Violet's Dog Gear Essentials
Obsessively curated dog gear recommendations to maximize comfort and convenience
Picking up Violet to bring her home almost four years ago was one of the most exciting and terrifying days of my life. Although I had grown up with dogs, I quickly realized that having your own is a completely different ball game, and I was in way over my head. Fueled by the desire to do everything “correctly”, I blindly purchased everything that the dog influencers and trainers I worked with told me that I needed, wasting so much time and money in the process.
My suburban trainer told me I needed a harness? I went out and bought a harness. “But not that harness”, my city trainer would complain, “This one is so much better”. And so off I’d go to the pet store to buy their new recommendation. Add in the pressures and influence of social media and I was up to my ears in doggy purchases that were impractical and more often then not, unnecessary.
Four years and a lot of trial and error later, I’ve finally landed on a set of tried and true Dog Gear Essentials that have held up over the years, are convenient, easy to travel with, and make both my and Violet’s lives easier. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what gear you have, as long as it works for you and your dog, but if you’re anything like me and like to read about what’s worked well for others, here is my current list of the doggy essentials that we brought with us on the road.
For reference, Violet is an 85-90lb Female GSD and typically wears an XL in most of her gear.
Harnesses:
Everyday Harness (XL): We’ve tried a lot of harnesses over the years, and the Flagline Harness from Ruffland is an easy favorite. Unlike other harnesses we’ve tried, this one is super durable (I’ve had the same one for years), easy to clean and has 6 points of adjustment (perfect for deep chested breeds).
Pulling Harness (XL): While this certainly gets less use than the Ruffland, because Violet’s got a need for speed and pulls hard when we’re doing anything more than a casual stroll (i.e. bike rides, runs, etc.), it was important for me to get a harness specific for pulling to ensure that the pressure gets evenly distributed around her upper body and keeps her range of motion and airway unrestricted.
Leashes:
Hands Free Leash: An adjustable hands-free leash perfect for runs or other outdoor adventures. Once you go hands-free you won’t want to go back. Total game changer.
Biothane Leashes: I have a 6ft for everyday walks and a 30ft to give Violet a little more freedom in environments where leashes are mandatory and/or I’m not super confident in her recall. Unlike other leashes, these are super durable and easy to clean, putting them at the top of my dog gear must-haves. I’ve had mine for years and they still look as good as they did when I first purchased!
For you:
Patagonia 8L Sling Bag: It’s taken an insane amount of trial and error to find the perfect mini adventure bag - big enough to hold both my and Violet’s essentials, yet small enough to not be too clunky. This small but mighty sling bag holds a shocking amount (two liters of water for me and V, my wallet, keys, mini water bowl, notebook, snacks, etc.) and is the perfect in between for days that you don’t feel like lugging around an entire backpack.
Water Bottle Sling: If you don’t have one already, it’s time to get a water bottle sling. All of the convenience of a crossbody/fannypack/treat pouch, and it holds a water bottle?! I have an older version of this one from Lululemon, but I know friends have the Calpak version and are big fans. Once you try it there’s no going back.
Collapsible Water Bowls & Bottles: One thing about Violet, is she’s always thirsty. Dog Hydration solutions are often bulky, and since I hate lugging around a giant bag on walks or hikes, portable options have been a game changer. I’ve been loving these collapsible water bladders to bring with us on hikes, and this pocket sized collapsible water bowl that fit compactly in even the smallest spaces!
Swimming Gear: Violet loves to swim, but isn’t confident enough to swim on her own without support. We use her Life Jacket to play fetch at the lake and as a safety measure for any boating or paddleboard outings. This one has a ring to clip her leash to and handle that’s been helpful for giving additional support getting in/out of the water. It’s lasted 2 summers and is still going strong!
On the Go Food Storage: I’ve tried everything from Tupperware containers to gallon Ziplock bags and the Kibble Kaddie from Ruffwear is easily the best way I’ve found to keep her food fresh while transporting and cut down on single use plastics. Its easy to clean and holds a shocking amount of food for its size.
High Visibility Vest: If you’re spending any amount of time in the woods, I’d recommend getting a high visibility vest to 1: make it easy to spot your dog if they run off, and 2: to keep you both safe during hunting season. Depending on where you live, this may or may not be relevant, but since we typically spend time in the fall out in the woods where hunting is popular, it’s a safety measure that I take.
Night Time Visibility: Having some sort of light on them makes it so much easier to keep track of your dog on those evening walks when visibility is low, and also works as a headlamp for you if you forget to bring a flashlight! I use an E-collar with a “light up” option, but this “Safety Beacon” that you can clip onto their collar or harness, or “Safety Collars” sold at most major pet stores are a lot more affordable.
Big Barker Orthopedic Crate Pad (XL): Many of the Airbnb’s we are staying at don’t allow dogs on the furniture and require them to be crated if left unattended in the home, making this a non-negotiable when traveling with a dog of any size. I’ve tried so many different beds over the years, and she’s always preferred the couch or her elevated cot to lounge on, but since upgrading to Big Barker, she’s literally spending 95% of her time in the house on this bed. Major win!
Ruffland Kennels (XL): Violet and I were in a car accident last year totaled my car and left her injured, so number one on my list of “essentials” for this trip was a secure car crate to keep her safe in case of any accidents on the road. I opted for the XL crate from Ruffland because of it’s versatility, safety and affordable price point, but there are a lot of other great options on the market worth exploring. Pro Tip: Buy from a distributor in your area to save $$
FURminator Long Hair Deshedding Brush: I’ve tried all different kinds of de-shedding brushes, but the Furminator is still my tried and true favorite. It does a great job at getting at the undercoat, without as much effort, and is really easy to clean! Just be careful not to use it too frequently to avoid damaging their coat.
This will definitely take a lot more trial and error to figure out what your dog enjoys most, but some of Violet’s favorite enrichment toys are:
West Paw Toppl: Violet’s a bit of a diva and will give up if the enrichment toy is too difficult (i.e. she is not a fan of the Kong), but the West Paw Toppl is the perfect balance between tricky and rewarding. I typically soak her dinner in chicken broth and stuff the food in the toppl before freezing as a fun alternative to regular meal times and she loves it.
Tall Tails Foraging Mats: Violet works her way through traditional lick mats way too quickly, but this Clover Mat keeps her occupied and entertained for a long time! I’ve found that it’s a fun way to feed snacks (i.e. peanut butter, cottage cheese, greek yogurt, etc.) or even an entire dinner.
What are some of your dog gear essentials?
Do you ever travel with your dog? Any tips?
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