How to tell when your dog is ready for a long hike?

*First, is it grown? Puppies or yearlings have no place on a long hike.

*Have you hiked with it a lot, including being out for several weeks at a time?
Just because your dog enjoys day hikes or weekend excursions does not mean it's ready for a thru-hike.

*How well trained is your dog?
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·Does it respond to voice commands immediately?
·Does it bark or howl?
·Is it OK when you're not around?
·Does it deal well with strangers?
·Does it deal well with children?
·Does it deal well with other dogs, or other animals?
·Is it skittish around strangers, does it snap or jump at people, does it bolt to chase wild animals?
·Does it stay by you when off leash, or does it wander?
·Does it pee wherever it wants, including on things like tents or gear?

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These are all things to consider.

*Are you willing to spend a good deal of time every day tending to your dog's needs and health, i.e. checking its feet frequently; checking for ticks; altering your schedule out of consideration for its health.

*A dog is NOT a pack animal. Are you willing, if necessary, to carry your dog's food, water, and other gear?

*Are you willing, WITHOUT COMPLAINT, to deal with the times where you'll be unable to do what other hikers do and stay where other hikes stay, because you've elected to travel with a dog?

*Are you willing to NEVER expect rules, regulations, policies of hostels, motels, restaurants, etc. to be altered for you, and are you willing to never ask people to make exceptions for you and your pet?

*Are you willing to forego staying in shelters, as there are many, many folks who don't wish to share them with an animal for any number of perfectly valid reasons?

*Are you OK with the fact that many Trail facilities and locations will be barred to you because you're with a dog?

*Are you willing to always obey the rules, regulations, and laws in certain places where dogs are barred, or where leash laws are in effect?

*On the Trail, in trail towns, and elsewhere, are you willing to ALWAYS be vigilant and aware of how your dog's presence and behavior is impacting other people? And are you willing to take immediate action when it's clear that your dog is creating problems?

*Are you willing to NEVER have other people being responsible for your dog, i.e. are you willing to forego certain things, and are you willing to never leave your dog alone and unattended where he might have a negative impact on either the location or the people staying there?

*Are you willing, and I mean REALLY willing to make an effort to clean up after your pet, in camp and elsewhere?

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These are just a few things to consider.

But if your dog doesn't measure up here, or if you're not ready to do all of the above, then no, your dog is not ready for the A.T.

And 95% (at least) of Trail dogs and their owners are not up to the requirements listed above.

Plain and simple, the vast majority of Trail dogs need to stay at home and are better off there, and this is almost always NOT a dog problem, but instead, an owner one.

The plain and simple answer to "Is my dog ready to the-hike the A.T.?" is very simple:

In nearly every case, due to negligence, laziness, or apathy on the part of the owner, the vast majority of the dogs one encounters on the A.T. are NOT ready to be there.

Sorry to say it, but it's the plain truth. Most of them need to go home.
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[I]Article written by Jack Tarlin AKA Baltimore Jack<o></o>

WOW Jack, you set a high bar. I just do not want them to eat my food, hump my leg, chase wildlife and sleep next to me after a rainy day.
Other than that I can tollerate most canines.

I am not sure if Jack meant to imply that dog owners are prohibited from bringing their animals into shelters or not. Here is what the ATC has to say about the matter (as published at http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805495/k.9C34/Hiking_with_Dogs.htm)

Take special measures at shelters. Leash your dog in the shelter area, and ask permission of other hikers before allowing your dog in a shelter. Be prepared to "tent out" when a shelter is crowded, and on rainy days.

Leash your dog in the shelter area, and ask permission of other hikers before allowing your dog in a shelter.[/SIZE]

Thats BS. Your dog should never be in a shelter. Do not put another hiker "on the spot" with such a request.

Thats BS. Your dog should never be in a shelter. Do not put another hiker "on the spot" with such a request.

Seems Odd that the ATC would take such a position.

You would think it against heath regs. In addition to sleeping in shelters, people cook in there!

But that's the ATC's position. Got to respect it (or at least recognize it).

