Long Trips With Small Dogs

Posted by: Barefoot Friar

Long Trips With Small Dogs - 07/01/16 06:04 PM

Maizy is a 17lbs ball of furry energy. She is a Certified Mongrel Dog -- actually, the vet thinks she's almost entirely some type of wirehaired terrier, and she's got a generous helping of schnauzer in her as well. She's about nine months old.

She walks on leash okay, and is getting better. She cables really well. She loves to explore.

I have two questions: First, can I take her on a 10 day trip next spring? Second, I know we will both need to hike a lot in preparation. Is there anything else I need to do for conditioning?

Oh, I thought of a third: I hammock. Do I need to take along a popup crate for her, or what?

Thanks for your help!
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 07/02/16 12:32 PM

I've been told that small dogs' joints tend to mature earlier than large dogs'. Since yours will be 18 months old by next spring, she should be OK as long as you work on conditioning (start very slow and work up) starting about her 1st birthday. Double check this with your vet, though.

If she were a large dog, such as a Labrador, you'd want to wait until after the 2nd birthday for a strenuous trip.

I've always used a tent, not a hammock, so have no idea what to suggest.
Posted by: Barefoot Friar

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 07/04/16 08:17 AM

Thank you. I've already got an appointment for a regular checkup with my vet, so I'll ask her. I just wanted to see if it was even a good question to ask.

It occurs to me I'll have to ask about how much food to give her, too.

Are there any other questions I should be asking?
Posted by: shuddleson

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 07/04/16 04:20 PM

My wire hair fox terrier loves the hammock. He sleeps between my legs and under the quilt when it isn't too hot for him.
Posted by: OregonMouse

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 07/05/16 04:30 PM

One reason I never tried a hammock was because I considered the late Hysson (avatar) to be part of my sleep system (great foot warmer!), and the logistics of getting a 75-lb. dog into a hammock were not something I'd consider. For a small dog, of course, that might be different!
Posted by: Barefoot Friar

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 07/06/16 08:32 AM

This is worth some time to experiment. :-D
Posted by: Snappypepper

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 08/02/16 01:34 PM

We've taken our Pugs on a 20 mile, 2 day trek and they did great. They don't eat much, and it was a short trip, so food wasn't a big concern. Our bigger mutt dog is around 50lbs and we bring a mixture of his dry food, plain beef jerky, and Turbo Pup bars for him. We use a tent, so no help with the hammock question!
Posted by: Barefoot Friar

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 08/04/16 11:45 AM

My vet told me she's good to go, assuming I work her up to it over the next few months. She told me to make sure to take Gatorade along and give the dog some every day. She also said that the dog will probably want to eat more, so to factor that in to my packing list. She said she thinks I'll figure out how much more as we condition, but since the dog is already good about only eating what she wants it shouldn't be an issue if I take a little too much and just let the dog decide.

Since she's so small, I think she will only carry her water bowl and perhaps the day's food. I may decide even that much isn't worth it, so we'll see.

Now if this awful heat will break we can get to conditioning.

Thanks for the help!
Posted by: PerryMK

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 08/05/16 05:29 AM

Originally Posted By Barefoot Friar
She also said that the dog will probably want to eat more,


I actually found the opposite with my dog. To ensure she ate enough I carried some powdered cheese (any kind will do) and sprinkled it on her food. Then she ate with gusto smile .
Posted by: Barefoot Friar

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 08/05/16 11:44 AM

Originally Posted By PerryMK
Originally Posted By Barefoot Friar
She also said that the dog will probably want to eat more,


I actually found the opposite with my dog. To ensure she ate enough I carried some powdered cheese (any kind will do) and sprinkled it on her food. Then she ate with gusto smile .


Maizy LOVES peanut butter. I was thinking of seeing if she would do better if I mix her usual kibble in with a good dollop of peanut butter. That would add calories without too much trouble.
Posted by: bob1900

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 10/26/16 03:23 AM

It must be very funny to take a trip with small dogs, i will go to a trip with my little dog.
Posted by: Barefoot Friar

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 10/27/16 09:53 PM

I took Maizy out with my brother on a short but strenuous overnight trip at the beginning of this month. She was far more energetic than either of us, and after a hard day of hiking was begging to play fetch. She quickly learned how to jump up over logs, even walking along several so she didn't get her feet wet. She asked to be carried through several very thick patches of brush, but otherwise walked the whole way. We're doing a longer trip the week before Thanksgiving, and I expect her to take it like a pro.

In the mean time, I've braided her a longer leash from some paracord I had. I've also decided to go to the hardware store and get the stuff to make her a light 10-15 foot cable. I took her 25-footer with us, and it was both too long and too heavy. I also have figured out that having a light carabiner on one of my pack straps somewhere (the ice pick loop was perfect) is great, especially when we stop and I drop pack. I can clip her leash to the pack and not worry about her running loose, while still getting my hands free.
Posted by: PerryMK

Re: Long Trips With Small Dogs - 10/28/16 05:10 AM

Sounds like you have a great hiking partner!