Stories

A curated collection of stories to inspire you and your dog to get out there.

  • How to Follow Your (Dog's) Nose

    Let those invisible trails of whiffs and sniffs lead you to new discoveries. With dogs as our guides, the secret's out: if it's the joy and freedom of adventure you're after, chances are it's right under your nose.

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    How to Follow Your (Dog's) Nose

  • Discovering Something New: Wild Swimming with Lulu & Foxy

    For outdoor adventure lover, Fay Preene, wild swimming with her dogs Lulu & Roxy is not just an action or an exercise. It touches on her happiness, her job, the environment, and her social life. Fay has always loved water, be that being in it, on it, beside it or listening to it. She discusses getting to do it with her best four legged friends and provides tips on how to join her and wild swim safely with your dog too.

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    Discovering Something New: Wild Swimming with Lulu & Foxy

  • The Life of Riley: Adventuring with My Senior Dog

    The biggest lesson we’ve learned, is that it’s not how far or fast you go – it’s the company you keep that makes an adventure special!

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    The Life of Riley: Adventuring with My Senior Dog

  • Building Lasting Friendships: Introducing a New Puppy to the Pack

    Ruffwear ambassador, Siobhan Seller, shares her personal experience when introducing puppy Lunar to her dog Roshe, which didn’t unfold like a fairytale at first. Siobhan takes us through the ups and downs, highlighting the hurdles they faced and the heartwarming moments that made it all worthwhile.

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    Woman with two dogs sitting on top of a rock outcropping

  • Who Rescued Who?

    As an adult, I adopted my first dog in 2010 - Chipper. My heart. He came from a small, overrun rescue in North Carolina. This was one of my first glimpses into the rescue/animal welfare world. Chipper moved across the country with me, to Arizona. I didn’t know anyone in Arizona. So what did I do?

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    Woman taking a selfie with a small terrier dog in her lap

  • A Golden Adventure: Road Tripping With Two Dogs

    Ruffwear ambassador, Kyarna Rushworth, recently embarked on her first road trip with her two Golden Retrievers, Merlot and Winter. Although not everything went according to plan, they came out with unforgettable memories.

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    A Golden Adventure: Road Tripping With Two Dogs

  • A Perfect Partnership: Fly Fishing with Sammy

    Whether it's fishing, hiking, or simply exploring new places, I now view every adventure with Sammy as a chance to deepen our connection and cherish the moments we spend together in the great outdoors.

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    woman wearing fishing gear kissing dog on head

  • #MyDogIsMy Best Friend: A Tribute to a Very Good Dog

    #MyDogIsMy takes a deeper look at the role dogs play in our lives. Reptar ran head first and tail wagging into his role as Alex's sidekick, adventure buddy, teacher, and best friend. 

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    Man taking a picture of a dog among wildflowers by a lake

  • The Scoop: Road Tripping with the Dogs of Ruffwear

    Load up and hit the road with the office dogs of Ruffwear. There's a lot to learn on-the-go, and we're here to help get you and your dog out there with tips, travel gear, and even a few destinations to add to your route.

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    Woman and dog in a camper van on a dirt road

  • Planning a Book Tour with Katie & Spaghetti for "On Digital Advocacy"

    Spaghetti is part of my identity as an outdoorist, as an advocate, and as a human being. Going on a book tour without her just wouldn’t be right. 

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    Dog sitting on a bed next to a woman reading a book

  • Trip Tips: A Night in the Sawtooth Backcountry with Bronwyn & Arnie

    Find backcountry magic and practical backpacking tips in this trip report from Ruffwear Ambassadors Dr. Bronwyn Fullagar and sidekick Arnie.

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    Trip Tips: A Night in the Sawtooth Backcountry with Bronwyn & Arnie

  • Impact: Trail Folx

    Learn more about Trail Folx, one of our most recent Paw It Forward recipients. Trail Folx is a nonprofit organization creating opportunities for Los Angeles’ underprivileged and underserved youth to participate in mountain sports.

