First let's talk
about the basic hiking equipment that YOU or your dog should never leave
home without, even on a day hike.
This is a list of what
we take.
Most important is a first
aid kit. It is for both of us. In addition to the usual we make
sure we have gauze rolls with plenty of tape and also a roll of Vet
Wrap- find this at a feed store/livestock store or mail order from the
same. It is much cheaper from horse supply places than from the vet. Include
some Kwik Stop or Styptic Powder to help stop any bleepding and a thermometer
especially in hot temps. ( If you hike in porcupine territory, carry pliers,
1 cup of vinegar and 2 teaspoons of baking soda-separately. Mix the 2 and
pat on the quills. Wait ten minutes. Repeat. Use your pliers to remove
easily.)
Space blanket-
the thin kind. Be sure you do NOT wrap around you or the dog completely
trying to get warm. It may cause problems. Just drape over you or the dog
or use it underneath you.
A camp Knife
Map and compass-
learn to use the compass. Don't just carry it around.
Flashlight and
extra batteries.
Insect repellant-
go for low DEET percentage. Safer!
Metal cup- for
drinking, digging, or emergency cooking.
Emergency pack - containing
food (nuts, dried fruit,granola- try dried liver cubes for your dog)
Sunglasses
Bandana
Laminated card with
your doctor's and vet's number listed. Your address and phone number should
be on there. Add a "Who to reach in an emergency" name and number, too.
Pencil and Paper
Light (as in weight not
warmthability-is that a word?) jacket and hat
Water
Extra lead for
dog
Matches in a watertight
container.
Whistle- the kind
playground monitors use.
You could add a length
of rope if the area warrants it.
If you have a towel
or sturdy piece of clothing, it's useful to sling under a dog to
help him walk out, especially if he's too big to carry and all he needs
is a little assistance. Place it right under his waist. It really relieves
the weight on their hindquarters. Helps out those sore or cracked feet.
Now on to the Dog Packs!
There are quite a few
companies making them nowadays. When we started hiking there were only
2 or 3 available. We use Mountainsmith
Dogpacks. Why? Because they seem to fit our larger dogs best and
because of all the adjustments possible. Our dogs really change and grow
for a long time. I love all the straps and adjustments possible on these
packs. For some people they seem complicated. For smaller dogs they are
way to cumbersome. These packs really can hold alot of gear. They are great
for strapping gear on the outside, too. They are truly expedition style
packs. If you are only going for an overnighter or the weekend, buy something
smaller.
On the Mountainsmith
packs there are 3 straps across the back. This helps keep the back cool
in heat. The straps can be adjusted to fit the length and depth of their
back. This is especially nice if you have a high withered dog or one with
hard to fit shoulders. There is a chest strap to keep the pack from riding
backward and for going downhill we sometimes tie that extra lead on the
back ends of the bags and twice around the hindquarters to keep the pack
from sliding forward. If the weight is distributed just right, this usually
doesn't happen, though. You can also put a towel (dampened in hot weather)under
those straps for comfort on older dogs. They seem to need the extra padding.
Other packs you can
find out there are the Wenaha and the Wolfpack.
I like the ability to remove just the bags from the Wenaha ( we make a
similar pack ourselves) and I have heard good things about the fit and
durabiltiy of the Wolfpacks. I have only used their smaller pack on a small
dog. This is the pack I would use if I had a small or medium dog that wasn't
going on any long expeditions. For a very complete list of dog packs available zip to this page
We have also made our
packs in the past. This is a good idea for your young growing dog, before
you know for sure what size he will require. We make 2 kinds- a harness
with velcro and removable bags or a vest/jacket type ( a little like a
Wolfpack)
A note about size-
they sell packs by weight but some dogs are much shorter or fatter than
others. Pay attention to the width of your dogs back as much as how far
around he is. Be sure to try them on your dog over a towel or something
to keep the pack clean and test for fit. You don't want to keep a pack
that doesn't fit well. And don't use a pack that doesn't fit. You know
what that feels like for a person. Well, it's even worse for your dog,
what with all those elbows and legs.
Other
things to take along- 50 ft of 5/16 or 3/8 inch goldline
(or the equivalent rope) is handy for getting your dogs safely over fast,
rushing water or help in getting up rock scrambles. We coil it up and
tie it on the top of the pack.
2 Pairs of Dog Booties that you know
fit beforehand. Don't go for those rough rocky parts if your dog has tender
feet or if injured.
Take his brush and comb along to keep him
wellgroomed and comfortable. Nail clippers or a small bastard
file aren't a bad idea, either.
A pair of hobbles is handy in case
your dog gets injured and you (poor thing) have to carry him out on your
shoulders. Sorry you wanted a big dog , now? LOL!
Get 2 waterproof sacks for dog pack.
PLace all the gear inside these and then pack these sacks into the packbags.
What should he carry? If you have a waterloving
dog or if it's raining ( remember that your dog is closer to all those
wet bushes and grass than your pack) only let him carry what you don't
mind getting damp. He could carry his food, dishes ( we use an aluminum
pie tin- the sturdy kind not the foil kind), his grooming things, tarp
or tent (dog's), rope, extra tent stakes, campshoes, water (be aware of
just how heavy water is- "a pint a pound the world around"), hobbles and
pliers. I usually give them an extra roll of tp in a ziplock bag, too.
They have carried fishing gear, our day pack, and an extra trowel. If our
groundcloth gets really dirty, we put it in it's own sack and let the dogs
carry that, too. He might like his toy brought along, if appropriate.
Pack the bags similar to how you pack things
in yours. Heavy, solid things near the bottom, no pokey things next to
his body, little needed things near the top or on the outside. We added
a small top bag to keep those commonly used things. We keep treats, the
extra lead and such things in it. Watch to see if you have the weight wellbalnced.
Those straps on your pack are for keeping the pack on the dog and not for
keeping the load on the dog. The equal weight distribution will keep it
right where it should be. It also shouldn't swing too much from side to
side. If it does, the pack is riding too low. If your pack is just a little
off, pick up a small rock and place that in the high side bag.
Leave the flea Collar at home. And stop using
your flea stop products awhile before your hike. Check it out with
your vet if you aren't sure about a product. Some of these products can
affect the fish in the streams and lakes if your dog were to immerse himself.
You don't want to kill all those nice trout, do you?
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