[nagdu] Hiking on trails with guide dogs and bears

[Tracy Carcione]

My husband and I have been hiking in grizzly country a few times, in
Glacier National Park.  We make a lot of noise, calling out every couple
minutes "Hey bears, here we come!"  We make a lot more noise than other
hikers, actually.  We figure, since we're both blind, if we got close
enough for my husband to see a bear, we would be in a lot of trouble.
A ranger told me that if we did encounter a bear, I should put my dog in a
down stay, to make him appear non-threatening.  I'm not sure my dog would
comply, though.  The ranger also said that dogs and bears are natural
enemies.
We feel nervous hiking in bear country, but we enjoy it a lot, too.

BTW, I'm always amazed how well my city dogs do hiking.  They look for the
easiest part of the trail, because they already their person is apt to
trip over cracks and rough spots.
One of my labs did have a lake distraction problem, though.  Those big
bodies of water just made her wild with excitement! If we were walking
straight towards a lake, she would want to run and dabble her feet in the
water.
Tracy

>
>
>
>  I am trying to get some thoughts from everyone about hiking on trails in
> bear areas . I am going to go camping this summer in kings canyon and
> sequoias and am trying to figure out if anyone has any experience with
> hiking with your dog and his or her safety . Dogs as pets are not allowed
> on the trails and I am wondering if it is even safe for my dog to be with
> me .... if it is not then I will have to rent a cabin and leave him in it
>  during my hikes
> any thoughts would be great THANKS
> cari and Denver
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
> nagdu:
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/carcione%40access.net
>