For the Love of Dog!
- May 2012
- Simple Living Climb Dogs Training Travel
Hi Steph,
I’ve been spending a lot of time lately reading your blog, and have been working up the nerve to e-mail. I’m 21, about to graduate college and hit the road, with my whole life ahead of me and a world of possibilities, and am so unbelievably excited for everything that that future holds. I’m moving out to southern Utah (Kanab area) to work at a wilderness therapy program, and, having an ideal schedule (you work 8 days on and then have 6 days off, year-round), I’m planning on living out of the back of my truck and spending my time off climbing, traveling, hiking.. just generally living and loving life outside. I have a million questions (how, as a lone girl without climbing partners, do I just go up and ask a group if I can climb with them? How do I weather proof a truck? How do I….the questions never end), but there’s one thing in particular I think you can help me with, and that’s questions about dogs..
I’ve never had a dog but have always wanted one, and have been seriously thinking about getting one soon. I know that with this lifestyle I need a dog that can withstand harsh temperatures, will be very active (or okay with a very active lifestyle), will be trainable and well-behaved, not aggressive against strangers/ able to hike with groups of 10 kids who may or may not have behavioral issues (for my work), and, for myself, a dog that will be loyal and love me unconditionally. Hearing you talk about Fletch, and from my own reading on heelers, they sound like the ideal dog. My questions though… I’ve never owned a dog, and while I’ve read a bunch about dog training, I know that reading is different than doing. How long would it take a dog to be well enough trained that they could manage that lifestyle, work with kids, and not take all my attention from the kids I’m working with, whose safety is in my hands? How do you deal with national parks that aren’t dog-friendly? I’m going to such a beautiful area, I don’t want to be cut off from half of it… What about while I’m climbing, what do I do with a dog then? And the time commitment.. I know I want a dog and I know it’s a long commitment and I’m pretty sure I can do it, but who knows what I’m going to be doing 5-10 years from now. I know I want an active lifestyle now, but what if five years from now I decide I want to go to grad school, or teach, or do something that doesn’t allow me to spend 24/7 outside with my dog… Should I consider a dog besides a heeler, who might, if circumstances change in the future, be able to deal with a less active lifestyle and more time alone? I know it’s a lot of questions… I want a dog so badly, but I know it’s a big decision, so am probably going to give myself a couple months–to start work, figure out truck living, etc–before committing.. Still any advice (about dogs, truck living, living alone as a girl, anything…), is appreciated!
Thanks so much and hope all is well,
Jory
Hey Steph,
I have a etiquette question for you. I often see people who bring their dogs to the crag. Some of these dogs are super chill, mind their own business and wait patiently for their owners. I love these dogs. On the other hand many of the doggies are not so happy with their owners climbing up and away from them, the dogs bark whine and run amok among the other climbers. I have also seen dogs left tied up with no food or water when their owners go on multi pitch routes. Now I’m not a confrontational person but I am an animal lover, how would you handle a situation with an unruly or mistreated crag dog? What is the right thing to say to an owner and how do you feel about dogs at the crag? Thanks!
-Betsy
Hi Steph,
I’ve recently gotten into climbing and am really enjoying it. I have been planning for awhile now to move into my car and travel full time. I’ve also been really interested in getting a dog, I love them and have always wanted one that I could take hiking and camping with me, but it seems it might be hard to dirtbag with a dog. Is it possible to have a dog and still be able to do multi pitch routes?
Alex
Dear Jory, Betsy and Alex,
My favorite subject….dogs!! 🙂
And I also spend hours thinking and talking about all these topics, of course.
A dog is a terrifyingly major commitment. When I first got Fletch, I was living in my truck, and I would be out of the country on expeditions for 4 months a year. A lot of my time in the States was spent in climbing areas, including Yosemite, Tuolomne, Josh and Hueco Tanks. Obviously it would have been impossible for me to take Fletch: but I did.
Before I got her (from my friend Skuter who was accepting applications for a permanent foster parent because he was leaving to New Zealand and Antarctica without a defined return date), I did interrogate talk to my closest friends to determine whether they would truly be willing to watch Fletch for 2-3 month stints if I left the country. The US travel situation I would figure out.
I discovered that not having Fletch in my life would have been far more difficult and unpleasant than having her in my life. In fact, not having Fletch would have been the worst thing I could ever imagine. And I also developed a deep and growing bitterness toward anti-dog regulations in natural outdoor places, particularly when said natural places are generally asphalted and concessionized to make them more user-friendly to people driving around in RVs and purchasing plastic items for children. However, I digress.
