I used to be that jackass. You know the one who calls out “he’s friendly” while her dog bounds joyfully along the trail unleashed and uncontrolled. Shep was one of the most gregarious dogs I’ve ever met and, after some time and patience, he came when he was called. That doesn’t mean he should have been off-leash in places where he shouldn’t have been.

And I learned my lesson the hard way.

I was minding my own business on an urban hiking trail in Calgary, Alberta, when I heard screaming and yelling nearby. And barking. I ran toward the cacophony and found Shep trying to make nice with a woman who was shaken to the core. She was terrified of dogs.

Since the onset of the pandemic, more of us have dogs. And more of us are outside. Which means more of us are outside with our dogs.

The trails are busy, and we’re all looking to do our own thing. Trouble is, doing our own thing can get in the way of someone else doing their own thing. That’s one of the reasons I’ve learned keeping my current dog, Bella, on her leash is the way to go.

Here are 6 good reasons you should leash your dog on trails.

1. It’s the Law.

Leashes are the law in most cities and counties, including the City of Spokane. If you get busted with your dog off leash in Spokane, you can get hit with an $87 fine. The law goes for Spokane County and Washington State Parks, too.

Want to spend the day climbing to Vista House at Mt. Spokane? Don’t forget your dog’s leash, no more than eight feet long.

2. Safety for You and Your Pup.

You don’t know what you can’t see. And if your pup is off the trail roaming and loving the smell of every pile of scat, there’s no telling what he can get into. Then there’s dogs like my Bella who likes to roll in the poo. (Need I mention we’re frequent patrons of the do-it-yourself dog wash at Julia’s Jungle in Spokane Valley?).

Keep your dog on-leash if you stray over to Idaho and Montana for a day hike, because your dog also runs the risk of getting caught in a wildlife snare. Trapping is legal in those states.

3. Unwanted Wildlife Encounters.

The dangers of wildlife was one of the first things more experienced hikers taught me when I first started wandering trails some 15 years ago with Shep. An off-leash dog can find potentially dangerous critters like bears, cougars, or wolves, and draw them back to you. Luckily, even in grizzly territory in Alberta, the most dangerous animals we ever saw were deer and chipmunks.

An off-leash dog may also spend his time harassing wildlife. And that’s just not cool. Number six of the seven Leave No Trace principles is, of course, “respect wildlife.”

We’re already invading their territory. We don’t need to stress out wildlife more with our dogs getting all up in their grills. Keep your dog on-leash to help ensure the safety for all animals.

4. Peace of Mind.

I can’t even begin to tell you how many Facebook posts I’ve seen where people are searching for dogs lost in the woods. The hiking groups in Washington and North Idaho frequently feature people looking for help finding their dogs. The pups just strayed away or got spooked and took off.

It’s heartbreaking, yet there’s an easy solution: keep your dog on leash. That way you know where she is at all times.

5. Respect for Others.

Not everyone likes dogs. I just don’t get it. I’ve been a dog person my entire life. But yes, there are people on the trails who don’t like dogs, or maybe just don’t appreciate them. They don’t want our dogs running toward them or worse, jumping on them. It doesn’t matter what size either, whether an “oh, but my dog is so small and so cute” dachshund or a “no, really, he’s a big softie” Great Dane.

Some people even fear dogs, like the poor soul whose day I ruined so many years ago. Even a goofy Lab can leave a person with a bite history terrified on the trail.

6. Some Dogs Don’t Like Other Dogs.

I have friends with reactive dogs. They love to go hiking, but lately they’ve been leaving their own dogs at home because too many people think their dogs need to be off leash all the time. “She’s friendly,” they call out. “Mine’s not,” my friends tried to reply. It didn’t matter. The off-leash dog approached, and things spun out of control.

Dogs simply aren’t capable of higher-level thinking. They see another dog and their instinct is to approach and check that butt out. It’s up to humans—the ones capable of higher-level thinking, but who don’t always use it—to be responsible dog owners and nature lovers.

I take the rules pretty seriously. Even though I used to be a scofflaw, my exceedingly responsible husband has lightened my penchant for risk-taking.

It doesn’t help that Bella has been resistant to recall and likes to wander (er, bolt) when she gets the chance. That’s typical for a Maremma sheepdog. Her stubbornness, independence, and defiance are all bits that we love about her. While hiking in Spokane and North Idaho, though, she is on leash.