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    Man and dog running together

  • Backpacking the 40km Scottish Mamores Munro Circuit with Our Two Dogs

    As soon as Henry and Wally see us organising and packing their hiking packs, they start getting excited and can’t wait to hit the trail – especially when it's for three days on the Scottish Mamores Munro Circuit.

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    Man and woman and two spaniel dogs sitting in front of a tent in the Scottish Highlands

  • Forward Together

    The Guiding Eyes for the Blind Running Guides program graduated its first team, Klinger and Richard, in 2015. These specially trained dogs enable people who are blind and visually impaired to run with only their guide’s support. For the first time, runners with vision loss don’t have to rely on human guides.

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    Blind runner and dog in Unifly run along a paved trail with trees.

  • Staying Cool the Rogue Dog Way

    Rogue Detection Dogs are happy to work all day traversing plains, climbing up mountains, trekking through snow, and clambering over rocks and fallen trees, all with the expectation of playing with their ball – their reward for successfully locating wildlife scat. Ruffwear proudly supports and partners with Rogue Detection Teams by providing gear to all of the dogs. 

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    Rogue Athena stays cool with swamp cooler by wind turbines.

  • SUP Pup 101: How to Paddleboard with Your Dog

    How do you and your dog start paddleboarding without any experience? Ruffwear employees – and first-time SUP-ers – Brad & Umi and Julie & Beau volunteered to find out. With help from SUP instructor and dog trainer Maria Schulz, they learn all the basics and tackle their first day on the water.

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    Brad and umi sitting on a paddleboard in a lake

  • Bondi Falls in Love with Water

    From water skeptic to captain of the SUP, Bondi's journey developing a new love for water has been tremendously rewarding for Cory and Rafa.

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    Dog standing on nose of paddleboard on a slow river with two other paddlers in front

  • Running for Change: Creating Safe Outdoor Spaces for All

    "Running has become a powerful tool for me in the fight for racial equity in the outdoors. It’s a way for me to connect with myself, with nature, and with my community. But, it’s also a way for me to advocate for change."

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    Woman sitting dog and smiling in a desert landscape

  • Hiking Along with Cali & Mila

    It doesn’t have to be the biggest adventure in order for it to be exactly what you need. Cali and Mila extol the virtues of smelling the flowers along the way, getting their paws and feet wet in the stream, and listening to the birds and animals along the way.

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    Woman and dog walking away on a trail in a dry landscape with a lake.

  • Ode to a Trail Dog: Running with Riggins

    Alli and Riggins have been running together for over 7 years, covering over thousands of miles and countless mountaintops. Running has been the foundation of their undeniable bond and source of unforgettable adventures.

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    Woman and dog run together on a boardwalk in the desert

  • Guide: How To Run With Your Dog

    We're here to introduce you to running in a way that keeps it fun for you and your dog. Ready, set... run!

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    Guide: How To Run With Your Dog

  • 4-Week 5K Training Plan for Running with Your Dog

    A beginner's 5k training plan focused on building up more time moving together and making running a part of your and your dog’s routine.

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    4-Week 5K Training Plan for Running with Your Dog

  • The Dog is in the Details: Designing the Home Trail™ Hip Pack

    It used to be quite the production getting out the door with my pup without forgetting any of her or my stuff. Enter the Home Trail™ Hip Pack. I call it my “go-bag.” Now, the time between “Want to go for a walk?” and “Let’s go!” is a simple grab-and-go on the way out rather than the frantic herding of pick-up bags and treats. 

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    Dog in stumptown jacket walks with human carrying stumptown coffee cup by Stumptown coffee roaster sign.

  • DIG: Behind the Design of the New Trail Runner™ Collection

    Behind the design of the new Trail Runner™ Belt, Leash, and Running Vest – game-changers for runners, seasoned or new.

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    dog wearing a hydration vest trail running with human and jumping over a log

  • Impact: Protect Our Winters

    Inspired by the ways our canine companions give so much to us, we seek opportunities to give back to others through our Paw It Forward program. In 2022, one of the eight recipients was Protect Our Winters (POW).

