Snowshoeing with Dogs in Colorado

“Ranger” I yelled. My body lurched forward, closer to the snow than I wanted. I quickly dug in my ski poles and stayed upright.

Our energetic yellow Labrador, carrying a stick in his mouth, had followed me a bit too closely and stepped on my snowshoes. It wasn’t all his fault, though, because I’d pulled up quickly when Auntie Layla stopped short in front of me. She’d alerted to a herd of deer in the trees.

Dogs stepping on your shoes are the main hazard when you snowshoe with them. I’d started snowshoeing decades ago after too many close encounters with trees as I skied downhill on my cross country skis. It’s hard to fall down with snowshoes, sans dogs.

Snowshoeing offers an aerobic workout and an inexpensive way to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friend in the winter.The sport also allows one to embrace nature in out-of-the-way areas away from lift lines and hordes of people. Plus, if you are as fortunate as we are, you can snowshoe out your front door and go for as short a time as you want without feeling guilty of not getting your money’s worth out of a ski pass.

To make the excursion pleasant, take few precautions before you set out.  As with hiking, make sure that your furry friend is in good shape and acclimated to altitude if snowshoeing in the mountains. If Fido is a couch potato, build up his exercise routine before your first snowshoe and then only go a short distance. (See related hiking tips:  https://www.caryunkelbach.com/hiking-dogs-colorado-mountains )

Our dogs exercise more in the summer than the fall because hunting seasons limit our hiking areas. That’s why we only snowshoe a short distance at first and gradually work up to longer outings. This year, Layla at eleven-plus started out at three-quarters of a mile and quickly built up to two miles without any signs of stiffness or even being tired.

If your dog is new to snowshoeing, it’s often best to just snowshoe a short distance to assess if Fido enjoys the outing, stays on your trail or takes side excursions. And, you both can get accustomed to not tripping over one another. I always snowshoe with ski poles because it helps with balance, especially when your dog steps on your shoe or you hike up or down inclines.

Here are a few thoughts you may want to consider before setting out on a snowshoe with Fido:

• Dogs may not follow your tracks, so they expend even more energy when they take excursions and romp in deep powder snow or when they sink down in mushy snow with a deep base. These detours may tax Fido’s joints and muscles, and may not be good for puppies or elderly dogs, so carefully pick your snow condition and length of outing.
• Select favorable weather conditions, if possible. We don’t snowshoe if the temperature is below 15 degrees and try to avoid really windy days. In temperatures of zero or below and sometimes even in the single digits, our dogs’ feet become really cold. That’s why we look for a 15 degree or  higher temperature day which we find more enjoyable too!
• If ice builds up between your dog’s pads, consider trimming the hair between the pads and then carefully watch for buildup so if Fido doesn’t stop to remove the ice balls, you can.
• Consider applying a goo called Mushers Secret to Fido’s pads. It’s supposed to help with ice balls but friends say it wears off quickly. We’ve only used it on our dogs’ pads in the summer to protect against cuts and bruises on rocky trails.
• Does your dog seem cold? A coat might be useful for short hair breeds.

  

Where are good places to snowshoe? Here are some considerations based on our experiences:

• Our top priority is staying away from snowmobile areas. We aren’t fond of their loud roar, and are always concerned as to whether they will see us and our dogs before they zoom past us.
• We shy away from popular cross country ski areas.
• If we see ski tracks, we snowshoe adjacent to them to avoid messing up their trails.
• Research your route before setting out. Avoid avalanche prone areas and watch for avalanche chutes.
• Consider staying clear of lakes and deep creeks to keep Fido from running out onto ice and falling through. We always leash our dogs in these areas.
• Watch Fido especially carefully in popular snowshoe or cross country skiing areas. Unfortunately, and as disgusting as it sounds, some inconsiderate humans defecate close to the trail without covering up their mess. If your dog likes to roll, beware! Don’t ask how we know!
• In areas where hunting is allowed in the fall, remember that winter is a wonderful season for cadaver dogs. Ranger loves to find an elk or deer leg, left behind by hunters; or a rib cage or other body parts, probably left over from a coyote kill. If you see Fido’s nose pick up a scent, your loyal best friend might be detecting a delectable animal part.

Once on the trail, watch for exhaustion, another good reason to make sure your dog is in good shape and gradually work up to longer outings. It’s better to turn around before your dog becomes too tired. Most people would find it difficult to carry a medium-to-large-size dog back to the trailhead.

For longer treks or outings in adverse weather conditions, be sure to look for signs of hypothermia which may include violent shivering, lethargy, slowed breathing and lack of mental alertness. Check with your veterinarian for specific advice on identifying and treating hypothermia.

Make sure you pack water, a collapsible water bowl and treats for Fido. We also carry dog booties and Mushers Secret in case of injury or really cold feet. If we drive to a trailhead, we leave a towel in the car so we can dry off our dogs before heading home.

A couple of final thoughts: Keep your dog under strict voice control so they won’t chase wildlife or rush up to other snowshoers or skiers. Not all people love canines, so it’s always good practice to either leash your dog or pack a leash.

Have fun and safe outings. Snowshoeing with your furry friend is a fantastic way to enjoy our beautiful state in the winter!