Trail Dog is a blog about hiking, canicross, wild camping, and multi‑day adventures with a dog — written by a trail runner and her rescue Lab who learned the wild way together.
I believe a trail can turn a dog and a human into a team. People are always surprised by Poppy’s fitness and agility, and they ask how we train, camp, climb, and navigate the rough stuff – but we weren’t born knowing any of this. Two rescues, really: one dog, one woman, learning the wild way side by side and teaching each other how to thrive out there. This blog is for anyone curious about spending more time outdoors, with or without a dog, and for those who want to take their four‑legged sidekick beyond the neighbourhood trails. So, if you’re ready to wander a little further – follow the dog, join the pack, and we’ll see you on the trail.
Meet the Pack: The Dog and Humans Behind Trail Dog
Poppy: The Engine
Poppy is a five‑year‑old rescue, probably Lab or Lab‑cross‑Golden, and absolutely Lab in spirit – she lives for food, fetch (preferably launched into water), and snuggles. Despite loving running and being out on the hills, she despises anything that involves wearing gear – harnesses, backpacks, pyjamas, bathrobes… all personally offensive. But once she’s free to move, she’s unstoppable: a blur of paws, joy, and chaos – and a menace to any stick, snack, or body of water within a 5‑mile radius.
Syla: The Navigator
I’ve always loved dogs, and after years of dog‑sitting, I knew I’d adopt one as soon as life lined up. As a trail runner, I wanted a dog who’d join me – canicross was the obvious next step. Then nineteen‑month‑old Poppy arrived, immediately declared herself a trail runner, and dragged me into the sport properly. I’ve always believed dogs are part of the family, so she comes with me everywhere; I even started holidaying in the UK just so she could be part of every adventure.
Aga is the original – the first wild camp, the sunshine, the luck of beginners, and the start of everything that followed. So far, we’ve spent over four weeks in the wild together, so she’s basically my feral sister. She’s the one who packs everything, sewing kit included, yet somehow her backpack is always lighter than mine.
How Poppy’s Fitness Grew — And How Trail Dog Began
Trail Dog began with a rescue dog and a woman who had no idea what they were capable of — not until the miles started adding up. We learned this life together, growing braver and stronger with every climb and star‑lit night. This space is for anyone who wants that same shift: the courage to trust the miles, trust the dog, and step into something wilder together.
As a new dog pawrent, I read everything I could about the needs of working‑breed dogs. Turns out a Lab needs around three hours of exercise a day — and with their endless appetite and genetic risk of dysplasia, keeping a Lab fit is the best escape from vet bills. Poppy joined me on my trail runs pretty much straight away, and before long she was building weekly mileage with me.
I kept wondering where her limit was… until I realised she didn’t seem to have one. I’d finish a long run barely able to move my achy muscles, and she’d still be full of beans, ready to play fetch on the beach like we hadn’t just done hours on the trails. Dogs are just like us: build the mileage gradually, and one day you realise they’re the ones pulling you into bigger adventures.
I’m still learning every day. If you’re looking to build your dog’s endurance too, I’d love to have you along for the journey.