How to take your dog birding

Jonathan and Jack birding while hiking the Green Knob Trail in Watauga County, North Carolina. 𝘚𝘢𝘮 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘳

Many people find that they enjoy birding more when they are accompanied by others. That is, birding with people. Birding with a canine companion is a personal choice that is highly subjective.

If you spend any time in a typical Facebook birding group, you'll notice that the topic of birding with dogs is quite contentious. It could be as heated as the debate over indoor vs. outdoor cats. Whether you have a cat or a dog, both pets can spark fierce commentary and highlight partisanship among birders and naturalists in general.

Should you take your dog birding? Maybe, maybe not. The answer is dependent on a number of factors, including your target species, where you're going, how long you intend to be gone, the rules and regulations of the destination, and so on.

Since late January, when Jonathan and I rescued a puppy, I've wanted to write about this subject. I'm probably one of the few people who enjoys birding with her dog, so here I discuss the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the dos and don'ts. I'll also give you some tips on how to make birding with your dog more effective and enjoyable.

Yes, we rescued a pandemic puppy.

Jack is a high-energy, lovable Australian Cattle Dog mutt. Our previous dog, a Corgi Inu mix, enjoyed gazing at the world from afar, but he disliked hiking and was wary of strangers and other dogs. (He was my first dog, and I knew little about dog science, socialization, and ways to manage his coping.) This time around, we wanted a dog who would thrive in an outdoor lifestyle, and Jack was the ideal candidate.

Life in the Yoerger household has been a little chaotic as a result of the adoption, with less time for birding and blogging. We were able to bring Jack along on a few occasions during the winter and waterfowl season, including a Brant chase when he was 10 weeks old. In the backseat, he slept the entire trip. Now that he’s six months old, he has accompanied us on the trails and to our favorite local birding spots. The next step is to familiarize him with camping and a Burley trailer for bike adventures.

Brant, Tippecanoe County, Indiana. 13 February 2021. 𝘑𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘠𝘰𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘳

In between training and socialization, I've been thinking about the responsibilities that birding entails for conscientious dog owners and well-behaved dogs. What qualities make a good canine birding companion? What should I remember if I bring him along? What should I bring to keep him happy and relaxed while I bird? How does it alter the birding experience? Should I explore these questions in a blog post? Sure, why not?! 🙂

Is my dog birding compatible?

If you haven't taken your dog birding yet, you're probably wondering if he's a good fit for your hobby. I can't tell you if he is or isn't, but I can help you decide whether to bring him along.

First things first: I strongly believe that a good dog owner is essential for a good birding dog because it all comes down to collaboration. Your patience, as well as how you communicate with your dog instead of simply “handling” him, can make or break the experience for both you and him, as well as bystanders.

Dogs who enjoy being outside, are eager to please and have been trained to respond to cues, and are social and savvy in a variety of settings make excellent birding companions. Temperament and personality are also important factors to consider. If your dog is reactive to certain stimuli or afraid of new experiences, it can disrupt your birding experience and add stress. A dog with a strong chase instinct can also make birding difficult, depending on the situation.

Some breeds, such as the Australian Cattle Dog, Siberian Husky, Border Collie, German Shorthaired Pointer, and Visla, are thought to be better suited for outdoor companionship. But birding is a low-impact activity that can be quite slow. It is not necessary to have a high-energy, active dog; dogs of all sizes and shapes are up for the task.

My best piece of advice is that you yourself lay the groundwork for a great birding dog. Make sure he is comfortable accompanying you on your adventures, whether with or without birds. Learn to read his body language, understand him, and train him accordingly. If you've determined that he has the potential to be a good birding companion, begin slowly and gradually increase the length of your birding sessions.

Birding with a dog: Dos and don’ts

I'm sure you've heard your fair share of bad behavior stories or seen dogs misbehave due to their owners' negligence. Perhaps the most infamous case is that of "Central Park Karen," who ignored signage and let her dog run free in one of Central Park's protected natural areas, while also displaying blatant racism toward a Black birder. Don’t be that person.

If you need a refresher, here are some pointers on what you should and should not do:

Know when your dog should stay at home. Recognize your level of commitment to birding, as well as the location and type of birding itself. For example, do not take your dog to areas where sensitive, breeding, or threatened species exist, or on guided birding trips. If you intend to spend the majority of the day birding or counting birds (e.g., hawkwatching, shorebirding, lakewatching, seawatching, birdathons, big days, breeding bird surveys), go solo.
Be aware of the rules and restrictions that apply to pets in places where they are and are not permitted. Research the destination before heading out. Stay on the trail and in the designated dog-friendly areas.
Leash your dog at all times. Allowing your dog to run free can endanger not only them, but also wildlife, other pets, and people. Keep in mind that you and your dog are passing through an area where wildlife lives and breeds. Most state and national parks, in any case, require a 6-foot leash.
Keep an eye on your dog's surroundings. Watch out for things like cigarette butts, fire ants, snakes, toads, and toxic plants and trees like Poison Hemlock, English Ivy, Red Maple, Cherry, and Black Walnut.
Maintain an awareness of everyone's level of comfort around your dog. Some people dislike dogs, and some people dislike birding in the presence of dogs. It could be considered a major faux pas. No one knows how well-behaved your dog is.
Minimize distractions. Consider birding in more remote areas where you are less likely to run into other dogs, runners, or passersby, or look for areas with a variety of trail options.
Protect your dog from possible illnesses. Maintain your dog's vaccinations and flea, tick, and parasite protection on a monthly basis.
Scoop. The. Poop. No exceptions.
Don't allow your dog to drink contaminated water. A no-brainer, really.

