YOU will best be able to decide if your dog should go based on its experience and behavior. First decide if your dog will be detriment to you. As you said, take him canoeing and see how he does. You don't want him swamping the canoe. My dog will swamp it every time -- especially when we near shore. She wants out before we get there.

Second, decide if it will be safe. I've seen posters at entry points saying, "Have you seen my best friend?" -- dogs lost on trips. Is it a dog that follows it nose? Does it just have to chase that wildlife? Does it unerringly respond to your voice commands no matter what? A dog does not last long lost in the BWCA.

Third, consideration of others. As you said, the dog running up on people is something you don't want to happen. Picking up the doo-doo is something. How about barking? Friends of mine have a dog that doesn't bark at home but does while camping. My dog barks like the dickens when it thunders.

Basically go through all aspects of the trip in your mind to see how your dog will fair. The answers you don't know, try to find out. Remember the drive up as well. Some dogs get car sick, just like people, only they can't tell you to pull over.


In reply to: Dogs on a canoe trip??? posted by Owen H on July 17, 1999 at 14:18