[nagdu] Hiking

[Tracy Carcione]

I've done some hiking with my dogs.  I'm a lightweight hiker, so I stuck
to well-marked trails.  I take a walking stick with me, because I have
weak ankles.  I use the stick to help me on rough ground, and as a cane to
find the edge of narrow plank bridges, for instance.
I've been amazed how well my city dogs do on the trails.  They look for
the best path for their clumsy mistress.  They try to go around large
rocks in the path.  Echo was especially good at backtracking and finding
whatever fork in the road we'd taken before. My usual hiking partner is my
husband, who's got low vision, so neither of us could really read any
trail signs.  And we always worry about bears.

I have a friend who's gone camping with her dog.
I know there's a book about a gentleman who hiked the Appalachian Trail
with his dog.
I don't think hunting dogs wear booties, so I don't think our dogs need
to, either.  At least, mine never have.  But, like I said, my hikes are of
the easy, short variety.
I always bring some water along, for both me and the dog.
HTH.
Tracy

> 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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