[nagdu] Hiking

[Mike]

How funny I just this minute got back from a hike with my guide dog. I live 
in Oregon and do some small hikes all the time during the week out in the 
forest and some longer day hikes on weekends.  I tried using the booties 
because there are places here where there are sharp rocks but my dog kicks 
them off easily after a while. So now I don't even go to the trouble. She 
did cut her feet one of the first times without booties but never again 
since then. I think they toughened up. I don't use a pole but actually I 
probably should. No reason a dog would get in the way of that. Trying to 
follow her down very steep narrow trails is sometimes very awkward. I think 
using a pole and making her go behind in those places would be better. I 
rely on GPS and a braille compass as backup and only go out with other 
people for the really long hauls. Mostly It's like 5-milers and I know all 
the trails so I go alone. Well with my dog though. Oh but I wear a small 
backpack with water for both of us and a plastic bowl in it for her..

Mike

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Brittney N. Mejico" <brittneymejico at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 8:25 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Hiking


> Jeff
> I guess great minds think a like because earlier today I was wondering 
> about hiking with a dog guide.
> I had the same questions as you LOL.
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: Jeffrey Young
> Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2011 8:09 PM
> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
> Subject: [nagdu] Hiking
>
> I've heard that blind people go hiking with their dogs quite often. I'm 
> wondering how much hiking? Do they go on overnight trips? Do people take 
> their dogs even on very rough terain?
>
> I'm planning on doing some backpacking this summer, and I don't know how 
> much I should rely on Hansel. I use to do some pretty serious hiking in 
> boy scouts, but then I used the cane as a walking stick and held on to a 
> person's pack. Also, should I have the dog where booties because of 
> possible sharp rocks and whatnot?
> Sorry for such a loaded email.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jeff and Hansel
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