Runnin Down the Dogs

Recap of 7 principles

Plan ahead and prepare
travel and camp on durable surfaces
Dispose of waste properly
minimize campfire impacts
Respect wildlife
Be considerate of other visitors

Number one rule for leaving no trace - pick up your poop!

It is also a standing law in most states and at all national parks. Fun fact… since national parks are considered federal land they follow federal laws not state laws. So if Uncle Sam says bag that turd you better do it.

Plan ahead and prepare!

Do your research. You need to look up what your dog is allowed or not allowed to do. CA state parks aren’t very dog friendly, they aren’t allowed in almost any of them. However, the US Forestry Service loves dogs and as long as you follow the rules your dog can go anywhere you can. Most National parks have at least a few trails that dogs are allowed and some have kennels for day use.
Make sure to plan your dog’s meals.
Some public lands allow your dogs as long as they are under your control. Most public lands require dogs to be leashed at all times. Have a plan for how your dog will spend their camp time. run line, pen, etc.

Travel & camp on Durable Surfaces

Keep your dog on a leash and on the trail. Loose dogs running through plants and communities of organisms can cause a lot of damage. Standard leash length is six feet.
A few side notes here;
- try not to let your dog drink running or standing water while on trail. it could make them very sick, also know if there is a toxic algae bloom in the local water. Blue algae can kill a dog with little warning.
- Ticks live in those high grasses just off the trail and would love to snuggle up with your dog. Staying on the trail is the best way to avoid these problems.
- If you are camping, pick a site that won't cause reactions from your dog

Dispose of waste properly

Tips- double bag so the smell can't get out. buy heavy duty poop bags. Terra carries the poop. have a spare gallon ziplock bag to put the poop bags in.
If it came with you or came from you, you have to pack it out.

Leave what you find.

Yes, even that stick your dog has become best friends with. It has to stay behind.
When in doubt just remember what your mother always said. “Put that back! You don’t know where that has been or what kind of germs it has.”

Minimize campfire impact

Cooking on a fire is fun but it just adds another thing to be watching when you have dogs with you. For that reason the camp stove is a better pick here.
Make sure your dog is secured so they can’t reach the fire, or knock over the stove.

Respect wildlife

TRAINING and LEASH. Strong training can save your dog’s life.

Be considerate to others:

This also means to other dogs, while your dog may be very friendly and ready to meet everyone on trail, not every dog or dog owner is as confident or comfortable.
Always keep your dog under your immediate control
Ask if it is okay for the dogs to meet. Always ask, to keep everyone safe, always ask.

If you want to learn more about Leave No Trace with your dogs visit the National Parks service website or a park near you and pledge your dog to become a BARK ranger.

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Last time we started our conversation about Leave No Trace. We covered the first 4 principles. This week we will continue where we left off.

Minimize campfire impacts-

● campfires can cause lasting impacts on the environment. Use a lightweight stove

for cooking and enjoy a candle lantern for light.

● Where fires are permitted, use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

● Keep fires small. only use down and dead wood from the ground that can be

broken by hand.

● Burn all wood and coals to ash, put out campfire completely, then scatter cool

ashes.

- Respect wildlife-

● Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them

● Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health and alters natural

behaviors, Habituates them to humans, and exposes them to predators and other

dangers.

● Protect wildlife and your food by storing rations and trash securely.

● Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.

● Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, raising young, or winter.

- Be considerate of other visitors-

● Respect other visitors and protect the quality of their experience.

● Be courteous. Yield to other users on the trail. ( tail etiquette overview- uphill

hikers have the right of way, Bicyclists yield to EVERYONE, hikers yield to horses

and other pack stock. Always announce yourself when approaching.)

● Step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock. (Horses or

other pack stock like dogs who may frighten easily, avoid sudden movements or

loud noises.)

● Take breaks and camp away from the trails and other visitors.

● Let nature’s sounds prevail. Avoid loud voices and noises.

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Today we are talking about Leave no Trace. What does this mean, why is it important, and how

do we do this with our dogs.

What is it? In the simplest of terms it is best practices we should follow to enjoy

and protect our natural spaces.

There are 7 principles for Leave no trace all proven by years of study to lower the

impact humans (and dogs) have on plants, animals, and even entire ecosystems. With over 100 million visitors on more than 10 billion outings in the U.S each year in state, city and national parks and forests— humans take a toll on the outdoors.

The great outdoors are broken up into two areas, backcountry and frontcountry.

The backcountry, mostly used by overnight hikers or backpackers, these areas are not easy to get to and are not normally crowded.

The Frontcountry is accessible by car for day use or car camping, think state or national parks and forests, some city parks or beaches.

The 7 principles from the NPS website-

● Plan Ahead and Prepare-

Know the regulations and special concerns for the area you’ll visit. - look it up online, stop by the welcome center or ranger station for a chat.
Prepare for extreme weather, hazards, and emergencies
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use.- bonus less people means for fun!
Visit in small groups when possible. Consider splitting larger groups into smaller groups.
Repackage food to minimize waste- pre pack your meals into one bag or do some meal prep before leaving. Less work at the camp means more fun.
Use a map and compass or GPS to eliminate the use of marking paint, rock cairns or flagging. Don’t rely on your cell phone. Know where you are going and how to get there.

● Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces-

Durable surfaces include maintained trails and designated campsites, rock, gravel, sand, dry grasses or snow.
Protect riparian areas by camping at least 200 feet from lakes and streams.
Good campsites are FOUND, not made! Altering a site is not necessary. In popular areas- concentrate use on existing trails and campsites. Walk single file in the middle of the trail, even when wet or muddy. Keep campsite small. Focus activity in areas where vegetation is absent. *

In pristine areas ( this is areas mostly in Backcountry that have not been disturbed by humans)- Disperse use to prevent the creation of campsites and trails. Avoid places where impacts are just beginning.

Dispose of waste properly-

● Pack it in, pack it out. inspect your campsite, food preparation areas, and rest areas for trash or spilled foods. Pack out ALL trash, leftover food and litter.

● Utilize toilet facilities whenever possible. Otherwise, deposit solid human (and dog) waste in cat holes dug 6 to 8 inches deep, at least 200 feet from water, camp and trails. Cover and disguise the cat hole

when finished. OR bag it and pack it out.

● Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products. EVEN if they are biodegradable. These products will still leave a trace and impact on the land.

● to wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from streams or lake and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. scatter STRAINED dishwater.

Leave What You Find-

● Preserve the past: examine, photograph, but do not touch cultural or historic

structures and artifacts.

● Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.

● Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species.

● Do not build structures, furniture or dig trenches.

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This week we are talking about when you are on the trail. Signs that it’s going well, signs that it's going great, and signs that it's time to turn around.

What are your dog's signals? And Why are they important?

These are your dog’s way of communicating with you. Remember that your dog can hear and smell a lot better than you, so they may know something you don’t.

Does your dog already know how to give signals? This is a team effort, you have to acknowledge the signals your dog is giving you and reward them. This will encourage them to continue to give you signals. Training will help to build these bonds.

On the Trail

Signs that things are going well:

They are excited, but not overwhelmed while hiking
They are willing moving forward

Signs things are going great:

They are genuinely “Happy” - that sparkle in their eyes, happy smile on their face
Willing to confidently move forward. Meaning you don’t have to lead them
Willing to relax and rest while on trail
Willing to offer you focus and engagement

Signs to look out for:

Crazy eyes - over stimulation, being overwhelmed or stressed
Lack of focus and engagement - not listening to commands, lack of eye contact
Zoomies - they are cute and adorable, but a sign of over stimulation or need for stress release
Health Warnings! - Overheating
- frantic panting
- Extreme salivation
- Bright-red membranes - lips, gums, tongue
- Labored breathing
- Stops drinking
Injury - Limping or gate changes
Reluctant to move forward

Signs to turn around:

Overheating! - at any level or any signs
Weather changes - is it getting hotter faster or unexpectedly?
Any injury should be considered a reason to turn around
Any signs that it’s not going well - turn around while things are still good, so you can end on a high note
You run out of water! - if you run out of water you need to turn around immediately.
Obstacles are too challenging - if your dog isn’t handling the trail well and is struggling. This should be fun for them, so a challenge to conquer.

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Hitting the Trail

This week we are talking about hitting the trail with your dog. Remember this is about your dog and not you.

Picking a Trail:

The first step is picking your trail. We always start with considering your dog’s physical abilities. Don’t expect your dog to jump off the couch and go 15 miles. They need to train just as much as anyone else.

Think about picking a trail with no elevation gain, or even starting with walks around the neighborhood. Also consider your dog's speed, you will need to go at their pace.

How much time are you planning to spend on the trail and how much trail time has your dog had? Does your dog go for a walk every night? Does that mean you can go for the same distance or amount of time?

Always evaluate your dogs actual tail experience.

Weather Considerations:

How is the weather going to be, and how will that affect your dog? What is your no go temperature? For us, if it will be over 80 degrees at any point during the day it is a no go.

Also consider that even if the air is cool, the sun might be hot enough to be dangerous. Your dog could overheat even hiking in the snow.

Heat stroke is no joke! Make sure you are prepared and don’t go if it’s to warm.

Plan when you will go. Have an idea of how long you will be out there. Check the hourly expected temperatures so you know the benchmarks of when you need to head back.

What do we pack?

First most important thing to take… Water!

Don’t skimp on the water. Always carry plenty, carry more than you need.

Make sure you always carry enough that you won’t run out. We carry typically 10 liters for ourselves, and the dogs. Carry more water than you think you need.

Snacks - Bring snacks for yourself and the dogs.

Shade - bring something to make a shade in case of emergency.

Leash and a collar - always have a leash. It shouldn’t have to be said, but a collar as well with tags for identification.

First Aid Kit - this is something you should always carry as a person adventuring. But when going with your dog there are additional items which should be included. (reference ASPCA)

Dog Bowl
Self-adhesive Wrap
Non-sick Absorbent Pads
Instant Ice Pack
Towel
Veterinarian's Contact Information

A few things to carry in the car:

Saline Solution (carried in car)
Hydrogen Peroxide (to induce vomiting)
Oral Syringe for giving water or hydrogen peroxide

Dog Packs:

Does your dog need to carry their own daypack?

We have packs for both Terra and Jasper. But we look at them as a safety item and not a way to make them carry their own weight.

Terra carries a backpack for several reasons.

Visibility - the bright orange backpack makes her more visible.
Bigger - The pack makes Terra bigger and not as likely to be prey.
Slowing her down - wearing a pack makes her think more. This isn’t from weight, but just a change in her shape.
Safety items Terra would carry in her pack:

Convenience, they can carry their own stuff, right?

Things to consider:

Your dog shouldn’t carry more than 10-15% of their weight.
Picking the right backpack
Practice with the pack before hitting the trail
Be prepared to carry it yourself if needed

At the Trailhead:

Check your bags to make sure everything is inside.

Check your Dog’s leash and collar
Check your map, make sure it’s downloaded if it is on your phone if you aren’t carrying a paper map
Check any notice boards or signs

Runnin Down the Dogs: Recent Episodes

Runnin Down the Dogs