Canines can bring companionship — or conflict — to wildland trails
By Gillian Scott
Dogs are our companions, our friends, our family members. So for many of us, it’s only natural that our dogs join us on outdoor adventures. The effort to bring them along is rewarded with happy dog “grins,” a furry body curled next to our sleeping bags in the wilderness, and sometimes a soft head laid in our laps.
But even dog lovers may find themselves frustrated, annoyed, or even enraged by dogs they encounter on the trail.
There’s the dog that sneaks up behind you on a mountain summit and steals your sandwich.
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The dog that rushes up to greet you and getsmud all over your pants.
The dog that lunges at your child, growling, as you pass on a narrow trail.
The dog that chases wildlife or, worse, kills it. And, sometimes, the dog that bites.
Injury prevention
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Wilton resident Bobbie Tompkins was hiking in the Pharaoh Lakes Wilderness in early June when an off-leash German shepherd attacked her dog, Claira, without warning. Claira was left with two puncture wounds and a deep gash in the back of her neck that required internal and external stitches and two drains. The vet bill came to close to $800.
“A simple restraint could have prevented this injury,” Tompkins said. “This man’s ignorance in thinking he should let his dog roam free cost Claira a lot of pain.”
Tompkins said in the heat of the moment, worried about rushing Claira to a vet, she didn’t ask for the dog owner’s name. She was trying to track him down via license plate numbers and the trail register, but was doubtful about her odds of success.
In the meantime, Claira is healing, but her days of hiking may be over. Tompkins said she’s reluctant to take the risk of bringing her into the wilderness again.
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“What would have been a beautiful day through some beautiful forest ended up being possibly her last hike on public trails,” Tompkins said.
Rules and Recommendations
According to David Winchell, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation spokesman, DEC regulations for the High Peaks Wilderness require people to maintain control over their pets at all times and to never leave pets unattended.
In addition, in the Eastern High Peaks, all dogs—except hunting dogs that are actively hunting—must be on a leash while on trails, at primitive tent sites, at lean-to sites, at elevations above 4,000 feet and at other areas where the public gathers, such as parking lots. Though not required on the state forest preserve outside of the Eastern High Peaks, leashes are a good idea elsewhere as well, Winchell said.
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“DEC recommends that unless you can control your dog through audio commands so that it will not chase wildlife or run up to other hikers, it should be kept on leash on all hikes,” he said. “Having a dog on a leash protects wildlife, avoids negative encounters with other hikers and their dogs, and ensures their safety.”
Winchell noted that even if a dog doesn’t catch wild animals, the animals being chased will still use precious energy in fleeing, making them vulnerable to natural predators. And a dog that meets up with certain wildlife— such as a skunk, porcupine, bear or moose— can suffer injury or other consequences.
Spoiled outings
Having a dog leashed can also prevent unpleasant human encounters.
“Not everyone is a dog lover and some, especially children, have a fear of dogs loping down a trail towards them,” Winchell said. “This can ruin an otherwise pleasant outdoor experience for them. Even people who like dogs do not want a dog to run up and jump on them with their muddy feet.”
DEC forest rangers issue an average of 10 tickets annually for people hiking with their dogs off-leash in the Eastern High Peaks Wilderness, he said.
Besides DEC regulations that cover stateland, some private property owners may have rules banning dogs or requiring leashes. The Adirondack Mountain Reserve in Keene Valley, for instance, does not allow dogs on any of its trails, some of which provide access to popular High Peak summits. Regulations can also vary from municipality to municipality. So county-owned land close to your home may allow unleashed dogs, but land in the next county may require leashes. It’s always a good idea to do some research before heading out, Winchell said.
Dog trainer Deb Pica, a Saranac Lake resident,said hiking safely with a dog is a combination of having control of the dog through voice or leash and understanding a dog’s body language and behavior.
Total recall
A member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers with decades of training experience, Pica has taught classes specifically on hiking with dogs through the Adirondack High Peaks Dog Training Club. She said she created the class to target dog owners who were not only interested in hiking with their dogs, but who would commit to spending the time— “doing the homework”—to make the training stick.
“Unless people are really motivated, they don’t get proficient,” Pica said. “You don’t get a really reliable recall.”
