[pct-l] Dogs on trail

[light_of_aton at mindspring.com (light_of_aton@mindspring.com)]

I have been watching this discussion, as well as the prior on the same subjects, for over a year now and am done holding my tongue.  I backpack only with my husband and dogs, primarily on the PCT but other places here in WA State.  I have made myself and spouse completely aware of the regulations regarding "animals" in the wilderness and have no problems with not being allowed to hike with my dogs in National Parks and some National Forests.  I am very conscious of others when I hike, even to the point of the choice of dog I use.  My dogs by natural cleanliness always go off-trail to potty and if within 200 feet of a water source, I will carry and bury it for them.

I own Basenji's, a 7000 year old breed of BARKLESS dog from the Congo in Africa.  Just recently our breed was found through scientific testing that Basenji's are the first known descendants from the Grey wolf.  My apologies that I don't have the author handy for this test, if you want to know it email me off list and I will dig it out.  Basenji's are hunting dogs, they are scentless, weigh 20-25 pounds and are 16-17 inches at the shoulder relative for females and males.  They are short coated and self sufficient.  More information on the breed at www.basenji.org.  I own 4 Basenji's, 2 females and 2 males, one in each color standard for the breed.  I am an active member of our local dog club as well as staffing our bi-yearly education booth at public events.  My dogs backpack with packs and booties; they hike within 5 feet of us at all times.  Being an African breed they drink very little and have high heat tolerance depending on the color of their coat.  My dogs hike off-leash, and while they are trained to be under voice control, I hike with my eyes and ears to others coming and going on the trail.  If either my husband or I see someone coming we will grab the dogs and pull them off-trail waiting for the person to pass.  The dogs don't growl unless the person passing has a dog with them, and I will turn them away from the occasional horse that passes us.  My dogs are tired enough at the end of the day that they only want to sleep in our tent and not wander the area.  In the morning they are tethered on long lines (15 ft) until we leave for the day.  I have training in dog CPR as well as extensive medical care training in case of emergency for them.  I carry both a human and animal first-aid kit with me just in case.  Although I cannot plan for all possible accidents, I do my best to prepare for the worst.

That said I have something to say.  I will agree with all of you who have had a bad experience with dogs on the trail that it can be unpleasant to meet a poorly behaved dog or person on the trail and it can jade you against the like in future.  Please remember that there are no bad dogs, just bad dog owners that have allowed their pet to become a nuisance.  I hate seeing my fellow dog owners in my neighborhood not pick up after their dog, I don't appreciate picking up after other peoples trash on trail or in town, I don't like finding some person's bathroom spot next to my campsite because they didn't bury their waste properly either.  Oh, and I am annoyed that people can bring their horse into the places my dogs can't go and they crap all over my hiking path, chew up the trail, and they don't have to pick it up.  I don't stop walking or hiking because of the of the above, I just do what I can to educate those who ask about starting their own hiking experiences in hopes that the education passes on and will lead to a change in the overall poor behavior of others.

I plan to through hike the No. CA-WA/OR sections of the PCT in the next 5 years, before I turn 40.  I have been debating whether to take one of my dogs with me on this trip because of what I know to be true about life on the trail.  I don't take all of my dogs now on trips because they are not all suited to days on end of the backpacking lifestyle and I plan my trips with that in mind.  I also know that as a married woman who plans to pack and camp solo, I will not be sharing a tent with anyone on my trip and enjoy a warm dog body on cold nights as well as  a level of security the my dog affords me.

I hope that if you have or do meet me on the PCT in the passing years you mark a notch of "good dog/steward behavior" on your memory and take away a bad one.

Terriann