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Jim "Superman" Thompson has some words for the wise after he and his dog, "Winter" did their GA>ME thru-hike in 2000.

Hiking With A Dog Considerations 

• Type of relationship you have with your dog

• Breed of dog

• Will the dog carry a pack

• Is the dog fully socialized

• Entering shelters

• Water sources

• Food begging

• Distance between you and dog

• Other hikers/behavior

1. Type of relationship you have with your dog. (i.e. does the dog follow your commands?) 

2. Breed of dog. (i.e. Some breeds are better suited to hiking than others) Winter is a white German Shepherd. 

3. Will the dog accept carrying a pack (some just won't)? 

4. Is the dog fully socialized to both people and other animals (big issue)? A. 

• I walked Winter through down town Brattleboro, VT so she would learn that she didn't have to react to each person she meets. Winter has also had plenty of time playing and hanging out with other dogs. Other hikers don't know that your dog is friendly and need assurance from both you and your dog. That also means no jumping up on another hiker or getting in their personal space with out being invited. 
• B. We sat behind the house and just watched deer, fox, dogs, squirrels and chipmunks. Each time she wanted to go I would say, "stay" and hold her leash. I would give her the command "go" occasionally for chipmunks and squirrels which she has no chance of catching. These are important commands for the safety of your dog and the safety of the animals whose home you are hiking through. 

5. Automatic "stay" before entering shelters. Other hikers may like dogs but don't like wet dogs getting them and their gear wet or even walked on. I avoid shelters as a rule. I carry a North Face, Slick Rock tent. It's high enough and has doors on both sides. 

6. Automatic stay at water sources. I like my dog but don't want to drink from her water dish. Winter quickly learned the command "drink". She simply would wait for me to either give the command "drink" or point to where she was to drink from i.e. below the people water. When there was no good place for Winter to drink from I would whip out a collapsible plastic bag that I would quickly get water in for her or fill from my nalgene. Some water sources were simply bad looking and not a good place for Winter to drink from. 

7. Food begging is not allowed at home but so many hikers want to give dogs a piece of cheese, meat, bone, chocolate or what ever that it is an issue. On the one hand some hikers assume they can give any dog anything. While other hikers are bothered by begging dogs. I haven't found a good answer to this problem except to be vigilant. 

8. Distance between you and your dog may vary due to terrain but the rule of thumb is that you should be able to see your dog. You can't control or protect your dog if you can't see it. 

9. Other hikers who left their dogs at home will play with your dog as a surrogate. Unfortunately what they do with their dog may not be appropriate for your dog. I don't appreciate or allow Winter to be played with roughly or to get over agitated. Both you and your dog will have a better hike if you train your dog for the trail. All of the things listed above are pretty easily learned due to the repetition of these events on the trail. You simply have to be consistent in what you expect from your dog. You get to hold the leash so that means you're the one to be in charge. Taking a couch potato pooch on a long hike is not good, unsafe and unfair to everyone. Your dog should be your best friend and you will both be happier if it is trained for what you are doing. 

Hiking is not just taking your dog to the woods and walking. I agree, to an extent, with many anti-dog people who think dogs should not be allowed on the trail. Untrained dogs and their indifferent owners should not be allowed on the trail. I was snapped at and the owner simply said, "that's just what dogs do." I said, "no, that's just what untrained dogs do." 

--Jim Thompson aka Superman/Winter GA>ME 2000

Katrina Aid

Copyright 1996-2005 Jim Greenway

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