If you frequently enjoy hiking in Spokane, no doubt you have one of the trail apps on your phone from AllTrails or Washington Trails Association. Most of the trail notes indicate whether leashes are required or even if dogs are permitted on the trail. (Note: Dogs are not allowed on trails at the Little Spokane River Natural Area).

Just keep your dog on-leash. Let’s all be good ambassadors for our dogs and the growing community of outdoors-loving dog owners and make sure everyone enjoys the trails.

Originally published as “Becoming a Better Dog Owner” in the May-June 2022 issue.

Angela Schneider is an adventurer, writer, and photographer at Big White Dog Photography in Spokane. First and foremost, she is mama to her 8-year-old Maremma sheepdog, Bella.

Find more stories about dogs in the OTO archives.

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Winners were chosen for 6 photo categories: Best in Show, Tail on the Trail, Hound in Action, On Leash, Water Dog, and Best with Owner. Prize: Malted Mutt $50 Prize Pack with Malted Mutt treats, poo bags, and a dog toy.

About this year’s sponsor Malted Mutt: Malted Mutt creates hand-crafted dog treats made from repurposed spent brewing grain sourced from Spokane-area craft breweries. They simply add human-grade ingredients to ever treat. These hand-crafted treats are grain-free, soft-baked, contain NO artificial ingredients or preservatives, and NO hops or alcohol. Find Malted Mutt at Spokane-area Farmers’ Markets and products sold at local pet stores and online.

Best in Show

Tail on the Trail

Hound in Action

On Leash

Water Dog

Best With Owner

Find stories, dog-gear reviews, and other outdoor dog and pet-related articles in the OTO archives.

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My agnosticism towards leashing up man’s best friend abruptly shifted, however, when I experienced first-hand what inevitably happens when dog owners flagrantly disregard leash laws in more crowded public settings. The first incident happened a few years back when I was pinned down by a growling pit bull as I was walking through my own front yard in North Kendall Yards (aka West Central Spokane). Oh, how I wish I had a can of bear spray with me that day.

A year or two more passed, and one day while I was out on a run by the river, I was charged by a sizeable, seemingly free-roaming cur that stopped inches from my leg. I froze and that mut did too, until the apparent owner emerged from the river brush calling happily for their pet. Shaken and fuming, less than five minutes down the trail another off-leash, four-legged menace ran ahead of its owner and lunged in my direction.

I like to think of myself as kind of a pacificist, but by then I was longing for elaborate, pain-inflicting weaponry. Tasers, cross-bows, nunchucks, anything. Meanwhile, the owner casually called in my direction: “He’s friendly!”

Friendly wasn’t the “F” word that growled out of my mouth. And my ire shifted from the apparently affable pup to the delusional, self-absorbed owner who I wanted to punch in the face. Instead I trotted by with fire in my eyes, a racing heart, and a stronger opinion when it comes to leashing dogs.

Since those first close calls with aggressive animals, all within a few blocks of the heavily trafficked Centennial Trail, my family joined the hordes of outdoor enthusiasts in bringing a dog into the family during COVID. She is friendly—95 percent of the time—and her favorite thing in the world is to jump up on any unsuspecting human to express her elation at meeting somebody new, which scares the crap out of anyone with a bit of fear of dogs.

Our dog also either loves other dogs or will randomly attack them for reasons she keeps to herself. So, of course we keep her on a tight leash, even as we frequently encounter other dogs out on popular trails running wild and free with oblivious owners who are in varying degrees of verbal control over their animals.

There really shouldn’t be a dog leash debate in a place like Spokane where there are a ton of people and their pets out walking and biking on public lands, trails, and roads. If you insist on letting your dog run free, make sure it’s out in the boonies away from other people and your buddy stays right by your side.

If doing the right thing isn’t enough of a reason for you to leash up your best friend in urban public places, beware that one day your dog may run up against a much bigger and less-friendly canine rival like that pit bull in my yard, or worse, a more heavily armed and less forgiving human than me.

Derrick Knowles is co-publisher and editor-in-chief.

Find more stories about dogs in the OTO archives.

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For many outdoor enthusiasts, time outside wouldn’t be complete without your four-legged BFF adventure buddy. To celebrate our canine outdoor friends, the Spokane Great Outdoors & Bike Expo is hosting its second annual Outdoor Dog Fashion Show on February 23. It’s like the Purina TV dog show but Northwest-style, less judge-y, and with a focus on outdoor gear and flair. You won’t have to super groom your dog, but you can win points for style and decking your hound out with outdoors-oriented apparel and gear like leashes, packs, collars, etc.