Seems Odd that the ATC would take such a position.

You would think it against heath regs. In addition to sleeping in shelters, people cook in there!

But that's the ATC's position. Got to respect it (or at least recognize it).

a lot of folks at the ATC don't hike

·Does it respond to voice commands immediately?
·Does it bark or howl?
·Is it OK when you're not around?
·Does it deal well with strangers?
·Does it deal well with children?
·Does it deal well with other dogs, or other animals?
·Is it skittish around strangers, does it snap or jump at people, does it bolt to chase wild animals?
·Does it stay by you when off leash, or does it wander?
·Does it pee wherever it wants, including on things like tents or gear?
This is a good list for "Are YOU ready for a long hike".
I've met a few hikers who wouldn't pass (most of them hike long distances :D).

Rick, I think the problem is that the ATC doesn't want to hurt anyones feelings -- gotta keep everyones wallets open for those donations.

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Leash your dog in the shelter area, and ask permission of other hikers before allowing your dog in a shelter.[/size]
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Thats BS. Your dog should never be in a shelter. Do not put another hiker "on the spot" with such a request.

Read it again - it says "in the shelter area"- not "in the shelter". Subtle difference.
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Huh?

I posted an exact quote from the ATC and provide a link. It says what it says.

I guess like everything else written, it's open to interpretation. If your dog is leashed in the shelter area you will not have it in the shelter unless you get the permission of the others in the shelter.
I, personally, have always been of the opinion that if you bring a dog, bring a large tarp or a tent with a large vestibule, camp a ways away from the shelter, maybe take your dog to visit, but overnight your dog should be in or near your tent/tarp/hammock with you, not nosing around strangers and their belongings.
So I guess I disagree with "my" organization on this point.

I would like these rules to aply to humans too. except the leash part ,on second thought some should probably be on a short leash.

All dog owners that I came across on the AT who took their dogs into shelters did so without asking if others objected.

I reckon if dogs had any say in it they wouldn't opt for a thru hike... it's the dog owners who seem to get a buzz out of making their dogs hike with them.

Several folks brought up a good point: When you ask permission of other folks, you really are putting them on the spot, i.e. you're pretty much forcing THEM to look like the bad guy if they say "Well yeah, I'd rather your dog wasn't in the shelter". The reality is that lots of folks will suck it up and say nothing because they don't want to look mean in front of other hikers, when in fact, they really DON'T want your dog in the shelter, for any number of perfectly legitimate reasons:

*Dogs in shelters almost always get into or onto other people's stuff, and this
is especially unpleasant when the dog is wet or muddy.
*They've been known to pee on people's stuff in or immediately adjacent to
shelters.
*They beg food and become a real pain in the ass when someone is eating or
cooking in a shelter.
*At a certain point in the year, ALL dogs have vermin, i.e. ticks, fleas, etc.
Most folks aren't interested in sleeping next to or close to infested dogs.
*Quite a few folks are allergic to dogs and don't want to be around them.
*And many folks simply don't care for dogs and don't wish to be that close to
them. Shelters were designed for people, and one's right to enjoy the
company of one's pet ends, period, when that right starts interfering with
the rights of others.

But to get back to asking permission. It's a funny thing, but you see this a lot on the Trail, and it's invariably something like "Does anyone mind if I play the harmonica?" or "Does anyone mind if I make a couple of phone calls?" or
something similar. In short, when asking permission, it's inevitable that these folks KNOW they're requesting "permission" to do something that they KNOW might be found objectionable or questionable by other folks......yet they go ahead and ask "permission" anyway, knowing full well that most folks don't want to look like the bad guy and will therefore stay mum.

In short, asking permission of your fellow hikers should be pretty much a red flag to yourself.......if you're about to engage in activity or behavior that you suspect (or know) that someone is likely to object to, well spare everyone the trouble. Don't put people on the spot, and don't ask permission. Instead of asking folks to green light behavior that you suspect might be objectionable, it's much more considerate to simply forego that activity, period.

And this includes your dog. When it comes to nighttime, he belongs in your tent.

