I have yet to come up with a solution.
I have an 88lb pitty. She loves to snuggle and loves being in the hammock with me. However I'm fidgity when I sleep and have accidently knocked her out of the hammock. I was hoping that as I get older I'd fidget less but so far no luck!
Its a drag I move so much in my sleep because she is a little hot water bottle and will sprawl lengthwise with me and more or less stay that way.
My issue with her sleeping under my hammock with pad and blanket is that the bugs can get at her, and she loves to be warm...her fav spot is snuggled next to me underneath our JRB Katahdin TQ!
I have a similar problem to Bunk. I have no issues leaving the dogs to sleep on the ground, but from late May to early Aug, they'd weigh about 20lbs less in the morning due to loss of blood. We're going to try them in my little 3 man tent by themselves this year. The 120lb boxer/lab I'm not worried about. He spends all his time in the bush trying to get into tents or the vehicle where he can lie in comfort. My retriever seriously has to be with me. She may dig her way out of the tent.
My biggest worry whether in a tent or hanging is my Blue Heeler, Pearl is so territorial that I'm afraid that if a bear gets within scent or sight we may be in for more trouble than I want. And that even goes for my yard.
Any concerns from any of you with that problem?
I've come across hundreds of black bears in the bush here. My experience has always been that if there are dogs around, the bears give you a VERY wide berth. They seem to be very natural enemies, but I think most bears know that right behind the dogs are often people with guns.
A few years back I meet a guy hiking the trail who was partially deaf so his dog was a service animal and was allowed through the smokies with his dog. I don't know if they went up katadin together though.
I know the saying is HYOH but when Im with my dog I hike my dogs hike. Me and Cranky Bear had to get off the trail one time cause my dog over heated it was just to hot for her to be out. So imho its totally doable with a dog but may present some challenges.
Sometimes I like to hike and think, And sometimes I just like to hike.
Hiking is'ent about waiting for the storm to pass its about learning to hike in the rain.
heat is really an issue, my dog has a short coat, also was bred for hot climates, but still when she gets the really long tongue its time to stop, i also have a packable fleece lined rain coat that she carries in her pack, more for warmth after the hike than for the rain.
as for bears, bears hate dogs, especially in the south where dogs are used for hunting bears, ive had several lost bear dogs in camp with me around burrells ford,nc
I never worry about bears...again its primarily the bugs that are the problem...especially because prime canoe season in northern ontario/Quebec is May/June.
NWOHanger, I may end up doing that too. I was just hoping to avoid carrying an extra tent.
Another option I've been toying with (tried once in back yard) is oi have an EagleNests's hammock bug net...the variety that covers the entire hammock. It can be suspended on its own either next to my hammock or underneath it and so that the bottom of it is on the ground. Then I put a CCF pad within to give it shape and for dog to lay on, and put a blanket on top. This hammock bug net has a side zipper that the dog can enter by. I may try this again....
Since we have the three young ones with us, we're always close to the car, so it's not a big issue at the moment. Once their old enough to go backbacking, I'm not positive what we'll do. Hopefully someone comes up with a bullet proof idea here. Keep us informed on the bug net.
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