So you want to start hiking with your dog. Hiking with your dog can be a fascinating way to explore the region around the Shasta/Rogue River region from a canine perspective. Some things to consider:
Dog's Health
Hiking can be a wonderful preventative for any number of physical
and behavioral disorders. One in every three dogs is overweight
and running up trails and leaping through arroyos is great exercise
to help keep pounds off. Hiking can also relieve boredom in a
dog's routine and calm dogs prone to destructive habits. And hiking
with your dog strengthens the overall owner/dog bond.
Breed of Dog
All dogs enjoy the new scents and sights of a trail. But some
dogs are better suited to hiking than others. If you don't as
yet have a hiking companion, select a breed that matches your
interests. Do you look forward to an entire afternoon's hiking?
You'll need a dog bred to keep up with such a pace, such as a
retriever or a spaniel. Is a half-hour enough walking for you?
It may not be for an energetic dog like a border collie. If you
already have a hiking friend, tailor your plans to his abilities.
Conditioning
Just like humans, dogs need to be acclimated to the task at hand.
An inactive dog cannot be expected to bounce from the easy chair
in the den to complete a 3-hour hike. You must also be physically
able to restrain your dog if confronted with distractions on the
trail (like a scampering squirrel or a pack of joggers). Have
your dog checked by a veterinarian before significantly increasing
her activity level.
Weather
Heat and sun do dogs no favors. With no sweat glands and only
panting available to disperse body heat, dogs are much more susceptible
to heat stroke than we are. Unusually rapid panting and/or a bright
red tongue are signs of heat exhaustion in your pet. Always carry
enough water for your hike. Even days that don't seem too warm
can cause discomfort in dark-coated dogs if the sun is shining
brightly. In the wintertime, temperatures at these higher elevations
can drop well below zero in only a few minutes. In cold weather,
short-coated breeds may require additional attention.
Altitude
Altitude is a big factor when you hike in the Shasta/Rogue River
region. If you are not acclimated to the altitude, take it easy,
and allow plenty of time for rest, so your body can get used to
the thinner air up here.
Bears
The huge, ferocious bear ripping through a campsite tent in our
imaginations most likely refers to the grizzly bear. These bears
are long extinct in both California and Oregon, but we do have
the considerably smaller black bear. This bear is notoriously
shy and hikers can spend a lifetime in these woods and never see
one. Even so, always check a ranger station for reported bear
activity before starting a wilderness hike. To avoid an encounter
make noise, stomp and hum if you have reason to believe a bear
might be nearby. If you see a black bear, stop and stay calm while
keeping your dog close - bears do not like dogs. Do not shout
and quiet your dog from barking. Do not run, you cannot outrun
a bear and you don't want to look like prey. The bear will likely
leave the area, but if not, talk in a low tone of voice and slowly
back away keeping your dog by your side. If you decide to camp
someplace, make sure to hang anything edible in a tree away from
your tent at least 10 feet above the ground and 5 feet away from
the tree trunk.
Rattlesnakes
Rattlesnakes are found in every state in America; the vipers in
these parts are most likely to be the Western Rattlesnake. It
is not particularly aggressive but you should treat any rattlesnake
with respect and keep your distance. A rattler's colors may vary
but they are recognized by the namesake rattle on the tail and
a diamond-shaped head. Unless cornered or teased by humans, a
rattlesnake will crawl away and avoid striking. Avoid rocky areas,
crevasses, caves, and areas where the ground cover (weed or grass)
prevents you from seeing the ground. These are all places where
snakes are likely to hang out.If you hear a nearby rattle, stop
immediately and hold your dog back. Identify where the snake is
and slowly back away. If you or your dog is bitten, do not panic.
Put ice against the bite, tie a rope or piece of clothing around
the leg above the wound (but not so tight you shut off blood circulation)
and get to a hospital or veterinarian with as little physical
movement as possible. In many cases the Western rattlesnake might
give "dry bites" where no poison is injected, but you
should always check with a doctor after a bite even if you feel
fine. Keep in mind that snakes fill an important function in the
ecosystem; without them we would drown in mice and other rodents,
so there is no reason to harm them.
Cougars
These elusive big cats are extremely
shy and are rarely seen. Cougars are fearful of humans but dogs
don't frighten them. Still, they might view smaller dogs as prey
- one more reason to always keep your dog close on the trail.
Ticks
Ticks can carry Lyme disease, HGE (Human Granulocytic Ehrlichiosis)
and Babesiosis, all nasty stuff you want to avoid. To help combat
ticks, wear long sleeves and tuck your pants into your boots.
Avoid deep grass and bushes. Tick repellant for you and your dog
is a good idea, and always check your dog's fur carefully before
heading home. Ticks can be hard to spot on dogs with dark or long
fur, but a simple comb can reveal any intruders. If you or your
dog gets bitten, immediately remove the tick with fine-jawed tweezers.
Try to grab the tick as close to the head as possible and pull
straight out. Do not apply any oil before or after removal. If
any part of the tick remains, or if swelling/itching or other
complications develop, contact your doctor/vet.
Other Trail Hazards
Dogs won't get poison ivy but they can transfer it to you. Some
trails are littered with small pieces of broken glass that can
slice a dog's paws. Nasty thorns and thistles can also blanket
trails that we in shoes may never notice. Tumbleweeds are also
very thorny and prickly in their natural state, and even more
so when they are dried and blowing. They can stick in a dogís
coat, and cut fingers as we try to extract them.
Water
Surface water, including fast-flowing streams, is likely to be
infested with a microscopic protozoa called Giardia, waiting to
wreck havoc on a dog's (and human's) intestinal system. The most
common symptom is crippling diarrhea. Algae, pollutants and contaminants
can all be in streams, ponds and puddles. If possible, carry fresh
water for your dog on the trail - your dog can even learn to drink
happily from a squirt bottle.