Doug Gelbert - A Bark In The Park-Finger Lakes: The 20 Best Places To Hike With Your Dog

A Bark In The Park Finger Lakes: The20 Best Places To Hike With Your Dog

by Doug Gelbert

published by Cruden Bay Books atSmashwords

Copyright 2010 by Cruden BayBooks

All rights reserved. No part of thisbook may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or byany information storage and retrieval system without permission inwriting from the Publisher.

BEFORE YOU HIT THETRAIL...

Hiking With YourDog

So you want to start hiking with yourdog. Hiking with your dog can be a fascinating way to explore theMid-Atlantic region from a canine perspective. Some things toconsider:

Dogs Health

Hiking can be a wonderful preventativefor any number of physical and behavioral disorders. One in everythree dogs is overweight and running up trails and leaping throughstreams is great exercise to help keep pounds off. Hiking can alsorelieve boredom in a dogs routine and calm dogs prone todestructive habits. And hiking with your dog strengthens theoverall owner/dog bond.

Breed of Dog

All dogs enjoy the new scents andsights of a trail. But some dogs are better suited to hiking thanothers. If you dont as yet have a hiking companion, select a breedthat matches your interests. Do you look forward to an entireafternoons hiking? Youll need a dog bred to keep up with such apace, such as a retriever or a spaniel. Is a half-hour enoughwalking for you? It may not be for an energetic dog like a bordercollie. If you already have a hiking friend, tailor your plans tohis abilities.

Conditioning

Just like humans, dogs need to beacclimated to the task at hand. An inactive dog cannot be expectedto bounce from the easy chair in the den to complete a 3-hour hike.You must also be physically able to restrain your dog if confrontedwith distractions on the trail (like a scampering squirrel or apack of joggers). Have your dog checked by a veterinarian beforesignificantly increasing his activity level.

Weather

Hot humid summers do not do dogs anyfavors. With no sweat glands and only panting available to dispersebody heat, dogs are much more susceptible to heat stroke than weare. Unusually rapid panting and/or a bright red tongue are signsof heat exhaustion in your pet. Always carry enough water for yourhike. Even days that dont seem too warm can cause discomfort indark-coated dogs if the sun is shining brightly. In cold weather,short-coated breeds may require additional attention.

Trail Hazards

Dogs wont get poison ivy but they cantransfer it to you. Stinging nettle is a nuisance plant that lurkson the side of many trails and the slightest brush will delivertroublesome needles into a dogs coat. Some trails are litteredwith small pieces of broken glass that can slice a dogs paws.Nasty thorns can also blanket trails that we in shoes may nevernotice.

Ticks

You wont be able to visit any of theregions parks without encountering ticks. All are nasty but thedeer tick - no bigger than a pin head - carries with it the spectreof Lyme disease. Lyme disease attacks a dogs joints and makeswalking painful. The tick needs to be embedded in the skin totransmit Lyme disease. It takes 4-6 hours for a tick to becomeembedded and another 24-48 hours to transmit Lyme disease bacteria.When hiking, walk in the middle of trails away from tall grass andbushes. And when the summer sun fades away dont stop thinkingabout ticks - they remain active any time the temperature is above30 degrees. By checking your dog and yourself - thoroughly aftereach walk you can help avoid Lyme disease. Ticks tend to congregateon your dogs ears, between the toes and around the neck andhead.

Water

Surface water, including fast-flowingstreams, is likely to be infested with a microscopic protozoacalled Giardia, waiting to wreak havoc on a dogs intestinalsystem. The most common symptom is crippling diarrhea. Algae,pollutants and contaminants can all be in streams, ponds andpuddles. If possible, carry fresh water for your dog on the trail -your dog can even learn to drink happily from a squirtbottle.

Black Bears

Are you likely to see a bear while outhiking with your dog? No, its not likely. it is, however, quite athrill if you are fortunate enough to spot a black bear on thetrail - from a distance. Black bear attacks are incredibly rare. Inthe year 2000 a hiker was killed by a black bear in Great SmokyNational Park and it was the first deadly bear attack in the66-year history of Americas most popular national park. It was thefirst EVER in the southeastern United States. In all of NorthAmerica only 43 black bear mauling deaths have ever been recorded(through 1999). Most problems with black bears occur near acampground (like the above incident) where bears have learned toforage for unprotected food. On the trail bears will typically seeyou and leave the area. What should you do if you encounter a blackbear? Experts agree on three important things:

1) Never run. A bear will outrun you,outclimb you, outswim you. Dont look like prey.

2) Never get between a female bear anda cub who may be nearby feeding.
3) Leave a bear an escape route. If the bear is at least 15 feetaway and notices you make sure you keep your dog close and calm. Ifa bear stands on its hind legs or comes closer it may just betrying to get a better view or smell to evaluate the situation.Wave your arms and make noise to scare the bear away. Most bearswill quickly leave the area. If you encounter a black bear at closerange, stand upright and make yourself appear as large a foe aspossible. Avoid direct eye contact and speak in a calm, assertiveand assuring voice as you back up slowly and out ofdanger.

Rattlesnakes

Rattlesnakes are not particularlyaggressive animals but you should treat any venomous snake withrespect and keep your distance. A rattlers colors may vary butthey are recognized by the namesake rattle on the tail and adiamond-shaped head. Unless cornered or teased by humans or dogs, arattlesnake will crawl away and avoid striking. Avoid placing yourhand in unexamined rocky areas and crevasses and try and keep yourdog from doing so as well. If you hear a nearby rattle, stopimmediately and hold your dog back. Identify where the snake is andslowly back away. If you or your dog is bitten, do not panic butget to a hospital or veterinarian with as little physical movementas possible. Wrap between the bite and the heart. Rattlesnakesmight give dry bites where no poison is injected, but you shouldalways check with a doctor after a bite even if you feelfine.

Porcupines

Porcupines are easy for a curious dogto catch and that makes them among the most dangerous animals youmay meet because an embedded quill is not only painful but cancause infection if not properly removed.

Outfitting Your Dog For AHike

These are the basics fortaking your dog on a hike:

Collar . It should not be so loose as to come off but you should beable to slide your flat hand under the collar.

IdentificationTags . Get one with your veterinariansphone number as well.

Bandanna . Can help distinguish him from game in huntingseason.
Leash .Leather lasts forever but if theres water in your dogs future,consider quick-drying nylon.
Water. Carry 8 ounces for every hourof hiking.

I want my dog to help carrywater, snacks and other supplies on the trail. Where do Istart?

To select an appropriate dog packmeasure your dogs girth around the rib cage. A dog pack should fitsecurely without hindering the dogs ability to walknormally.

Will my dog wear apack?

Wearing a dog pack is no more obtrusivethan wearing a collar, although some dogs will take to a packeasier than others. Introduce the pack by draping a towel over yourdogs back in the house and then having your dog wear an empty packon short walks. Progressively add some crumpled newspaper and thenbits of clothing. Fill the pack with treats and reward your dogfrom the stash. Soon your dog will associate the dog pack with anoutdoor adventure and will eagerly look forward to wearingit.