[davidanthonyporter]

Hi,

We were hiking on the Lost Gold Mine Trail this weekend and my daughter-in-law brought along her dog for the trek. We brought lots of water for her (the dog) but by the end of the hike she would literally plop down in every bit of shade that she saw and we had to practically drag her along towards the end of the hike.

Anyway, my daughter-in-law noticed that one of the dogs foot pads was cracked later that evening. It was peculiar that the dog showed no signs of favoring the foot while hiking, but now two days later, she is clearly in pain. She took the dog to the vet and she is mending well.

Here is the question, what precautions do we need to take when bringing the dog on the hike. Should we just leave the dog at home? The dog clearly loves to hike, but we certainly don't want to be cruel to her.

Comments????

[Rob del Desierto]

Are you training with your dog? By that I mean taking them on hikes/walks off pavement often. Sounds like the dog's pads are just soft and need to get a bit more callused. Definitely bring lots of water - more than you brought on this last one - for the dog. Sounds like she was getting dehydrated. I'd also recommend getting a bandanna to tie around the dog's neck that you can soak with water to help them cool down. Some places, like Dr.s Fosters and Smith, sell dog bandannas that contain cold packs that you can freeze if the hike is going to be long or hot. I take my dog to work with me every day, and he's been on various trails, including on multi-day backpacks and we haven't had a problem with him getting dehydrated or his feet. Just need to let the foot pads get tough before a longer hike (or a hike with rougher terrain) and make sure you can recognize when your dog is needing water - offer more than you think they need too. I also like our doggy backpack, so that Buster can carry all his own water too - when he sees it come out, he knows its fun adventure time!

[jeffmacewen]

We had something similar happen with one of our dogs on a hike a year back. The older one was a veteran hiker and was having a good ol' time, but the younger one kept digging herself in under bushes every time we'd pause and would stop and sit when it pleased her to do so. She wasn't out of shape so I asked the vet at her next visit and he told me to take her to the wash to walk once or twice a month, instead of just walking her on pavement. Doing this apparently gets their paws used to the conditions on the trail and helps them learn how to judge where and where not to put them. She's been doing fine ever since. I'm glad to hear her pooch is on the mend!

[CosmoTopper]

First of all, I am sorry that your dog had a bad hiking experience. The needs of the dog are similar to anyone else in your family. First aid, food, and water. Add to that, good judgement on the part of the owner to protect the dog from over-exertion and dangers of the wilderness.
The basics are:
Dog leash, water, food and a first aid kit of basics. For the dog specifics in Arizona you should carry a comb and tweezers (or leatherman type tool) for removing cholla spines from fur and skin. No matter what the experience level of the dog you should carry some sort of foot/pad shoes for emergencies involving torn pads etc.

Best of luck and we look forward to seeing you on the trail.
Dennis and Cosmo Topper

[jeffmacewen]

Are you training with your dog? By that I mean taking them on hikes/walks off pavement often. Sounds like the dog's pads are just soft and need to get a bit more callused. Definitely bring lots of water - more than you brought on this last one - for the dog. Sounds like she was getting dehydrated. I'd also recommend getting a bandanna to tie around the dog's neck that you can soak with water to help them cool down. Some places, like Dr.s Fosters and Smith, sell dog bandannas that contain cold packs that you can freeze if the hike is going to be long or hot. I take my dog to work with me every day, and he's been on various trails, including on multi-day backpacks and we haven't had a problem with him getting dehydrated or his feet. Just need to let the foot pads get tough before a longer hike (or a hike with rougher terrain) and make sure you can recognize when your dog is needing water - offer more than you think they need too. I also like our doggy backpack, so that Buster can carry all his own water too - when he sees it come out, he knows its fun adventure time!

Yea, I second the saddlebag suggestion; we have one for our bigger dog and he actually really enjoys it. Plus it keeps the cool water containers close to his body all morning while he's going. You should see the look of delight when he sees that thing...

[big_load]

Dog booties can prevent injured pads on sharp rocks or ice. I've seen them used on extended trips. As noted earlier, hydration and conditioning are just as important for dogs as people.

[Rob del Desierto]

I think it important to mention that not all dogs will allow booties, even if it is for their own good. Buster will bite and kick and tear at his feet until he somehow removes his booties. Don't force your dog to wear booties (or anything else, for that matter) if they really don't want to; you may not like the result if you do!

[Jim Lyding]

I second the idea of taking the dog off-pavement for training. After a few hikes you will be amazed how your dog seems to avoid stepping on things he/she shouldn't step on w/out seeming to look.

[Sun Ray]

David I see you are often in the Go John trail area. Last summer I talked with a ranger who told me that dogs die on the trail almost every week because of poor preparation. I've talked to my vet as my dog has 'pulled' me to the next shade on the trail. This is a good thing but some dogs will not do this and to please you will go until it's so late. You can't judge the water needs of your dog based on your needs. It's taken me awhile to learn, but I no longer hike with my dogs when it's over 70 (I guess a 3 miler is OK, but I'm usually going longer). If you hike with a dog in summer have lots of cool water with you and if they can carry it .... great! I've never used boots on my dogs, but then again, they are always walking/hiking. Maybe the type of breed is part of the equation as I bet PageRob hikes with Buster when it's hot.

[chumley]

Breed is a definite factor in ability to handle the desert heat and/or lack of water. A Rhodesian Ridgeback is short-hair hound native to Africa and can go without water for a couple of days. My yellow lab has a long, thick coat and therefore heats up much more quickly.

I've found that conditioning his pads by hiking in the desert is a definite benefit. Even short daily hikes in Papago Park help, just because it's more "native" than pavement or the golf course, and it's close by. With that said, in the heat of the day, especially in summer, even the toughest pads will get burned. Rocks on exposed trails are very, very hot!

A couple of summers ago, Kai tore up all four pads on a very hot day hike to Fossil Springs. He was clearly in pain at the springs and couldn't stand up. I cut up my own socks and tied them around his pads so he could limp back up on bloody pads (sorry, I wasn't going to carry his 80lbs up that hill unless it was absolutely necessary). I got some blisters from hiking barefoot, and he spent 3 days laying down and letting his pads heal. It's a miserable experience for an owner to experience ... i can't even begin to imagine how the dog feels. I never felt as cruel as I did that day.

Kai also will seek the smallest shade to rest in when he gets warm, but like most dogs, he is also very pain tolerant. You have to be aware of the few signs a dog gives you. If he's seeking shade, he's probably a lot closer to heat exhaustion/heat stroke than you realize. It's time to make sure he's hydrated, rested, and cooled down before continuing.

As Sun Ray said, many dogs are "stoic" and will not let on that there's a problem. All of a sudden its too late.

Your dog may love to hike, but he's not capable of realizing the consequences of his actions. Just as he may love to chase cats ... he still needs you to protect him from chasing one across a busy street. He also needs you to protect him from tearing up pads, overheating, dehydrating, picking a fight with a rattlesnake, etc.

Only you can determine your dog's limits, but you should pay very close attention as the weather heats up, and leave him at home when its in his best interest.

[davidanthonyporter]

Everyone,

I sure appreciate the caring and thoughtful comments. My daughter-in-law has decided to leave her dog home until cooler weather in the fall. She (the dog) was clearly struggling.

Thank you everyone. I appreciate it!