Amen to that Jack. You hit the nail on the head.

If someone asks you if its ok to bring a dog into a shelter and you don't speak up on how you really feel, then you have no right to b*tch about it. I've had people ask me in camp if its ok for them to smoke a cigarette. I always tell them no, I'm not a smoker nor do I care to be around it. I don't care if it makes me look like a bad person or whatever. At least I have the balls to stand up for how I feel on the trail and not just complain about it on the internet.

True. But. Reality is different. Most people don't want to be the bad guy.

True. But. Reality is different. Most people don't want to be the bad guy.
If you really are against dogs in a shelter or any other scenario you may encounter on the trail, why would you feel like the 'bad guy' for expressing how you feel?

My philosophy has always been that if someone asks a question, they need to be ready to hear my honest answer.

I think this is brilliant- mostly because a lot of people just seem not to ever think of a couple of these things (like needing to alter your schedule to fit your dog's health, not just your own). I know a lot of people who arrive at hostels and other places and are royally irritated when the owner won't change the rule for them, and feel like they're being abused. Or they simply don't pay any attention and it turns out the dog is really bothering someone and is badly trained.

To sum up, good post!

Although I must say, I think it is alright to have your dog carry his own food, maybe even some of his own water. They're very capable creatures who like to feel useful.

a lot of folks at the ATC don't hike

A lot of ATC folks have never spent a night in a shelter with an untrained and wet dog.

Although I must say, I think it is alright to have your dog carry his own food, maybe even some of his own water. They're very capable creatures who like to feel useful.
I RESPECT YOUR OPIONION,AND ALOT OF DOGS CAN AND DO ENJOY WEARING A PACK! BUT imo YOU NEVER LOAD WATER ON A DOG! YOU CANT SECURE THE WATER BOTTLES PROPERLY IN A DOG PACK WITHOUT THE WATER SWAYING BACK AND FORTH. IN A HUMAN PACK THE WATER BOTTLE OR PLATTY IS USUALLY SECURE AND UPRIGHT. I SEE THE WATER IN THE DOG PACK ROLLING AROUND OR SWAYING INSIDE THE BOTTLE AND CAN AND PROBABLY WILL THROW THE DOG OFF BALANCE?. HOW MUCH WATER WE TALKING ABOUT?

Seems Odd that the ATC would take such a position.

You would think it against heath regs. In addition to sleeping in shelters, people cook in there!

But that's the ATC's position. Got to respect it (or at least recognize it).
I don't believe anything in a shelter meets health regs.

All dog owners that I came across on the AT who took their dogs into shelters did so without asking if others objected.

I reckon if dogs had any say in it they wouldn't opt for a thru hike... it's the dog owners who seem to get a buzz out of making their dogs hike with them.
If a dog had any say, it would usually want to be with its master. My dog hates to be left behind. Dogs are strong, agile and athletic. A thru hike is nothing to a fit dog.

Health regs.... ha, dogs are cleaner then any of us smelly ass hikers. Better manners 98% of the time also.

But anyways..... I let my dog carry his days worth of food and snacks. Light jacket and his water bowl (small ones that cost a dollar from wally world). Usually less then 3 pounds. I like having the pack on for control and it helps protect him from rock cuts as he runs around rocks and climbs them.

It depends on the dog also. Erwin - who I adopted on my thru last year, loves to hike and be active all the time. He will do 20 miles days and still want to keep going.

My other dog, Hudson, likes to hike but only for around 8 - 10 miles a day and only for 2 - 3 days at a time. He likes to get worn out enough to be ready for a long night of tv watching by my feet :) !

I RESPECT YOUR OPIONION,AND ALOT OF DOGS CAN AND DO ENJOY WEARING A PACK! BUT imo YOU NEVER LOAD WATER ON A DOG! YOU CANT SECURE THE WATER BOTTLES PROPERLY IN A DOG PACK WITHOUT THE WATER SWAYING BACK AND FORTH. IN A HUMAN PACK THE WATER BOTTLE OR PLATTY IS USUALLY SECURE AND UPRIGHT. I SEE THE WATER IN THE DOG PACK ROLLING AROUND OR SWAYING INSIDE THE BOTTLE AND CAN AND PROBABLY WILL THROW THE DOG OFF BALANCE?. HOW MUCH WATER WE TALKING ABOUT?

