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

[Jo Pegrum Hazelett]

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!