And a reliable recall, which means the dog returns to its owner when called, every time it’s called, is essential if you want to hike with your dog off-leash, said Pica. That way, you can stop the dog from chasing wildlife, approaching another dog or getting too close to someone who appears nervous.
Suggested reading
A new book, “Doghiker,” offers recommendations for people who want to bring their pets into New York’s wild forests. Besides describing more than 30 hikes in the Adirondacks, author Alan Via lists outings in the Capital Region and the Catskills. There’s also an introduction offering advice on topics such as choosing a dog, training, first aid and gear.
“Even if you firmly believe dogs belong at home, you’ll discover my aim is to encourage good behavior rather than wishing away problems,” Via writes. “Getting dog owners to think about positive trail behavior benefits everyone.”
“Doghiker: Great Hikes with Dogs from the Adirondacks through the Catskills”
By Alan Via
State University of New York Press, Excelsior Editions, 2020. $24.95
“You need to say, OK, I can get my dog to come in my backyard all the time,” she said. “Now we have to challenge the dog with distractions and things like that, and that’s where people tend to fall apart. They don’t work that part of it. And the more that dog practices not coming back, you lose your recall.”
People don’t have to train their dogs to competition level, Pica said. But a dog should respond when called, and should be able to walk quietly by a group of people when passing on a trail, whether on leash or off.
“If there are any aggression issues, you really need to address that before you take the dog out into the world,” she said. “And you need to recognize what’s problematic behavior, which many people don’t. They have no idea. They’ll say, ‘Oh, he’s fine,’ when they actually don’t know if the dog is fine.”
Even a dog that doesn’t have aggression issues can be frightening to other hikers.
“People shouldn’t be allowing their dogs to run up to people, even if they’re friendly. It’s just not a good idea,” Pica said.
‘All about the dog’
For many dog owners, having a canine companion along is part of the enjoyment of being outdoors. Watching a dog romp joyfully down a trail or through a creek just adds to the fun of a hike.
Heidi Roland, a resident of Lake Placid and an Adirondack 46er, said she routinely hikes with her dog off-leash, though only where it’s allowed. The dog, Daisy, is a mutt weighing in just under 40 pounds.
“Hiking with a dog on a leash is a real drag for you and a real drag for the dog,” she said. “Our dogs have always been considerably more protective if they’re on a leash. So, an encounter with another dog, when they’re both on leash and with the closeness of the trail, is bound to be not a very good story.”
But Roland said she and her husband typically hike in areas where they’re not going to run into very many people—the crowded High Peaks no longer appeal to them—and they always carry a leash with them.
“We like to go where the dog doesn’t have to be on a leash,” she said. “Sometimes the hikes are all about taking the dog. They’re as much for her.”
Of the four dogs Roland’s family has had, she said none has ever gotten quilled by a porcupine, or skunked. One did get into a bee’s nest, and a few have liked to chase chipmunks and squirrels.
Roland said she has had other hikers tell her that her dog should be on a leash, but it’s always happened in areas where leashes aren’t actually required.
“They won’t even have a dog and it doesn’t appear they’re afraid of the dog … in the meantime, she’s not even anywhere near them because she’s off in the woods. So I don’t really know what that’s about,” she said. “But it is a little confusing, because there are different rules for different areas. And that’s not entirely obvious.”
“When we got her as a puppy, we did hire a dog trainer just because Brittanys are notoriously high-energy,” Douglas said. “Doing what we do, I feel like it’s important to have a well-trained dog because we are out outside quite a bit with the dog.”
That training paid off, she said. Daisy is great off-leash, and is so good-natured she would never hurt a person or another dog. Douglas said she sees both sides of the story. On the one hand, leashes can be inconvenient.
“There are some places where it’s just really difficult for a dog to be on a leash, like if you’re on a steep rock face. In some instances, it can be dangerous,” she said. “If it were up to me, I’d prefer that some dogs were allowed to be off-leash.”
On the other hand, she always follows rules regarding leash use and understands why the rules are needed. Not all dogs she has encountered in the woods have been well-behaved.
“I’ve seen dogs that act strange around little kids or aren’t very good with other dogs, Douglas said. “If people are too lax with their dogs, or the dogs are not well-trained or they’re not good with kids, it’s scary.
Why the difference in leashing requirements from the eastern high peaks and other areas?
You don’t mention the dog waste issue. We’re talking viruses.
