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Post by cweston on Jan 29, 2017 18:49:08 GMT -8
I've never BPed with a dog before. But we recently got a boxer/husky mix who might really enjoy it. I've taken him on dayhikes a couple times (along with my daughter's husky who is living with us temporarily).
I have a million questions. Are their paws durable enough for rough terrain? How to train a city dog to stay close off leash? (These two tend to run wild when you let them off, but they make their way back after a while.) Will they wreck the floor of a sil-nylon tent if you let them in the tent with you?
And so on. Lay it on me.
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foxalo
Trail Wise!
Life is infinitely stranger than anything the mind could invent.---Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
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Post by foxalo on Jan 29, 2017 19:09:21 GMT -8
They should be able to handle the terrain, but it's never okay to let them off the leash. I don't know how many dogs we saw off leashes this weekend even though the rules if the trail were that dogs must be on leashes. I love dogs, but not all dogs love other dogs and other humans. And not all humans love dogs.
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Post by Lamebeaver on Jan 29, 2017 19:18:01 GMT -8
For the record, I have nothing against dogs, but but you do need to keep a few things in mind.
1. As others have mentioned, obey the rules. On many trails, dogs are required to be kept on leash. Obey the law.
2. The presence of a dog can change a bear encounter into a bear incident. Dogs are predisposed to protect and warn their masters, Bears see dogs as a threat. Dog owners tend to try to protect their dogs. This can and has led to conflicts.
3. Some breeds are more comfortable in cold weather than others. YMMV.
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Post by cweston on Jan 29, 2017 20:22:29 GMT -8
And not all humans love dogs. Yeah--I'm kindof ambivalent about trying it. I was camped in a very remote place once, far from the nearest trail. There was another grouped camped about a 1/2 mile away. Their dog came through our camp a couple times, and the third time, took one of my son's socks that was drying on a rock. It was kindof funny, in a way, but actually not all that funny. (We did get the sock back, after walking over to their camp and asking them to look for it.) Also, one of my favorite activities in camp is wildlife watching. I'm sure the wildlife activity would be greatly curtailed with one or more dogs around. OTOH, I know the dogs would love it, and, on a solo trip, the companionship would be nice. |
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Post by autumnmist on Jan 29, 2017 20:35:59 GMT -8
There are some good answers on this thread on backpacking with dogs: bpbasecamp.freeforums.net/thread/3732/backpacking-dogOne thing I'd be concerned about is the Husky lineage in your dog. Although I've never had a Husky, my sister did have a Chow, with lots of thick fur. She could get warmed very easily in hot weather. I assume that a Husky with its cold weather tolerance might also get warm quickly if you're backpacking in hotter states with a lot of sun exposure. But it's hard to guess b/c of the Boxer heritage. Just something to think about... |
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RumiDude
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Marmota olympus
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Post by RumiDude on Jan 29, 2017 21:47:28 GMT -8
I am not going to go over the whole dogs on trail stuff other than to say LNT = LDH. My personal preference.
Having said that I will remind you that huskies like to run and will often chase wildlife. They will often kill anything they catch. Just be aware of that. When they get their head down, they don't come when you call. Of course every dog is an individual. I have had more than one husky as well as being around them quite a bit, so I am familiar with their quirks. They are usually very friendly with humans though they like to jump up on people. Some can be quite noisy while others are very quiet.
Rumi
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2017 3:44:43 GMT -8
In 30 years of bping with my dogs I've never had any significant problems. Certainly no tears in the tent floor. As far as leashing, it's more an issue of the terrain and the dogs ability to obey. My dogs are bred and trained to hunt, so off lease is the norm. They are off leash every day for parts of our walks so nothing changes in the wilderness. My only conern is porcupines in CO. Dogs are curious and porkies are slow.
The only other hazard is being in sheep country. Many ranchers use Pyrenees to guard their flock. So you need to be extra careful around them.
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jazzmom
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a.k.a. TigerFan
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Post by jazzmom on Jan 30, 2017 4:13:58 GMT -8
Mine always slept in the tent and I never had issues with claws on the floor. I think the nylon is too slippery for the claws to catch.
That said, he did destroy a mesh door. I had put him out of the tent so I could change and pack up and he pawed the door asking to come in. It's what he does to ask to come in at home, so not his fault.
Take extra dog food. Mine eats almost twice as much on the trail as he does at home. I found out the hard way -- on our first trip, he hate half of my food in addition to his.
I'm one of those dog owners who believes that some dogs do perfectly fine off leash BUT I would personally not expect to do that with any kind of a husky. I've known a few friends with huskies and, basically, their whole life seemed like a never-ending quest to escape and run.
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Post by absarokanaut on Jan 30, 2017 5:56:14 GMT -8
Having to have your dog on leash IMO sux. Some dog's will never be voice trained, most however can be. The biggest thing I see with the behaviour equation is TIME. If you spend as much time as you can early on it will pay off big time. I've known several dogs that would obey anyone, and walk right behind their human ALPHA. A leash for a time and strategic use of ski/walking poles for a while should work wonders. When there is plenty of sight distance I will let a dog get out from behind me and enjoy itself. Chasing game is of course to NEVER be tolerated in any way. Tehre must be serious consequence to overcome instinct.
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