As I said in the line you quoted, maybe SOME of his water.

PS- It gets really hard to read when you capitalize everything (just to let you know).

hikers dream of hiking all day, dogs dream of sleeping all day.

Panzer

As I said in the line you quoted, maybe SOME of his water.

PS- It gets really hard to read when you capitalize everything (just to let you know).thankyou sorry i didn't capitalize on purpose! im not a putor person at all. the less water you put in the containers would make it swish around and sway even more maybe?

thankyou sorry i didn't capitalize on purpose! im not a putor person at all. the less water you put in the containers would make it swish around and sway even more maybe?

I understand- I never used to be a computor person either. And let me say, I have only hiked with a dog a couple times, and I am nothing near an expert (though I know a bunch of other dog people who hike with their dogs). But I've found that putting one or two full small poland spring bottles works fine. Since they're full, it doesn't slosh around (of course, I still end up carrying more than half of his water). And since it was only a couple days, he didn't carry much food.

I understand- I never used to be a computor person either. And let me say, I have only hiked with a dog a couple times, and I am nothing near an expert (though I know a bunch of other dog people who hike with their dogs). But I've found that putting one or two full small poland spring bottles works fine. Since they're full, it doesn't slosh around (of course, I still end up carrying more than half of his water). And since it was only a couple days, he didn't carry much food.
cool:cool:

You can tell when your dog is ready for a long hike about as accurately as that of another hiker. Heck, about as good as yourself.
Assuming "ready" means physically and mentally ready. I'd say they were "ready" for a long hike just after they finished one.

Let us all remember a few basic facts on what the AT is about as well as what any trail is about.

- WE are the visitors to the only area man has left to the wild. WE blazed a trail through the animal's territory. In my view, my dog has more right to be there than I do. My dog doesn't leave non-biodegradable garbage on the trail. My dog does not burn down forests or shelters or leave unsightly black fire rings behind, my dog doesn't carve his name into trees, shelters, etc.

- My DOG is the health concern in the shelters? You're kidding, right?

- To the poster who commented on ticks, fleas, etc. News flash- THEY'RE ALREADY THERE- it's the DEER tick that causes the problem. Should we kick the deer out, too? Spiders, snakes, skunks, bears?

I just think it's a bit ignorant and selfish to take the position that my dog doesn't belong. I have a very well behaved golden retiever, he doesn't howl, bark, eat other's food, pee on anyone's stuff and obeys my every command. I understand that he may be more the exception, and when all is said and done, if someone has a problem with him being in the shelter, then speak up. I know the "rules" and we will camp outdoors. WE didn't create the wilderness, we just wore down a path to walk through it.

Bottom line is lighten up, speak up, or shut up.

dogs do not belong in shelters. a considerate owner knows this and always camps out

dogs do not belong in shelters. a considerate owner knows this and always camps out

Yup, I agree. I was just hiking in the White Mountains including a loop going north out of Gorham. Pat and I met two thru hikers with dogs. They were great people with great dogs. One of the dogs was being picked up by the woman's husband in Gorham. It was a beautifully trained dog that missed it's master so bad. The woman was sending her dog home simply because it was easier to send the dog home from Gorham than wait until Baxter.

If someone asks you if its ok to bring a dog into a shelter and you don't speak up on how you really feel, then you have no right to b*tch about it. I've had people ask me in camp if its ok for them to smoke a cigarette. I always tell them no, I'm not a smoker nor do I care to be around it. I don't care if it makes me look like a bad person or whatever. At least I have the balls to stand up for how I feel on the trail and not just complain about it on the internet.

