Thru Hiking with my Dog

[natecolsen]

Hello HAZ Community,
I am a Phoenix resident planning a "solo" thru hike of the AZT South to North this upcoming February. When I originally made this decision, I was dead set on having my Queensland Heeler, Bandit, accompany me. However, due to backlash from my family, I am reaching out to the HAZ community for advice. He is a year and a half old, hikes with my regularly, and his biggest adventure so far was a 36 mile, 4 day trek through West Clear Creek. When day hiking with him, he carries his food, bowls, and sometimes a few rocks in a dog pack, and we typically cover around 14 miles. I wanted to open this discussion up, and hopefully receive some feedback as to whether or not this is a good idea when considering the added logistics of bringing a dog on this journey. Obviously, the added weight of his food and water will slow me down considerably, but in my eyes, this is not a deal breaking factor. I thank anyone in advance for their opinions on this!

[chumley]

My initial reaction would be that it's too much for a dog, but only you know your dogs abilities. I'm sure some dogs can be conditioned for hikes like this just like people can. One thing I always keep in mind is that a dog's desire to please you is greater than it's desire to communicate pain or discomfort to you. So it falls on you to make sure you pay close attention to the condition of your pup.

On the more practical side of this question, you are not permitted to bring your dog through the Grand Canyon, and possibly some other segments as well, so you would have some logistical issues to deal with regarding "shuttling" him around the prohibited areas.

[FOTG]

I take my dogs everywhere, unless they are prohibited, or its some crazy off-trail adventure. However, it did not happen over-night, there was some trial and error with oldest one, and I have certainly had some close calls. Currently, my young one carries the pack, and all three of us just completed five days and about 55 miles in Supes, on some rough terrain and good trails..the dogs did just fine, and it was not to much of a burden on me logistically, because the young one carries all the food, however, I don't know your suggested itinerary, so its hard to judge what you will be getting into, times between resupplies etc..

I have hiked my dogs through the middle of summer in AZ, up mountain sides, down canyons etc and have never really held back with them, yet I realize I am playing with fire, as a lot can go wrong for a dog on a long back-pack. I would probably say you can do it, and the dog will bring welcomed company and warmth, however, really consider the logistics, also are you ready to deal with a dog being injured, chasing an animal, being chased by an animal (Javelina a few weeks ago for one of mine), is your dog well-behaved, what about road sections, steep sections, frost bite on paws, Grand Canyon etc?...Chumley brought up good point, my vet once told me a dog will walk their self to death next to you, will there be a point where dog is no longer enjoying hike and just walking next to you to survive?

Goal oriented people find ways, and dogs have been walking next to man and woman for 12000 years, and following around ranchers forever, so the dog is probably certainly capable, however, just consider the logistics, and is your dog really ready (for example, if it has been sitting in a warm house all winter, and never developed a winter coat, it might not appreciate those much colder higher elevations and freezing nights, or its paws might not be ready for days on days of rough nasty terrain etc), likewise, are you prepared to accept responsibility or adequately care for you dog if something tragic does happen? Believe me I dont know if I am, but its something that is always on my mind, especially, when your dog tears open leg on barbed wire, 11 miles into a 36 mile through hike sigh...

good luck either way, hope it gives you some things to consider...

[natecolsen]

Thank you so much for the replies. I'll start by addressing the logistical issues mentioned. I was aware about the Grand Canyon not allowing dogs, so I'll be leaving him with a friend in Flagstaff who will be meeting me to finish out the trek from the North Rim to Utah. I believe there is another stretch down south where I will also need to find someone to either shuttle him, or the both of us. Resupply points are definitely going to get interesting as I'll have a harder time finding food for himself.

As far as his level of endurance goes, I plan on starting mid February due to the slow pace that I'll be traveling with him. While I haven't had him on nearly this long of a trek, I've also yet to tire him out completely on any other adventures we'be been on. His breed is known for stamina and insurance, so I am confident in his abilities to recover and continue on daily. I also appreciate the mention of how much care and responsibilities are required on my part for taking him along. this pup is like a son to me, and his well being always comes before my own.

I was also curious about my starting date. I plan on covering between 15 and 25 miles per day with more zero days than the average thru hiker. At this pace would it be unreasonable to wait until mid March to begin my journey so as to avoid snowy conditions later on hop north? Again, I plan on going south to north on this one. im not so much worried about the heat as i am the lack of water supply that late in the season.

Again, any advice is highly appreciated!
Thanks!

[BobP]

due to backlash from my family

I'm sure they have concern for the right reasons and rightfully so. Its a major undertaking.
Anyways. I've only sectioned hiked the AZT and weather can be a factor no matter when you start. I hit a freak snow storm in Flagstaff in May which was a little bit crazy. Lots of pros and cons on this...good luck in whatever you decide and be safe. Not really any advice here but....

[natecolsen]

It's not the family dog. I chose this breed to accompany me in the outdoors and have had him running trails, snowshoeing, canyoneering, and more since about 6 months old. The backlash from the family is more about their insecurity with me going than with him. My parents have always owned Rottweilers and could never imagine one of them completing a journey like this, thus they think no dog should. I have to disagree with them though. In all honesty, they just don't want me to take off for three months of "play" and they know that I won't attempt this if it means leaving my dog behind for that long.

[wha]

I believe there is another stretch down south where I will also need to find someone to either shuttle him, or the both of us.

Saguaro National Park doesn't allow dogs, so that's most of Rincon Mountains passage.

With all the rocks I'd keep a close eye on his pads. Maybe consider booties. My dog would go until his feet were bleeding if I let him.

[Sun_Ray]

@natecolsen
First thing I thought of when I read your post was that Lewis and Clark had a dog with them and that was not an easy trip! You know yourself and your dog better than anyone. If you thoroughly plan each section beforehand and have a plan B...I say go for it. Dogs are great companions.

[FOTG]

@Sun Ray
I love that you mentioned dog on Lewis and Clark trip, dogs have been following us since the dawn of man, they are like one gene away from being a wolf, so they are very capable hike companions, we forget, that it's us that makes our dogs whimpy lol otherwise they would be capturing their food at night and sleeping outside..

[azbackpackr]

I love Queensland Heelers, used to have a blue heeler named "Bubba," and I agree that heelers are particularly well-suited to this kind of journey.

[Hippy]

Queenies are tough, but I agree with the above. They'll walk themselves to death. My ex's queenie hiked through cholla fields entirely offtrail in the Four Peaks Wilderness...at one point he just stopped. Laid down and pretty much gave us a "you're bathsh*t crazy" kinda look.
I'd hope you start taking poochie on gradually longer dayhikes, back to back to get him ready for it all. Ten miles, ten miles, ten miles...then see how's he's doing... good luck and make smart decisions...oh, watch out for cholla!!!!

[nonot]

I would think you would want to build the dog up to it over time. If the dog's pads are not toughened up, and are cut and bleeding by the end of the day, are you ready to quit the thru hike and take the dog home?

[Jim]

Seems reasonable to me, as long as you give him your last water if running low and miles from a source, and make sure he always is well fed. I think if he is "hiked up" he'll enjoy the time out.

[blisterfree]

I think it comes down to which is more important to you: thru-hiking the Arizona Trail for its own sake, or enjoying the company of your dog for as far as either of you decide to hike. If you are more goal oriented, then we'd be doing you a disservice not to highlight the reality that the dog will handicap your chances to one extent or another. If you're of a more mellow persuasion and opt to have your four-legged companion along, then you should be able to make the right call if or when your dog has had enough - enough snow, or heat, or spines, or snakes, or rocks, or simply miles. But if you're the Type A driven sort AND want us to convince you that taking the pup won't reduce your chances or increase the logistical burden in a big way, then you risk cherry-picking what we say here to suit your wishes. And that could be problematic. I'm not a dog person, myself, and haven't ever attempted a long hike with one, but I do have a few long-distance hiking miles under my belt and will say unequivocally that the Arizona Trail is a challenging thru-hike under the best of circumstances. It's a tough trail and thru-hiking is a tough game for the uninitiated: no dawdling around out there between distant town stops, hike most of the day, day after day, while confronting a huge variety of terrain and conditions. I'd say embrace the backlash from your family rather than running from it. It'll serve as a good set point as you continue to point feelers in the right direction, be that what it may.

