Recap of 7 principles 

• Plan ahead and prepare
• travel and camp on durable surfaces
• Dispose of waste properly
• minimize campfire impacts 
• Respect wildlife
• Be considerate of other visitors

Number one rule for leaving no trace - pick up your poop!

It is also a standing law in most states and at all national parks. Fun fact… since national parks are considered federal land they follow federal laws not state laws. So if Uncle Sam says bag that turd you better do it. 

Plan ahead and prepare! 

• Do your research. You need to look up what your dog is allowed or not allowed to do. CA state parks aren’t very dog friendly, they aren’t allowed in almost any of them. However, the US Forestry Service loves dogs and as long as you follow the rules your dog can go anywhere you can. Most National parks have at least a few trails that dogs are allowed and some have kennels for day use. 
• Make sure to plan your dog’s meals. 
• Some public lands allow your dogs as long as they are under your control. Most public lands require dogs to be leashed at all times. Have a plan for how your dog will spend their camp time.  run line, pen, etc.

Travel & camp on Durable Surfaces

• Keep your dog on a leash and on the trail. Loose dogs running through plants and communities of organisms can cause a lot of damage. Standard leash length is six feet. 
• A few side notes here; 
  • try not to let your dog drink running or standing water while on trail. it could make them very sick, also know if there is a toxic algae bloom in the local water. Blue algae can kill a dog with little warning. 
  • Ticks live in those high grasses just off the trail and would love to snuggle up with your dog. Staying on the trail is the best way to avoid these problems. 
  • If you are camping, pick a site that won't cause reactions from your dog 

Dispose of waste properly

• Tips- double bag so the smell can't get out. buy heavy duty poop bags. Terra carries the poop. have a spare gallon ziplock bag to put the poop bags in. 
• If it came with you or came from you, you have to pack it out. 

Leave what you find. 

• Yes, even that stick your dog has become best friends with. It has to stay behind.
• When in doubt just remember what your mother always said. “Put that back! You don’t know where that has been or what kind of germs it has.”

Minimize campfire impact

• Cooking on a fire is fun but it just adds another thing to be watching when you have dogs with you. For that reason the camp stove is a better pick here. 
• Make sure your dog is secured so they can’t reach the fire, or knock over the stove. 

Respect wildlife

• TRAINING and LEASH. Strong training can save your dog’s life.

Be considerate to others:

• This also means to other dogs, while your dog may be very friendly and ready to meet everyone on trail, not every dog or dog owner is as confident or comfortable. 
• Always keep your dog under your immediate control  
• Ask if it is okay for the dogs to meet. Always ask, to keep everyone safe, always ask. 

If you want to learn more about Leave No Trace with your dogs visit the National Parks service website or a park near you and pledge your dog to become a BARK ranger.