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    Impact: Protect Our Winters

  • How it Started & How it’s Going: Canine Explorer Edition

    The Ruffwear Pack shares how some of their favorite outdoor activities with their dogs got started, and how they’re going.

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    How it Started & How it’s Going: Canine Explorer Edition

  • Unleashing Noodle's Possibilities

    From Noodle’s first set of wheels to her first hike, swim, and catch of a flying disc, her story shows how grit and a little extra support from those around you go a long way when it comes to #UnleashingPossibility.

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    Unleashing Noodle's Possibilities

  • Ronan to the Rescue

    A member of four search and rescue organizations, Kate Fernhoff works alongside her canine sidekick, Ronan, a wilderness live find dog and human remains detection dog. This is the tale of their search for two lost hikers.

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    A woman crouches down in front of her search and rescue dog.

  • Tala Takes Flight

    Ruffwear Ambassadors Becca & Tala are #UnleashingPossibility in just about everything they do together – on the water, over land, and yes, even in the air.

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    Man and woman paragliding with their dog

  • How to Become an Adventure Dog

    Every dog has an inner explorer just waiting to get out there with their human. Preparing to embark on that journey together? We’re here to help.

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    Woman hiking with her dog on a trail through a grassy hillside

  • Tom & Savannah Go for a Walk (Around the World)

    "Wanna go for a walk?" takes on a whole new meaning with Tom Turich and Savannah – the tenth person and first dog to walk around the world.

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    Man and dog sitting in a desert landscape in Kyrgystan

  • Life Is Short, Live In Dog Years

    Mallory Paige spent 14 months camping across North America on a motorcycle-sidecar with Baylor the Dog – proving you don’t need to be fearless or perfect to live your dreams. Mallory shared this story with us shortly after Baylor passed away.

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    Dog Baylor in goggles and load up harness in sidecar with tie dye in back ground.

  • Unleashing Possibility with Seth & Rose

    "With Rose, I feel like Unleashing Possibility is just being able to have that mutual trust together. It's that deep bond with Rose where we're totally in sync, and we can do just about anything together."

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    Unleashing Possibility with Seth & Rose

  • Unleashing Possibility with Cara & Kiva

    With the right gear and a bit of that eagerness to explore that comes so naturally to our dogs, there’s no telling what adventure you and your dog can unleash next. And as Cara and Kiva show, sometimes, it's our dogs that actually Unleash Possibility within us.

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    Unleashing Possibility with Cara & Kiva

  • Unleashing Possibility with Theresa & Cassie

    We're sharing stories of dogs and humans finding ways to Unleash Possibility together. Here, Theresa and her canine sidekick, Cassie, explain how tackling their first big outdoor adventure together – a 3-day backpacking trip in Goat Rocks Wilderness – started a new chapter of their lives exploring the outdoors. 

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    Unleashing Possibility with Theresa & Cassie

  • Unleashing Possibility with Ally & Rhea

    As part of our series on dogs and humans finding ways to Unleash Possibility together in both the epic and the everyday, Ally & Rhea show how a bit of confidence and curiosity goes a long way to discover your inner explorer and lead to new endeavors.

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    Unleashing Possibility with Ally & Rhea

  • Field Notes: 5 Winter Adventures in California You Can Bring the Kids AND the Dogs

    This blended family of the human and canine variety went from tiny apartment to tiny apartment on wheels (aka, RV) in search of adventure this winter on their California road trip.

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    Young boy and dog walk on a trail together

  • DIG: All About the BackTrak ™ Dog Evac Kit

    Part of exploring the outdoors responsibly is being prepared and having a plan in place to answer “What would I do if…” This is the spark behind the design of the BackTrak™ Dog Evac Kit.

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    DIG: All About the BackTrak ™ Dog Evac Kit

  • Creating New Memories with Hand-Me-Down Dog Gear

    Ruffwear Ambassador, Laura Patton, shares how passing down dog gear from one dog to another brings bittersweet joy – preserving one dog's memory and creating space for more memories to be made. 