That is EXACTLY what I was going to say. I know that my dog behaves better than several people I have meet on the trail. I by no means want to upset anyone with my dog but unless they tell me that my dog bothers them I cant really know how they feel. I love my dog with all my heart but there is no way I would let him make someone uncomfartable...

quote by: billymets71

Let us all remember a few basic facts on what the AT is about as well as what any trail is about.

- WE are the visitors to the only area man has left to the wild. WE blazed a trail through the animal's territory. In my view, my dog has more right to be there than I do. My dog doesn't leave non-biodegradable garbage on the trail. My dog does not burn down forests or shelters or leave unsightly black fire rings behind, my dog doesn't carve his name into trees, shelters, etc.

- My DOG is the health concern in the shelters? You're kidding, right?

- To the poster who commented on ticks, fleas, etc. News flash- THEY'RE ALREADY THERE- it's the DEER tick that causes the problem. Should we kick the deer out, too? Spiders, snakes, skunks, bears?

I just think it's a bit ignorant and selfish to take the position that my dog doesn't belong. I have a very well behaved golden retiever, he doesn't howl, bark, eat other's food, pee on anyone's stuff and obeys my every command. I understand that he may be more the exception, and when all is said and done, if someone has a problem with him being in the shelter, then speak up. I know the "rules" and we will camp outdoors. WE didn't create the wilderness, we just wore down a path to walk through it.

Bottom line is lighten up, speak up, or shut up.
__________________________________________________ ____________

WOW!:eek: That is the EXACT same way I was feeling. I have a wonderful Golden Retriever too and he is PERFECT. I have never had anyone complain about him but I also keep him away from people in the shelter just to make sure he doesnt bother anyone. Just because we are animal lovers it doesnt mean everyone else is and we have to respect their feelings. I just can't imagine not loving dogs.

Worst Article Ever: why not have someone who has actually hiked with a dog to write the article on dogs, not someone who is very negative about dogs!!!!!

i do believe jack has hiked with dogs before, or at least around them enough to know what pisses him off about them. unless they're wrapped in a bun with mustard and relish. chased with bourbon of course. :cool:

i do not think dogs belong in shelters at all. if i ever do a long distance hike again and i take my dog with me we will camp far away from others unless we are invited to be near but we are still going to erect a tent and have our own space......

my dog is teaching me right now that this house is her domain and she means to protect it and its inhabitants. so with that message it is very clear to me that she, like other dogs, demand their own space....

so i would almost bet that sleeping in a shelter for a dog would be a bit uncomfortable with strangers around........even though they may come across as it is okay with them it may not be......

...................

so i would almost bet that sleeping in a shelter for a dog would be a bit uncomfortable with strangers around........even though they may come across as it is okay with them it may not be......

you would almost bet??? so you've never slept in a shelter with a dog? but you've slept in shelters with mice and rats...

Why is Superman/Winter's article not in this section? Why is Jack the only 'expert' in the dog section?

you would almost bet??? so you've never slept in a shelter with a dog? but you've slept in shelters with mice and rats...

I like dogs but I prefer mice and rats for several reasons. None have ever bitten me and even if they did, their owners would not then immediately tell me "he's never done that before". They are very quiet. When they are missing their owners do not stumble around shelters all night calling for them. They have never wiped their muddy feet on my sleeping bag, when they cross it they leave no trace. As far as I know no one has ever brought one into a shelter on purpose, knowing it would piss off others.

We could probably use a better subforum heading here, but this is not the released articles section. This subforum is for peer review of submitted articles. Anyone wanting to write a counter article or something deemed better is also free to write one up and submit it here.

We could probably use a better subforum heading here, but this is not the released articles section. This subforum is for peer review of submitted articles. . .Then why does it show on WB's main page with the rest of the released articles?

Then why does it show on WB's main page with the rest of the released articles?I didn't know it was doing that. I think it is because it was originally put there but had not been vetted yet. I moved it because it hadn't gone through the review process that was set up, it went from a suggestion straight to the released articles section. Right now it is not in the released articles section. It could use a further comment period, a competing article, or perhaps a collaboration with another author. Since you are one of the dog forum mods TS, perhaps you can solicit some help in getting something like that done:).

