Is there really so much animosity towards dogs/their owners on the AT?

[Slo-go'en]

I'm just glad that few people take thier dogs out on the trails here in Maine and NH and all the thru hikers with dogs never make it this far.

[CaptainScarlet]

Other peoples' dogs can make a good emergency food source.

[Hill Ape]

My dog died. Had her for fourteen years, longer than two marriages combined. Last wife said I loved the dog more than her. I said she'd been with me longer. I want another lab, but can't be around chocolates without crying. Maybe a yellow this time

That said, there are two types of dogs that bother me on the trail. The one that bites me, and the smelly wet one that shakes off on my gear in a shelter. First has never happened, second is too common. Wet dog smell on a down bag goes a long way towards animosity

[Hill Ape]

For the record, I do not want another wife

[Drybones]

For the record, I do not want another wife

It took two women to make you a wise man.

[bamboo bob]

I think the #1 reason people bring their dog is that they can't find anyone to keep the dog for five months and don't want to pay to board the dog so they are stuck with it. I would never want the extra work of a dog on the trail but I think the dog people are just doing what they have to do. The behavior varies as everyone has discussed.

[Rain Man]

AT Hanna started this thread and quit a few days later.

I don't know Hanna and,-- unlike too many dog owners,-- will not pronounce without limit what has gone on in someone else' head and heart.

Having said that, I think on occasion folks ask a hot issue question, knowing they are wrong or being pejorative and only wanting positive reinforcement/reinforcers to tell them they are right, no matter. Then cherry-pick those answers, ignore the rest, the duck out feeling satisfied. Some others are simply trolls, intentionally or not. Again, I don't know Hanna and don't presume to know her specific intentions.

But posting a hot-issue query and then quitting MIGHT reflect a lack of sincerity (or immaturity) to begin with.

As it is, she got (or would have gotten) some valid discussion on various sides of the issues she raised, and the discussion has been pretty civil.

Kudos to WB.

Rain Man

.

[likeahike]

Quote redacted for brevity.

I don't know Hanna.... Having said that....

Again, I don't know Hanna.... But....

Are you familiar with the term passive-aggressive?

I'm pretty sure Hanna got a fairly complete answer early on in this thread and decided to call it a day.

[squeezebox]

I'm afraid of the people that carry machettes, guns, and aggressive uncontrolled dogs.

[mak1277]

My wife & I were hiking this weekend. We were passed by another couple with a leashed dog. Immediately after passing, the dog leaped back and tried to bite my wife...barely grazing her leg. Fortunately it wasn't worse. The response, "oh, he's never done that before".

[perdidochas]

Actually it's 40% of the trail requires a leash.

40% of the trail requiring a leash, means that 60% of the trail doesn't.

[Mags]

40% of the trail requiring a leash, means that 60% of the trail doesn't.

Slightly less, actually. As some places outright ban dogs (see the ATC link). And it is more than 40%+ require leashes.

What does this mean?

A little less than half the trail has some some sort of restriction for dogs be it leashes or outright bans (bans are ~4% of the trail total doing some quick math).

The AT, and most eastern trails in general, are a good environment for dogs to hike in vs the western counterparts.

Just have to keep some logistic issues in mind.

[Giuseppe]

I'm afraid of the people that carry machettes, guns, and aggressive uncontrolled dogs.

sums it up for me, too.

[Boots and Backpacks]

But dont forget that over 60per cent of the trail is no leash requirement do they can legally run free.

40% of the trail requiring a leash, means that 60% of the trail doesn't.

But, when you say over 60% of the trail has no requirements. That to me would mean that less than 40% requires a leash. Not hard math there.

[canoe]

But, when you say over 60% of the trail has no requirements. That to me would mean that less than 40% requires a leash. Not hard math there.

Yep you nailed it. Not hard at all

[Mags]

But, when you say over 60% of the trail has no requirements. That to me would mean that less than 40% requires a leash. Not hard math there.

Er..no

According to the ATC, 40% PLUS requires a leash. another rough 4% bans dogs outright. Let's be conservative and say ~45% of the trail has dog restrictions.

Simply math tells me that about only about 55% has no dog restrictions (leash or bans)...

Simple math. ;D

Being serious, something that needs to be paid attention to. Many dogs aren't comfortable on being leash 40%+ of the time. And kenneling a dog for the Smokies and BSP is a logistic issue that should be noted.

[canoe]

Er..no

According to the ATC, 40% PLUS requires a leash. another rough 4% bans dogs outright. Let's be conservative and say ~45% of the trail has dog restrictions.

Simply math tells me that about only about 55% has no dog restrictions (leash or bans)...

Simple math. ;D

Being serious, something that needs to be paid attention to. Many dogs aren't comfortable on being leash 40%+ of the time. And kenneling a dog for the Smokies and BSP is a logistic issue that should be noted.

Lurd have mercy let nit pick shall we

[Sarcasm the elf]

You people are using math on WB, i'm not comfortable with this.

And Mags, don't you have a presentation to prepare for?

[squeezebox]

Mags !!!

Boo Hoo !!! some dogs are uncomfortable being leashed. I'm uncomfortable being attacked. Being a responsible dog owner/ parent means training your dog. I had a wonderful dog for 18 yrs. after she once snapped at a kid or another dog I never trusted her again. you never know how a dog will act in a new situation., Leash your dog and it will eventually learn the leash is normal.
I find it hard to believe there are people that think their dog has a right to attack people.

[HooKooDooKu]

I find it hard to believe there are people that think their dog has a right to attack people.

I don't think it is an issue of people thinking their dog has a right to attack people... but people who simply don't think of or care about others.