I've hiked more than 500 miles with my dogs, and this is the best gear we take with us on trails

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• Hiking with dogs is an enriching outdoor activity for both humans and their pups.
• Before hitting the trail make sure to have the right hiking gear for your dog.
• We recommend a hands-free leash, GPS tracking collar, lightweight collapsible dog bowl, and more.

If you and your dog love to explore trails and tag summits, having the right gear will make every adventure safe, fun, and full of wags and smiles. In order for everyone to have the best experience, which includes my dogs, people we encounter on the trail, their dogs, and myself, I make sure to pack the gear for every hike to be a successful one.

Regardless of where I am, I know the best hike will be one where my dogs are well-behaved. So I use a leash and sometimes a harness to keep them at my side. That also makes other hikers feel more comfortable. I also make sure they're well-nourished and well-hydrated.

And when I'm going for a multiday hike, and space is tight in my own pack, I let them carry some of their own gear.

Of course, the biggest dog-owner stress is a lost dog. A GPS collar lets you keep track of your dog wherever you are, and wherever they are.

So gear up and hit the trail. A hike with your dog is always better than going it alone.