The Articles forum set up is different than the other oforums, but I will try to figure out why it still links to this article on the homepage. I will also talk to the other admins about the Article submission process.

Probably can. In the meantime, thanks for moving the article.

I don't think a dog has any business sleeping in a shelter unless there are no other occupants and the hiker/dog are willing to move if someone shows up (yep, just move, without putting the new arrival on the spot for permission to stay). But a well behaved dog might be OK tied up using a short leash near a shelter while its master puts up a tent, filters water, cooks dinner, etc. Then the dog would spend the night with the owner who is tenting, tarping, etc.

Jack is right. 95% of dogs should not be on a long hike (as lengthy as an AT thru-hike, for sure). But a much lower percentage could do well on a small portion of a thru-hike in many places the AT is routed, a section hike of two to four weeks, or weekend excursions.

In this article, aside from canine behavioral issues, the best questions are those put to the hiker himself or herself. Topping the list would be those having to do with putting a dog's needs ahead of the hiker's.

you would almost bet??? so you've never slept in a shelter with a dog? but you've slept in shelters with mice and rats...
that's not the point here, i think i need to stay respectful of others and my dog.........

Like most articles by Jack he knows what he is talking about. I as a past thru-hiker and have to agree, totaly, with his post.
Most want to be thru-hikers who include a dog tremendously limit their ability to finish a thru. Without a dog the odds are 2 in 10 will finish. With a dog it's probably more like 1 in 20.
Most folks who comment in favor of bring a dog on the trail have not spent long lenghts of time hiking the AT. Without doing that they have probably not experienced dogs in the water soarce, tracking mud and water into a shelter, barking at night, getting into hikers food, peeing a tent or sleeping bag or snaping at hikers. All of these happened to me on my thru-hike.
I am not an anti dog person. Most of my life I have owned one. I also thru-hiked with a wounderful dog, in 2001, named Marvin the Wounder Dog and his considerate owner.

Wow. This is getting contentious, which is too bad. A few quick comments:

I'm not anti-dog, I'm not "negative" about dogs, I don't dislike dogs. The people I live with just got two Jack Russell terrier pups and I've spent a great deal of time with them in the last few weeks. They're a blast.

So please, spare me the "You hate dogs so your comments are worthless!" remarks. I don't hate them, I never have, and don't have a problem with them.

I do however feel that they are frequently a problem on the Trail, and when this happens, I don't blame the dog, I instead blame the owner. A "bad dog" problem on the Trail is almost invariably an OWNER problem, but if some folks get overly defensive about this and want to interpret my comments as being anti-dog, well there is isn't much I can do about it. Calling someone names like "dog hater!" helps detract from the simple truth that most people who choose to hike with a dog either don't know or worse, don't particularly care how the presence of their dog impacts other people.

Also, someone wondered about who appointed me to be dog "expert" here. Well, nobody did. I certainly didn't. And my comments here weren't originally meant to be "expert" advice and weren't even originally meant to be an article. I posted the comments on another thread; several folks suggested that the comments would make for a good article; website administrators very kindly asked if they could use the comments for that purpose.

I said sure.

So no, my comments were never meant to be the last word or any sort of "expert" commentary." They were merely meant to provoke discussion and dialogue.

That being said, I stand by my original comments. I have known many Trail dogs, and contrary to what some folks have said, I've hiked many miles with dogs, and had a greqat time doing so. There are many Trail dogs that are a joy to be around, partly because they are great animals and partly because they have wonderful, considerate, and caring owners.

That being said, the majority of dogs I've encountered on the Trail would be better off at home, both for their own sakes, and for the sakes of those who end up sharing the Trail with them.

And saying this makes one neither "negative" or a dog hater.

You know your dog is ready for a long hike when he's eaten all the neighborhood cats. . .

