Meet Alpine!
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
4M ago
It all happened when I met Charlie. I fell for him immediately.  He was fun, handsome, engaging, and loved to eat and play–a welcome change to what I’m used to.  I wasn’t really looking for that kind of relationship, but the universe gave me enough signals that I thought I should listen. Charlie is a dog, a Border Collie to be exact. He’s not my dog, but I got a dog because of him. We had Charlie in for a board and train earlier this summer. He was a delight to work with. A lot of the dogs we get in for boarding have no food or play drive, and therefore no motivation to work. As you ..read more
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Stop Walking Your Dog, Do This Instead
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
8M ago
I rarely walk my dog. Because I’m a trail runner, I run with him, but even when injuries stop me from running, I still don’t walk my dog. In fact, many dog trainers I know don’t walk their dogs. Personally, I find dog walks boring and stressful. My dog finds dog walks boring and stressful. I also don’t find that they sufficiently meet most dogs’ physical and mental requirements compared to alternatives. So, what do I recommend instead of a dog walk that not only meets those biological needs, but also tires out your dog, and builds your relationship? There are tons of fun alternatives to walkin ..read more
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Hand Feeding Your Dog Their Daily Meals is the Dog Training Tool You’re Missing
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
10M ago
Hand feeding your dog their daily meals is one of the most powerful tools to train your dog new skills. In addition, you will build motivation, develop a stronger bond, and improve their behavior. I use it to teach dogs new behaviors in all of my training. The reason hand feeding your dog is so powerful is because you become the bearer of one of their most important life necessities–food. Dogs need food to survive, and therefore, they will be more motivated to perform and learn when they are hungry. When you feed your dog from a bowl twice a day, then they become less motivated to work. Not on ..read more
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The Ultimate Guide to Running with a Dog  2023
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen
1y ago
Running with your dog is a great way to provide regular exercise, prevent obesity and also bond with them. Dogs are truly the best running partners, and as long as you approach the training correctly, they can join you for your regular runs without issue. I’ve put in thousands of miles on the trails in the decade that I’ve been running with my canine companions. As long as they are physically able, my dogs will train right along with me for my ultramarathons. Before your furry friend starts to join you on the trails, there are some important details to consider. The following tips will help ge ..read more
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Preventing Dog Altitude Sickness: Tips for High Altitude Travel
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen
1y ago
Until I had traveled to Park City with an old dog several years ago, I had never wondered about altitude sickness in dogs. My dog, who had a heart murmur, was running around happily, and then suddenly collapsed. He was out for a few minutes and then rebounded back to his happy-go-lucky self. While the episode may not have been entirely linked to the high altitude, it was the only out-of-the-ordinary factor that could explain what had happened. Years later, just prior to traveling with Sora at 15,000 feet in the Chilean altiplano, I decided to do some research to learn more about how dogs are a ..read more
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How to Use Marker Words in Dog Training
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
1y ago
The first step in successful training a dog is through clear communication. In order to do this, we teach the dog a set of marker words that pair a sound or word to a behavior through classical conditioning. Dogs don’t speak English, nor is their primary method of communication verbal, like it is for humans. Most of the time, we sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher to our dogs, hence the importance of a clear system of communication. Once the dog knows the marker words, we then tie in operant conditioning to either encourage (reinforce) or discourage (punish) a behavior through the use of negati ..read more
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Aversive Tools in Dog Training: What You Need to Understand
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
1y ago
Aversive tools in dog training are a controversial topic. Certain dog training tools and methods, namely prong collars and e-collars are regularly cited as abusive and unnecessary in dog training, primarily by dog trainers who label themselves as Positive Reinforcement Only or Force Free.  They are banned across many countries in Europe, and a movement to ban these tools is starting to make headway in the US. The state of New York recently turned down a proposal to ban the tools and the City of San Francisco is working on a proposal to ban them.  I used to believe these claims until ..read more
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A Winter Dog Friendly Guide to Spokane
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
1y ago
Sitka and I recently spent a few days exploring some of the dog-friendly winter activities in Spokane, Washington with Visit Spokane. Despite growing up in Washington, I had never really spent any time in Spokane. It’s the second-largest city in Washington after Seattle, located all the way on the other side of the state, Spokane is fairly isolated and unfairly gets a bad rap from those of us who live west of the Cascades. Until recently, I had no idea that Spokane was an outdoor recreational hub, which piqued my interest in visiting inthe first place! There are tons of dog-friendly trails for ..read more
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How To Recognize Signs of Hypothermia in Dogs
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
1y ago
Hypothermia in dogs is a serious medical emergency that requires immediate veterinary treatment if the symptoms are severe. The best way to prevent this problem is to monitor your dog when you are outdoors in cold weather and refrain from prolonged exposure to the cold. Some dogs tolerate the cold better than others, so knowing the signs of hypothermia in dogs will help you prevent a potentially serious condition from happening in the first place.  If you hit the trails with your dog during the winter, it’s important to educate yourself on the signs that your dog is too cold. What is Hypo ..read more
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How Cold is Too Cold for a Dog to Hike?
Long Haul Trekkers
by Jen Sotolongo
1y ago
Have you ever wondered how cold is too cold for your dog? I love winter hiking with my dog. The scenery changes, there are fewer people, and we can participate in different activities, like snowshoeing and cross country skiing. Winter outdoor adventures mean colder temperatures. Some dogs can handle cold better than others, depending on a number of factors, like age, breed, coat, and size. Learn how to keep your dog warmer during the colder months so that you can enjoy outdoor adventures all year long. How Cold is Too Cold for a Dog? It Depends on the Dog Just like some people wear long sleeve ..read more
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