Dogs on AT - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1

Anyone have pro/con information about taking dogs on an AT thru-hike? Is it possible to keep them leashed the entire trip? How easy is it to resupply for dogs? Are hostels dog-friendly? Thanks for input…

TNGirl

#2

They should be leashed the whole time. Never stay in a shelter with a dog. Most hostels are not dog friendly. Thru-hiking is not healthy for dogs, Best to leave it home.

Artie

#3

Search dogs on the forum this has been discussed ad naseum. Don’t let people like Artie discourage you. Many hostels and motels are dog friendly and getting dog food is never a problem. You can keep a dog on the leash the whole time and in some places its required. You cannot bring the dog into the Smokies or Baxter but there are services to shuttle the dog for you. If you make sure you have control over your dog at all times and its a friendly dog you will have few problems. Remeber to watch the dog at all times to make sure it is drinking, eating and not injured or tired. People who say that hiking is not healthy for dogs or is cruel are ignorant about dogs. I think the the enjoyment of having your dog with you far out ways the extra work it takes to bring them.

Big B

#4

most hostels and motels are not dog friendly as artie says. most never complete a thru-hike. it’s too hard on dogs.

doggie

#5

Artie - what’s your deal? What dog in the world wouldn’t want to walk all day every day in the woods!? You’ll have no problem resupplying for your dog. Hostels are becoming more and more dog-friendly and if they do not accept dogs - well, you’ll keep more of your money in your pocket! I’m sure your dog is friendly and as long as he/she eats and drinks plenty of water and has toughened-up paw pads, then you will both be fine.

Your dog will become closer to you and thank you everyday for the best adventure of their lifetime. Happy hiking!

Dude

#6

Big B -
Thanks for the kind words and logic! I believe we’ll try him Springer to the GSMNP and use that as a test-run. I’ll keep him leashed always and he’ll sleep in the tent with me.
Wow! I searched ‘dogs’ on this website - I had searched “dogs and the AT” before and didn’t find anything - people can be so rude! I’m sure much is to do with the fact they are hiding behind their monitors - but still, people show no qualms about anything. Again, I appreciate your thoughtfulness…take care.

TNGirl

#7

TNGirl,

Don’t worry too much about anti-dog opinion. If your dog is friendly and not given to creating disturbances then most people will be fine when you’re actually on the trail. I day hike with my dog all the time, but she is really short and cute, so I can’t necessarily judge from that (she’s a corgie, which is why I don’t hike long distance with her; she simply can’t do the mileage.):wink:

Seriously though, the main problems that people hiking with dogs seem to encounter are with the trail itself and its various rigors. The best bet to be ready for these is to look at journals from recent attempts with dogs. A fine example is Doggiebag’s journal (Max and his dog Aldo) which is rather a cautionary tale but also quite wonderful. It will certainly help prepare you for what lies ahead. Just make sure that both you and your dog are well trained up and you’ll likely be fine.

Strategic

#8

Take and enjoy your dog and your hike . Follow the simple common sence rules and you should have no problems. I’ve hike many miles always with a dog, Always leash your dog for its safty as well, as courtesy to others, The only negative reaction I have ever had was with coments from people online. I always tent and keep out of shelters. Check your dogs feet and for ticks every day.I used frontline and have had no problems. Whiteblaze has some threads both pro and con on hiking with a dog.

cowboy

#9

Just remember once you decide to take you dog with you are no longer HIKING YOUR OWN HIKE, You are hiking your dogs hike. IF thats ok then great. I also have found very few people who complete the hike with dog in tow. Good Luck.

Dan

#10

During my recent GA Section Hike, I passed a couple of young guys on top of Springer headed south to Amicalola that had brought their dogs with them. One of the dogs was a little Daschund that had walked the 40 miles from Neels Gap.

The owner said the little pup had had a blast on the trail and had no problems. They had them on leash and appeared to be doing fine. I think you’d need to take the normal precautions with your dog (food, water, shelter) as you would for yourself. But I’m thinking about taking my daughters black lab on my next hike…I think it would be good for the dog and for me…

I did have someone else tell me that you need to consider the dog…if it get’s hurt 10 miles from the nearest road, you’ll need to pack it out…a daschund wouldn’t be a big deal…a black lab would be heavy to carry up and down the mountains…

Dave

#11

Yes I am bringing my dogs next year they are well trained and all of them rescued from a shelter.
My Dobiemix she is 4 and she comes when I call her. she will have a blast on the trail we plan on sneaking through smokeys- Maybe night hiking.
My pit-mastif though I need to keep him on a chain he is such a handful at times. we will probably just camp behind the shelters we dont want to intrude on anyone’s hike.

and last but not least is Critter, she is part fox and part terrier- she is alright except when other dogs are around she likes to pick on the other dogs I will have to muzzle her though. well I hope we all can just get along and have fun!!!
See ya on the trail !
<Rico

rico suave

#12

The nasty things people say on the internet about dogs and their owners are what they’re thinking inside when they meet you and your dog on the trail, however polite they may act when you meet them face to face. Sure, there are a few people who are genuinely happy to see you and your dog. But the majority either 1) don’t like dogs and won’t want yours around or 2) love dogs and think it’s cruel to take them on a long hike. Some dogs can make the hike, but many cannot. You need to make plans for what to do with the dog if it is not able to continue and you want to keep hiking. When I was hiking SOBO in 2006 there were two dogs on the Trail in my vicinity. Both had been to the vet two or three times (foot wounds, pack sores, extreme weight loss), and had had to take multiple rest days, before getting out of New England. The dogs were definitely slowing down their owners’ hikes, and increasing the cost markedly. I don’t think either dog completed the Trail.

