Anyone gone off portage with their dog? Any tips or advice?

It hasn't been a problem for my dog--but walking through the woods off-trail is second nature for him, as we live in the woods. That said, he did not like the recent bushwhack through alder swamp and deadfalls along Allen Creek. Plenty of places for man or beast to get injured.

it makes no difference to my dog whether we're bush wacking or on trail. if it's going to be a long hike i always bring water and a collapsible bowl for him. it's amazing how much water a lab can drink.

Every dog is a bit different, but I don't see it as too different from heading into the woods grouse or pheasant hunting. I don't usually stick to trails.

My dog would think nothing of it. If I give him freedom to run a little he'll take intentional detours off trail just to check things out. He's also part mountain goat and can climb up some pretty tricky looking rock walls.

Off trail there is certainly more that can go wrong so its important to have a first aid kit available.

The other critical piece is that having the dog on leash while bushwhacking off trail is almost impossible so you'll have to let the dog loose so make sure you have a firm and effective recall for the dog that you know it will honor every time. You'll have to be vigilant and keep the dog under vocal control the entire time. I don't let mine get out of sight and call him back to me often so that he has to check in with me.

Putting a bear bell on my dog helps me keep track of her when we are in heavy brush. If I can't see her I can always hear her.

A bell is a good idea. I've gotten so used to listening for the jingle of the tags on my dogs collar that I can distinguish the sound of his tags from all the other dogs at the dog park. Very useful when you're in real thick stuff and he can be 10 feet away and you still can't see him.