Tips For Hiking and Backpacking with a Canine

1. Equip your dog with a glow stick or light. This will allow you to keep track of them as well as improve their line of sight. Always bring spare glow sticks. I failed to do this once, and found out my one glow stick was bunk.

2. Dogs can carry approximately 33% of their weight. Start out with 25% and gradually increase only if they are enthusiastically traveling with ease and comfort.

3. Bring dog booties. Depending on the terrain and how strong your dog's pads are, they could be essential.


4. Bring citronella spray, and keep it easily accessible. Spraying citronella can easily break up a dog fight in most situations. Not all dog owners are responsible dog owners. Many owners of reactive dogs take them on rigorous hikes. This can easily result in an unexpected dog fight, so expect it.

A New Routine

Aurora is showing a lot of progress in her social reconditioning. Three months ago she barked outrageously at any dog in the vicinity. She now only barks at dogs within a 20 to30 yards. We have made improvements by posting up at spot in which dogs are in her view from a distance, and then gradually decreasing the distance between her and the other dogs. I get a lot of bad looks from bystanders because of her behavior, but they don't understand that her barks aren't mean. She is barking because she wants to meet the dogs but doesn't know how to communicate with them. This is a direct result of having been around only one older male dog through her adolescence. A dog must be properly socialized with dogs of various ages within the first 16 months of their lives or they are unable to learn how to properly communicate with them. This is not a hopeless situation. She can be conditioned to learn a new behavior when she is in a given situation. Today we set up a chain in the front yard that allows her walk across only half of the yard. Under my direct supervision, we sit on the porch together so that she can get acclimated to random dogs walking by on the side walk. Today we sat outside for about twenty minutes, but we didn't see any dogs go by. I suppose the weather is keeping people inside, because usually dogs go by relatively frequently. Perhaps on Tuesday I will be able to give an update on how our newest plan of action is panning out.

Attaining Aurora

I worked hard for Aurora. Very hard. She was given to me by a previous boss at Cascade Pizza (also known by it's staff as Cascade Penitentiary). I slaved away for three years to earn the best bonus of my life. She was the first pup to be picked out of the litter, so I marked her with a bow. If any of you have ever dealt with puppies then you probably already know what happened next: her brothers and sisters constantly yanked her bow right off. I had to re-identify her as my pup on several different occasions. For me this wasn't a hard task. My boss was frequently astonished by how quickly I depicted her from the others. She had a routine that stood out to me. Each of her brothers and sisters actively played rough with each other, nagged at the mama for milk, or pulled at the cuffs of people's pants and socks. Aurora was different though. She would lay off to the side of the group in such a way that she could observe all the other puppies and all the people in the room. Each time someone new entered the room she would get up, complete a circle around their feet as though she was inspecting them, and then return to her designated spot to continue observing the activity. I knew right away that she would be the one to protect me.

Getting Her Feet Wet

Unlike her friends Micro and Stratos, Aurora has never been a water dog. When I reflect upon this fact, I often blame myself. I thought I would teach her to swim as a puppy by throwing her gently off the dock at Toad Lake. This was just one of my many bad ideas, but today a good idea arose: a life jacket. Aurora strapped in and buoyant hit the waves with a bit of confidence for the very first time today. She was excited to be able to fetch her stick in the water, and doggy paddle along. She exercised some never before used muscles and is ready for a good night of sleep.

Meet Aurora, Micro and Stratos

Name: Aurora
I was named after the Roman Goddess of the dawn, because I must renew myself every morning and report to duty. It is my distinct job to protect Miss Ami every day.
Age: 2
Breed: German Shepard
Hobby: Playing fetch, whether with a Frisbee, a stick or my favorite: a ball
Favorite Snack: Prime Rib scraps from The Northside, where my owner works.


Name: Micro
I was named after the Greek word for small, because I was the runt of my litter. But my bark is as big as my heart.
Age: 8
Breed: German Shepard and Chesapeake Bay Retriever
Hobby: Swimming, I can go for hours!
Favorite Snack: Pizza, but anything with an Italian sauce and cheese will do.



Name: Stratos
I was named after the clouds that are in the upper stratosphere. I have big dreams and goals. Perhaps this explains why despite the fact that I am the the youngest, I am the farthest along in my search and rescue training!
Age: 9 months
Breed: German Shepard
Hobby: I like to play 'find it.' It's like hide and seek, but I'm always the seeker.
Favorite Snack: Are you kidding me? I will eat anything! I have got a lot of growing to do.