How to prepare my dog to walk with a backpack? What to bring, and how to plan the hike? Get the expert tips in this article!

When competing, and especially when you have an animal as a teammate, it is essential to have balance in your life. Otherwise, you won't be able to perform at your best, Ole Einar Bjørndalen says in the newest episode of our podcast, "Unleashed."

In addition to build a stronger relationship and cooperation between dog and handler, trick training will also teach your dog how to learn new things and help build motivation to work. 

Elisa Deutschmann and her husky Finn love to hit the mountains together. Throughout the past six years, they have done ski mountaineering in several countries, under all kinds of conditions.

Giving your dog a «job» while walking can be beneficial in several ways. Variety and challenges stimulate your dog mentally, which keeps it happy and calm at home.

After competing for over nine days, Thomas Wærner and his team were the first ones to cross the finish line in Nome at the legendary Iditarod race 2020.

Trainings, races and other events are being cancelled all around the world in order to stop COVID-19. Many are placed in quarantine, Helene Nilsen is also one of them. Together with her dog Kygo they are trying to make the best out of the situation.

A dog can be more tired after using its head for 10 minutes than after an hour-long walk. One of the most effective ways is to let the dog use its sense of smell. You can very easily make exciting games, that are keeping your dog both busy and satisfied!

Sun Zenner grew up with her kelpie Limit. They are both seven years old, and compete in agility at the highest level.

Working through an obstacle course together can be a great teambuilding experience for both you and your dog! Preparation is key to a successful race, according to multiple Hard Dog Race-winner Bogdan Karpovič.

Tonje Wahl Evensen (35) is the CEO of Non-stop dogwear, which is now a big international company. In the office, next to founders Tonje and Kristoffer's house, 18 employees from seven different nations go to work every day. 

- The dog mushers will inspire and be a great example for dog owners around the world in regards to training, nutrition, general welfare and guidelines for their own dogs.

Strength and conditioning have always been an essential part of the training program for Silvia Trkmans agility dogs. Her dogs are known for high speed, tight turns, running contacts, and long and injury-free careers.

When skiing with your dog, skijoring, it is essential to choose equipment that fits the activity. The right gear will enhance the experience for both you and your dog. Also, it will help to prevent injuries. 

You bridge the gap between the familiar and the unfamiliar for your puppy. It is essential to keep this in mind to get a confident dog, according to musher Dallas Seavey.

Lena Boysen Hillestad teach you how to put socks on your dog, how tight the straps should be fastened and when to use dog booties.

A good harness is one of the most important pieces of equipment an active dog can have. Well-fitting gear will help prevent injuries and give your dog a better and more comfortable experience when being active together.

A good and well-fitted harness is comfortable for your dog and will help prevent injuries. A harness should not limit your dog, but help it release its full potential!

- In the beginning, we’re training Superman. We are training this dog to be able to do anything. The secret is to show them that they can do anything and never show them anything they can’t do.  Play their strengths, avoid their weaknesses, says Dallas Seavey.

The Freemotion Harness was the beginning of Non-stop dogwear. - That is why we celebrate our 10th anniversary by making a limited edition version of Non-stop dogwear's all-time bestselling pulling-harness.

A sleeping bag gives your dog a warm and safe resting place, regardless of where you are. The goal is to have the dog relax well and lay calmly when it is in the sleeping bag. This you should train before going out for a trip, hunting or using the bag as a dog bed in the office.

Which bungee you should choose does not only depend on the activity but also the dog's size and how much it is pulling. Having the right line is essential for the comfort of both you and your dog.

Choosing the right rug is essential for your dog to be comfortable in any weather or temperature.

- I was always fascinated by the interaction between humans, dogs, and nature while growing up, says Emilie Dahlman.

Paw cuts are one of the most common injuries veterinarian Trude Mostue get questions about.

Eli Beate Sæther and her dog Zelda were one of the favorite teams to win the Agility World Championships in Finland but due to an unknown disease in Norway, the national team could not go.

How do you teach one dog, or even a pack of dogs, to run free without hunting deer, running to other dogs or people? According to Tom Andres, consistency is key.

A harness, bungee, running belt, and a pair of shoes is all you need to go cross country running with your dog at a competition or simply for pleasure.

- It’s not the length of the legs that matter – it’s the size of the heart! Of course, small dogs can do canicross, says Lindsay Johnson.

Warm summer days can be challenging when it comes to training dogs. Overheating could potentially lead to fatal conditions, such as heat stroke or cardiac arrest.

- For canicross, we want our dogs to pull as good and as fast as they can. Therefore, keeping it short and fun is important!

Canicross can be beneficial for more than your dog’s physical health. It can also be a good form of mental stimulation.

Good equipment that is functional and fits your dog perfectly is fundamental to canicross.

- I make sure that everything I need is prepared before competition day. If I am relaxed, my dog will be as well.

When looking for a hip belt, a belt that fits the activities you are doing with your dog and has a good fit is essential, especially if you have a dog that is pulling hard on the lead.

The side straps on Freemotion Harness and Combined Harness can easily be changed.

One of the best dog mushers in the world. A talented athlete, Dallas wrestled in high school, and was both a state and national champion. Permanently sidelined by injuries Dallas turned his attention to his other passion, sled dog racing. At age 25 he became the youngest musher ever to win the Iditarod.

- My competitors worked 90 % with the sport and 10 % with their private life. I did the opposite, says Ole Einar Bjørndalen. Through 25 years at the top of his sport, the “King of Biathlon” has impressed the world with his abilities to handle challenges and pressure.

Elisa Deutschmann and her husky Finn love ski mountaineering. In this episode, she shares her best tips on what gear you need, how to prepare and what to keep in mind before hitting the mountains with your dog.

Do kids benefit from having a dog? According to Claudia Zenner – yes. She noticed major changes when her daughter started training agility with their dog. Professor Eremita at Purdue University, Gail Melson, shares some interesting facts on the relationship between children and dogs.

Even the best dog trainers have problems sometimes! - What you see on social media is not real life. Everyone that has multiple dogs has scuffles, has fights from time to time. Don’t take it personally. It doesn’t mean you failed as a dog trainer. It just means you have more work to do, which everyone does, say Nick and Joy Weis.

If you like to be active with your dog, canicross is the perfect sport for you! Everyone can do it - both proven runners and people who have never participated in competitions before. In this episode, Multiple World Champion Tessa Philippaerts from Belgium shares her tips on everything from how to get started to what to remember at a competition.

Do you know what to do if your dog gets a paw cut, suffers from diarrhea and vomiting, or eats a plate of chocolate? Veterinarian Trude Mostue shares her best first aid tips.

How to make a whole pack of dogs follow you without a leash? And what to do if you have a dog that is reactive to others on the trail? Tom Andres has succeeded in this and is sharing his best tips with you.

Agility is just another trick! Eli Beate Sæther, one of the world's best agility handlers, recommends you to break the training down to little pieces to succeed. In this episode, she is sharing how she is training her agility dogs to be eager, skilled, strong and fast.

- In the beginning, we’re training Superman. We are training this dog to be invincible. To be able to do anything. The secret is to show them that they can do anything and never show them anything they can’t do, says four times Iditarod winner Dallas Seavey.