I have a dog and havent taken her hiking on any long trails yet but plan to this year. She can become somewhat aggresive when others come to close to our camp. But on hiking trails in just regular parks she has done ok with passing people and not giving them a second glance. I was told that the kind of dog that she is, is the problem.

She's an American Eskimo or Spitts as most people know them.

At the same time I always make sure that she is on a lead and when I see others approching I bring her in close to me
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And I never allow people to approch her without me there. Not sure how she would respond.

This will be her first long hike and if it doesent work out on a trail with her she would not be going on any more.

I respect everyones space and would not want to upset people that don't like dogs.

But I either hike alone or with my kids and being female, it is just safer to have a trail dog.