I also discovered that my friend Jimmie Dunn knew exactly what he was talking about when he said “anyplace that’s good for dogs is good for humans.” And the opposite is equally true. So having a dog kind of forces you into places that are good for you.
When Fletch finally passed away, it was two years before I could even think of getting another dog. And I got the same cold feet all over again: what about all the responsibility of having a dog, needing to have her watched if I went somewhere she couldn’t go…. And then I realized that I now had a cat who had decided to move in one day and required constant company and special dinners, and I already needed a house sitter anytime I left for the night, so it would really be no different except a dog could come out camping too. Now that we have adopted Cajun, I have realized all over again that not having a dog is just no fun. So any inconvenience she involves is far outweighed by the quality she adds to life.
Still, I would urge anyone who decides to join their life to a dog to remember that this is a commitment for life. It’s even more serious than a commitment you might make to another human, because a dog depends on you unconditionally for everything, and betraying that trust is just not an option. Maybe you’ve read dog bios on adoption sites about dogs who are in the shelter because their family “moved and couldn’t take him.” If you get a dog, there is no “moving and just can’t take him,” unless maybe you are moving to the state pen. And if that happens, you need to find a home for him that is as good or better than yours was. You are committed to this being until death do you part. Yes, this should be the scariest decision of your life so far. If the lifestyle you want to pursue would not be healthy and good for a dog, you can’t have one. If you don’t think you can provide for your dog in all eventualities, with or without you, you can’t have one.
Dog parents have the same questions and issues as baby parents when it comes to outdoor recreating. People who don’t have dogs or babies are generally not sympathetic to having their climbing day inconvenienced in any way by small often loud creatures. My feeling is that if you bring your dependent creatures climbing, you should do your best to make sure they are not inconveniencing others and that they are safe and relatively well-entertained. You should also be ready to discipline them if they are causing trouble. This will be very tiring and distracting for you during the training/learning phase (also embarrassing since puppies usually ky yi like they are being murdered if you pull their ear for nipping at someone), and you will most likely be doing more training/tending than sending and probably lots of apologizing also. But the idea is that eventually they will grow into excellent crag attendees and then everyone will be happy.
Babies and dogs will not always be perfect and they may occasionally annoy others. But if you are doing your best to take care of them and you are also trying to teach them manners at the crag, others will cut your menagerie some slack during the learning process. Dogs and babies that never come out climbing will never learn to be well behaved in community settings. If you are not doing your best to take care of them and you are not making an effort to teach them to be well behaved in community settings and they are consistently annoying everyone around you, you should not bring them.
I’m really not sure how to politely tell someone that they are not raising their dog or baby correctly, so honestly I just don’t. Dogs do need water, and I don’t think anyone would consider it inappropriate to inform people they need to give their dog water. People should also teach their dogs to wait for them without being tied up because a dog should not be left somewhere trapped alone with no way to get away from things like coyote packs, but that’s probably pushing the bounds of appropriate input from strangers. If I see a leashed dog that is thirsty or hot at a crag, I give it water and move it into a shady place. That’s about the best you can do.
Depending on your dog and where you are climbing, it is totally possible to do multi-pitch climbing with them. We often take Cajun up to Castleton Tower. She waits at the base until we reach the summit, and then as soon as she sees our parachutes appear, she runs down the hill to meet us at the landing area. Of course if you are climbing in a place where dogs are illegal merely for existing, or must be chained up at all times, this won’t work–but that’s a problem I solve by not going to places like that.
With regards to how they will behave: puppies are a handful, but I have noticed that most dogs tend to gradually take on the characteristics of their human. It makes sense: they do live with you and sleep with you and spend every moment of every day with you. It would be sort of impossible for your personalities not to merge.
🙂 Steph
well put!
Awesome post! Â Dogs are among my favorite subjects also…they do need and give unconditional love…and–not only do they adopt the traits of their humans–they have uncanny reactions to other humans, too…it’s just pretty weird and cool:) I know that was vague, but I am guessing dog people will get it! Awesome!