Unfortunately, the only dogs allowed into the Spokane Convention Center for the event will be the ones that have been confirmed as Outdoor Dog Fashion Show contestants in advance. Winners and their owners will take home hundreds of dollars in prizes. Details on how to enter for the 2020 Outdoor Dog Fashion Show and the Spokane Great Outdoors & Bike Expo are available at Spokaneoutdoorexpo.com/activities. 

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First, depending on the distance of your trek and whether your dog is on or off leash, you must increase its caloric intake. If you go simple with kibble, choose a high quality, high-energy formula. Then squeeze half a pack of Justin’s peanut butter on top for a boost.

Second, if going the distance, the long distance, pack light and nutrient dense. Freeze dried foods are one easy option, but can affect your pup’s teeth over time. Doggie meal replacement bars, like TurboPup and RUFF BAR, are light, space saving and nutrient dense. You can also make your own (check out Mother Earth News’ Meal Replacement Bars Recipe), or bring foods that double as human and canine snacks. “Human” foods like sugar-free jerky, oatmeal peanut butter balls, apples, and cheese are all good for both you and your furry friend. Toss thinly-sliced carrots with some minced ginger and coconut oil, bake at 350 degrees until crisp, and enjoy this delicious lightweight treat with your dog.

Finally, if you are a consistent hiker or run trails with your dog more than once a week, invest in a collapsible doggie bowl and consider adding a suitable doggie multivitamin to his or her diet. Just be sure to peruse the ingredients first and choose one without a lot of fillers and definitely no added sugar. Here’s to keeping our friends happy and healthy. //

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For years the most energetic, eager being in our household was our dog, Emmy. But over time I’ve taken her along on fewer and fewer of my runs. She’s 12 now—a very healthy 12, knock on wood—but her energy has more limits than it used to, and after a couple of blocks she’ll make it clear, through ample sniff breaks and the slowing of her pace, that it’s time for us to go back home.

When my husband and I got Emmy as a puppy, I dreamed that she would be my everyday companion, giving a sense of protection on any pre-sunrise or post-sunset run and every secluded trail. This dog of ours, though, ran away whenever we got out the leash, not because she didn’t want to go out, but because it was more fun to be chased. Early on she made it clear that her preference is either a very casual walk or a short-lived, all-out sprint. The slow and steady run I like to do is not quite right for her.

Even so, we’ve run together for years and years, me often bringing Emmy along for a mile or so, then dropping her off at the house for a scoop of food, a congratulatory pat, and a long rest as I go on my way out the door again.

The passing of time, of course, has brought many changes. She’s seen me through long workdays and grad school, pregnancy, and the birth of one child, then another. She’s run alongside a single stroller and then a double and then a balance bike, standing by as I’ve untangled her leash from the wheel when it gets run over, pausing while I pick up a book happily tossed out onto the street by a chubby toddler hand. She’s run early in the morning, in the evening, and around finicky nap and school pick-up schedules. She’s panted next to me at the park drinking fountain as I clumsily fashion a makeshift water bowl out of a plastic bag. As my life has gotten more full, she’s traded nearly all of her sprints through the park for runs at my pace, on my schedule. I’ve had a lot of understanding, faithful running partners over the years, but no one has been more lovingly generous than my dog.

One of the things we do now is the evening walk. On a cool summer night after the kids are tucked in bed I’ll leave my husband home with his beloved, oft-heartbreaking Mariners and take Emmy for a long, unhurried stroll. We pass gardeners and friends chatting by their yard waste bins, smelling that distinctly summer scent of sprinkler water hitting sidewalks still warm from a day of baking in the sun. Often, someone will praise my beautiful, quirky old dog.

“What kind is she?” they’ll ask. If they’re adults they’ll wonder if she’s part terrier. If they’re kids they’ll say, “She looks like a wolf!” I’ll explain that we don’t know; my husband and I adopted her from the shelter, SpokAnimal, when she was a fuzzy stray puppy. We think she’s part terrier and part something that loves the snow and stays impeccably clean, like a Shiba Inu. Zero parts wolf, though they’re right; she does look like one.

