Dogs?

“At the end of this month, my dog Tucker and I are hiking from Harpers Ferry to Pine Grove Furnace SP, PA over 9 days.

Tucker has been out on the trail before, but only for extended weekends.

I'm hoping I've got everything planned, but I'm curious if anyone's been hiking for longer than a week with a dog. Any advice?”

“my brother took his dog on a week trip in the Pecos. Dog was fine, but don't let it run back and forth down you line of hikers with its food packs on. bang,bang,bang,..”

“huckntuck see buck.

hehehehe... It had to be said!”

“The only difference between fido’s long weekends and an extended trip is the amount of food you take. Do you have a little doggy first aid kit for him? Might look into putting one together if you don’t.”

“Add BBQ sauce to your emergency kit.”

“I met someone along the AT last weekend who was backpacking with a golden retreiver. Very sweet dog. She used some kind of wax on his pads to help prevent injury. Worked well too. The dog carried hiw own food, but she had to carry extra water for him.”

“Like humaniods, dog-oids, can go longer with out food, but need water at least, if not more often than bipeds.”

“My dog doesnt eat much on the trail, but drinks and drinks and drinks some more. Make sure you've got plenty o water. Some people use the little sock things on their dog's paws, but I don't know how effective they actually are.”

“A tennis ball makes for a great incamp dogtoy.”

“Dogs rock as partners, I take my Siant Bernard everywhere!”

“Infact we do the Eagle Rock Loop trail all the time. So, look out for land mines! LOL!”

“he ate one and I was lucky the Doc got him to puke it up 5 days later, instead of going in the hard way with a knife. Freaking ball cost me $279.00. No more Tennis Balls. rawhide and the flying squirrel. and Khatru pack all his own stuff, including his 1.5 litre playdupus, plus he carries my stove and fuel. If it were for a very extended trip, I'd carry half of the food and the stove, maybe. If it don't kill us, It makes us stronger.”

“Shanedog hates those paw things and they fall off all the time! I'll have to look into that pad wax.

I LOVE SHANEDOG!”

“I used to collect dog booties along the trails around Fairbanks. I could have sewn them together into a fleece jacket.”

“It's important to keep an eye on the dogs paws - to check for wear and injury to the pads, as well as injury or objects in between the pads.

Booties (and perhaps baby socks that will fit the dog's paws) are both helpful as preventative measures and as protection after the fact.”

“Check for ticks!”

“Hiking for extended periods of time with your dog(s) can be a rewarding experience for both! I've taken my dogs for weeks at a time, even months at a time, and the important thing is that you have your dogs well-trained and obey your verbal commands. They shouldn't chase big wild animals like deer or bear or moose, etc., and you should even be able to call them off while in hot pursuit of a squirrel. Once you feel secure about them staying with you along the trail, just make sure they are in good physical shape. They get sore just like us. If you are hiking in areas with lots of sand or granite, their paws may get very tender after a few miles so make sure you either have booties (mine never need them) or that you have taken lots of pre-trips where they can toughen up their paws. Running regularly on pavement helps as well.

Your dog(s) will get wiser in the woods with each trip and they are a joy to have as companions! Happy tails!”

“Since my divorce there is never anyone at home. I have an inside Golden Retreiver, about four years old.

I'm at work all day and busy in the evening. I'm also spending a lot of weekends away from home and have someone else let hime out and feed him.

My dog has become very sad and agitated. Picking up nervous habits like paw licking etc. I feel so bad for him, but don't know what to do. Any suggestions?”

“Maybe a companion pet?

A special toy that smells like you? My dog carries around one of my old baseball caps when I'm not home.”

“I thought about the campanion pet, but I'm a little leary about taking on an additional responsibility and also worried he wouldn't take well to the new addition.”

“IJ - Yeah, I have the same feeling about getting a companion for Shane. Thought about a kitten, but he thinks they're appetizers. My house would be wrecked. Puppies are just too much additional work to train right now.

There may be a neighborhood kid that would come visit him after school and let him out/play or something?

The other thing I do is make sure to spend some morning time with Shane. We go running. It wears him out a bit. In the evening, lots of pets for him but he is a bit clingy because of it.”

“Can you build an outdoor run and add a dog door to your house? That might help. The piece of clothing or whatever that smells like you is a good idea too. It's worked for several pets for my family.”

“Tree, thats what I'd really like to do is get him outside. He's happier there. My house is for sale now and when it sells I plan to move back to the countryside. I will make sure I have a place where he can spend time outside.

You should have seen him the other day in the big snow. He was bounding through it and when he'd stop all you could see was his head and tail..lol!”

“Daily walks (in the evening), even if they're short ones, will do wonders. And, try to dedicate a few minutes every night to some hard-core belly scratches and petting.”

“What he really wants is company - yours. Making time every day for a walk, ball game, whatever is really only fair. Also, dogs are great chick magnets (if you are looking...). If you get another dog they will become a pack which could have its own set of problems especially if you aren't around very much.”

“IJ maybe my golden and your golden should meet up LOL When I was working mornings she was alone and sad. Now someone is with her all the time. Clingy is what goldens do best I think...”

