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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on June 18, 2012 at 5:58pm

I don't think a 3 hr. walk is a "big physical challenge" for a 7 month puppy, but our breeder did warn me specifically (knowing I'm a hiker) against "big physical challenges" before 1 year old.  It's mostly front-leg impact -- leaping down from heights, injuring the growth plates at the wrists -- that you're worried about.  And just like with human athletics, you add challenges gradually.  No marathons on your first try at jogging.

'...she still trusted us as the leader and followed without hesitation...'

"Yeah, like I've got a choice?  They start a couple hours before dark instead of an hour after dawn, take me out into this jungle without a map, or, uh, compass?  headlamps?  Hard weather gear?  Emergency gear?  Did they bring their spare fur, in case they get lost and the weather goes south?  I don't dare think about the really important stuff, like emergency dog rations.  *I* know the way back -- I can sniff it -- but will they follow me?  No way.   If I'm ever gonna get to go on some real adventure dogwalking, I'm gonna have to train them..."

Stories come to mind:  my two teenaged pals who got lost at dusk almost within sight of their car, November, northern Minnesota, bad weather, and found their way out 36 hrs. later... the acquaintance who left this car for a short hike in the Canyonlands desert near Moab, with maybe a quart of water and very little else, and found his way back a day later... two separate parties without maps who relied on a GPS that stopped working out in the middle of the Cascades...  you get the picture.

Make sure that puppy gets enough daily exercise, and you will find that you cannot outwalk an adult corgi.

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Permalink Reply by Nora on June 18, 2012 at 9:23pm

Awe... What I expressed was how I delighted to see my girl grew strong --- really didn't expect to be replied with sarcasm...

We took our girl there to let her get used to different environment, not for the physical challenge.I was thinking it was actually a bit funny since a casual walking after dinner became a finding-way-out hiking.

We are not hikers and will never be, but we could still have fun from it.

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Permalink Reply by Beth on June 18, 2012 at 10:16pm

It's pretty normal for most herding dogs to keep an eye on you in strange places.   Do watch, though:  Maddie will chase a chipmunk, put it to ground, and not budge from the spot.  It's a good idea to train a dog to a whistle or emergency recall in case they wander.

I don't think John meant to give you a hard time.  :)    He's a serious hiker and has experience of all the dangers that can befall someone in the woods.  Please don't go into the woods without at least a trail map (if it's a busy park with well-marked trails) or a trail map, compass, water, and emergency kit (if it's not).  

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Permalink Reply by Sam Tsang on June 18, 2012 at 10:28pm

John means well, don't take it personally. Better be safe than sorry. Several months ago my dogs went for a 6 hr day hike with me, wife and a friend near McMaster university in Hamilton, Mocha was not able to walk back to our car during the last hr (injured paw pads from wet sand / stone), I had to carry him (28lbs) and walk for half an hour, then wait for my wife to pick us up for another half hr, things can definitely go wrong at any time, with the temperature rising this week in Ontario, make sure you bring extra water for yourself and DouBao.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on June 19, 2012 at 1:33am

Hey, not sarcasm, just... take it seriously!  Once that pup is adult, she'll be able to walk farther than you can imagine!  Corgi legs are awesome things.

Gwynnie is now 9 years old.  After a long, long, all-day hike up a mountain, she will be reluctant to hop into the car.  Is she too tired to make the jump into the back seat?  Or is she disappointed that the adventure is over.  I do not know.

Don't underestimate that animal.

And don't get lost!  I got lost on the way in on our last hike, and noticed that she followed out ascent route exactly on the descent -- she followed the "wrong" way, the way we'd come, not the shorter "right" way -- was she following memory?  or was she following scent?  I don't know.  This was all on snow.  She was ahead of me, and she knew the way.

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Permalink Reply by Nora on June 19, 2012 at 9:05am

Thanks very much John! I will be more careful and prepared when we plan the next one.

(Guess I always have problems understanding English perfectly, as it is always me second langauge and always will be..my life time excuse...lol...)

BTW, since John you are a serious hiker, you might give me some suggestions on dog hiking 101 --- any gears or supplements we should bring for the DOG? Like something to protect her feet (boots? cream?)

We usually go to moderate and well-marked trails, so not really wild wild trail.