The next morning I’ll get up early, when Emmy is the only other soul awake. I feed her and let her out, drink half a cup of coffee, and toss her a bite of my pre-run granola bar. She watches as I do a couple of stretches and pull on my shoes. She doesn’t stand expectantly next to me while I do this like she used to. She knows I’m running. She knows it’s no longer her thing.

But running was never her thing. She would always rather have sprinted across a field of summer grass or powdery new snow, would always have rather walked—nose up, ears perked—on a cool, quiet evening. And many times she did. But most often, she ran with me. However ill-matched we’ve sometimes been, running was for many years our thing, one way of seeing the world, side by side. //

Sarah Hauge lives in Spokane with her husband and two daughters and will be running the Happy Girls Half Marathon in September.

[Feature photo: Sarah Hauge]

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Before Hank, a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, could go on a backpacking trip with his owner, Jennifer Hall, she needed a way to carry him. Avoiding overexertion, joint injury, and ingestion of wild mushrooms were her major concerns. Because he weighed less than 20 pounds at the time, she decided to strap Hank to her chest, using a baby-carrier borrowed from a friend.

“He didn’t seem to mind, but he definitely wanted to see where we were going…twist around and face the front, versus facing me. And logistically, that didn’t work with his legs and everything else. But he got cozy, and I could hike with him for a couple hours,” she says. “People assumed that I was carrying a baby, but then if they closely looked, they realized it was a puppy.”

Back in Spokane, she continued carrying Hank for longer walks, after he exercised, until he became too big.

Hank isn’t alone. Phoebe, a 9-year-old Pomeranian mix who weighs 13 pounds, is carried on trails by Glen Copus. “Phoebe has a tendon problem with both of her hind legs and can only walk a short distance before it becomes too painful. If we try to leave the house with our other dog, Reggie, she has a fit,” he says.

Copus adjusted a front-wearing dog carrier so it could be worn on his back. “Phoebe enjoys riding in it, and was very relaxed after a few minutes the first time out. She occasionally falls asleep in there,” he says.

Carrying Phoebe is “not much different than wearing a backpack with a picnic and beverages in it. I do need to remember to squat down when I’m adjusting my boots or snowshoes, rather than just leaning forward, as that tends to invert the dog. It is also helpful to have a table or a tailgate or something I can back up to when slipping the pack off my shoulders.”

Pet gear companies are finally catching up to demand. K9 Sport Sack offers both forward and back-carrying adjustable packs for dogs, designed for dogs to rest in their natural “begging” position. They recommend giving dogs a 15-minute rest break outside the pack for every 45 continuous minutes they’re in it. Other brands creating wearable dog-carriers include Outward Hound, Ruffit, and Pawaboo.

And how about hiking with a cat? “Leon the Adventure Cat”—as he’s known on Instagram—is an orange tabby with a “laid-back, brave, and trusting personality” who loves being carried by his Spokane owner, Megan Ferney.

“I started putting a harness on him the second day I had him…on our adventures, he ‘hikes’ about a third of the way and I carry him the rest,” she says. “I just use a regular backpack and put a fleece blanket in it. He has his harness and leash on at all times, so if he jumps out it’s okay.”

Hiking with a cat: Leon loves being carried. // Photos courtesy Megan Ferney.

Amy McCaffree is digital editor and Out There Kids columnist. When she was kid, she carried her pet Chihuahua on longer walks, , when needed, holding it like a chicken. Now she hikes with her Siberian husky, Kenai.

[Feature photo courtesy of Megan Ferney.]

Find more stories about dogs in the OTO archives.

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Reality, as always, was a bit different from the daydream. Emmy is built for short sprints; I like to run (relatively) long and slow. I run outside year round; Emmy loves snow but wilts in the summer and avoids water – raindrops, sprinklers, lakes, even puddles – at all costs.

Some days Emmy perks her head when I change clothes, eagerly hoping I’m putting on my running gear; on other days we’re barely to the end of the block before she’s hot or tired, lagging behind like a dawdling toddler as I cling to the leash, my arm outstretched behind my back.

We’ve had some great runs (A+) and a few terrible ones (D), but most I’d rate somewhere in the middle (solid B). Over the years my dog knowledge has grown, largely imparted by people much smarter about this stuff than I am. If you’re thinking about running with your dog, the following tips might help.