Humans are the virus. They s*** all over the woods, too, leaving paper residue
Really!? Defer to common sense. Ridiculous to focus on such a minor issue in the real world – especially today.
We who LIVE here, this IS our real world, every day. Dog attacks, rabies, chasing deer and waste are a huge, daily problem. We don’t all live in cities.
OMG, I confronted a guy throwing trash out of his car window the other day, that was his response too. Is there a community of you people using a pandemic as excuse for not being a decent, responsible human being? If anything this is a time to be even more considerate and sensible. Leave your dog at home if you can’t hike with it on a leash, and clean up after the thing if it is on a leash.
Really, this issue is so overblown, exaggerated and very misunderstood by the wagging-finger leash lovers.
I’ve climbed more than 700 mountain ascents with my Chocolate Lab Mike and it’s rare if ever I’ve tied anything to him (except a HARNESS, often critically important gear for dogs on many Adirondack hikes).
Mike is my beloved friend and constant companion and a friend to all on the trail. This constant sniping and pearl clutching by the mountain purists (“I got splashed by mud” — oh my goodness!!) threaten to ruin my mountain experience with my friend. Please stop it.
And by the way, Mike WAS very recently attacked by another dog — the only time in 10+years — costing me $700 in vet bills. But in this case, at a nearby dog park, BOTH dogs were leashed!!!
That’s fine, but if an unleashed animal approaches me, don’t be upset if I defend myself against the dog. I don’t clutch pearls, but I do carry a knife and have picked up large rocks ready to start swinging. If only there were a device that would allow you to bring your little four legged hobby on a hike with you that would keep the thing from harming truly innocent animals and annoying other people who have a right to enjoy the trails un-harassed…when will we ever invent such a glorious creation.
Same. I have no problem stun-gunning or stabbing a dog who aggressively challenges or attacks me. And I have known people who purposely leave poisoned goodies just off the trail for unleashed dogs to find. I haven’t, but I’d be aware if I were someone who let my dog loose.
These are multi-use trails, guys. Have some consideration for those hiking, riding, or biking. It can be very frightening to be run up on by a strange dog. And if I had a dollar for everyone who said, “Why she’s never behaved that way before!” Or the old standby, “Don’t worry, he’s friendly” and then I’m aggressively cornered, barked at, or knocked off my bike. The indignation dog owners can have on the trail is absolutely astounding. I also super love stepping in or riding through your dog sh*t by mistake. So awesome.
Don’t be that ass*ole. Use a leash or run your dog at a designated area.
You do realize even if a dog is chasing you it’s illegal to stun or mace it. This was brought to my attention when I asked about pepper spray while gravel biking. Sure if a dog has your leg you might as well do what you have to but just as you can’t just go shooting people that scare you (or even pull a knife for show), you can’t actually mace a dog.
As far as throwing poison treats in the woods, eventually someone will tell someone and that someone will tell someone and all of a sudden someone is either in jail or paying a hefty fine or both. In recent years the penalties for this sort of thing have increased quite a bit. So it’s a great idea until it isn’t.
One of the conceits of many dog owners is that because they love their mutt, then everyone will. I do like dogs. But I don’t like unknown dogs charging at me or jumping on me with their muddy paws as the owner does nothing except bleat “He’s friendly.”
You say you like dogs so … when you hear, “He’s friendly,” why not go ahead and be a friend? Surely if you’re hiking in the Adirondacks, you can’t be aghast at a little mud!!
I like dogs, but I don’t put any animal above any others. If a strange animal approaches me on a trail, I’m going to defend myself. Then you dog nuts get all upset. Why do you even need the government to tell you to leash your animal? It’s it just common sense/ human decency. Keep your little four legged hobby home if you can’t handle it on a leash.
“ Winchell noted that even if a dog doesn’t catch wild animals, the animals being chased will still use precious energy in fleeing, making them vulnerable to natural predators. And a dog that meets up with certain wildlife— such as a skunk, porcupine, bear or moose— can suffer injury or other consequences.”
Really? Hunting dogs, whether in training or actively hunting, fit this description perfectly, so why should they be excluded?
Hunting dogs are trained to retrieve shot prey. They do not run loose – they follow commands only, and are not running wild or independently after squirrels, etc. until they are commanded to retrieve. There’s a huge difference between a trained hunting dog and even the same breed, untrained, and loose. That’s why there’s a difference.
