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?
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 !
hikers dream of hiking all day, dogs dream of sleeping all day.
Panzer
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.
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
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.
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.
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WOW! 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!!!!!
Gaiter
homepage.mac.com/thickredhair
web.mac.com/thickredhair/AT_Fall_07
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.
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......
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