Stories

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

  • How To Skijore With Your Dog This Winter

    Learn the dos and don'ts of Skijoring from Ruffwear's own Kadee and Sturgill, and Kelly and Juniper. It's a fun winter activity for the whole pack where your pup gets a chance to be in the lead.

    Right Arrow
    A human and dog Skijore together under a beautiful blue sky.

  • How To Plan A Dog-Friendly Honeymoon

    If you’re anything like us here at Ruffwear who include our dogs in just about everything we do, why not include them in a honeymoon, too? Here's how Ruffwear Marketing & PR Manager, Dani, planned hers so dog, Vilas, could join in on the vacation fun.

    Right Arrow
    Dani, Brian and Vilas smile at the camera during a hike in Moab.

  • Discovering Bikejoring Together

    When Meg adopted Leo, a husky and malamute mix, she realized he was a natural fit for the bike. He could run long miles over varying terrain and enjoyed the thrill of high-speed endurance sports. So, she began training him and teaching him new skills. This is how the pair started bikejoring together.

    Right Arrow
    Meg and Leo ride on a trail by the woods together. Leo is a large husky.

  • Holiday Gift Guide for Dogs and Dog Lovers

    If you’re on the hunt for holiday gifts for the dog lovers in your life, you’ve come to the right place. We’re dog lovers too and all our gear is designed to inspire fun outside. We’ve selected gear that will get tails wagging in the winter by offering warmth and extra visibility. Plus, we’ve picked out a few perennial pieces that are trail-ready and budget-friendly.

    Right Arrow
    Dog licks humans face while sitting on step of nordic warming hut in the snow.

  • Special Tails Belong On Every Trail

    When Emma was diagnosed with numerous, rare, chronic medical conditions at age 12 her life changed forever. But Zander, a four year old German Shepherd who is her Medical Alert Service Dog opened her eyes to new paths. Read their story and learn how to help ensure wholesome, safe and inclusive experiences for the disabled outdoors.

    Right Arrow
    Special Tails Belong On Every Trail

  • Trick or Treat? Our Dogs Will Have Both

    This time of year, we’ve got tricks and treats on the mind. And who better than our tail-wagging friends to show off the tricks they do for their favorite treats? When the Ruffwear Pack busts out the Treat Trader™, here’s what our dogs do. 

    Right Arrow
    A dog gives her human companion a hug.

  • Meet Ruddy: Mt. Bachelor's Playful Avalanche Dog

    Ruffwear’s Content Creator, Erin Swanson, recently made the trek to Mt. Bachelor with our Videographer, Photographer, and Community Manager. Their mission? Learn about (and play with) Mt. Bachelor’s newest avalanche puppy in-training, Ruddy.

    Right Arrow
    Ruddy the avalanche puppy in training sits on a snowmobile and looks up at his handler.

  • From The Couch To An Ultra Run With My Buddy

    When Karl Lee got his first dog, a playful brittany puppy named Sekani, he struggled to tire him out. So, they started running. What began as neighorhood 5ks soon transformed into ultra distances in the Canadian mountains. This is their story.

    Right Arrow
    A man stands by a blue lake in Canada with his dog.

  • Bailing Off Our First Thru Hike

    Follow along with Julianne and dog Indy,  three year old Pyrenees mix, as they attempt to hike 567 miles on the Colorado Trail (CT). After years of backpacking together and training all winter, Julianne was confident they could walk from Denver to Durango, but Colorado's weather had other plans.

    Right Arrow
    A woman stands with her dog in the mountains in Colorado.

  • How To Hike With Your Dog

    Dogs are happy to tag along on any hike. With a bit of preparation, the right gear, and a bit of that eagerness to explore that comes so naturally to our furry trail buddies, you’ll be en route to a good time hiking together.

    Right Arrow
    Dog Marv scrambling across rocks with human Mary following behind on a hike.

  • HOW TO: DIY A Dog Crate End Table

    Kadee and dog Sturgill set out to build a DIY crate that can be used to store his toys, apparel, and gear -  and inevitably other items like plants, books, and treats. The goal was to help Sturgill feel safe in his enclosed space while also giving his humans a usable surface that looks nice in our house.

    Right Arrow
    Kadee sits with her dog who is on a dog bed.

  • 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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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!

    Right Arrow
    Woman bends over to pet her senior dog in the grass by a pond.

  • 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.

    Right Arrow
    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?

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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. 

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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. 

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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. 

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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."

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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!

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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. 

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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).

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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."

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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. 

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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.

    Right Arrow
    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. 

    Right Arrow
    A woman and her two dogs walk in the mountains.