“Thanks for your advice everyone.... and nobody told me to put him on doggy prozac. Thank god! I would have had to kill you....LOL!”

“They make doggy prozac?”

“Give him to a good family that lives out in the country with room to roam and children to play with. Why punish and torture the poor creature for your selfish feelings about ownership of another creature.
Put an add in the paper. There should be a lot of folks that would love to have a house broken, past the puppy stage, loving dog like yours. Be comfortable in knowing you are doing the best for the dog and not for yourself.”

“Bit, yes they do and I think its sick!

BS... I don't think thats fair. I love my dog and only want the best for him. I'm working through a life-changing event and my dog is working through it with me...I think we will both be happy again soon..If I don't feel that he will have a good life with me you can bet I'll make sure he has a good home with someone else...”

“BS is probebly one of those people who would give away his best friend after a bad day.”

“Actually I was going to applaud BS for spelling out some hard truths.

To quote IJ's first post: "I'm at work all day and busy in the evening. I'm also spending a lot of weekends away from home and have someone else let hime out and feed him."

This is not what a dog deserves. Moving to the country where he has more space really isn't what he needs. He needs attention. I really don't want to judge your situation or choices but from the little you describe it sounds like your life might be too scattered for a dog right now. Scattered is ok for a few months but if no end is in sight BS might be right about finding a new home for him.”

“Giving up a dog is extremly hard. If I had to give up my ooch now, I would be devistated. You have to think about what is best for the dog though. My brother and sister-in-law just gave up their dog of 6 years because he was making divots in their wood flooring in the house. That sickened me! They just moved in and because the floor was being ruined, they figured they should elimanate to problem, not work around it.

John, you need to do what is best for you and what is best for your pooch.

Was he/she close with your wife?”

“IJ,
I did miss the part about your plan to move to the country. It sounds likd a good plan. The dog will still be alone alot. Maybe pepperDog is right in that your life is too scattered at this time to be committed to the care you would like to (but cannot) give your beloved dog.

Last spring my 19 year old beagle died. I know what a loving and loved member of a family a dog can be. But, I know the care one must provide for an adopted creature. My children are grown now. My wife and I travel as much as possible. I would love to have another dog. But, to have a dog that would only stay in the house and that would be left alone probably 70% of the time would not be fair. So, I have elected not to have pets until I'm through traveling and have a better place for the creature to enjoy.”

“sometimes the hard choices are the right choices, but not easily made...good luck in finding the right decision that works for you and your dog...always remember that you are your dogs human.”

“Oh yea and...
My neighbor (God bless him) had your same problem and gave his springer spaniel to a friend of his; that lived in the country; that had children. He still gets to see the dog because of his friendship with the new humans. He seems to be very happy with his difficult decision.


The above is definitely my opinon not my judgment.
last edited: 1/06/05 9:34:03 AM”

“Remember, you never FIND time, you have to make time.”

“Indiana, pepperdog is right. Sometimes they only want your attention and not another pet in the house, but it is something to consider. I would not choose a puppy though. I would find a suitable rescue dog. I think they will let you take the dog home to see how they both get along, maybe before you adopt the dog.

There is doggy daycare, but they are too expensive.

Medications have side effects and you can never tell if the dog is feeling bad from them or the medication itself.

I can only say to give your dog up to someone that you are totally sure will give your dog a good home. Dogs can get depressed when they are all alone for long amounts of time. You know how dog's live to be with their owners.

If your dog continues to become anxious, and you found another home, the dog can still be anxious when the new people go out. You really have to do something to stop your dog from becoming permanently anxious.”

“i believe ij asked for advice about his dog and not condemnation of his personal life”

“My wife and I have two dogs. If it were up to me we would have none. She is an animal nut and I'am not. She puts them on the same level as humans. If she were driving down the road and a dog ran out in front of her she would steer into a group of school children on the sidewalk, run them down and as the vehicle came to a stop ask if she hit the dog or not.”

“i like dogs better than most humans”

“Humans don't shlt in my yard.”

“well, if thats the worst thing that any human did, then this would be a far better world”

“Humans don't eat horse shlt, puke it up and then eat it again.”

“....and then try to lick you in the face.”

“i like dogs better than most humans”
crash bang
8:07:49 PM
1/06/05

Me too. the best reason is that they don't talk back and you can give them up for whatever reason and get a better the same day!”

“Animals are more honest than people. If they like you, they lick you; if they don't they bite you, but they don't pretend!

Of course, sometimes the licking IS just to see if you need salt & pepper...”

“"Humans don't eat horse shlt, puke it up and then eat it again"

again, if thats the worst.......”

“how bout a dog walker, cheaper than daycare. does he get on with cats. Cats are a companion without so much responsibility.”

“OK, I found a solution....theres this new Chinese family down the street that said they liked dogs.

J/K :)

Thanks again for all the advice. I really think some of you are overreacting...you make it sound like I'm torturing my dog..he would probably be even more depressed if I abandoned him too.

I gave him lots of extra attention last night, we went for a long walk and i tried the old hat thing that dhutch suggested today.”