Dog proof down bags

imported
#1

Is there such a thing as a dog proof down sleeping bag ?

yappy

#2

Not sure what you mean by “dog proof”? I know I certainly can’t keep my dog off mine when it’s cold. She also particularly enjoys it when she is completely WET!

ET Hackles

#3

Howdy. I going to assume that you are looking for protection from a wet pooch.

In Mountain Hardwear’s line of bags, the ones with the Conduit shell are sold as “waterproof and breathable”. They do a mighty fine job of repelling moisture and mine breathes very well. Not sure what temp range you are looking for. Mine is a zero deg. The shell is pretty tough too. So long as poochy doesn’t start digging at it.

Otherwise you could go with a simple bag cover. I used Bibler’s Winter Bivy which weighs about 7 oz and is very repellant of moisture. It also cost about $100. I used it in conjunction with my 40 deg Western Mountaineering bag to protect against nails on the shelter floors. (the WM Highlight has a thin shell).

So in short you could go with whatever bag you want or have and use a bag cover. But why not get a double bag and let Rover sleep with you?

Officer Taco

#4

When I read this one I immediately thought of the G.I. issue down bags that the British use. They have that waxed cloth shell so you can lay in the mud and stay dry. Saw them at the surplus outlet. Weighs about 8lbs. 15* I think.

Bushwhack

#5

8lbs…yikes !! …lol…I just wish someone could come up with a 2 lb bag that was a bit more dog resistant. She will coming for several 100 miles of our hike next year and am trying to lighten my load some. I have a good bag but 3lbs. Lulu LOVES it of course ! I would love to get a down bag but don’t want to worry about her getting on it etc. It is her tent too afterall… and I like snuggling with her anyhow:) hey Et… we are hiking Iat- at too. What are your plans ?.. email me if ya want…:slight_smile:

yappy

#6

When Shadow and I go hiking I bring along a sheet of sylnylon to drap over my sleeping bag in case he is wet and wants to lay on it. I also bring a small fleece blanket to cover him with if it gets cool. He’s such a pain in the ass at times but generally worth bringing.

Big B

#7

…I bring a small blanket for lulu too… she does love that… but eventually winds up at my head or in the middle.I will look into the mnt hw bags. They make some of the best outdoor gear…thanks !:girl

yappy

#8

Hi Yap…

Seriously…Sid (my dog)has her own down blanket (was made for me) that I use for her. I’m sure like your dog though, she loves to sleep up against mom’s bag. Since this is the case I usually put a piece of silnyl or thin plastic over my bag like Big B. It took a while to get her to stay under her blanket, but after a little effort she now has it down pat. The blanket and silnyl are super light, and have their own very small stuff sack. If she is wet I just fold the tarp over her before laying the blanket down.

She is well behaved and her company is worth the small amount of extra effort. She also has her own small camp towel to wipe her off if she is especially dirty before getting in the tent.

I’ll drop you an e-mail re: the IAT trip…:slight_smile:

ET Hackles

#9

thanks you guys… she did 1000 with us on the Pct and the long trail and did great. I am just looking at other ways . Our tentative plan in the first 7oo miles nobo with her… then jumping up to Quebec and heading sobo. She won’t do the canadain part but will hike from Maine on for the most part . She is a very cool dog and great company…

yappy

#10

aww… this post makes me sad… and questions my decision not to take my pooch on the AT. Emma is a fantastic dog and is my hiking partner on every other trip. (although she’s never been on anything longer than a week)

i’ve been realizing i’m going to have huge separation anxiety w/ her (i know, she’s just a dog) when i leave for springer in march. i decided she shouldn’t go for all those reasons people say don’t take your dog.

i guess my question is, why do you guys choose to take yours? what are you solutions to those sticky situations for your dog? (dog hurt, etc)

p.s. you can see pics of her on my journal … isn’t she great?!! http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=2521

greenie

#11

Dogs are a very sensitive subject here and on most other hiking sites I’ve visited.

Personally, I have a few rules I follow.

I don’t stay with her in shelters.
I leash her around people, or if in the vicinity of a shelter.
I always carry a medical kit for her.
I practice “leaving no trace” with her also.

She was raised hiking from a puppy, and I have always worked very hard to make sure she is well behaved, disciplined, and in good shape. This allows both me and her to enjoy hiking, and she does love it!

Just b/c I love having her and she loves hiking does not mean everyone else does, and I always try to remember and respect this.

ET Hackles

#12

hey greenie… this topic has been discussed alot on this site. It IS a big decision and should be given ALOT of thought . Like I said I took lulu on 1000 miles of the Pct in 2002. We did or and Wa. I carried all her gear… and that did help with her energy but it still was tiring for her.That was the reason we got off… Lulu had had enough. We thru hiked in 96 so could have cared a less about cutting the trip short. She comes first, ALWAYS. We spent more time in town then other hikes so that she could rest.I listened to her… best I could about whether she was having a good time or not . I am not sure how far folks want to go with this ? as we have done this before. If I can help ya … email me and we can talk more about this. The bottom line for me was… I’m out that cuz I want to be. She is out there cuz I am… important difference.

yappy

#13

right, i know, and i’m not going to change my decision of not taking her, i know as much as she loves the short trips, it’s just not good (for both of us) for the long haul. i’ve just been thinking about the fact that i’ve got to leave her w/ someone for 5+ months!! she’s a very sweet dog, loves all people, but she’s very loyal to me and gets depressed and barely eats when i leave her w/ friends for a weekend. i just really wanted to see what you guys had to say about it all. i guess my real issue is making that transition from my identity as someone who if on trail, of course has dog, to someone who’s truly hiking solo. i know it will be fine, just momentary sad thoughts!!

thanks for all the advice though… :slight_smile:

greenie

#14

I know my friend. I HATE leaving Lulu. I worry how she will do on this hike… ALOT . I have family on the East cst that will help if she isn’t having fun. It is hard to hike with a dog… long distance. I don’t keep her on a leash much . She listens well but can bark at strangers. She is used to the Western trails , up here in quiet Alaska and Eastern Oregon. I rarely see many folks on these trails. We did the Pct with her sobo… and virtually didn’t see anyone for days !.. very cool actually. The AT is a whole different deal… esp nobo.The pct doesn’t have many rules yet… no shelters… no blazes…long stretches of roadless hiking. We won’t be staying in the shelters at all… and will try to find some quiet campsites. She is 6 now and there is NO way she can hike this whole thing. If I don’t feel comfortable leaving her with my family then I am done, period. She comes first… in fact, is the leader, she just doesn’t know it . I am up in Alaska and I really don’t want to leave her all the way up here . We could be hiking for as long as 7 months and i would just miss her so much…so, she comes for most, some or just a few hundred miles . I can only wait and see how it works out for her, us and the others folks on the trail. Maybe see ya out there greenie !

yappy