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Permalink Reply by John Wolff on June 19, 2012 at 3:41pm

There are tons of books re. hiking with dogs.  Find one for your area.  Find one that has good general information.

Search my posts.  Not sure how one does this; go to my page, search both Posts started by me and Posts replied to.  Use "hiking" for a tag?

I do take Pawz medium-size booties (they're big balloons that roll over the paws) only for emergencies (never needed them).  Also that vet-wrap self-adhering gauze in case of foot cuts.  I like the Outward Hound collapsible dog bowl (you can make a bowl out of a plastic bag, too).  I use Advantix in tick country (are you in a Lyme Disease area?).  Verify your microchip (Gwynnie's failed).  Teach a good recall (see "emergency recall" or "really reliable recall").  You want your dog to pass the Porcupine Test!  Keep them close (bobcats, coyotes, cougars, other dogs).  Mine are usually off-leash, but I keep a quick-draw leash on my pack strap with a rubber band, instantly ready.  I leash them as soon as I hear other people, especially horses.  Don't let them chase wildlife (like porcupines or raccoons, which can easily kill a large dog).  Haven't tried Mushers' Secret.  Check the paws periodically (never had an injury in the mountains).  Remember to water the dog.  I keep a tiny bottle for dogs' leftover water, when it's scarce.  Have your cell phone # on the collar (we returned 2 pointers that way once).  Safety harness for the car.  Safety harness to belay dog on scary log crossings.  If you use a harness, make sure it's not rubbing sores on the dog's skin (happened to us).  Know what to do around horses (immediate leash, make sure they see and hear you, go downslope of horses when meeting on steep terrain).  Know when the hunting seasons are.  I have used the Chillybuddy cooling vest with some success in sunny heat.  I flag the collars gaily with day-glo magenta survey ribbons.

A square sit-pad of closed-cell foam is a standard vital first aid item (to keep an immobilized victim warm).  Hundreds of uses, including the dog's sleeping/sitting pad.

I've heard that porcupine quills are air-filled and collapse if you cut them with a scissors, then easier to pull out with your stout forceps or pliers.

One thing I do NOT have is a painkiller drug for the dog.  I need to talk to the vet about that.

There are many good freeze-dried raw meat dog foods that are well-dried and low-odor; I have some airtight plastic screw-cap cans to try to contain the odor.  Remember that dog food is perfect bear bait.

Don't get lost.  Start with the 10 Essentials for people, then think about the dog.  I always carry 2 headlamps and 2-3 compasses.  I have an Emergency Bag that goes everywhere with me.

[I'm from northern Minnesota; when I hear "Provincial Park", what comes to mind is "Quetico".]

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Permalink Reply by Rachael McClanahan on June 19, 2012 at 10:03am

We are planning to take at least one of our corgis to our next hike around the batholiths in Austin. It will be the dogs first real hike. We don't have anything near as impressive as the Cascades, but we enjoy hiking anyway. So I agree, could you post some tips for all of us that want to have our pups go on hikes with us?

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Permalink Reply by Kathy Losacco on June 19, 2012 at 9:40am

It can be fun to get gloriously "lost" in parks.  I like doing this in the urban parks around and explore all their different trails.    But do go prepared and know where you are going.  Nothing beats getting out on the trails with your dog.  My family goes to church on Sundays to worship God, I take the dogs out and experience Him.

Here is a link to a great article about hiking with dogs:

http://www.wta.org/hiking-info/basics/hiking-with-dogs?searchterm=h...

Corgis are amazing, and, unless you are John, you may never really know their limits.  I always think that Austin, my corgi, is powered by Energizer, whereas my other dog had the store brand installed at birth.

 

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Permalink Reply by Nora on June 19, 2012 at 10:11am

That was a great article and I've bookmarked already! Thanks so much!

BTW, I LOVE your Austin's look --- I don't know whether it is because of the black hair round his head and the ears. He looks so different and always calm... LOL...Just love it...

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Permalink Reply by DSmith on June 22, 2012 at 9:50pm

Hey I think it's cool that you're proud of your girl. I also think that it's way cool that you've experienced one of the coooolest aspects of Corgis...their ability to go and go and go....but i'm chuckling...you're creating a MONSTER...when I take my two out for a long hike they will nap and THEN expect me to throw their frisbees 30 times...EACH. < smiling>

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