i don’t take my dog when i expect to do some “real” lines. she loves coming and i love taking her, but in a more serious area or tour its a variable that i don’t want to have to think about. usually when i bring my dog on a tour with other people, i ask what the plans are for the day. if they are anything more than i think she could handle easily, she doesn’t come.

the whole other can of worms is dogs in the “wilderness” luckily, this isn’t a problem in most of the cascade slackcounrty areas.

Definitely has it’s time and place, for reasons stated above. But I’ve also seen too many people with dogs in bottomless pow, watching the dog wallowing through the fluff just trying to keep his head out of the snow, usually in the middle of the skin track. I regret taking my dog out in some deeper snow after seeing how sore it made her afterwards. Same thing when there is a crusty layer her paws can break through – real tough on their joints. My opinion is dogs are ok if they are well behaved (know not to run in front of people) on mellow terrain without deep snow.

would concur, theres a time and place. deeper snow can be tough…

This is a very interesting topic. My dog died about two years ago quickly succumbing to a type of lymphoma. Prior to that he hiked with me in areas that did not restrict dogs. He was a great companion, but he did not like deer at all, frequently attempting to get into chase mode. Other than that he never strayed from my side when hiking, and would wait patiently if I told him to stay while I crossed something sketchy. I never took him into bc snow.

For those that do, based on Caminga’s friend’s recent experience with a slab resulting in dog burial, what do you do to safeguard yourself and your friend. I know that many have said the technical stuff causes you to leave your best friend at home. Does anyone outfit him/her with a beacon? Have there been dog burials resulting in safe recovery? Do any of you have your dogs sit and wait for you to cross a tough section and then call them to follow to minimize the risk of both becoming buried? Even though untrained in avalance burial recovery, I think that your best friend would be an asset to finding you if you were the one buried, at least in most cases. They are familiar with your scent and have that bond with you that would make them eager to find their lost friend.

Great string with many provoking thoughts. I have not drank a Guinness since my Guinness died but you guys have gotten me thinking about how I would act in the bc on trips now as a split boarder with him by my side or at home. He was 125# though, which is a far cry larger than some of your friends in your photos. His size could make a difference in the possible release, although at 210# I think that it would more likely be me triggering some slide than him.

Thanks for stirring the thoughts of my lost friend and safely enjoy your time and trips with yours.

I take Paddy any time she can climb my track without punching through to her waist. She usually runs down the skin track and meets me at the bottom although she has made some surprise appearances mid run before.

i would not ski with someone if they had a beacon on their dog. that is a major no-go. with that said, i dont worry about my dog being caught in slides at for the following reasons.

-i dont take here when there is a risk of a slide
-dogs have 4 wheel dive and no anchors on their feet, so if she gets in some sluff, she can handle it easily.
-if you consider you can ride roughly ten times as fast as your dog can run (in a winter snowpack) if you ski cut a hill and it goes, she will probably still be way up hill of you.

not that it matter because i would never be in this situation, but i am pretty sure if i was buried my dog would do everything she could to find and dig me out.

to reply to the OP’s question a little more, i think it is bad etiquette to bring your dog on a tour without discussing it with your partner(s)

i knew it wouldn’t be long before people were posting dog pics in this thread 😉

As far as the beacon thing goes, the only logical option I’ve heard of is to use the older (pre 457) style beacons for the dog, so it can’t interfere with the people. And if there is a dog with the group, it might not be a bad idea to have a dog treat in your pocket so there is a good scent if you are buried.

A good friend lost his dog in a slide on a bc run near a-basin a few weeks ago. Be careful where you take the pups.

RIP Jasper

My dogs are my sure bet hiking partners, never come up with lame excuses to stay home.

On the other hand I ran over Lucy two weeks ago, she usually stays behind but snuck in front of me; those edges are like cuisinart blades. I’d hoped steri strips and super glue would do the trick–NOT–$300 vet bill. Lucy is the second of my dogs that suffered an edge wound, Ed’s cost about $300 as well (about 7 years ago).

Then there’s my bro Levi, at a year and a half he’ll huck anything I will and then some. Levi blew his cruciate about a month ago bustin the crust, though it more likely happened on an XC tour with my neighbors, so now he’s on the mend as is my pocket wit a $1300 vet bill.

So its roughly $2000 and counting for the priceless experience with my B.C. dogs.

I left them home this weekend and I’m sure they hate me.

Andy

I have only taken my dog on one spring trip. I’ve avoided taking him on a number of adventures for many of the reasons listed here. Adding to the challenge is that he is big (120lbs) and deep pow would be the end of him. He enjoys it for a bit but gets tired quickly.

Despite all that, it’s hard to say no when he’s all kitted up and ready to go: