Dotties Corner

Welcome fellow dog lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.
You have entered Dottie's Corner.
Kick off your boots and stay a while!

Dottie is a 13 yr old black lab mix. As one of the founding members of the Canine Hiking Club of AZ she has logged many trail miles with me, her momma. Since she is getting on in
years I thought it a fitting tribute to her to give her an everlasting place on the CHCoA
website. Hiking with her all these years has inspired me to continually educate myself on
ways to safely share the outdoors with my little companion. If your traildog has motivated
you in simular ways, you're in the right place. Dottie's Corner is full of helpful resources
and I hope you find what you are looking for. If not, email me, Jamie @ jdeben@hotmail.com,
I'll see what I can do.

What's in Dottie's Corner?
**Much of the information below is still being added to the website. Please bear wtih me as I
make the time to get it compiled and uploaded in the proper place.**

Education and Training Providers in Arizona
Medical Training / Land Navigation / Obedience Training
Outdoor Education and Survival Skills / Snake Avoidance

Human and Canine Gear Lists
The 10 Essentials / Jamie D.'s Day Hiking List
Mark W.'s Backpacking List / Jamie D.'s Backpacking List

Backpacking
Camping
Day Hiking
(Dottie shares her insight on how to safely enjoy the backcountry with our furfriends.)

K9 First Aid
(Diagnosis and treatment for real "on trail" issues every traildog owner should be ready to adress in the field)

Emergency Veterinarian List
(Don't wait until you need this info., get it NOW and take it with you on your hike)

Okay, we're stuck in the wilderness,
now what?
(Survival Tips for Adults and Children)

Flora and Fauna of Arizona
(Get the real scoop on "dangerous" critters, cacti and insects.)

Other Helpful Websites

To "My Dog Ate It" Home

To Canine Hiking Club of Arizona
Home

Arizona Education and Training Providers

*NOTE* - Neither Jamie D. nor the CHCoA guarantees the competency of any of the instructors or educational organizations listed below. As with choosing any educational program you should get references and ask questions to your satisfaction before enrollment.

Medical Training - Human and Canine

Statewide/Valleywide

American Red Cross - Offers Pet First-aid and CPR, Human First-aid, Wilderness First-aid and many more helpful courses for outdoor enthusiasts. Northern AZ Chapter - Flagstaff 928-779-5494 or krouth@arizonaredcross.org. Central AZ Chapter - Phoenix 602-336-6661 or phxaz@crossnet.org. Southern AZ Chapter - Tucson 520-318-6872 or questions@tucson-redcross.org

Heart Central - Offers CPR and First-aid courses, Wilderness First-aid and several other healthcare related classes. Training provided in accordance with AHA and ASHI guidelines. 480-767-7388.

Maricopa Community Colleges - Some offer Wilderness First Responder and other medical related training courses as either part of an Outdoor Eduction program or the EMT program.

Sportsman's Warehouse Retail Stores - Offer Wilderness First-aid classes taught by American Red Cross instructors. Classes are held inside stores valleywide.

Cave Creek

Bonnies Barkery - Offers American Red Cross Pet First-Aid and CPR classes each month in their store. Cost $30 per person. Pre-register by email at bonniesbarkery@qwest.net or sign-up in the store. Call 480-502-7973 for more info.

Flagstaff

Desert Mountain Medicine - Specializing in customized backcountry medical training for outdoor guides, professionals and enthusiasts. Offers Wilderness First Responder courses. (866) 881-6313 or info@desertmountainmedicine.com for details.

Health Management Consulting - National Safety Council First Aid and CPR classes. 928-773-0093 or dmwille@msn.com

Gilbert

Pete & Mac’s Recreational Resorts for Pets - Offers the four hour American Red Cross Pet First-Aid and CPR Course. Classes start periodically throughout the year, call 480-633-3384 for info.

Phoenix

AZ Humane Society - Pet CPR and First Aid Class. Learn how to care for a sick or injured animal in an emergency. Call (602) 997-7586, Ext. 1024 for details.

Tucson

Humane Society of Southern AZ - Pet First Aid Course - Learn how to recognize an emergency, handle an injured pet, administer first aid and emergency prevention. For more info. call 520-321-3704, Ext. 141

Pet Tech® First Aid & Emergency Care - Four hour classes include lecture, demonstration and hands on practice. Contact Kristen Codianni at 520-762-8269 or 520-360-5026 or Pet.Edu@hotmail.com.

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Land Navigation - Map and Compass Skills

Both the Maricopa County Parks Dept. and the City of Phoenix Parks Dept. - Offer Ranger led monthly seminars and day-long workshops often addressing land navigation and topographic map reading. Contact your local mountain park for more details. Phx. Mtn. Preserve 602-262-7901, Papago Park/Camelback Mtn. 602-256-3220, S. Mtn. Park 602-262-7393.

Greater Phoenix Orienteering Club - Offers Land Navigation Classes for all levels. Call (602) 212-6741 or email gphxoc@yahoo.com for more details. Phoenix

REI Recreational Equipment Inc - Offers a wide range of clinics in both their Paradise Valley and Tempe stores. Call Tempe (480) 967-5494 or P.V. (602) 996-5400 for more info.

Tucson Orienteering Club - Conducts competitions and educational clinics for all levels. Call (520) 628-8985 or email outreach@tucsonorienteering.org for more info.Tucson

Obedience Training for the Trail

For K9 Solutions - Owner Ken Desch - All types of training for all types of breeds. Ken specializes in difficult behaviors like aggression, anxiety, and fear. Call 602-618-0446 or email K.Desch@cox.net for more info.

"My Dog Ate It" Dog and Owner Training - Director of Training Jamie J. DeBenedetto - e-mail Obedience as it relates to hiking, backpacking, camping etc. is taught through private lessons. Behavioral modification and group classes also offered. CHCoA donators receive a $10 discount per lesson. Serving Phoenix and surrounding cities for over 12 yrs.

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Outdoor Education and Survival Skills

All over Maricopa County

Central Arizona Mountain Rescue Association - They offer a Community Education Program free (donation based) to the public or private sector. Contact speedwork@cox.net or go to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Mountain Rescue website for more info.

Maricopa County Parks Dept. - Offers Ranger led programs at most of their park locations. Topics range from desert survival and edible plants to land navigation and recognizing venomous creatures. Go to www.maricopa.gov/parks for more info. or call a county park near you.

Maricopa Community Colleges - Some offer an Outdoor Eduction program where they plan hikes and offer in class lectures on outdoor skills and preparedness.

Sportsman's Warehouse Retail Stores - Offers a variety of clinics, most are fre, on various outdoor and hunting related topics. Classes are held inside stores valleywide.

Flagstaff

Ancient Pathways, LLC. - Offers courses in desert survival and bushcraft living skills in Northern and Central AZ. Call 928-774-7522 or email info@apathways.com for more details.

Peoria

City of Peoria Parks and Recreation Dept. - Offers instruction on hiking, backpacking, and kayaking as well as monthly outings through their Outdoor Adventure Program. For info. email communityservices@peoriaaz.gov or call 623-773-7725.

Phoenix

City of Phoenix Parks Dept. - Offers monthly Ranger led day-long classes or short 1 to 2 hour workshops at several local mountain parks. Topics vary from outdoor living and survival skills to discussions about venomous creatures. Visit www.ci.phoenix.az.us/PARKS/hikemain.html for more info. or call your local Phoenix Mtn Park. South Mtn. Park - 602-534-6324 or the Phx. Mtn. Preserve -602-262-7901

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Portal

Raven's Way Traditional School - Primitive skills and nature workshops near the Chiricahua Mountains in Southeastern Arizona. Call 520-403-5085 or email ravens_way@hotmail.com for details.

Prescott

Aboriginal Living Skills School, LLC. - Offers courses in modern and primitive outdoor living skills. Call (928) 713-1651 or email at abodude@alssadventures.com for more info.

Arizona Outdoor Institute - Call 928-778-2567 or email canyon@hotmail.com for more info.

Arizona Wildlife Federation (AWF) - Offers weekend workshops in Prescott for women covering skills like hunting, archery, fishing, gun safety, camping, Dutch-oven cooking, map and compass reading, wildlife photography, canoeing, kayaking, rappelling, etc. Email awf@azwildlife.org or call (480) 644-0077.

Roosevelt

Reevis Mountain School - Courses in survival skills and useful plants of the desert, held in the Superstition Mountains. For more information call (480) 961-0490 or (928) 467-2675 or email bigfoot@reevismountain.org.

Scottsdale

Deer Tribe Metis Medicine Society - Offers a Wilderness Survival Training course. Email wits@dtmms.org for more info.

Native American Self-Awareness Institute - Offers courses and workshops covering ecology education, natural living and wilderness survival skills, Native American lifeways, earth and body-based spirituality, or weight loss transformation. Call (480) 970-8811 or email stbrtewa@aol.com for more details.

Tucson

Willow River Wilderness School - Offers courses in survival, fire building, tracking and wilderness skills. Call 520-360-6868 or email info@willowriverwilderness.com for details.

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Snake and/or Toad Avoidance Training

Camp Verde

North Rim Retrievers - Brent and Debra Bouldin - 928-567-9431

Globe

Pinal Mountain K9 - 480-202-5524

Maricopa County

Snake Safe - Jay Smith or Web Parton at 520-792-6411 or dogs@theriver.com or casacielo@theriver.com

Marana

Buhrke's Pet Resort - Steve Buhrke - 520-682-4114

New River

ViperVoidance - 480-215-1776 or bigjim@doitnow.com

Pinal County

Southwest Snake Avoidance Experts - Michael Percy - 520-449-4200 or Roger Nelson - 520-399-1132 (serving - Tucson, Oro Valley, Green Valley, Marana, Avra Valley, Sierra Vista, Catalina, Oracle, Bisbee, Tubac, Rio Rico, Arivaca and other communities)

Snake Safe - Jay Smith or Web Parton at 520-792-6411 or dogs@theriver.com or casacielo@theriver.com (serving communities within three hours of Tucson)

Peoria

For K9 Solutions - Owner Ken Desch - 602-618-0446 or K.Desch@cox.net

Phoenix

Westside Pet Center Kennels - Bill Gibbons - 602-272-8008 or magmabirddogs@earthlink.net

Debbie and Rick Maher - 623-936-7333 or RAMaher@juno.com

Tucson

Animal Magnetism - In home training - 520-850-2846

Humane Society of Southern AZ - At the Companions for Life Center - 520-795-6181 or 520-795-6115.

Karyn Garvin & Associates Inc. - 520-790-Dogs(3647)

Wickenburg

Debbie and Rick Maher - 623-936-7333 or RAMaher@juno.com

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CHCoA home

"My Dog Ate It" home

Gear Lists for Owner and Traildog

The items listed below have been compiled from various sources. Please keep in mind this info. is intended as helpful guidelines, not as a comprehensive checklist. Personal outdoor equipment will vary. Each trip should be planned with specific weather, terrain and other changing factors in mind. Plan ahead, pre-use and check your gear before you hit the trails.

The "10 Essentials"
(Items you should never be without regardless of the length or location of your journey)

Humans	Dogs
1. Water and a method to purify more	1. Water and a method to dispense it
2. Food	2. Food
3. Shelter - space blanket, poncho	3. Shelter
4. Fire - lighter, matches	4. Collar or Non-Restrictive Harness
5. First-Aid Supplies	5. Leash
6. Sun Protection - hat, sunglasses	6. First-Aid Supplies - List #1, List #2
7. Extra Clothing - jacket, rain gear	7. Outerwear - rain coat, sweater, booties
8. Map and Compass	8. Emergency Vet Location and Phone # - CHCoA List, VetWeb List, PACC 911 List
9. Knife or Multi-tool	9. Pliers or Tweezers
10. Signalling - flashlight, chemical sticks, headlamp, whistle, mirror	10. Identification - Rabies and up to date I.D tags

A more detailed account of the K9 Ten Essentials can be found in the "Something to Chew On" section.

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Jamie D.'s Day Hike Gear List
Humans	Dogs
Water (You can never bring too much. If you don't need it another hiker might.) I divide my weight in half, that's my base amount in ounces. I add more for longer, more difficult hikes or hotter temps. This formula is not exact, use your judgment when planning water totals.	Water (I bring extra, dogs are sloppy drinkers.) I use the same formula as humans for a starting point.
Lunch/Munchies (Energy bars, fruit, trial mix, jerky, candy, etc.) I bring extra for longer hikes or more difficult hikes.	A lightweight bowl (collapsibles work great)
Emergency supplies including: space blanket, waterproof matches, flashlight or candles, whistle, compass, cell phone, I.D., money, and medications or special needs items.	Doggie munchies (I usually just bring dry kibble but there are several energy bars on the market specifically for dogs that are useful.
Proper fitting comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather and emergency clothes (rain gear, jacket, gloves, etc.) Well broken in footwear (Hiking boots, trail shoes, etc.) Synthetic socks instead of cotton (Synthetics breathe better and wick away moisture from your skin. Less blisters!)	Canine specific first-aid supplies including medications, special needs items, bandage material, comb, and a muzzle or material to make one.
Lightweight first-aid kit (I made my own, there are several commercial ones specifically designed for hikers. Don't skimp, it can save your life.)	A leash and collar with current Rabies and I.D. tags. I also keep a current photo of my dog in the car.
Sun protection: Sunglasses, Sunblock, Chapstick, Bandanna and a Wide Brimmed Hat Bug protection: (if necessary) Spray, Lotion and or a Bug Net	Location and phone # for the closest emergency vets to my hiking area.
Pocket knife (a multi-tool like a Leatherman works well too.)	Bags for waste removal
Common sense and good judgment!!!! I saved the most important for last. Without this, the above gear is useless.	Paw protection and/or a sweater/jacket depending on the weather

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Mark W.'s Backpack Equip. List (3 Season )(Human Items Only)
(Mark advises you to choose items that match your trip plans and the expected weather conditions)

The 10+ Essentials

Extra clothing layer(s) - Map of area (in waterproof case) - Drinking water - Compass - Food - Headlamp or flashlight - Extra batteries / bulbs - First-aid kit - Sunglasses (with
retaining strap) - Pocket knife - Sunscreen - Matches (in waterproof container) and fire starter

Hiking Clothing

Quick-drying pants/shorts - Short-sleeved shirts - Wicking long underwear (top/bottoms) - Long sleeve shirts - Regular underwear - Warm pants (fleece or wool) - Quick drying swimsuit - and Fleece or wool vest

Other Gear

Backpack - Day/summit pack - Pack cover- Funnel -
Tent, tarp or bivy sack - Tent stakes - Rainfly - Footprints - Tent broom - Sleeping bag (in waterproof stuff sack) - Sleeping pad - Sit pad or sleeping pad chair kit - Plastic garbage bags - Compression sack - Resealable plastic bags -Extra nylon stuff sacks - Water filter/purifier - Water purification tablets - Water bottle(s) - Collapsible water container - and Lantern

Outerwear

Rainwear (top/bottoms) - Fleece jacket or wool sweater -Fleece or wool gloves/mittens - Waterproof gloves/overmitts - Warm hat (fleece or wool) - Wide-brimmed rain/sun hat -and Bandanna

Kitchen

Cook set, w/ dishes - Cooking/eating utensils - Cup - Pot grabber -Biodegradable soap - Pot scrubber/dish towel - Stove and fuel - Food (adequate supply for your trip)

Personal Items

Lip balm (with sun protection) - Head net - Insect repellent - Toothbrush and toothpaste - Small bath towel - Brush/ Comb - Trowel - Toilet paper - Other personal toiletry items

Footwear

Hiking socks - Wicking liner socks - Gaiters - Hiking boots/shoes that match the terrain - and Extra laces

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Jamie D's Backpack Equip. List (3 Season)
(I'm fairly weight conscious so I've included the pounds/ounces for some of my items in case anyone viewing this is interested. Additionally, I did not list food and water amounts since these totals vary with each trip.)

Backpack and Shelter - Total weight with the 23F bag is 5 lbs 1 oz; total with the 45F degree bag is 5 lbs 3oz

Six Moon Designs Comet backpack - 3700 cu inches - 27 oz
Tarptent w/ stakes - 32 oz
(In cool climates) +23 F Valandre' Mirage down sleeping bag - 23 oz with stuff sack
(In warm climates) 45 F Snug Pak sleeping bag - 25 oz
Therm-a-Rest Prolite sleeping pad - 26 oz
Two Flex-Air pillows - 2oz for both

Clothes - Clothes will also vary depending on climate and days on the trail. This is what I generally wear/carry for 2 or 3 day outings in mild conditions.

1 pair convertible hiking pants - 1 PolyPro quick drying t-shirt - 1 long sleeve Polypro shirt - 1 lightweight long sleeve fleece pullover - 1 pair Polartec tights - Undergarments (the usual for a female!) - 1 swim suit if needed

Kitchen - Total weight less fuel is 5 oz

Aluminum beer can pot - Homemade Esbit stove - Esbit fuel tabs (will vary depending on how much cooking I'm doing) - Lexan spork - Olay Cleansing Clothes for cleaning cookware - Packtowl lightweight camp towel (used for drying cookware and as a pot holder) - Two 1 gallon size ziplock bags

Outerwear

Montane Featherlite wind/rain shirt - 1 wool hat - 1 fleece neck gaiter - 1 pair cotton or fleece gloves - As least 1 bandanna - wide-brimmed hat - sunglasses - and if the temps are going to be below 45 F I will bring my down jacket -

Personal Items - Total weight 6 oz

I. D. - Money - Hair tie - Lib balm - Kleenex - Toothpaste and Toothbrush - Comb - Travel size deodorant - Olay Cleansing Clothes for washing - Toilet paper - and if out for more than a couple of days, I also carry a small tube of lotion (this is my personal luxury item!)

Footwear

Trail Runners - 2 pairs wool blend socks - 1 pair Acorn fleece slippers (for night-time camp shoes) - if I'm expecting lots of water crossings I bring a pair of Tevas instead of the slippers

10 Essentials & Other Items - Total weight is just under 3 lbs

Compass - map in ziplock bag - LED Headlamp - water purification tabs - whistle - pocket knife - two large trash bags - rope - duct tape - matches in waterproof container - fire starting material - emergency food - sunblock - bug repellent - small pad of paper and pencil - wristwatch - trekking poles.
*Most of this goes in a small waterproof bag

First-aid kit - includes pain and wound management stuff plus tweezers, Vet Wrap, moleskin, burn cream and eye wash solution. I carry extra of the bandage material and pain management when hiking with my dog. Scroll up to the K9 10 essentials list for 2 on-line lists with suggestions of what to put in a doggie first-aid kit.

Dog Gear - I have two dogs but I only hike with one at a time for safety reasons. They both use a 15 oz Granite Gear Ruff Rider dog pack.

I generally have them carry: I.D & rabies tags, collar, collapsible bowl, small fleece blanket, a sweater if it's going to be below freezing, and food.

What I carry for them: water, leash, first-aid supplies, emergency vet info. and eye medication. I may also carry doggie booties if we will be on rough or hot trails for an extended period, otherwise I bring extra rolls of Vet Wrap(bright colors are prefered).

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CHCoA home

"My Dog Ate It" home

Human and Traildog Related Websites