I know there is a thread about this on 14ers, but it doesn't answer my specific question. Little Ranger just showed up last week (much to the chagrin of my sleeping habits) and im wondering at what point I can safely take him up into the mountains. He is a 10 week old Golden Retriever puppy and weighs 18 pounds already. He's going to be a hog.

Anybody have any idea on when to start your dog on hikes up in the mountains? Plus, im careful to bring water, and make sure I can carry him down if need be, etc. But does anybody know of any info where there's a "training program" or something similar so we can get going soon?

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

he is 10 weeks old! small little hikes to build his body. Lots of treats and small snacks throughpout the hike till they get older (just like a kid). By the time he is 6 months he will be able to do several miles and gain. By 10 months -1 yr he will do two trips to your one by running up and back to check on you. I have had 3 awesome hiking dogs I started as puppies. All awesome and could go anywhere by 1 yr of age. One was a shepard cross, the next one was an Akita, the last one was the best a Australian cattle dog/blue healer named Tazz . I miss my pups.

BTW don't carry the pup. He is a big dog. If you carry them all over too much as a pup they want the same and as BIG pup...:-O. Golden retrievers are not pocket dogs. I have seen folks carry their large breed pups all over when young and then the pup turns into a dog and wont hike well or won't get too far without whining or laying down on the trail and refusing to go (usually due to being over weight). Small hikes and fun is what he needs to build confidence and strength to start. Let him tell you when he is done. He will tell you.

First thing to remember is don't allow him to get fat! Folks feed their dogs way too much and then they have difficulty hiking.

the most important is to watch the pads of the feet . In snow/ice they can get cut up bad. Same if on rock all day long.

Oh and altitude does not affect dogs the same way as us. They adjust easier and quicker. Don't know why.

Have fun with your new pooch.

Tazz knows dogs!

well this dog made it over 22,000 feet....

No experience at altitude, but I once had a great dog (Rainier - named after the mtn., not the beer), who at 7-8 months was a stellar companion on a 100-mile backpacking trip along the Maine Applachian Trail. Tough stuff and not for the faint of heart. Took her out gradually as a pup for increasing hikes and runs up to 8-10 miles. By the time we got to the 7-day trip she had absolutely no problems beyond being hoisted up through some boulders that she could not scramble up on her own.

Watch out, if you take them out too long too early, it could damage their hips.

Florida Frank wrote:... I once had a great dog (Rainier - named after the mtn., not the beer)..

Thank you, Frank! I'm so glad you made that distinction !!!

I take my two kids all over and they have been all the way to 14K (White Mtn).

They both kick ass at altitude as they live at 7200'.

Like the others have said, at this age lots of small, easy walks that don't stress him out are the key. At his age, he's susceptable to something called "fear imprint". If something tramatic happens, like falling in a stream or tumbling down a snow field, he might carry that phobia for the rest of his life. My dog fell down a laundry chute at 10 weeks, and although unhurt, it was several years before he would walk down stairs or steep hills.

Depending on who you ask, fear imprinting lasts about 3-5 months.

tommarchall wrote:well this dog made it over 22,000 feet....

I had always heard the rumour of a dog climbing Aconcagua. Thanks for that.