Walking with a dog

[selleri]

I have three questions:

1. Knowing how little friendly most Spaniards are with dogs, is it advisable not to bring a dog as a walking companion? If it is OK does one have to check if they can sleep indoors in teh hostels?
2. What is the advise to someone planning to leave in early March on the route from St, Jean de Luz
3. Can one start the walk even if one is not in good condition?

Thanks, Ivan

[Covey]

I met a guy walking with his dog in 2007 and he said that the official albergues generally did not allow dogs in the buildings, but would sometimes allow him to sleep outside in the garden if there was one, with the hound! The only dogs I have seen walking the Camino have been large dogs, normally Alsatians or German Shepherds.

There are many who walk the Camino Frances who are not in good condition. When you get to Santiago, you will be in good condition!!

People walk the Camino with a variety of physical disabilities or health problems, but still stand in front of the Cathedral at Santiago at the end. It is mostly a matter of time and willpower. There are those who aim to do 40kms a day and others who walk gently from one albergue to the next and maybe only do 8-10kms a day.

There are no prizes for coming first and you walk at your own speed, stop when you like, take an afternoon siesta if you like, and enjoy.

Most of those who pick up injuries are pushing themselves too hard and too fast. The majority of pilgrims are not super fit athletes when they start, so the best thing is to start gently, and as your body gets used to the daily exercise, you will find that you can do a little bit more.

The only real downside to the walking if you are not too fit is that having made friends over the first couple of days, you have a natural desire to want to keep up with them and therefore run the risk of over stretching yourself and picking up stress injuries.

Take life as it comes, leave the dog to enjoy his life at home, and enjoy yourself.

[green_tea]

I am planing to do my camino with my dog too!

My dog is small young west highland white terrier (westie) and she follows me everywhere I go. It is not a question for me to take her or not - I just don't have anybody who could look after her and I don't want to leave her to anybody.

The question is sleeping. If albergues don't allow dogs inside (although my dog could sleep in my backpack), should I take my tent with me? Will I easily find a spot for a night? Are those albergues in towns/villages or in fields? I never did this thing before, so I have no idea how does the road look like and what should I expect... Will I be able to use shower in albergue if I won't stay there? (For extra fee maybe? How much would that cost?) Will I get stamps there?
And can I get pilgrim passport for my dog? As she will be pilgrim too - she will walk all the way on her paws (if she won't be able to do that we will cheat - I will carry her in my backpack)

I am planing to start this June from Paris to Santiago de Compostela.

[Covey]

I assume that this post is some form of joke!

You are planning to walk from Paris to Santiago, with a very small dog and I would assume that as you are planning on starting in June, you would hope to complete your journey within 80 days assuming you and the dog will average 25kms a day.

People walk to Santiago from all over Europe each year, but not dragging a small dog along. To expect a very small dog to walk 25kms a day for 80 days on roads and rough tracks is, in my humble opinion, an act of cruelty and hardly worthy of an owner who loves man's best friend.

You will no doubt spend time and money equipping yourself for the journey. What of the dog? A normal domestic dog's feet will be in shreds after walking 25kms a day for just a few days, let alone 80 days.

Take pity on your dog and find someone to care for him/her whilst you are away.

[hercules13]

I'm actually wondering about bringing my dog along. He's very small; however, we are planning on biking the route and he can easily fit in a pack or basket. He wouldn't be required to walk, and I'm sure the trek will be easier on him than the stress of being left behind for so long. I would like to know about camping options. Are there many opportunities for setting up a tent along the route? We would probably prefer to camp even without the dog if that's an option.

[Covey]

I have never actually seen a dog carried in a cycle basket on the Camino, but I suppose it is possible.

Your basic problem is that the albergues will not allow dogs, although it is possible that you might find a private albergue that will let you stay with a dog, but I would not bet on it!.

That means that you will have to use a tent and camp for the whole Camino and that presents problems. Occasionally an albergue will allow someone to pitch a tent in the garden (if they have one. Many do not!!) but again, might not if you have a dog.

Most towns along the Camino routes have camping sites, but they are usually on the outside of town, away from the shops, bars and other pilgrims. Many of the camp sites I have seen do not have showers etc and do not look very inviting.

Your other problem in cycling with your dog is that he/she will get shaken to death. The walkers route is rough track for most of the way which is why the cyclists mostly use mountain bikes and the going is quite hard. You can brace yourself against the bumps and jolts, but your dog will get thrown around a lot. The "official" cycle route for the Camino Frances is more road based which will be smoother, but the reason why most cyclists ride the walkers route is because they feel it is the "real" pilgrim route.

The majority of those who start out wanting to camp seem to abandon the idea by the time they get to Pamplona, go to the post office and post the tent home, and stay in the albergues with their friends.

[geraldkelly]

I agree with everything Covey is saying. A friend of mine brought his dog on the Via de la Plata and ended up sleeping outside a lot of the time because the hostels wouldn't allow dogs. He was a big dog, but by the end he was tired and he just wanted to go home. I don't think he enjoyed it. Also, having a dog will mean you'll get the attention of all the farm dogs who normally ignore pilgrims. You'll need a big stick and you'll have to be ready to defend yourself and your dog at all times.

Besides, every country has dog sitting services who'll look after your dog while you're away. Friends of mine went to Asia for a year and left their dog with one. He came back house-trained (and able to bark with a Derry accent!)

Ger

[hercules13]

I appreciate your input. I think we will shorten our trip and leave the little one home. Thank you.

[selleri]

Having now done the walk this is what I would say to dog lovers (of which I am one):

1. Regardless of whether it is your wife, your kids, your best friend, or your dog, the first time you do all or part of the walk I highly recommend to do it alone: it can be a unique spiritual experience and is best lived alone with all that this implies
2. For anyone who has spent any time in Spain, you will know that dogs are not appreciated in the same way as in some other countries. They are mainly thought of as animals for hunting or animals for guarding and in all my walk I can count on two hands the number of times I saw people walking their pets. Dogs are NOT appreciated in restaurants and probably not in most accommodation. If your dog is used to sleeping outdoors this might help.
3. Walking long distances can be tiring for a dog so if you walk shorter distances fine. Longer ones make sure your dog has built up to it or they will get very raw paws very quickly
4. Sometimes you walk by roads which means danger for dogs. You will need to walk with a dog tied to you which means further training if you have a large dog that pulls.

Some of the above comments might apply less to smaller dogs or dogs on bikes, but in all fairness to your dog, first do some of the walk and then, once you are a bit more experienced bring your dog along with full awareness of the challenges for the both of you.

Bon Camino, Ivan

[Covey]

I think Selleri's point in para 1 is probably the best advice anyone can have when walking the Camino. Wise words.

[lifecoacheva]

Hi all, I read the posts about walking the way with a dog. But I have one more question. I want to walk the entire way with a guide dog. Guide dogs are normally allowed into places where other dogs aren't. Would you know if such a guide dog is also an exception in the hotels and hostels along the way or will he be treated just like any other dog? Or if you don't know, do you know who I could contact in order to clarify this question. Thanks in advance, greetings from Ireland, Lifecoacheva