Five-Leafed Clover

#13

what dog would want to be leashed for 2000 freaking miles …HELLO ! If you can’t let your do go don’t bring him. dogs are not meant to walk 2 miles an hr . I have done alot of miles and I have rarely seen a happy dog… we hiked 1000 of pct with lulu and she was hardly ever leashed. i carried her food for her to make it easier and she still had a grueling time of it. GRUELING. please PLEASE think about taking a job and esp. understand that the dog LEADS your hike… when they are tired you stop- sleep in the tent with you- stay in more hotels so then get adequate rest. They don’t get that in a hostel… too much going on. I live in alaska and working sled dogs REQUIRE 15 hrs of rest a day…go do the Pct where there is space and less people to tangle with cuz you will tangle with them. FOR SURE… we went sobo which made it a VERY quiet hike… good for the dog… good for us.

yappy

#14

don’t tell me you are gonna muzzle your dog for 2000 miles…lol…what in the world are you thinking ? I don’t mean to be harsh but I just get crazy with all this stuff. if you love your animals leave them HOME…40 miles is different from 2000…you sound like a wreck waiting to happen… too bad the dogs will take the brunt of it.

yappy

#15

I have Mr Rufus and he is going to hike with me next year he is a great Dane, but I don’t think he is pure breed we do a lot of walking in the parks where we live and he sure likes to gallop through the trees.
I am going to make him a sled so he can pull his food behind him and hopefully me and my pack too (LOL)
I hate people who are against me bringing Rufus around he is my bestest friend and he makes really big dookie ! LOL
but dont worry I will “cat hole” his mounds hah hah hah ( cat hole git it??) he is not afraid of bears and I will feel much safer with my big dog. dont worry he really likes people and he likes to lick EVERYTHING ! lol

Tiny Tim

#16

Whether you take your dog on the trail is between you and your dog. I only care about the impact on the Trail and other hikers (like myself). If you do take your dog on the trail, I suggest:
-keep him away from me and other hikers. I’m not interested in petting him, or being licked by him, or having his fleas or other issues on me. I don’t care if he supposedly likes people.
-keep him out of shelters for the same reasons as above. Don’t tell me he is house broken and won’t piss or crap in the shelter. He doesn’t belong in the shelter.
-keep him out of hostels. We don’t need the stuff he tracks in on his feet or his hairs and fleas on the furniture or rugs. If a hostel allows dogs inside, that is a hostel I will avoid.
-get your dog to do its business in the woods, not on the trail. Treat his waste as you would do your own. LNT.
-if he likes to chase animals, keep him on a leash. The wildlife belongs in the woods more than your dog does.
-if your dog acts in a threatening manner towards any hiker, remember that a trekking pole has multiple uses.

swamp fox

#17

well, the fox about sums it up. I , for one, love dogs and enjoy seeing them on the trails IF they are enjoying it too. That is a big IF. the long haul about does them in. I have seen dogs running from packs, cowering when thier owner is ready to leave towns. UGH. makes me SICK. believe me there have been words exchanged between other hikers and dog owners. They USUALLY like the dog blame to dumb owner. Your dog has got to come first every single flipping mile or leave them home.

yappy

#18

The basic problems with dogs is that they chase away wildlife. I have no problem with them, yet I know that I’ll see very few deer or other animals when they’re around. I’ve only encountered just a few and most were leashed.

Someone told me the biggest problems on the A-trail involved drinking…cell phones…marijuana…and dogs. I told them that I’d concur as I saw a dog the other day drinking a beer a beer and smoking a joint…while talking on a cell phone.

Hike your own hike.

Dogs or anything else won’t destroy it.

Doc Holiday

#19

Yeah, I’m up for it. I can sniff those exotic hiker crotches and get free meals by sticking my nose in their food, run into those shelters and shake myself dry when it rains, mark my spot in all kinds of new places, and leave special presents on the trail for hikers to step in. And if anyone is mean to me or even looks at me the wrong way, I’ll BITE!

:happy

Mutt

#20

Hey, so I take it we can hike with our dogs? I have a old Shepherd (Jinks) He has been everywhere with me so maybe before he goes I will bring him out and see how well he does. I guess that muzzle thing would be best I don’t care for muzzles but he does have a attitude.
Will there be enough water I suppose?
Not worried about his food he is an excellent mouser/ squirrel hunter. Should I get him a refletive vest?
thanks…

jack bailey