K-9 COMMON SCENTS
K-9 common scents trail etiquette By Wanda Purton and Cathy Brown K-9 Common Scents
THE AIR IS CLEAN, the sun is shining, and you and your best friend are ready to hit the trails. There’s nothing like a long, lazy hike with your favourite canine buddy. We Common Scents girls have put together a few rules of etiquette to consider while enjoying Ottawa’s outdoor wonderland. Common Scents is a division of SLR (Search, Locate and Recover), Wanda and Cathy’s Search and Rescue team. The company also likes to dedicate time to educating the public about the canine olfactory system (“scent”). Its practical application enhances the bond between dog and owner. But we digress— back to the trail!
Tips for the Trail
Before heading out for several hours on the trail, fill your water bottles with plenty of drinking water. Remember, while you may be planning a four kilometre hike, if Rover is off his leash, he’ll be hiking more like eight kilometres. At one time you could count on streams and open water to irrigate your companions, but those days are past. Stagnant water can breed many forms of bacteria and diseases that can be fatal to canine friends, so don’t let your guy drink from unknown sources. What’s the easiest way to carry water? Several methods are available. Bladder packs are our favourite. You can get them at almost any outdoor store. Add a fold-up water dish to your pack for your furry buddy. If the hike is going to be long enough, take along a lunch. What? You don’t want to leave Rover out of the feast? Be careful. Too much food before or during heavy exercise can cause bloat—a condition that can be fatal in dogs. We like to pack a power bar specifi32
Wanda oversees Cathy and Tanner during one of SLR’s
cally made for dogs. Pet or outdoor stores stock these tasty treats that will make any dog’s tail wag. Now that we’ve taken care of the essentials, let’s get back to trail etiquette.
Tip #1: Poop and Scoop
Most dog owners observe the “poop and scoop” rule, but inevitably you come across a little something that someone else has left behind. Why not pick it up? Consider it damage control, and consider what it’ll do for your Karma. Remember, what goes in and around, comes out and around. Since you won’t encounter garbage disposal facilities along the trail, carry some zip-lock, sealable bags with you so the “little treasure” can be carried out without smelling up everything else in your pack.
Tip #2: Be Considerate
Be aware of where you are and what rules pertain to dogs. If you happen to meet someone without a dog walking along the trail, here’s the Common Scents thing to do. Call Rover to your side, move to the edge of the trail and make him sit. This will demonstrate to others that you’re yielding, and have control of your dog.
Tip #3: “Leave It!”
Make sure your dog knows what to do if given the command, “Leave it!” You don’t want to have your dog chasing the wildlife or rolling in the deadlife. If your dog’s command of the English language is still pretty poor, and you’re
encountering a lot of wildlife, put him on a leash. A good two-metre lead is all you need. The ever-popular retractable leash is fine, provided you’re skilled at handling it. But this type of leash can prove to be as much of a hazard as an asset if you don’t operate it safely. After all, nylon burns fur as well as skin.
Tip #4: Don’t Assume Anything
If you’re in a leash-free area, and you meet someone else who has a dog on a leash, call Rover to you. Don’t assume that all canines are dog-friendly. The other dog may be on a leash for a reason. Respect that, and keep your dog under control as you pass by.
Just a Bit of Trail Smarts
Don’t forget to tell someone where you’re going, just in case you get turned around. Remember, just because you have a cell phone, doesn’t mean you’re out of the woods, so to speak. Cell phones are not always conducive to Ottawa’s frigid winter temperatures or rolling landscape. Common Scents: that’s all it takes to have a good time on Ottawa’s pristine hiking trails. Happy tails. :)
About the authors: K-9 Common Scents is owned and operated by professional dog trainers, Wanda Purton and Cathy Brown. Through their Search and Rescue work with their canines, Wanda and Cathy came to realize the satisfaction of a job well done by both dog and handler, and as such strove to provide that for the family pet. A division of S.L.R. (Search, Locate, Recover), they can be contacted at 613-566-5086 or 613-7151216.
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