Hiking with a dog is different. A thru hike is a unique, individual experience no matter the level of solidarity. Some choose to hike with a partner; some end up in a group. Others, bring along a dog that, while unable to express their needs through speech, will become an extension of you. So in sync that words become insignificant. A giddy, energetic, lovable presence that can change the energy on any given day.
Dogs learn the ways of the trail: the ever-changing scenery, people, and circumstances. Live outside for 4-5 months? Many dogs are bred for it. No two dogs are the same, so they’ll approach a big hike in different ways.
Sadly, most aren’t cut out for the long haul, even though they may love it. It takes a special dog to be able to keep motivated and physically fit on a distance hike. Working breeds seem to have the ethic and stamina to enjoy the daily task of walking and protecting their person everyday.
Up to this point, my dog Luna has logged over 4,000 miles on long distance trails with me. We’re currently over 1,000 miles into the Continental Divide Trail through the Rockies. There’s a lot of things I could say about the choice to bring a dog on a thru-hike adventure. So here are 21 things to be mindful of if you’re considering a distance hike with your dog:
1. You may not see as much wildlife. Animals can sense a dog and run away before you get the chance to see them, or protective and prey instincts could drive them to chase the wildlife out of sight.
2. An alert dog helps keep unwanted animals out of your campsite. With a dog outside or in your tent, no rodent or bear will come searching for food. If an animal comes within range of camp, my dog barks or growls until it’s gone. I’ve never had a bear visit camp, including in grizzly country.
3. Depending on your dog’s tolerance of heat, you may have to alter your hiking times to earlier and later in the day to avoid having a miserable, hot, and possibly paw-scorched pup. Possibly mileage as well.
4. Dogs get dirty on the trail, which means more dirt in your tent. I have my dog swim at every opportunity, and try to brush her off before getting inside at night. Depending on the climate, you may want an exceptionally muddy dog to sleep under the vestibule. Likely, you’re not carrying around a dog brush and towel around on a thru-hike. You just get used to it.
5. Ticks. On East Coast trails like the AT, tick-borne illnesses like Lyme are on the rise. I can’t emphasize enough the importance of having a trail dog on some kind of tick/flea medication. I even double up with a Seresto collar. But as you should for yourself, tick check every night. And have tweezers, tick keys, or some other device to properly remove them.
6. Carry Benadryl. Dogs can get a small dose, based on weight, to treat a variety of things: itchy tick or bug bites, bee stings, or allergies (walking through heavily pollinated or grassy areas).
7. Time in town can be more complicated with a dog. If your traveling in a group, usually it’s easy to get some help when you run errands. I’d recommend getting your dog familiar with being tied up outside the grocery store or post office while you’re briefly inside. When it comes to hostels, hotels or staying with kind strangers, sometimes even a well-behaved and tired dog isn’t welcome. Keep an open mind when it comes to where you’ll stay. Restaurants too. I’ve never found this to be too big of a problem, but you do need to be flexible.
8. Hitching rides is easier. Most people assume that nobody wants to pick up a hiker with a dog, and surely there are some people who fall into that category. But in my experience, and talking with other hikers with dogs, usually we get rides fairly quickly. A friendly dog makes you look trustworthy and approachable, and some people can’t say no to a cute dog. While hopping into a car, I’ll often get the comment, ” I don’t usually pick up hitchhikers, but I love dogs.”
9. There are different approaches to hiking with a dog on a leash- some people keep them attached to a leash all the time, while others let them run free. I’m a proponent of training a dog to behave off a leash by having stellar recall and pack instincts. My dog and I are happiest hiking when we’re not attached to each other. There’s a few exceptions when I do use one: dry, waterless stretches where I’m rationing water and don’t want my dog getting overheated from extra running around, and walking through areas with lots of cows, elk, etc that I don’t want her chasing off. Regardless, a leash or rope is necessary at times.
10. Poop. Leave No Trace principals apply to pups as well. If they poop anywhere near the trail, dig a hole and bury it.
11. Hikers sleep on the ground, in a tent, usually separated by only a few inches of a sleeping pad. It’s important to decide how and where your dog will sleep. Depending on their size and breed, they’ll have different tolerances to heat or cold. Some dogs are perfectly happy sleeping in the dirt, while others can’t sleep without comforts. My dog sleeps at my feet in the tent (or under the vestibule) on a few folds of Z-Rest to give her a little comfort, or at times I’ll carry a synthetic sleep pad for extra warmth in the fall or winter. We have Hurtta sleeping bag that we received from @hurttanorthamerica that Luna uses for the cold nights, especially in Colorado this coming September on the CDT. Sleep is important during times of extreme physical exertion; for dogs too.
12. Paws. A lot of people will use booties on their dogs. I do not. I believe if a dog is outside enough, on a variety of rocky and hard surfaces, that their paws really toughen up. However, if a dog spends most of their time inside, then plays on the weekends, they might want booties. Like our own feet, paws need some TLC. I apply Musher’s Secret wax to my dog’s paws every few days, or more frequently if the terrain is rocky or surface is hot.
13. Hikers eat a lot. I’ve taken a variety of approaches to feeding my dog on trail. It’s all about finding what works best for your dog. Depending on their size, they need anywhere from 1,200 to 2,000 calories a day. Finding a calorie dense, high fat, high protein food is crucial to replenishing your dogs nutrients and energy. There’s also dehydrated and freeze dried food options that weigh much less and only require water to rehydrate. I use a mixture of 75% raw freeze dried food, and 25% kibble (for calories). You can choose to buy common brands along the way, or mail resupply boxes with your foods of choice. It takes a learning curve to figure it out. Don’t be surprised if your dog’s hiker hunger doesn’t kick in for 2-3 weeks. Like sled dogs and many working farm dogs, Luna only eats one big meal in the evening. Feeding them during the day, before they run around, risks them not keeping it all down. In town, load it up with high fat foods like yogurt, cottage cheese, meats, and the occasional stick of butter.
14. It’s easy for people to assume that a thru-hike takes its toll on a dog’s health. I couldn’t disagree more- my dog is remarkably healthy and fit. A big hike with a dog requires a lot of attention, knowing when they’re feeling sick or lame. It’s important to be in tune and adjust your plans according to how the dog is feeling. Supplements are a great addition to their diet as well, specifically for joints health (we love Glycoflex) and digestion.
15. Water. I get a lot of questions about this. The easiest way to avoid any water issues is to hike in areas where it’s plentiful. If there’s water ever 3-4 miles, I don’t carry any for my dog. Nor do I filter/treat it. In dry, desert climates where there will be 20+ mile stretches between water sources, I carry extra for my dog. Some dogs drink more than others, so depending on the temperature and terrain, carry accordingly. I never have my dog carry her water. At times, this means carrying up to 7 liters at a time. Depending on the source, I’ll filter it for her. Walking through areas with cow poop water? Filter it for the dog too. I always watch for signs of Giardia and parasites, like vomiting or diarrhea, and I get her stools checked at the vet every few months because of her level of exposure.
16. If a dog is going to be along for the big hike, they need to be well behaved or you’ll be a stressed out mess. Check out my blog post here about training a pup before hitting the trails.
17. Dogs can’t hike through most National Parks. It can be a logistical challenge to find someone to care for a dog while you walk through the Park, especially since it’s hard to predict the dates. Be prepared to find a sitter, map an alternate route, or skip around the park.
18. There may come situations where you need to push your dog through a tough situation- wet or hot weather, rationing water or food, walking when they are tired or sore. It’s of course best when these are avoided but inevitably it does come up and you have to be okay with watching your dog in temporary discomfort.
19. In camp a trail dog can significantly change the mood with their chipper playfulness and snuggles. A lot of hikers have dogs in their lives that they left back home, so many are thrilled to have a dog around to perk them up in the mornings and fill that void. Some people though, may not be into having a dog around. Be prepared for that and work to surround yourself with people who enjoy the interaction. Depending on the trail, there will likely be a variety of social circumstances for your dog to navigate – other hikers, towns, hitches, wildlife, etc. Time on the trail will expand their ability to read body language and navigate various social situations.
20. People will want to come up and talk to you. Having a friendly, well-behaved trail dog usually gets a lot of attention. I love meeting and chatting with people on the trails and in towns about what we are doing and how much we love adventuring together. The kindness of strangers is one of the most remarkable things you’ll encounter on a thru-hike, and having a pup alongside you creates more openness for people’s willingness to help.
21. Most importantly, work them up to it. Pack, weight, miles, terrain. Day 1 of a thru-hike shouldn’t be the first time a dog wears a pack. Let them wear it empty for a number of hikes, and then work the weight up to 10% of their body weight. Typically the rule of thumb is 20%, but depending on your mileage, keeping the pack weight low means they’ll burn less calories/need less food. Work up your mileage as you would for yourself depending on you’re dog’s baseline fitness. A thru-hike is a long haul, so work your dog gently into it so they’re happy to be along for the adventure.
Thank you to our guest blogger Effie Drew for this great post on thru-hiking with your dog! Check out Effie and her adorable pup Luna on Instagram @effiedrew and head over to their site for some more great articles like The 7 Essentials for a Polite Trail Dog.
A little about Effie: My name is Effie, although most people know me as Baby on the trails. I love to walk. And my dog Luna does too. I’ve spent my years since college trying to satisfy this thirst for movement and adventure, including hiking the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and months living on the back roads of the West finding quiet spaces and funky mountain towns. My loyal pup Luna, a 4 year old Aussie Shepherd with a lot of energy and love for life is always along for the ride. We are currently walking 3,000 miles from Canada to Mexico along the Continental Divide Trail.