a second dog, Echo. For Jordan Kahana, the gratification he gets from seeing his dogs, Zeus and Sedona, have a good time pays major dividends. “When you aspire to give your dogs the best life, you end up living yours as well,” he says.

To help make the most of the long summer days ahead with your favorite canine companions, we asked Martin and Kahana to share their tips on how to plan and prepare for memorable time spent outside.

Choose the Right Destination

In 2016, Kahana was in the middle of a solo road trip when two tiny puppies ran in front of his car. They were so small he could hold them both at once. Zeus and Sedona were immediately integrated into his nomadic lifestyle and finished out the rest of the road trip. But not every dog is super comfortable in the car, says Kahana. It’s important to have patience with your dog and their specific needs and understand that you don’t have to go on some huge far-flung adventure to make great memories together. Start by driving to your local park instead of exercising your dog right from the house. Make trips short and fun so your dog begins to associate the car with positive experiences.

When you’re ready for a longer trip, consider destinations that will be enjoyable for both you and your dog by researching trails, towns, and accommodations. It’s easy to find information about dog-friendly parks and trails, and most hiking apps have filters for them. Both Kahana and Martin love visiting dog-friendly public lands with their pups and recommend checking land management websites beforehand to learn about trail and camping regulations.

Plan Your Trip:

✅ Research your destinations to find dog-friendly trails and accommodations.

✅ Plan trips that will be a positive experience for your pup based on their personality and individual needs.

✅ If road trips are outside of your dog’s comfort zone, work up to longer trips with positive association training.

Embrace the Journey

Whether you’re planning to scale rugged peaks or navigate a scenic canyon, adding dogs to an adventure increases the likelihood that things might not go as planned—that’s OK. Martin recommends going into a trip with an open mind and a willingness to facilitate what your dog needs, even if that means turning around with the summit in sight. “It’s easy for us to push ourselves as humans,” he says. “But dogs obviously can’t say, ‘Hey, I need a break.’ You really have to take the extra step to make sure all their needs are being met.” Be mindful of your dog’s limitations, and go into any trip willing to adjust your plans accordingly.

Caring for Your Adventure Buddy:

✅ Keep an eye out for signs your dog may need a break, including raw paw pads or sore muscles and joints.

✅ Monitor hydration, and offer your dog water even if the trail has access to lakes and streams.

✅ Carry basic pet first-aid supplies, including gauze, self-adhesive tape, and dog boots for foot injuries.

✅ Pack a leash, even in off-leash areas, in case you need to help your pup take it easy for a few miles.

Train and Prepare

Just like humans, dogs need to train for big goals. To do this, gradually acclimate your dog to different environments and difficulty levels before committing to a big objective. When Martin and Ollie first started hiking 14ers together, they worked up to it by slowly doing longer and longer hikes. “That way, you’ll be able to see their ability and then plan goals and adventures based on that,” he says. He did the same thing with Echo, and now the trio is ready to tackle a 14er together this summer.

Training isn’t just about physical fitness. You’ll need to make sure your dog is trained in trail etiquette, follows commands, and has good recall so you’re confident you can keep them safe if there’s a wildlife encounter or other issue. Before heading out, check the weather. If it’s going to be hot, get an early start, bring along plenty of water, or consider changing plans.

Setting Up Your Dog for Success:

✅ Make sure your dog has solid trail etiquette skills before hiking off-leash.

✅ Start with small adventures before working up to bigger goals.

✅ Plan your hikes for cooler times of day or choose trails with spots where your dog can take a dip to make sure they don’t overheat.

✅ Be willing to change your plans to accommodate your dog’s needs.

Fuel for Adventure

Nutrition plays a critical role in fueling your dog’s outdoor pursuits. Kahana recommends thinking about how you would approach a big day out: You wouldn’t just wake up and head out the door without drinking water or eating food, right? That same logic applies to your dogs.

The stress of travel, early wake-ups, and unfamiliar places can sometimes make dogs reluctant to eat. Both Kahana and Martin like to add protein-rich food toppers to meals and offer extra treats at the start of a trip so the dogs are excited about eating. When Martin gets up early in the morning to be on the summit of a 14er by sunrise, the dogs aren’t ready for breakfast yet, so he offers treats and packs their breakfast for them to enjoy when they reach the top. Kahana likes to bring beef jerky, a snack both he and the dogs love to eat while on the move.

Fuel for Active Dogs:

✅ Choose formulas with the right nutrition to fuel your adventure dog. Look for:

•  30/20 protein-to-fat ratio to fuel metabolic needs, optimize VO2 max for increased endurance, and maintain lean muscle.
• Amino acids, which nourish muscles, including the crucial time after exercise.
• Glucosamine and omega-3 fatty acids for joint health and mobility.

✅ Opt for high-protein wet food, which can be added to your dog’s normal meal as a topper or served as a complete meal on its own as an extra incentive for reluctant eaters on mornings with an alpine start.

Bring the Right Gear

A harness is a must-have adventure accessory. You can attach a leash and your dog’s identification, and many models have handles that allow you to give your dog a boost if they need it. Martin always brings extra water, food, and a few extra bowls.

Don’t forget to prepare for traveling to and from a destination, plus any overnights along the way. It’s a good idea to bring comforts from home, like your dog’s food bowl or favorite toy. “As we change locations, it helps to have familiar smells that can put them at ease,” says Kahana, who is planning on taking Zeus and Sedona on a road trip in the Pacific Northwest this summer. He always brings a dog bed from home, which Sedona is happy to have.

Both Martin and Kahana emphasized that their outdoor goals are secondary to their desire to spend quality time with their dogs. “It doesn’t have to be the prime overlook or the number one spot,” says Martin, adding that you can—and should—find joy in the random trail or tiny roadside creek. “As long as you’re getting to do it with your dog, it’s the best experience.”

What to Pack:

✅ Comfort items for your dog, including their bed, favorite toys, and, if needed, a collapsible kennel.

✅ Extra water, food, and a few extra bowls to make sure you’re always prepared to keep your dog fed and hydrated.

✅ Adventure-ready harness, leash, identification tags, optional GPS tracking collar, and a collar light for evening adventures.

✅ Dog life jackets, backpacks, cooling vests, or other accessories.

✅ Digital copies of vet records.

Ready to set out on your next big adventure? Add these dog-friendly activities to your list:

✅ Hike a peak at sunrise.

✅ Swim in an alpine lake.

✅ Take a canoe or rafting trip with your dog as co-pilot.

✅ Sleep in a tent (bonus point for dog cuddles).

✅ Play fetch in a mountain meadow.

✅ Enjoy as many meals outside as possible.

✅ Go for a full moon adventure.

✅ Tackle a big trail goal.

✅ Go on a road trip.

✅ Relax by a campfire together.

Empowering owners. Advancing nutrition. And improving pets’ lives. Pro Plan is reimagining what breakthrough pet nutrition can do. Our pioneering mindset inspires us to turn the impossible into incredible new products that can help pets enjoy a happier, healthier life and strengthen the bond they share with their owners. Visit Proplan.com to learn more.