Things I have learned while hiking with a dog.

[Cowgirl]

1. Carry pepper spray to spray an unleashed dog that runs up to your leashed dog. My dog was seriously mauled by 2 dogs and now I am hyper vigilant and leave nothing to chance.

2. A dog on the trail will limit my time in town and how many double cheeseburgers and ice cream bars I can eat and force me back into the woods where life is cheaper since dogs are not welcome in many places.

3. When the dog sleeping in the tent with you is startled by a shunk right at the door and "woofs" and startles the skunk..........the skunk will be able to spray both of you dead on while you are inside the tent.

4. My dog can run circles around me all day but I keep him at my side all the time & tied in camp so he doesn't molest wildlife or any stray poodles.

5. I stay away from shelters not only because it is a personal prefrence but because I expect most people dislike my dog as much as I can dislike other peoples dogs.

6. I would never hike without a dog by my side and have always been blessed with having dogs that love the woods & hitting the trail as much as I do (plus he keeps me from coming in contact with mean or silly humans that think dogs can't handle or shouldn't be on the trail).

[aaroniguana]

Well said, sister!

[JAK]

Are leashes always neccessary everywhere on the AT? I have seen some amazingly well trained dogs. I know this guy in Toronto. It's almost creepy how well trained his dogs are. They are also not big. One is small, the other medium. Your dog could just as well be mauled by a dog on a leash. I am not against leashes. I'm just saying training is more important, and I have no use for dangerous breeds even when well trained.

[JAK]

Well said, sister!

Now there is a beautiful dog.

[Cowgirl]

aaaah Jak! You will notice I said "by my side" and not on a leash.

My dog is trained to walk right behind me. If someone comes up behind us or towards us I snap him in. Unless I am in an area that it is crowded or near a road. He knows better than to leave my side without permision!

[Cowgirl]

Well said, sister!

Is that a Eureka tent? If so what model? My last trip was a Erueka tent and I loved it, but I don't recal the rainfly like that one is.

[aaroniguana]

That's Angus the wonderdog. Black Lab and English Mastif. He's a lab and a half. I keep him leashed outside the yard, he does not leave my side even to chase a squirrel. He and I have spent several nights under that old Eureka fly.

[aaroniguana]

Is that a Eureka tent? If so what model? My last trip was a Erueka tent and I loved it, but I don't recal the rainfly like that one is.

That's just the rainfly, a tyvek floor, two hiking poles, two 3' guylines and 6 gutternails. It works very well when there aren't any bugs. Packs to the size of a 1 liter aquafina bottle and can sleep 2, a large dog and gear.

[JAK]

Sorry about that. It was your first sentence that threw me off. Sounds like your dog is really well trained. I don't expect dogs that I run into to be on a leash or super well trained, only reasonably well trained and not dangerous. I love to see dogs on trails, even silly dogs that haven't been trained properly as long as they are happy and loved and not dangerous.

[ChinMusic]

re Things I have learned while hiking with a dog.

To bring a pair of disposable rubber gloves with me in case pooch finds something REAL stinky to roll around in, and I have to give him a "bath".

[doggiebag]

aaaah Jak! You will notice I said "by my side" and not on a leash.

My dog is trained to walk right behind me. If someone comes up behind us or towards us I snap him in. Unless I am in an area that it is crowded or near a road. He knows better than to leave my side without permision!

Same with my pooch. I usually just leash him to my pack when around parking lots or when we take a break somewhere. He's got a squirrel/pigeon issue.

[JAK]

God I wish I had a dog, and I don't mean that in vain.

[Cowgirl]

God I wish I had a dog, and I don't mean that in vain.

Dogs are great but everything I do in my life revolves around if my dog is able to do it. So it can be very limiting if you don't have a routine. I'm a traveller and it is quite a hassle sometimes. But he makes me hike every day weather I want to or not.

I origionally got this dog whan I was working cattle in the mountains of Wyoming and there where too many Grizzly Bears. This breed is fearless when it comes to bears and I got him for protection as well as excellent at working cattle.

[Nearly Normal]

Carrying pepper spray may not be legal.

[Cowgirl]

Carrying pepper spray may not be legal.

Let the trail cops search me

[aaroniguana]

Won't have to search me. Just look at my left hand pole.

[JAK]

Beautiful looking dog Cowgirl. Looks very well trained, and very loved.

[Nest]

That's why I carry one trekking pole, strapped to the side of my pack leaning forward slightly. I can reach back and pull it out Ghostbuster style in a hurry. That alone usually gets people to put their aggressive dog on a leash.

[Cowgirl]

Won't have to search me. Just look at my left hand pole.

is that where you carry yours?

Beautiful looking dog Cowgirl. Looks very well trained, and very loved.

Do you want to rent him? Then you will be cured of your deire for a dog (he is a 70lb beastie boy that thinks he should sit in your lap at all times)


This is my long departed friend Bucky that rode with me from Key West to Alaska. We did many section hike together as well over the years.

[desdemona]

http://209.200.85.146/trailjournals/photos/6536/tj6536_011308_142010_291035.jpg[/IMG]

Your dog looks like he is having a little smoke!! He even has his fancy smoking jacket on. You should probably tell him he's too young. I'm sure you've tried...

--des