+1 on the dog booties. After she was lame for 2 days after a long hike in the mountains I took my dog to the vet, who clued me in on that problem. Though she doesn't like wearing them, she no longer complains the days following a hike. I also put on a Nite Ize light-up dog collar with an ID tag and a bear bell, to keep track of her if she takes off after something. I try to keep her on her leash at all times because if she gets a scent of another animal she often won't obey my command to stop. I realize this is a training failure but, at her age, it is what it is.

For a day hike I put enough kibble for two meals in my day pack with a collapsible plastic bowl, just as I carry two freeze-dried meals for myself, in case we get caught out. Plus I carry about a pound of jerky for both of us, a jar of peanut butter and some crackers (it's always fun to watch her eat peanut butter) as snacks. I start my day with 5 liters of water (3 in a bladder, 2 in bottles) and a filter, and refill throughout the day. She is content to drink from whatever water source we find and has never suffered for it, but I try to keep her on the filtered stuff as much as possible. It's always caused me to wonder if dogs are immune to cysts.

When backpacking she has a Ruff Wear Dog Backpack with part of her food, a cut-down foam mat and, if it's cold, a piece of an old sleeping bag (though she doesn't like the bag on top of her, she'll use it as a nest). Both her (10) and me (older than dirt) don't go far, maybe 5 miles a day max, 3 or 4 days at a stretch, so me carrying half of her food isn't a problem.