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

[jdrows at comcast.net (JD Schaefer)]

We seem to hear a lot more stories of the dogs that start the trail than
those that don't finish.  I would surmise that there are a lot, lot more of
the latter than the former, and people quite naturally don't like to admit
they were wrong so we seldom hear of the non-completions.

The key words from the extensive preparations described below are "without
suffering".  I'm not sure how a human knows if a dog is suffering until they
just lay down and refuse to walk or they just start shivering.  Just because
a dog looks (we think) adoringly at us, we get the impression they are
happy.  They could be saying instead  "If you love me (please, please),
you'll take this stupid human contraption off me."  In the chicken-egg
sequence here, I think gear manufacturers were looking for something else to
create a profit, came up with dog saddles, and people decided if they can be
bought, it's natural for a dog to wear them.

Pulling a dog sled, being in the chase (a natural behavior), being with
numerous others of one's own kind is one thing; having to carry weight on
their backs is something else and nothing will convince me that it's
natural.  I'd be curious what percentage of the dog's weight is food, water,
1st aid and ID +.  I suspect it's greater than the recommended max 25% ratio
for humans.

It is my fervent hope that if the dog becomes disenchanted with the Trail,
the human will think of the dog first and himself second in regards to not
forcing the dog to continue out of loyalty to its "master".

I'm aware dogs have made it the whole way but I suspect they are statistical
anomalies.

I wish the dog well.
JD Schaefer


-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net
[mailto:pct-l-bounces@mailman.backcountry.net]On Behalf Of
DjgPct@aol.com
Sent: Thursday, March 11, 2004 12:28 PM
To: shr90602@yahoo.com; pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
Subject: [pct-l] Re: Hiking the trail with your dog


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
_______________________________________________
pct-l mailing list
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
unsubscribe or change options:
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l