[natecolsen]

Again, thank you all so much for your replies to this topic. I realize that the decisions to not only attempt the AZT, but also to bring my dog along, are ones that only I can answer. Without anyone here knowing my physical capacity, experience, level of heart and so fourth, it is almost silly of me to be asking for such advice. Blisterfree, you completely nailed it on the head, and thank you. Without realizing it, I definitely created this post in order to do just what you said, cherry pick the replies in such a way as to reinforce my already made decision to go through with this life goal. I should probably refrain from such action in the future so as to not waste anyone"s time and also to spare myself the embarrassment.

Addressing some other concerns that were mentioned, I do feel as though I am more than prepared to care for my animal in any circumstance that may arise. Luckily, I live in Arizona and have a great support group to help me with my goal. My order of priorities are definitely to complete the AZT followed by the companionship experience gained by having my dog accompany me on this journey. In the event that I believe he can no longer go on, I will have a family member or friend who can easily come and get him for me. I will be relying heavily on my support group for this trek and am thankful to have people spread throughout the state who are willing to assist me.

As for the trail manners, obedience levels and such, I again have little to no worries. These were of my first concerns in training him early on, and he has evolved into one of the best suited outdoor companions I could ever ask for. It appears to me that the logistics of shuttling, extra cache and resupply points, and the slower than average traveling pace are going to be my main concerns this trek. Thank you all for allowing me to hash through my mental process on this forum. I truly appreciate it.

[Tough_Boots]

a little off-topic, but I'm glad to see that you're so trusting of your heeler. I've been seriously considering getting a new dog since I had to put my old guy down back in may and heelers (or a heeler mix) have been at the top of my list of breeds.

[azbackpackr]

a little off-topic, but I'm glad to see that you're so trusting of your heeler. I've been seriously considering getting a new dog since I had to put my old guy down back in may and heelers (or a heeler mix) have been at the top of my list of breeds.

You have to be careful in selection, since they can be so much a one-family dog they will not be good around strangers. Mine was pretty nippy. I had to keep him away from other people. That is why I finally had to put him to sleep. Not all of them are like that, so you would want to make inquiries. They are just about the smartest dog around, though, and they love to have fun. They need a lot of free running. In the White Mountains that was great because I could let him loose to run every time I went hiking. Nobody around. He loved to chase rabbits. When I'd put him in the car, he'd yip and whine and bark with excitement, he was so excited to go hiking!

[johnlp]

You will have to get his pads in shape. That takes time and many miles hiking on rough terrain. Make sure he can handle back to back to back 15+ milers on three consecutive days and you should be OK. Good luck.

[natecolsen]

I am excited to say that Bandit and I will be setting off Saturday March 20 to begin our through hike. I've been pushing him on recent day hikes of 16-22 miles with pack and he is looking more prepared that myself in many ways! Logistical issues have been addressed and now I'm spending each day packing and repacking my base pack debating heavily over whether or not to haul my 12 pounds of camera equipment... Tough, tough call. Also, although I won't be able to make the March 14 start date of the AZT Trek, I'm excited to know that I'll be following a huge party ahead of me. Hopefully it serves as motivation for me to pick up my pace and catch up for some of the events!!! See you all out there! Happy hiking!

[sirena]

Hi Nate- hoping our paths will cross on the trail or at the events!

Hope you and Bandit have a wonderful time!!