Comments on: Hiking With Dogs http://natureforkids.net/2008/04/18/hiking-with-dogs/ Encouragement and ideas concerning wholesome outdoor recreation for kids and their parents Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:29:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: admin http://natureforkids.net/2008/04/18/hiking-with-dogs/#comment-7 admin Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:45:31 +0000 http://natureforkids.net/?p=21#comment-7 Big thanks! I'm sure I'll do a future blog on this, thanks to your help. I'll refer back to you and your comment if you don't mind. And I'm lovin the name "The Steve". Pretty original. Big thanks! I’m sure I’ll do a future blog on this, thanks to your help. I’ll refer back to you and your comment if you don’t mind. And I’m lovin the name “The Steve”. Pretty original.

]]> By: kris http://natureforkids.net/2008/04/18/hiking-with-dogs/#comment-6 kris Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:38:52 +0000 http://natureforkids.net/?p=21#comment-6 There are a lot of dog packs out there. Like any backpack I'd suggest looking at as many as possible before buying anything. Unfortunately, most stores don't allow you to bring in your dog to do fittings, so be sure to get good measurements from Skadi before you go shopping. I'd suggest buying locally so you don't have to mess around with shipping if the pack doesn't meet your requirements. (I bought The Steve's from Kirkham's. Surprisingly, they were cheaper than REI. If you're near Salt Lake City you can also do pickups and returns at Backcountry.com's warehouse in West Valley City). This site has a lot of great tips on dog hiking. It's mostly geared towards hunting, but most of the tips still apply: http://www.uberpest.com/hunthike.html There are a lot of dog packs out there. Like any backpack I’d suggest looking at as many as possible before buying anything. Unfortunately, most stores don’t allow you to bring in your dog to do fittings, so be sure to get good measurements from Skadi before you go shopping. I’d suggest buying locally so you don’t have to mess around with shipping if the pack doesn’t meet your requirements. (I bought The Steve’s from Kirkham’s. Surprisingly, they were cheaper than REI. If you’re near Salt Lake City you can also do pickups and returns at Backcountry.com’s warehouse in West Valley City).

This site has a lot of great tips on dog hiking. It’s mostly geared towards hunting, but most of the tips still apply:
http://www.uberpest.com/hunthike.html

]]> By: admin http://natureforkids.net/2008/04/18/hiking-with-dogs/#comment-4 admin Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:16:40 +0000 http://natureforkids.net/?p=21#comment-4 Kris, thanks for the great info. The dog packs are something I've been wanting to learn more about. I think I'll look into the Ruff Wear for Skadi and maybe we'll try it out this summer! Kris, thanks for the great info. The dog packs are something I’ve been wanting to learn more about. I think I’ll look into the Ruff Wear for Skadi and maybe we’ll try it out this summer!

]]> By: kris http://natureforkids.net/2008/04/18/hiking-with-dogs/#comment-3 kris Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:44:13 +0000 http://natureforkids.net/?p=21#comment-3 For Christmas I bought The Steve (my 70 lb mutt) his very own backpack. (I am not his sherpa!) I looked at a few different options, but in the end went with a Ruff Wear Palisades Pack II. The bag had several features I considered necessary: detachable harness, integrated handle, and well designed bags that stay relatively upright when the load gets unbalanced. (You don't want one side of the pack sliding under his belly when he's trying to hike). Inside the pack we stash drinking water, a water dish, beef jerky, dry dog food, and a frisbee. (And any dog bags that get used during the journey). For Christmas I bought The Steve (my 70 lb mutt) his very own backpack. (I am not his sherpa!) I looked at a few different options, but in the end went with a Ruff Wear Palisades Pack II. The bag had several features I considered necessary: detachable harness, integrated handle, and well designed bags that stay relatively upright when the load gets unbalanced. (You don’t want one side of the pack sliding under his belly when he’s trying to hike). Inside the pack we stash drinking water, a water dish, beef jerky, dry dog food, and a frisbee. (And any dog bags that get used during the journey).

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