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    A woman and her two dogs walk in the mountains.

  • The Scoop: Tips & Gear Hacks for Getting Outside with Your Dog This Winter

    A little bit of motivation (and a few aha! gear recommendations) from the Ruffwear Pack to break free of the winter doldrums.

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    Woman cross country skis with dogs

  • Bento's Superpower: A Therapy Dog Delivers Joy to OHSU Hospital

    Mark and his trained therapy dog, Bento, volunteer at OHSU Hospital to deliver joy to patients and staff. In this story, Mark gives a glimpse into a day in the life of a therapy dog.

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    A man and his dog stand on the grass in front of OHSU Hospital.

  • DIG: Behind the Design of the StormSleeves™

    Welcome to our first D.I.G. (Design, Innovation & Gear) story of the year, where we dig into our latest innovation in the world of canine apparel: the StormSleeve™. We design to solve problems, meet needs, and truly enhance your and your dog’s outdoor endeavors. And, we design to do so without distracting dogs from their task at hand: unleashing their inner explorers.

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    DIG: Behind the Design of the StormSleeves™

  • Our RAD Adoption Program Is Back

    One of our favorite things to do at Ruffwear is connect canine explorers with human explorers. And our RAD Dog Adoption Program helps us do just that. While the pandemic caused us to hit pause on these events, we are stoked to bring them back again. In this article, we've got the scoop on our latest event.

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    A woman bikes on a trail while her two dogs run ahead of her.

  • Making an Impact: Going PFAS-Free by 2024

    What in the world are PFAS? And, what does it have to do with sustainability and your dog’s gear? Let’s dig in.

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    Making an Impact: Going PFAS-Free by 2024

  • How To Find Dog-Friendly Trails

    Finding a dog-friendly trail is equal parts art and science, navigating features like water access and steep terrain with leash regulations and dog rules. We’ve got your quick-start guide to finding dog-friendly trails in your neck of the woods (or wherever you’re headed next). So grab your leash, round up your pup, and let’s hit the trail. 

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    How To Find Dog-Friendly Trails

  • Dog Paw Anatomy: Parts of a Dog’s Paw

    We dig into the basic (yet awesome) anatomy of a dog's paw and how boots can be a helpful part of your dog's kit.

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    Dog Paw Anatomy: Parts of a Dog’s Paw

  • Detection Dogs to the Rescue: Saving the Mediterranean Tortoise

    Can pups really help save the Mediterranean Tortoise from the brink of extinction? Ruffwear Ambassador Alfonso Pera Contreras introduces us to his detection dogs, Jara and Olivia, who are carrying out vital detective work to help this endangered species thrive again in Spain. 

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    A man stands next to a detection dog.

  • Reading With Marv: A Therapy Dog's Greatest Gift

    When not busy with their day jobs as Ruffwear’s Retail Brand Experience Designer (and the unofficial Director of Dogs & Culture for Marv), Mary and Marv are a therapy dog team for the Reading Partners Program at Elk Meadow Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. This is their story. 

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    A woman and her dog hug and smile for the camera.

  • Snow Camping With Theresa & Cassie

    The crisp morning air jolted me awake after a fitful night of sleeping in the snow. I took a deep breath, exhaling a misty cloud before pulling my sleeping bag even more tightly over my face. Cassie lay beside me, snug and warm in her Powder Hound™ Jacket, cozily pressed up against my sleeping bag for extra insulation. 

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    A woman and man sit with their dog on a snowy mountain.

  • How To Throw a Howliday Party for Dogs

    This holiday season, we barked the halls and had a ball at our first Ruffwear howliday party for dogs. That’s right, there was a belly rub station, barkuterie board feast, and dog caroling (erm, howling) event. Interested in throwing your own? Here’s what goes on behind the scenes to plan a holiday party for dogs.

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    A woman, man, and their dog dressed in holiday outfits pose for a picture at the Ruffwear Howliday Party photo booth.