Boundary Waters Quetico Forum :: Group Forum: Solo Tripping :: Solo with a dog, have you done it?
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Zulu |
Hi Amok - The canoe is a Souris River Quetico 17 in kevlar. |
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muddy |
No plans, no reservations, no worries!!!! Have to see what fate has in store for me! |
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whiteh20 |
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Amok |
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nctry |
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muddy |
Couldn't help but post a pic of my pup! |
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Amok |
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muddy |
The dog encounter on a portage is exactly what I want to avoid! I could see my little lab doing that!! |
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ooraminna |
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SunCatcher |
Worked Peachy SunCatcher |
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PJ |
Water temperatures don't concern me. I wet foot it. If my feet don't freeze off I figure his won't either. Baxter does not mind carrying his pack. I have no problems getting it on him. When I hold it in my hand and tell him to come he knows it's time to have it put on. He stands still while I strap it on. I would have second thoughts about a 100 lb dog in a solo canoe. I notice when Baxter shifts his weight from one side of the canoe to the other. One reason I'm glad I don't have tractor seat. I just slide over a bit to compensate. Sometimes, on calm water, I will heal the canoe over a bit to increase rocker which makes it more responsive to correcting strokes. Sometimes Baxter doesn't like that and he'll slide over to level the canoe out. Smarty-pants. You could ask Butthead what he thinks about traveling with Baxter. He'd be a little less biased than I am. |
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muddy |
quote PJ: " Very good point I found out. You could use a tractor seat but so much nicer having a bench seat and just adjusting seating position get the boat right. |
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OBX2Kayak |
Most dogs are better company than any of my ex-wives. |
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PJ |
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Zulu |
Freddie, my 15 year old beagle and myself went on a six day solo in late May to Newton Lake. She did very well on the one portage we took. I kept her on the leash until I had just the canoe. Then she walked by herself but wouldn't yield to four guys pushing a motorboat over the portage. They were nice about stopping for her but I will need to hold onto the leash and the canoe next time. The dog carrier opens me up for ridicule but it keeps her clean and comfortable and fits inside the tent. I line the inside with two old down vests which she appreciated when it got down to 28 degrees two of the nights. I use a Coglan's insect net made for baby carriages to wrap around the carrier when the bugs are bad and a water resistant backpack cover for rain. The door of the carrier isn't attached when it is in the canoe in case of a capsize. She goes in the carrier on her own accord when in camp for shade or insect relief. If I wanted to I could break the kennel down and fit it in a #4 portage pack to disguise it. I hope I can bring her on a 12 day solo to Lac LaCroix this August unless she opts to go to a pet spa and get pampered for a change. |
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muddy |
Got a floor of gear laid out and the lists being made and checked. Guess I'm going just don't know where or what day i'll get up there. |
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muddy |
Lots of variables to try out to get the right fit. |
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ooraminna |
I'm hoping to find an outfitter that has both the Prism and a SR16 to see which one would work better. My dog is midsized, about 50 lbs and great in the canoe. I duct-tape a piece of blue foam (cut off from one of those cheap sleeping pads) in the bottom of the canoe for her. |
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PJ |
quote TomT: "He listens well until he sees wildlife ie: rabbits, squirrels, deer." One answer: training collar. Baxter is "resued dog." I got him when he was about nine months old. He had not been treated well by his previous "owner." The first time we met he tried to bite me. To say he was a "project" is an understatement. I read a few books on dealing with problem dogs and we worked and worked and worked. He got better and better. I never want a dog that can't be trusted off lead. Baxter gets to come to the office with me everyday. (One of the benefits of owning your own business.) One foggy morning, a few months after I adopted him, as we were walking from the house to my truck to head to work he took off chasing something. We live in the country and I had no clue where he went. I was pissed. At lunch break that day I went to Gander Mountain and purchased a training color. I read the instructions and watched the video on how to humanely use it. If the dog jumps or yelps when "shocked" too strong of a level is being used. Today Baxter rarely needs to have the collar on. When I do put it on him it's when were doing something he loves to do...walks and hikes. He sees it as a sign that it's time to do something fun. His collar has a buzzer...meaning when I hit the buzz button on the remote it makes a buzzing noise...no shock. 99% of the time when I need to hit a button a buzz is all it takes. Training kids and dogs takes both positive and negative reinforcement. Much more positive than negative. For Baxter, the training collar has worked very well when a little negative reinforcement is needed. |
