[pct-l] Tips for taking Dogs on the Trail

[Gary Schenk]

You might also want to include here that dogs are not allowed on trails in 
national parks.

On Thursday 18 December 2008 10:32:25 Jo Pegrum Hazelett wrote:
> I have been mostly a list lurker for many years but have benefitted from a
> lot of information posted here as well advice directly from questions
> asked. Also the many trail angels that have helped my family along the PCT
> starting with Bob Riess in San Diego and ending with my brother in law at
> Manning Park Canada. As a section hiker, our journey would have been a lot
> more difficult without them. Most of our journey included our giant border
> collie, Buffalo Bill Cody and we learned a lot (some in terminated hikes)
> about what it takes to be successful with a dog. We meet people all the
> time on the trail who have questions about hiking with dogs, so here is my
> contribution, which includes some things I have noted before.
>
> Jo (Kerry and Mr. Cody)
> PCT 2008
> www.postholer.com/jo
>
> Dogs on the Trail
>
> People get really worked up about dogs and have some excellent reasons for
> not wanting them on the PCT. Most of them have to do with the behavior of
> the owners or the dog (which really means the owner) but there are lots of
> people with dogs who are good owners and whose dogs are well-behaved, many
> of them better than some hikers.
>
> Another reason people give for not wanting dogs on the PCT is that they
> don't do very well. Every year there are complaints about people with dogs
> who have damaged paws or are so overworked, they can barely walk.
>
> These are the two major concerns for dogs on the PCT and both are valid. If
> you choose to long distance hike with your dog, be sure to know your dog's
> limitations and be prepared to get off the trail immediately if s/he is
> distressed. When you hike with a dog, you must put your dog's well-being
> first. They can't talk to tell you when something is wrong and even if they
> could, most of them are so loyal they would walk through hell for you.
>
> Having addressed these obvious problems, there are people who take their
> dogs and hike successfully and caringly with them.
>
> Here are a few tips for hiking with a dog, keeping in mind that size, type
> and age will affect all these factors and have to be weighed for each dog.
> The assumptions are for long distance hiking of twenty miles or more a day
> over a week or more time period.
>
> Food
> Dogs like humans will work into their long distance hike. Initially, they
> need 25-50% more food than their usual intake, but after two to three weeks
> on the trail will probably need 100% more food.
>
> Water
> Some dogs naturally drink a lot of water and some don't. In addition,
> temperature has a big affect on their need for water. Unfortunately, when
> it is hottest is when it is least available so in long, hot, dry sections
> you will need to carry a lot of water for your dog even if they normally
> carry their own.
>
> Heat:
> Heat is very stressful to any dog. In desert areas the ground can be so hot
> that a person cannot walk on it barefoot, consider what this does to your
> dog's paws. Their feet will rapidly develop blisters that burst if not
> tended, then you risk infection etc. Shoes can help but they exacerbate
> another problem-dogs lose heat through their paws and if they are covered,
> this process is more difficult.
>
> Consider hiking with your dog during cooler times of the year through hot
> parts of the trail. The desert can be very beautiful in early spring and
> your dog has a much better chance of success.
>
> Snow and Cold
> Some dogs have problems with snow getting stuck in their paws or they
> suffer from the cold. Many dogs are at their best in the cold and snow and
> actually revel in it. If your dog is prone to cold, make sure you keep him
> warm enough (bring a coat, let him sleep with you).
>
> Foot care
> Big dogs especially are almost guaranteed to have problems with their paws
> initially. It takes a while for them to get toughened up. If you get this
> bit right, chances are that your dog will have a great experience on the
> trail. Use some kind of cream (bag balm, paw wax or other paw cream) and
> apply every night liberally to each paw. There will come a time when the
> dog doesn't need it any more but some dogs enjoy the "doggy spa" so why
> stop?
>
> Shoes
> In addition, especially for big dogs, shoes are good to have for situations
> when you have to cover hot ground, granite or any other rough conditions
> that your dog is not used to. The best dog shoes have real soles (like
> tennis shoes). For example, Rufffwear makes shoes with vibram soles. Shoes
> should not be left on the paws for too long, doggy feet swell and get
> blisters too. They work best if you alternate the dog wearing them for 1-2
> hours, then 1-2 hours off. Again, when you have hiked a few hundred miles,
> if your dog is doing well, you will find that he won't need them so much
> any more. One more thing, most dogs do not like shoes-it is best to
> introduce them young and/or intermittently for brief periods before your
> hike so they get used to them.
>
> Achy Bones
> An appropriate dose of aspirin at the end of a long day can help a dog with
> achy bones. Check with your vet or a dog first aid book as to the
> appropriate dosage.
>
> Packs
> Dogs like to work. Don't be afraid to give your dog a pack to carry (he can
> see you carry one and he is part of the "pack"). It is said that they can
> carry up to 15% of their body weight. That is too much for a long distance
> hike. Up to 10% is plenty for most dogs and they may have to work up to it.
> You will probably have to carry some of your dog's food if you have a lot
> of distance between resupply places. In addition, if the dog has any
> trouble with his paws, the pack should be removed immediately. If you don't
> do this, the situation will only deteriorate.
>
> Control
> Even if your dog is a "good" non-aggressive dog, be sure to have your dog
> under control at all times. After a while in the wilderness, dogs revert to
> nature and they tend to become more protective of their "pack". This means
> some friendly, unwitting stranger can be seen as a potential threat to your
> dog and before you know it, your nice friendly dog is charging or barking
> at the stranger coming down the trail. This can be terrifying to even the
> most ardent dog lover. Keep your dog under control and don't make any
> assumptions about his behavior around other hikers.
>
> Bears
> You will not find a better bear detractor any where than a dog. Although
> face to face, a bear is big and strong enough to kill a dog, they generally
> don't want to bother with them.
>
> Benefits
> If your dog is one of those who does well on the trail (and you probably
> won't know for sure until you try), then you will not find a happier,
> better companion anywhere. And they love it, all of it-the smells, the
> walking, the companionship of the pack, the guarding and just being with
> you.
>
> So hike your dog's hike and enjoy!