Think your dog makes you safer in bear country? The data say otherwise.

New analysis of more than 300 bear encounters suggests our canine companions often increase odds of conflict and rarely serve as early warning systems many recreationists assume.

By: Nick Mott, Mountain Journal

Outlets: Alaska Beacon

Published: August 14, 2026

Words: 1,396

Last Updated: 4 days, 1 hour ago

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Earlier this summer, I was jogging on a local trail with my 7-year-old black lab mutt, Camas, when she suddenly froze. The fur along her spine bristled. Then she let out a single, sharp bark — a timbre I’d never before heard.

I caught the unmistakable musk of an animal and my hand shot to the bear spray on my chest. Halfway up a tree less than 20 yards away, a beautiful, small cinnamon black …

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