Backpacking with your dog?

S

Samantha

Forums Enthusiast
DH and I are moving back to the New England area in a few months which means my favorite thing...backpacking in the White Mountains!
We are really excited and can't wait to plan to our first trip and we want to bring Saidy with us! We've never taken Saidy camping and she's only been on one short hike, we're going to start taking her hiking regularly to get her in shape. I've been doing some online research about it and wanted to share what I found and also see what others think. Has any one here ever taken there dog backpacking? any tips? and most importantly do you have pics!?

I'm planning to get a dog emergency first aid book and add things to our first aid kit like pliers in case she gets to friendly with a porky pine and rubbing alcohol to remove ticks. I've started a list of things to get for her like biodegradable doggy waste bags, a pack, a backpacking bed and a few other things, I read that a dog should carry at it's max 1/3 of it's weight
Here's links to a few of the things I want to try, if any one has used these before I would love to here about it!

Pack,harness:
http://www.backcountryk9.com/95/0/Products.aspx
Bed:
http://www.backcountryk9.com/200/0/Products.aspx
Electrolight sports drink for dogs:
http://www.backcountryk9.com/134/0/Products.aspx
a light so I can see her in the dark:
http://www.backcountryk9.com/94/0/Products.aspx
pet salve:
http://www.backcountryk9.com/171/0/Products.aspx
waste bags:
http://www.backcountryk9.com/8/0/Products.aspx
First aid book:
http://www.ems.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3669585&cp=3705100.3739656.3758118
 
Something kinda similar to the light idea...

If she's the kind that likes to go off trail and chase chipmunks etc, one thing I found good for April (she doesn't chase things, but goes off and lays down for a rest, and in new fallen leaves, can they disappear), is a little copper 'cow' bell. It gives a constant reminder of where they are if not barking, or in April's case, where/when she's stopped moving.
 
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thats great, You'll really love taking her with you. Thats the exact same backpack I got for Nickle for hiking too. He loves it when I pull it out cause it means he gets to go squirrel huntin'. Make sure to take lots of pictures.
 
Oh I can just see Layla:
"You want me to wear what? To carry what? I'm sorry, but you obviously are not clear on the program, Mommy." :lol:
 
the backpack- Everett couldn't carry enough in it to justify the cost.
The Bed- The cost for that bed is more than my air matress and sleeping bag combined; he sleeps with me anyway.
 
Sounds like fun. We go bushwalking almost every day, not overnight though. My dogs hate Rehydrate, never have been able to get them to drink it. They will drink the Lectaid (comes in powder form) but I wouldnt worry too much about taking some - unless you plan to get it for your first aid kit.
 
Ginger loves hiking!

We have been taking Ginger hiking and camping with us since she was a little pup. She loves it!

We hike mainly in the National Forests, because she can be off leash there. National Parks do not allow dogs on trails. Ginger likes to lead on the trails, she'll often go ahead, then come running back to us. If I get too far behind, she'll stop and wait for my, "I'm coming".

In the tent, we just bring a fleece blanket for her to sleep on.

I carry Ginger's supplies in my pack. A small tupperware like container of food-which doubles as a bowl; an empty one for a water bowl; lots of treats to practice and reward recalls.

We do have a make-shift doogie 1st aid kit,after she had her cut pad. We added to our 1st aid, bandages that adhere to itself, that can protect the paw. I also add in-tweezers to remove ticks (even with Frontline, she is a tick magnet). The vet wrote us a prescription for something to take if she gets Gallardia (which we then forgot to take with us on this last trip.)

We found a great book, for while we are in Colorado, called Hiking with your dog in Colorado. There may be something similar for the New England area. It gives good trails that are dog friendly--allowed off lease, lots of streams for water, etc.
 
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Gingers Mom said:
We hike mainly in the National Forests, because she can be off leash there. National Parks do not allow dogs on trails. Ginger likes to lead on the trails, she'll often go ahead, then come running back to us. If I get too far behind, she'll stop and wait for my, "I'm coming".
Click to expand...

You are so lucky. Would you believe dogs are not allowed at all in our National Forests. It is ridiculous. If people were allowed to take their dogs there wouldnt be so many people getting lost. What really cheeses me off is they allow 4-wheel drives, cyclists and horses - all of which do a lot more damage than my little shelties.
 
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