I have a couple of dogs and have taken them out for hikes but have found their comfort level with day hikes. They seem to be uneasy with a new place to sleep every night and react poorly to noises and movements of other hikers. Gotta tent for the benefit of other hikers. Also while walking all day on uneven rocks their paws can get raw and you have to watch that. That being said I have hiked with freinds and their dogs that were a great team and it was an amazing bond between them. Just north of Erwin in '04 a dog named Niagara, a black lab I think, was determined to have me for dinner and kept after me for a couple of clicks. Really the only thing I worry about are farm dogs and dogs living off the land. And Niagara.

First off i do agree with the things you are saying that a dog that does not listen or the owner that just assumes their dog is a human should not even be on the trail on the first place...

But im curious about your opinion to this...I have a little of 2 year old golden retriever that i never use a leash on unless its going into petsmart. I plan on bringing him on my section hike of about 415 miles. He is well trained listens to my every word and does not bother people if i do not let him. He is very friendly and just an all around great dog who just loves life.

Do you have any tips or precautions to take while bringing my dog along?

Do you have any tips or precautions to take while bringing my dog along?

http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.mqLTIYOwGlF/b.4805495/k.9C34/Hiking_with_Dogs.htm

i have already read that multiple times I was looking for other opinions. But thank you I do appreciate it

Although I have yet to hike the trail, I do have some problems with what people are saying...

"hikers dream of hiking all day, dogs dream of sleeping all day." This is the dumbest thing I have ever read... you must not have a dog! or if you do it is a lazy breed (which there are some) Most dogs love to be outside and when looking some different types of dogs in this country, most are NOT getting enough excercise and get in to trouble. Such is the case with pit-bulls, boxers, and any hearding dog. These dogs would have a much easier time with the hike then the fittest human you could find.

Now as for the shelters.... I do agree that an owner and his dog should spend most of their time in a tent, very much so if the dog is wet and/or not trained well. But to talk about a dog not being as clean when you have hikers who have not showered weeks is a bit silly. As long as the owner checks for ticks and other creatures then the dog is cleaner than an unshowered human. I think that if an owner and their dog get to a shelter and people arrive after it is not up to the owner to ask premission... others can always move on if they dont like it.... did we somehow forget that this is a free country and we are after all OUTDOORS!!!!!

When talking about in town of off the trail ... I agree with everything said. Do not go looking for special treatment when you were the one who brought the dog along.

Thank You

I think that if an owner and their dog get to a shelter and people arrive after it is not up to the owner to ask premission... others can always move on if they dont like it.

wrong. some people are afraid of dogs no matter how frienly you think he is. a courteous owner would never stay in a shelter

wrong. some people are afraid of dogs no matter how frienly you think he is. a courteous owner would never stay in a shelter

This seems like a simple concept but people seem to have trouble understanding it. If you hike the AT with your dog you should have the mind set and the goal that you and your dog are not there to diminish other peoples hike. It avoids a whole raft of situations and potential complaints by bringing and using a tent away from shelters. IMHO

Going North from Springer Mtn., how far can I hike with my dog, before I am forced to take her off the trail?

Basically, Fontana Dam.

TW

Going North from Springer Mtn., how far can I hike with my dog, before I am forced to take her off the trail?

she can't go in the smokey's, you have to make arrangements or skip the smokeys
it really depends on the dog, there are a few rare dogs that can handle the long distance, personally I will never take my dog out for more than a month, thats the longest she's hiked before. you have to really pay attention to your dog, watching for signs of stress, injury. don't plan on pushing your dog too many miles, just because you can handle bigger miles, doesn't mean your dog can,

Glad to see this thread's still going.

Gotta be amused by the guy who actually joined Whiteblaze with the name "Baltomorescorner". :D

I wish Jester were here as he'd certainly have some ideas on this......is this guy a "Baltimore Scorner" who holds me with eveident disdain? Or is he a guy with spelling issues who wants people to know he stands firmly in "Baltimore's Corner"?

Pretty funny, in any case.

Also got to spend some quality time with my landlord's Jack Russells today down by the brook before I went for hike.

The folks who seem to think I have a real problem with dogs might have been surprised. :rolleyes:

I thought the dogs had a pretty good time, and no, our walk down by the brook did not include rope and cinder blocks.