Basic Training

Invest in basic obedience training, either on your own or through a dog school. Your runs will be infinitely better once you’ve taught your dog to listen to your voice, to heel, and to walk (and then run) on one side of your body (versus crossing back and forth at will). When we run, Emmy knows she should be on my right side.

Know Your Pup

Is your dog capable of running? Consult your vet first. Generally, it’s best to wait until a young dog’s bone growth plates are closed before they begin vigorous activity, which can take eight months to two years.

Getting in shape takes time, for dogs as well as people. Build endurance gradually. Remember that it also takes time to toughen up a dog’s sensitive paw pads. Even when your dog is physically fit, you may still have to tailor your run for them. Some dogs can run, tirelessly, for hours. For others (like mine), a short run is plenty. Generally, I take Emmy with me for a mile or two before dropping her off at home and continuing on my way.

Think About Supplies

A good 4-6 foot leash (not a retractable leash) and collar may be all you need. You might also prefer a hands-free leash. The number one best piece of equipment I have is a harness that pulls out from Emmy’s chest, which curbs her impulse to pull ahead. (For more dog gear ideas, see outthereoutdoors.com/a-ruff-guide-to-outdoor-dog-gear.)

Also, always (ALWAYS) bring a plastic bag (or more than one!). Take it from me: the day you are sure you don’t need one is the day your dog will do their business in your neighbor’s yard while they watch from the window.

Check in with Your Dog

Your dog is your dependent, and you are responsible for their well-being. Keep your dog safe by checking for things like hot pavement, broken glass, or ice. If your dog limps or licks their paws, stop and examine them right away. Watch out for signs of distress, like foaming at the mouth, glazed eyes, slowing, or heavy panting.

Stay Hydrated

Remember to refuel your dog, not just yourself. On warm days or longer runs, Emmy and I will stop by a park, and I’ll fashion a bowl out of a plastic bag, which I fill with water from a drinking fountain. Remember that some puddle water (tempting to a thirsty dog) can be contaminated. (There are also portable, compact water bowls for dogs.)

Enjoy It for What It Is

There are some dogs and runners who – thanks to a lot of work or just lucky compatibility – run as the perfectly matched pair I once dreamed my dog and I would be. For the rest of us, running with a four-legged pal is as much about compromise as anything else.

But it’s worth it. No matter how good or bad the run is, when we get home, Emmy comes over for a pat. She stands in front of me with her tired, happy face, challenges forgotten, silently thanking me for another adventure together.

Gear Review: Run with Your Dog Hands-Free with the EzyDog Road Runner Leash

I run and walk regularly with my dog Emmy, and I normally use a nondescript leash attached to a harness that pulls out from her chest (which curbs her tendency to pull). When Sandpoint-based company EzyDog offered to send a sample of their hands-free Road Runner Leash, I was eager to try it.

The Road Runner Leash is designed to be worn around the waist (or shoulder or hand) and incorporates “Zero Shock Technology,” designed to make running and walking easier on both the dog and the owner.

Overall, I really liked the leash, which I used for walks and runs (with and without my jogging stroller and kids in tow). It’s easy to attach to the dog’s collar (or, in my case, her harness, which I used in concert with the leash). Snapping the leash around my waist was quick and easy. (One tip: make sure it’s right side up; it will fit regardless, but there’s a clip that bounced and made an annoying clicking sound when upside down).

It was nice to have less to hold onto, and feeling Emmy’s occasional sprints, turns, and stops pull against my waist rather than my more sensitive fingers or wrist was a nice change. I’m sure the shock absorbers also helped reduce the tugging, but I can’t say to what degree.

Other great leash features: it’s reflective, it’s easy to unclip from your waist and attach to a tree or pole if you need to tether your dog (rather than removing the leash entirely and fashioning a slip knot, as I usually do), and there’s a D-ring clip for key rings or other items.

The leash is seven feet, and my one complaint is that it’s a bit long for me (at 5 foot 4 inches with a small build). The only way to decrease length is to increase the amount of leash that loops around your waist, which would have made the fit too loose. (EzyDog makes other leashes of different lengths, just not this particular one).

The Road Runner Leash costs $40 and is available, alongside a host of leashes and other pet products, on the EzyDog website: Ezydog.com.

Gear review originally published in the September 2014 print edition of Out There Monthly.

For more stories about outdoor recreation with animals, see “Hiking with Dogs and Family Pets” and the OTO archives.

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