[pct-l] Re: Hiking the trail with your dog

[DjgPct at aol.com (DjgPct@aol.com)]

There is a lot of preparation to take a dog on a hike like this. Strength, endurance, behavorial, etc. We did extensive conditioning with our dog to get him ready.  For the past year I've been taking my dog on trail rides with my horse, adding to his pack little by little.  He is now able to stay with my horse when (walking or trotting) carrying his pack with 4 litres of water.  To get him used to the full weight of water AND food, my husband would take him hiking here at home and backpacking in the 14ers in Colorado.  Sitka can now carry a 6 days of his own food and water without suffering.

we packed a special 1st aid kit that our vet designed for him.  I have the list of things in my office and can post those later.

We have him microchippped, tattooed and I also made him his own photo ID cards, with photo, name, address, phone and my email address, should he become lost.  We made two cards, had them laminated.  The dog has one in his pack and my husband is carrying the 2nd one along with his own IDs, in case of emergency.

Darrell also started this hike early so that the dog would not have to endure the hotter temperatures that can be experienced in southern CA later in the spring and summer.

We also spent many months researching his food.  We wanted to find something that would provide the most calories in the least weight that also would offer good supplements.  We worked with our vet on this, approaching it as though he were a sled dog.  We worked with veternary journal articles that address how to feed and condition athlete dogs.  The food we finally selected is called QC+, their "performance" blend.  I have the name and adderss of the manufacturer at my office and can post that info if you need it.  It is not a well known brand, but is excellent in its ingredients and calorie/protein/fat content.

Taking a dog takes a LOT of planning.  We approached this as if he were going to work like an Iditarod dog.  We are really confident that he'll be strong enough, and we've trained him to respond to us like a service dog, so we know that his behavior will be fine.

I'm very glad that he's with my husband.  They are great companions.  But I also know that he is READY and that is hugely important, too.

If you have more questions, let me know and I'll tell you what I can.

Betsy