When is my dog ready to backpack?

[schmalz]

FYI - The law for Inyo NF, where Callie goes with me in the Sierra, says that dogs must be on leash or under verbal command.

[AlmostThere]

FYI - The law for Inyo NF, where Callie goes with me in the Sierra, saws that dogs must be on leash or under verbal command.

That's the rule in Sierra national Forest too.


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[whrdafamI?]

FYI - The law for Inyo NF, where Callie goes with me in the Sierra, says that dogs must be on leash or under verbal command.

FYI, your pictures of Ice House Canyon ,Mt.Baldy and Mt. Lowe are in the San Gabriel's, not Inyo. NF. and ALL those trails are clearly posted.

[rlown]

FYI - The law for Inyo NF, where Callie goes with me in the Sierra, says that dogs must be on leash or under verbal command.

verbal command.. "HEY, come back!" All dogs i've seen up piute out of north lake were off leash and very pleasant. the waterbars did confuse the dachshund.

WD, just take the dog. you'll learn as you go.. you're good at that anyway. take the backup stuff like benadryl, booties, dog food (not raw fish )

it will be fine.

[Wandering Daisy]

I have Velcro and courdura and can sew. I do not see why I cannot sew booties that are sized to exactly fit my dog!

I am currently (and have been for 2 weeks) sick with a nasty cold. I think I will be well enough in a few days to go backpacking. A short mileage trip, overnight only, would be a good idea for both me and the dog. I will take photos and report on our (mis)adventures! Thanks everyone!

[87TT]

Have fun. Just a tip on the boots.The dogs don't like them at first. I found that a little vet wrap around the top keeps them on better, just not too tight.

[TDC]

Our border collie is now 3. My wife and I run and the vet told us he was good to go with us on runs by about 10 months (after checkup). We went 3-4 miles consistently with him for a few months, he has since gone 10-12 miles numerous times. Mainly on crushed gravel walking paths here in suburban San Diego. He has also gone on 5-8 mile mountain biking trips with me on much more rough trail (rocky). He logs about 10-15 miles per week of actual exercise and more if you count 1-2 miles casual walks. I would think your border collie is good to go. That said, our boy is very well behaved and would never run off or be a nuisance and is obedient off leash. Border collies by nature should be good listeners, easily trained to obey his/her leaders commands. Have fun backpacing with your dog.

[Wandering Daisy]

Yes, the "leash law". Desolation Wilderness is the only place where I regularly see rangers. I used the leash, mostly because of that. When I had Lupe off-leash she did great. Lower down with the tons of day-hikers and not-so-well-behaved other dogs, I had to use the leash. I know there are leash laws for wilderness travel, but honestly, I rarely see anyone with a dog, once a few miles in, use a leash, except when the see another dog on the trail in the distance, they temporarily put on the leash. Do you know of anyone who actually has been fined or ticketed for not having their dog on a leash?

[rlown]

dogs are actually better well behaved with other dogs when off leash (my opinion). My Jack Russell is ferocious when on the leash. When he's off it, he does the normal meet and greet.

you could just make sure your dog listens to your commands, and put a 3' tag leash on him. not holding it. or you could go with a retractable leash. Less pull and you can control the pull.

Still sounds like you learned alot about your friend.

Russ

[lostcoyote]

have a great time WD - your dog is more than ready.
border collies are built for this stuff

sounds like most everyones postings have lots of good advice. i took 3 dogs into the kaiser wilderness a few years back. had them sleep in a tent because one of them had the tendency to roam off. they all did well and i had a great time. the one watching me cook pasta was about 10 months at the time. that is about the earliest i'd take a dog as they are reasonably close to being fully developed by then. i think muscle tone may peak around 1.5 years and by 1 year, bones are pretty much grown?? few pics to follow:









please post yours after you come back