#GetTheGear

A selection of things I use while birding with my dog. 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘠𝘰𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘳

Birding with a dog is made easier with the proper equipment, but you don't have to go as far as Dave and Kath in this Portlandia skit. Below are some essential items that I pack when I have Jack with me.

A collar with an identification tag. Even if your dog is microchipped, a collar and I.D. tag are essential if you and your dog become separated. The collar signifies that your dog has a home, and the I.D. tag makes it easy for someone to quickly contact you.
A harness. I never take my dog for a walk without his Ruffwear Front Range harness on. When walking, a harness gives you more control and distributes pressure on your dog's throat and neck if they pull, which helps prevent injury.
A variety of leashes. The length of your leash is determined by the birding situation as well as the park rules and regulations (see dos and don’ts above). I have 6-foot, 15-foot, 30-foot, and hands-free leashes. Some are made of biothane, which is easy to clean after exploring a particularly dirty location, while others are made of soft, thick rope, which offers more grip. I sometimes bring two or three leashes so that I can easily switch from one to the other. However, my best advice is to look for a hands-free leash that allows you to hold your binoculars with both hands. I use the Buddy System leash, but there are numerous other waist leashes on the market.
Poop bags. Carry waste bags with you and pick up after your dog. This is not only good etiquette, but it also helps to prevent parasite transmission. You can carry out the poop without using your hands by using a fanny pack, a carabiner, or the dooloop. Easy peasy.
Treats and a treat pouch. I bring high-reward treats wherever Jack goes because, regardless of his age, every situation and environment is a training opportunity. And the advantage of using positive reinforcement methods to mark and reward desired behavior is that he is more likely to repeat it. My go-to treat pouch is this fanny pack by Woof Cultr.
Water and a bowl. If you get thirsty while birding, your dog will almost certainly get thirsty as well. Staying hydrated is critical for both of you, especially on hot days or when embarking on long adventures. Keep extra water on hand for your dog and give him a drink on a regular basis. Most stores sell lightweight collapsible bowls that can be attached to your belt loop or backpack.

Other items to keep in your vehicle include an antler or dog chew to keep him occupied while sitting for long periods of time, a roll-up dog bed or blanket if on longer outings or doing a big sit, a first-aid kit, a safety light for after-hours birding, a lint roller to catch ticks before they burrow into his fur, a tick key or tweezers to remove any attached ticks, and dog-safe grooming wipes (no alcohol).

There are also a number of other tools available to keep your dog cool or warm while in extreme weather. If you have any friends who have working dogs, ask them for their advice. They have lots of neat tips and tricks.

Pros and cons

Birding with a dog is a completely different experience than trying to see as many different species as possible. You will spend less time birding than if you went alone or with human companions, and you will see and hear fewer species.

For example, on a Sunday in early May, Jonathan and I went out with Jack for an hour. Our checklist totaled 37 species, compared to 61 the day before without him. We left a little later than usual due to the preparation that goes into getting a dog ready – making sure there are enough treats, setting aside leashes (different lengths for different parts of the birding), and so on. While the difference between birding with and without a dog during peak spring migration is approximately 24 or more species, it all depends on your goal and/or intention.

One advantage of bringing a dog is that they often detect movement and locate birds before you do. However, there are some significant drawbacks: the mere presence of a dog can be harmful to birds and other sensitive species, as well as the surrounding flora; your dog will be perceived as a predator by wildlife; and it can be difficult to focus your binoculars unless you have a super laid-back dog, excellent leash handling skills, or a hands-free leash.

What I enjoy about birding with Jack is that it is a more relaxed experience. I can do it on one of our strolls around the neighborhood, at my local patches, and while hiking with him. I feel less pressure to find uncommon species and to flex my knowledge of birds and birding through eBird. It's like a slower form of forest bathing because every encounter I have with an individual bird, no matter how common, adds to the puzzle of the species' life history, behaviors, vocalizations, and more. That said, birding with a dog is not for every birder.

If you go birding with your pup, be prepared to accept that the experience will not be top-tier because you will need to keep one eye on him at all times. Leave him at home if you want to have the best birding experience possible. Just keep in mind that birding with or without a dog are enjoyable in their own unique ways.

Author’s note: Did you know that there are such things as conservation dogs? Check out this showcase of projects from Conservation Dogs Collective, as well as these articles: “Conservation Dogs Are Sniffing Out Species Humans Can’t See” (source: Reasons to be Cheerful) and “Conservation Dogs Sniff Out Wildlife, Invasive Species, Diseases, and More” (source: American Kennel Club). The work that’s being done with dog’s noses is amazing, and this type of fieldwork is becoming more popular—and necessary.

P.S. This blog post contains no affiliate links and is solely for informational purposes.

Yes, we rescued a pandemic puppy.

Is my dog birding compatible?

Birding with a dog: Dos and don’ts

#GetTheGear

Pros and cons

On listening and field recordings

Our first visit to the Lower Rio Grande Valley