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Zulu |
I may rent a solo next time or buy one if it is something I am going to do regularly. |
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Zulu |
I used an inexpensive insect net designed for a baby carriage made by Coglens. She didn't mind it over her at all. I also bring a breakdown kennel and waterproof cover in case it rains. That may not be an option for a dog your size but a tarp might work if your dog gets cold when she/he gets wet. |
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missmolly |
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SunCatcher |
SunCatcher |
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Zulu |
quote SunCatcher: "@zulu Freddy has it pretty good :) I think you're right Paul! Do you think one of those tent air conditioners would be going too far? She got a little warm in the tent during her afternoon naps. |
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muddy |
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Zulu |
quote muddy: "Really great photos Zulu!!!!"Thanks Muddy. The dog is going to turn 16 this January so I am taking more photos of her lately. |
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talusman |
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TomT |
He listens well until he sees wildlife ie: rabbits, squirrels, deer. Then he bolts for them and gets so excited I can't control him. My greatest fear would be him chasing a deer - or worse, and becoming lost. Sadly I decided it's not worth the risk with this boy. That's "Cooper" on the left and my border collie "Murphy" who I lost a couple years ago. Cooper is an Australian Shepherd. |
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butthead |
quote muddy: "After looking at your pics butthead I think I will be loading up the truck and heading north this next week; the dog will be coming. Don't blame me Muddy, it was like that when I got there! Have a fun and safe trip! butthead |
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SunCatcher |
Took her camping last weekend, one night to see how she would do in a tent. she did fine. Also, I have some braided slip collar leads (leash) that I use. Lightweight made out of plastic rope, braided. I am taking three with me so if I need to tie her up, I can. I been practicing getting canoe off of truck and portaging down to local lake and putting in and then going back to vehichle for gear, all with her tied to my belt. She does wonderful. She is 9, and I think we are going to do well on the trip. Either way, she is going and I will find out. SunCatcher |
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PJ |
I would not consider taking a trip without my friend. He rides very well in the canoe. He gets in and out of the canoe only when told to. He is mixed breed, mostly Shelty. He weighs just over 40 lbs. I do double portage and he just loves the walk. There are only a couple of times I have tied him up at the landings while I load or unload. Baxter has his own pack and carries his own food. He also wears a Doggie Flotation Device. I agree with your concern about having her leashed while carrying a canoe. I would not do that. Feel free to email me if you want any other information. |
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muddy |
Appreciate your insight and experience. I have been looking at lesser used EP's but they all involve kick butt portages...a no portage EP/basecamp might be in order...something I have never done. Belle, (my dog) carrying her own food?!?!? I can't get her to wear her neoprene vest on Dec. duck hunts!! |
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muddy |
My only concern is the portages. I would hate to have her off leash and meet people but I would hate to have her on leash while I have a canoe and pack, going through the rocks and have her pull me on my face! Guess I could double trip it and tie her off. Of course, I could always not bring her. Or, since I have an injured elbow, just do a base camp with no portages...no portages? wouldn't that be weird! What are your thoughts? |
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muddy |
We (Belle and I) had a great trip. She had a blast, was very calm in the canoe and didn't say one word of complaint. Possibly my best canoe partner yet!!! My only complaint was I had a hard time keeping her from chasing the loons while we were on shore. The e-collar wasn't working correctly or that would have been the solution. |
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SunCatcher |
I Love dogs have two labs. Raised many litters. One thing I will mention is once in a while while portaging canoe or pack, a dog from another canoeing party comes running up the portage and scares the hell out of ya. Not that I mind, cause I like dogs, but just saying it's happened more than once. One of those things where you look up from under the canoe and WOW there is a pouch coming 20 mph right at ya, haahha. I would like to take Molly my black lab, will check her out in canoe soon. she has never been, but was waiting for water to warm up before I tried it, as dont want swamped in cold water. She is a small labe at 70 - 75 lbs My male is right at 100 lbs SunCatcher |
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jwartman59 |
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butthead |
butthead |
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bumabu |
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SunCatcher |
Zulu, Molly is a little spoiled herself...she was asking if you would portage that tent air conditioner for her? Even though she is only 9? SunCatcher |
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Zulu |
We will be needing the heater instead of the AC in a few weeks. |