What do you do when you encounter unruly, off-leash dogs on the trail? Dog trainer Amber Pickren shares some tips to help keep everyone safe.

Before you hit the trail, read our handy checklist of recommended gear to pack for you and your pup, which we wrote with our friends at Osprey Packs.

Go beyond the backyard — exploring the great outdoors with your furry friends provides a wealth of health benefits for the body, mind and soul.

Sometimes travel plans aren’t what they call “well planned,” or planned at all. Often I find the best trips are the ones that blossom at 4 o’clock on a Friday. Those last-minute adventures are what my dog Norman and I live for! Though spontaneous trips don’t offer a lot of time or options for preparation, the following are tips we’ve learned along the way for making an “on the whim” trip go smoothly.

Professional pet photographer Lori Fusaro shares tips for taking awesome photos of your four-legged friends. She also shares heart-warming pictures of rescued senior pups from the book, “My Old Dog: Rescued Pets with Remarkable Second Acts,” which features inspiring stories of second-chance dogs like German shepherd Cody, who became a misunderstood shelter dog after he retired from police work.

Jen Reeder and her adventure pup, Rio, explore Montezuma Castle National Monument to learn about the National Park Services B.A.R.K. ranger program. The initiative is a simple but brilliant way to promote responsible pet handling while also helping make national parks and monuments more welcoming to dogs.

“Corbin’s idea of adventure does not involve miles of exploration, speed or a ton of adrenaline . . . He has taught us to make an adventure out of the often quieter, simpler things.” #Zuke’sPack ambassadors Natalia Martinez and Bill Parsons take a cue from their wise senior Labrador, Corbin, to go a bit slower and savor every moment during a late November camping trip.

Zuke’s is proud to support ambassador Stevie Anna Plummer as she and her pup, Darcie, embark on Patagone, a 1,000-mile exploration through Patagonia on horseback. By traveling via traditional horse packing, Stevie Anna hopes to inspire others to make the most out of every moment on an exploration, while respecting and understanding the local culture. Learn more about how Stevie Anna prepared Darcie for this journey of a lifetime!

Your sweet furry companion may have a little grey around the muzzle these days. Does that mean you should leave her at home when you go on your next hike or backpacking trip? Heck no! Thanks to amazing advances in medicine, pain management, and preventative care, senior dogs are living longer, healthier lives than ever before. Veterinarian Dr. Jen Deming shares tips on how to hike and enjoy other outdoor adventures with your senior dog.

“I tell people all the time, ‘If you want a life full of adventure, go adopt a dog,’” Bryce LaDuc says. “If you’re looking to be inspired, and you’re looking to be outdoors, rescuing a dog not only changes their life, but it’s definitely going to change yours. They’re going to help you accomplish things that you didn’t even know you wanted to accomplish. They are going to push you to try new things. It’s truly amazing.” Read more of Bryce’s inspirational story that all started when she rescued two border collie mixes.

Wildfires, hurricanes, tsunamis, or perhaps the zombie apocalypse . . . whatever the reason for abandoning one’s home, it’s a good idea to have an emergency kit ready with some essentials. People typically have a pre-packed bag for themselves, but far fewer have one for their furry family members. Veterinarian Dr. Jen recommends having these items handy in an evacuation kit for your dog.

Looking for a festive treat to bake for your favorite four-legged friends? Check out these dog-friendly gingerbread cookies from the Zuke’s Test Kitchen.