I cannot  agree more. I’m a climber and I have a dog. She’s the love of my life! I could not live without her. She gives so much. The number of time I smile because of her… It’s priceless.Â
But you got to prepare yourself to train your dog, learn different way to train your dog, be patient. I adopted my dog when she was 1 year old from a dog shelter. I started by just be a foster home until I decided it was time for me to get my own dog. The first month I took her for long walk every day to get her a routine of following me. And, I try to socialize her to every aspect of my life. Basically, she was following me everywhere. Then, I left on a roadtrip for 3 months, and she was the best crag dog ever! Me too… I avoid NP or other place where dogs are not allowed.
After I return from my trip, my dog started to become more aggressive towards other dogs and some people. I cannot explain exactly why, but for about a year her behaviors changed to worst. I think it’s realated to the fact that we stelled down a bit. So on climbing days, I had to be really patient. That year was ruff, I could be 100% sure of her behaviors. Most of the time, I had to tied her far from other people to avoid any confrontation and when people were asking if she was a good dog or if they could pet her, shamely, I was saying no. That was painfull for me. You always wish for the perfect dog. But it took patience. Although she showed some bad behaviors, to me leaving her at home was not the way she could learn. So I started to change my activity a bit. climbing in less busy places, avoiding the crowd, climbing with 2 others people that way I could manage her. Â I reintroduce other calm dog to her environment slowly,etc. Anyways, my point is, you cannot be prepare enough to have a dog. It can be really easy or it can be tough. But if you really want one, you’ll find a way. Read, ask, talk to professionnel. There is tons of litterature about the subject.
Like Steph said, it’s a real commitment. To me, there was  no way to get rid of my dog. Even if a lot of  people suggested me so. I knew there was something to do. My dog is a rescue dog. I didn’t know her past. After just a month with her, we lived the dream of a roadtrip. But turns out she only had the chance to show me her bad behavior 6 months later. I took me time to figure out how to help her become a better dog. But today, I can celebrate 15 months without any fight, or aggressive behavior towards other dog or people. She even has other friends! I’m really proud of her. And me 😉  She’s a very good dog now. She loves to go at the crag!  She always did, but now I feel more confident to bring her at the crag. When pack the car, she is always the first in it! She knows when we go climbing!Â
I think you could totally have a dog, but just be prepare. Prepare to take the time he needs to be well train. In your situation, will you have time while working with kids on those 8 days? Where will be the dog? I’m sure your dog will love the 6 days-off, but I think you need to consider what you are going to do with the dog while working. how’s your schedual? I don’t know all the details, but having a new dog, while starting a new job may not be the best thing while leaving in a truck. Will you have time to exercice your dog enough  let say in the morning so he will be tired and patient with other kids while you work? I don’t say it’s not possible, but there is a lot to consider. The first few week with a dog takes a lot of time. The dog has to get your routine and learn. In the meantime, if it’s an adult, you will discover his behavior. Often adult rescue dogs are different in the first few weeks during the transition from the shelter or ex-life to their new life. And if you get a puppy, you will need more time to house (truck) train him, stop bitting, stop barking, etc.Â
I would simply suggest you get a dog before you start working that way your dog will get a routine with you or start to regnozize his home or you start working and figure out your routine, the installation and how you can fit your dog in this new life.
Sorry for this long comment! I love dog. I cannot tell you enough how my dog fullfill my life. She made me a better person. But there are too many people who don’t know enough about dog and are not prepare enough. And they end up getting rid off their dog for no good reasons.
Properly trained, a man can be dog’s best friend! – Corey Ford.
great post steph!!!
Awesome article! Dogs are definitely among my favorite subjects too. My one big piece of advice is make sure you give adopting a dog A LOT of thought before you go through with the process. It’s not all belly rubs and loyal companions. There’s days of eating shoes, gloves, ropes, walls, and seat belts (experienced or seen all firsthand), puking puppies (and you won’t be able to figure out why and it will scare the heck out of you), and even days when your pup just wants to throw temper tantrums and be angry. They’re basically toddlers, just slightly more rugged. Be sure you can handle the best of days, and the worst of days. Owning a dog isn’t easy, cheap, or simple.
Also, do your research on breeds. For example, I have a Siberian Husky which is wonderful for colder activities, but he’s not an ideal crag dog (I adopted him before becoming active in climbing). Siberians are known for being runners and they can’t handle much heat, so he’s unfortunately always on some type of leash. I wish it was different for him. =( Fortunately we have a pretty great time in the snow and hiking in rain.
Dogmandb was right when they said that dogs adopt the traits of their humans though. Just give whatever dog you adopt time to adjust, and you’ll start to see a weird sort of mirror. Sometimes I swear my dog thinks he’s actually my kid by the way he acts. It’s definitely a dog owner thing, so you’ll get it soon enough!