Dogs should have the opportunity to hike with their owners. We try to choose trails that are lightly traveled. The big problem is the owners. Train your pets, realize not everyone is a fan of canines. Leash and take them off the trails when others approach. Clean up after them. Know your dog’s limitations.
We enjoy taking our dogs with us.
Right now it seems that the major problem on trails is inexperienced folks, who are unprepared, don’t know their limits and think that a cell phone will save them.
Wow, way to deflect. No, the biggest issue is dog owners, certainly it’s the issue trending upward the fastest. My hiking boots are still wet from having to wash them off after stepping in dog vomit on the trail today. Last week I carried 2 dog bags full of poop off the mountain. I was approached by a growling dog this spring and have watched morons who think it’s cute that their stupid dog is chasing wildlife.
I’ve given dog owners friendly reminders that their dog should be leashed or at the very least under control, not wandering the woods. Some people are reasonable, some become belligerent, which I’m more than happy to reciprocate. My favorite is “they’re friendly” which I’m always quick to respond “I don’t care”. They assume they’re afraid of the things, I’m trying to hike without your annoying 4 legged hobby harassing me, I’m not afraid of it. I do carry a weapon now while hiking though; I never did out of concern of people, but the dog issue has become a huge problem.
It really has become a huge problem where I live, as well. I consider it incredibly selfish of bad dog owners. At some point, soon, these individuals will find they have ruined the privilege for even the leash-abiding owners. Sadly, there will be a lot more dogs hurt because their people are careless and stupid.
Please leash your dogs!! As a single hiking female, I bring my dog with me for companionship and protection. I know my dog’s physical limits and don’t push her and I know her social limits – she is not friendly to strangers or other dogs. I take my responsibility as a dog owner seriously, keep my dog leashed on a choke collar and veer off the trail to let others pass and prevent interaction. My actions only go so far though when other dog owners do not keep their canines leashed. Three times yesterday, unleashed dogs came bounding down the trail and ran right up to my dog’s face, even though we had stepped off the trail. People – your dog may be friendly, but not all dogs are and your lack of leashing puts others at risk. Unfriendly dogs aren’t bad dogs; it simply means their owners have to handle them properly, which I do. But that only goes so far if not everyone obeys the law Or us common courtesy and keeps their dogs on a leash.
Ban them. Please. On all trails.
I couldn’t agree more.
Most dogs and their owners I have met on trail are friendly. I just dont like the attitude that I love to hike with my dog so you should too. Most owners seem to control their dogs pretty well. But personally I don’t like to see any dog off leash because I never really know what they will do despite what the owner says. So to you owners who say whats so bad about a little mud when my dog jumps on you. When u walk my pet tiger and he eats your fifi dont come crying,
I wish they didnt put the mud comment in the article, I feel like it discredits those of us who would like to just hike without some unleashed animal running up on us. I don’t care about mud, I just don’t want your dog around me. There is a piece of equipment (leash) that allows you to accomplish bringing the dog in public, while keeping it under control and close to you. If it is too difficult for you to use the leash, then leave the dog home or maybe don’t own a dog if you don’t own some land for the animal to run on. Public land is not your dog park.
Most dogs and their owners I have met on trail are friendly. I just dont like the attitude that I love to hike with my dog so you should too. Most owners seem to control their dogs pretty well. But personally I don’t like to see any dog off leash because I never really know what they will do despite what the owner says. So to you owners who say whats so bad about a little mud when my dog jumps on you. When u walk by my pet tiger and he eats your fifi dont come crying,
Comments by selfish dog owners justifying their behavior are really infuriating. You aren’t special. The rules apply to you. If your dog comes at me off leash, I’m going to defend myself with force.
I completely agree, I’ve told people as their dogs surround me “if I pick up a rock and bash this things head in, I’m completely within my rights and anything that happens to this animal is on you”. That of course leads to an argument with an ignorant fool who can’t under why they’re wrong.
There is no reasonable excuse, if you want the dog to run, buy some land. If you don’t have land but insist on buying a breed that is active and needs to run…first, you’ve made a terrible decision, and now you’re trying to make your problem my problem. I really don’t like that character trait.
Leave your dog at home.
I hope your dog is ok. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know.
I am a animal lover and can about all wildlife. [email protected]