Why I'm hiking ~ Part 2

Part 2 - My mission to bring awareness and education on safely and responsibly bringing dogs into the backcountry.

The reason I started this site was because as soon as I started researching thru-hiking I found that when it comes to long distance hiking with dogs there is so very little information available, and there are VERY strong opinions about why you shouldn't. I was amazed to discover I could find out every little detail about a person hiking, down to how much toilet paper you'll need, but basically nothing about how to manage a dog's needs on trail. And what little I did find when people posted questions looking for help, primarily all of the answers were negative comments on even considering it.

While seriously considering all of these negative comments, as I wanted to be sure to really carefully take into account all I would be asking of my dog by taking on such a challenge, I noticed that most all of the reasons given not to, are things one can actually manage or train a dog to negotiate. Things I have already trained my dog to do long ago, just to make her a more pleasant dog to adventure with.

When I adopted Emily I knew that most of our time together would be spent out in the wilderness and for her safety and mine I taught her:

• Bomb proof rock solid come command! You can see my earlier posts on how I train a dog to come off of anything. 
• Stay on trail, unless released, or if going around people, horses, etc. Even when we hike with other dogs that race off the trail into the woods, she will just stay on trail and run parallel to them watching what they are doing. This means she doesn't get into things like poison oak, she gets less ticks and burrs, she doesn't disturb the vegetation or wildlife.
• She is "housebroken" to the trail, she requests to leave the trail and uses the bathroom off the trail, and obviously I keep her free of parasites, remove the waste or bury it depending on where we are.
• "Follow me", she is trained to walk just behind me off or on leash so that when negotiating thoughtful terrain, passing people, walking in groups, etc she can be kept under tight control. I always follow leash laws, but having the ability to have her under just as effective control without the worry of a leash for us to trip up on means we can safely negotiate a variety of circumstances far more safely.
• Automatic return to heel. She is trained that when she sees a person or animal to come to my side rather than run up and approach on her own. We can quietly and safely pass people and animals without disturbing them.
• Settle, she is trained that when I stop she stops and lays down with me. She doesn't wander or leave camp or rest spots, she just sits while I sit.
• Leave it, she is trained not to eat anything except what she's given. She doesn't eat poo or other gross things. Though I do allow her to munch on fresh grass.

The positives of having a well trained, well mannered dog in the backcountry are too many to list! 

• Her nose! When hiking on trails that have become a bit more challenging to follow, whether covered in snow or fallen debris, her nose always seems to know where the trail is. That training of staying on trail generally means if the trail is tricky to follow I can usually rely on just following her. It never ceases to amaze me when I've been walking on a snow field, then hit a bare patch and see she is walking directly on the trail still, she's often more accurate than GPS.
• Her nose! She nearly always is aware of wildlife long before I am. She has three distinct alerts, and my friends are amazed when they witness them. She has a deer alert - perky, ears up, body forward. A bear alert- a very low quiet growl that only I can hear, she slinks to my side, ears are pinned, and she stares intently at where it is (pictured above- I didn't realize as I started to take this photo a large bear was about to meander into the meadow). A Mountain lion alert- best described as she gets the heebee geebees just like I do and she freezes, all her movements are in slow motion, and if you insist on going on she stays where she is looking at you as if you are completely insane. We usually are able to spot the wildlife and move thru without disturbing them since I get such an advanced warning. 
• Her smell, having a dog in the tent and camp means we rarely have little rodents coming to raid our food bags and if they do, they have their work cut out for them getting past her. 
• Early warning system, with her sense of smell and better hearing, it is a comfort knowing little will be sneaking up on us.
• Warmth, having her little body sleeping next to mine always makes me warmer.
• Company, there is no better company than a dog. She never interrupts my conversation and always seems interested in my topics. She is very easily entertained and asks very little. 
• With Em and her service training to assist me through my health issues she is indispensable. 
• The list really goes on and on! 

Nothing means more to me than my dog's safety and well being!

• With almost 20 years experience as a Veterinary Technician I am well aware of the importance of prevention, first aid and a knowledge of how to see the early signs of trouble. You will not see me reviewing or product testing any dog backpacks on trail! I know how even a small increase of weight increases a dogs risk of injury and places undo stress on their joints and bodies. Much of the training I have done to keep her on trail is to decrease risk of injury & disease. You will see me reviewing cooling coats, no restrictive harnesses, collar lights, etc. 
• Feet! Feet! Feet! Having a trail running dog that logged most of my ultra marathon training miles with me I have volumes to say on feet. We live in volcano land so we have trekked countless hours on hot rough rock.
• Breed selection. I have much to say on picking the right breed (or mix of breeds) to go adventure with.

I welcome the opportunity to help educate and discuss with dog owners the reasons why "letting a dog be a dog" is not the best approach to back country adventuring with dogs, and how wrong folks can be about thinking training takes anything away from a dog. You will never hear me yelling at my dog, see me getting frustrated and blaming her for anything. You will never see me using corrections or scolding her. All of her training has been done using our bond and love, communicating with each other, to teach her how to move gently and thoughtfully in the wild. If anything she gets more opportunities to "be a dog" because I am well aware of my responsibility for her well being and education, so she can do so safely. 

Thanks for reading! I look forward to offering all the help I can for those wanting to improve their dog's training and decrease their dogs environmental impact while adventuring!