Pick up after your dog; it’s your duty

Seeing people hiking with dogs and sharing trails with people on horses is pretty common these days.

One of the most disturbing experiences hiking on a trail is finding dog and horse poop right where you are walking. Not only is it gross, but it is inconsiderate, and it is the primary reason why animals are banned from places where responsible animal owners would like to be able to take them.

If you are taking your animals with you on the trail, you need to know how to do it right. Some places allow animals,, some don’t. You can be a hero — keep your animals under control and keep the trails clean. Here’s how:

Keep your dog on a leash

Dogs need to be kept on leash for their safety and to keep other people, animals and wildlife safe.

Off-leash dogs can get into trouble fast. They can fall off cliffs and rocks, get into trouble in fast moving water, pick up ticks and insects, encounter snakes, eat poisonous plants, drink contaminated water or find stickers and sharp plants, trees and other objects. Dogs can also suffer heat stroke and get hypothermia from the cold.

Dogs have been known to get into fights with other dogs, to harass and antagonize resident wildlife, and to even cause injury to children and people.

The bottom line is that there are very few places that allow dogs to be off leash.

In Washington, rules vary depending on which government agency is responsible for the trail, so check ahead of a trip. You can find the rules online, at ranger stations or government offices, and posted at trailheads.

You should only take a dog hiking if it responds to voice control. That means your dog must come when called and do what you say. If the dog is not well-trained and does not respond when called, you should either keep the dog on leash at all times or leave the dog home. Do not leave your do in a locked car or tied up unattended. If you are just starting out, take your dog to obedience training until the proper level of control is reliably achieved.

Most federal and state agencies allow dogs on leash. But there are places that prohibit dogs. You will usually find the rules posted at the trailheads.

Law enforcement and wildlife enforcement can cite violators, and there are fines and penalties that can be levied. If damage or injury to people or property is involved, there may also be legal liability. Here are some of the specifics for each agency regarding dogs, in our area:

National Parks and recreation areas

Dogs are generally prohibited on all trails in Mount Rainier National Park, Olympic National Park and North Cascades National Park. Pets on a leash no longer than 6 feet are allowed on roads, in parking lots and campgrounds. Pets are not allowed on trails, snow, in any buildings or amphitheaters, or in wilderness areas.

National Forests

In Washington, dogs are generally permitted on U.S. Forest Service trails but must be on leash at all times. The leash must be no longer than 6 feet long. There are several areas (Snow Lake and the Enchantments) where dogs are not allowed unless they are service dogs. In the campgrounds, dogs are permitted on leash but are not permitted in swimming areas.

In Oregon, the National Forests are open to dogs off-leash in the summer. Pets are welcome but not allowed to roam freely. Certain trails and areas, including all campgrounds, require dogs to be on leash no longer than 6 feet long. In the campgrounds, dogs are not permitted in swimming areas.

Wilderness areas

Dogs generally are permitted in wilderness areas but must always be on leash. This includes areas that can be accessed from I-90 east and west of Snoqualmie Pass, Highway 97 near Blewett Pass, Highway 2 near Stevens Pass, Highway 12 near White Pass, State 410 near Chinook Pass, and I-84 in the Columbia River Gorge.

Washington state parks, Department of Natural Resources lands, county and city parks

Dogs are allowed but must always be on leash.

Off-leash dog parks

The only official off-leash dog park in the Tri-Cities is the Badger Mountain Dog Park in the Badger Mountain Community Park, with parking just off Keene Road east of Yokes in Richland. The off-leash dog park in Yakima is located within Sherman Park with parking just west of the Humane Society. The Walla Walla Dog Park is located near the Fort Walla Walla Museum, just off the corner of The Dalles Military Road and Myra Road.

Trail etiquette with dogs

The wisest course of action is to always be courteous to other hikers. Keep your dog under control when people approach and exercise heightened control, especially with families, elderly, athletes, groups, other animals and children.

Keeping a dog on leash is the only way to protect the vegetation and habitats, which in many areas are fragile and under special protection, especially at higher elevations. It also prevents dogs from darting off to chase small critters and confronting large ones, like deer, elk and bear.

Your dog should immediately respond to voice command and stay calm, stay at heel, sit when told to, and be quiet and not bark uncontrollably.

When you encounter other hikers on the trail, the dog owner and dog must yield the right of way. The same is true when you meet a horse. You must step clear off the trail and allow users to pass without any physical touching. If possible, always move to the downhill side of the trail so as not to cause someone else to fall off the trail. Hold your animal in check until the other hikers are well past.

If you take your dog hiking, you have an absolute responsibility to carry plenty of plastic bags to pick up your dog’s poop. Dog poop spreads water-borne illnesses like giardia. You must not let your dog poop on the trail being used by other hikers. You must take it back out with you. Do not leave a poop-filled baggie by the side of the trail, or hanging from a bush or a tree to be picked up later.

If you are taking your dog hiking, you have a responsibility to carry enough food, snacks, bowls and water. Doggie jackets and packs come in a variety of sizes and shapes with pockets and harnesses for all sorts of weather. You must also get familiar with your dog’s physical abilities, strength, endurance, and response to elevation, distance, heat, cold, and inclement weather.

Make sure your dog has a proper ID tag, and it’s wise to carry a photo of your dog in your pack or wallet to help with identification should the dog get separated from you. Carry what you need for canine first aid the same way you would for human first aid.

Be a trail angel

If you are a dog owner, you will be admired and considered a real-life champion if you take on the responsibility of trail maintenance and cleanup. Adopt the trails. Each time you go hiking with your dog, carry plastic gloves, extra bags and a trowel. Pick up and double bag the waste you see, even if your dog didn’t create it. Leave the trail in a cleaner condition than you found it so that all can use it happily.

This story was originally published August 27, 2017 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Pick up after your dog; it’s your duty."