Good luck, and definitely adopt – don’t buy!
I just sent your quote about anti-dog regulations, paving, and plastic trinkets for kids to my fiance without any explanation. The only guess on it’s origin he could come up with was Ed Abbey which made me giggle.
But I must say, as a proud puppy mommy (if my 80 pound 2-year old Labrador can be considered a puppy) of a dog who hates to not be taken along on trips, your advice to Jory, Betsy, and Alex is right on.Â
thanks Jessica 🙂
thanks Sophie, this is a great story: congratulations on your commitment and great results with your pup! (she is adorable)
thanks Matt 🙂
thanks Jillian: I agree with you completely. Usually I try to look at all sides of things, but on this topic, there is only one side. There are millions of dogs and cats in shelters, wondering why they are left alone in a cage. Buying a pet is simply wrong, and no one should do it. I’m glad to see that almost every climber I know is fully on board with adoption. 🙂
I take that as a huge compliment…thanks 🙂 !
yes, definitely 🙂
Great piece. This came at the perfect time as I just really got into climbing and have a dog with a bit of separation anxiety. I do my best to keep him quiet while climbing, but he gets a bit upset when I’m not with him all the time. Â People are generally cool about his barking as he doesn’t do it all that much, but I was feeling a little hesitant about continuing to take him. Reading that you lead a life where you climb and travel and still manage to handle a dog was reassuring. Rock on and climb on!
Good things to think about – I’m hoping to hit all the anti-dog parks and do some last-minute travel before I adopt in July 🙂
Full disclosure: I am not a climber but am a cyclist, hiker, rower, dog lover, and general all-round outdoor person and read Steph’s blog regularly for the inspiration and abundant positivity 🙂 There are a lot of really excellent comments posted here. To Jory/Betsy/Alex, please take all the sage advice to heart. I have had dogs my whole life and have recently adopted a 4-yr-old rescue, who I’ve had for almost 6 months now. She is of a breed that I have had my whole life and I asked lots of questions before I adopted her. During the adoption interview, I was asked what my “deal-breakers” were. I had two: one of them was aggression of any kind. In the interest of brevity, I will say that I got a dog who was reactive to many different stimuli (eg: cars, cyclists, skateboarders) and who, in specific situations, is people aggressive, and dog aggressive. While she is on the low end of what is possible aggression-wise, it is enough to be a problem. This situation occurred due to a difference in definitions of “aggressive” between the person fostering her, the rescue organization, and myself.
The past 6 months have been an emotional roller-coaster as I have grappled with what to do about this situation. I will fast-forward to my decision: I am keeping her. At this point, her and I are bonded to each other for life. She is the most loyal dog I have ever set eyes on, and has many redeeming qualities that the “outside world” never gets to see, but that I get to experience 🙂 Perhaps more importantly, having experienced for myself what her needs are, and having taken a cold, hard look at whether I am able to provide for those needs, the answer is “yes”…but just barely (which is to say that I am barely able to give her what she needs to lead a happy dog-life AND keep other dogs/people safe). While the rescue organization feels terrible about the situation and has offered to take her back, I am left to wonder: what would happen to her then? What if she ended up with the wrong person? Would she hurt someone? This dog NEEDS me, and I cannot betray her by giving her back. Â
Â
Remember: there is no such thing as too much research! If choosing to adopt, there are 3 very important things to consider (in arguable order): 1) the history of the dog/resulting temperment -behaviour, 2) the dog’s needs, 3) the breed. The following link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Intelligence_of_Dogs is a really simple starting point to the intelligence (to which obedience is correlated) of each dog breed. I make a point of mentioning this because this is related to the probability of “turning around” (rehabilitating/retraining) the dog. If you click on the link, you’ll notice that the breed of dog that Steph has (Australian Cattle Dog) is rated very high on the trainability aspect of intelligence 🙂
I hope everyone will forgive me for putting what no doubt will be considered by some to be a damper on the discussion (and also for the length of the comment), but I felt it necessary to relay my experience in order to reiterate that adopting a dog is a serious
commitment, and one that needs to be entered into with both eyes (and heart!) wide
open. Having said all this, I still believe adoption is the way to go. You just need to do your research.
thank you for your letter: i’m really sorry you’ve had such a rough time, and I admire your commitment to your dog! I hope your patience will pay off sooner 🙂
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thanks 🙂