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

[sheepdog]

I wonder how many times this topic has been beaten to death.

[Sarcasm the elf]

I wonder how many times this topic has been beaten to death.

How many threads are there in the dog forum?

[Sarcasm the elf]

Try telling that to the off-leash dogs who run into people when skiing on narrow single track trail. :OI am in control and it is still dangerous for me and the dog both when a dog is supposed to be leashed and it is not.Honestly. Leash laws are not draconian and are often there for the dog's safety, too.I suspect the OP is long gone though. No doubt walking the dog off-leash somewhere in the Boulder-area.

If you have a problem with that, then stop skiing on the A.T.!!!

My sister just moved to Golden and says she has the same problems over there. Most recently she had three Newfies charge up to her at the same time, all being walked off leash by one person.

[sheepdog]

If you have a problem with that, then stop skiing on the A.T.!!! ;-)...My sister just moved to Golden and says she has the same problems over there. Most recently she had three Newfies charge up to her at the same time, all being walked off leash by one person.

Canadians must be leashed??

That's barbaric.

[Wise Old Owl]

I am sick of it.... I rarley read the dog forum


its Leashes vs FREEDOM!

[sheepdog]

I am sick of it.... I rarley read the dog forum


its Leashes vs FREEDOM!

http://youtu.be/WLrrBs8JBQo

[Sarcasm the elf]

Canadians must be leashed??

That's barbaric.

I knew someone was going to call me out on that, I went ahead an fixed my post.

[Jack Tarlin]

Post #85 is really instructive. "Screw people who don't like dogs" is a great way to vent, but all it really does is substantiate the argument that many dogs owners either aren't aware of how their dog's presence impacts other people, or more likely, they simply don't care. And comments like this also give support to the argument that the dog is not necessarily the problem, nor is it people who don't like them. The problem is with uncaring, and ultimately selfish dog owners. I repeat, the problem isn't with dogs, nor is the solution to the problem. The problem is people who say "Screw em!" to anyone who disagrees with them. This sort of comment does little to address the problem and tends to dis-credit the person who says it. And all too often, this attitude is held by all too many dog owners, who refuse to acknowledge that THEY are creating the problem and not their pets.

[stranger]

I personally don't mind dogs on the trail...but I do agree with Baltimore Jack, dog owners are the problem. Also, having a dog makes the hike so much different, just so much more problems to deal with. In 2008 I was in Damascus and this group of 4-5 hikers, with 4 dogs, come walking by the Hikers Inn and I was chatting with them cause I passed them the day before. It was raining and they were all annoyed that no place in town would accomodate them. I said sarcastically...well you do have 4 dogs. They didn't seem to think it was odd, I was amused by this attitude.

[Migrating Bird]

I am sick of it.... I rarley read the dog forum


its Leashes vs FREEDOM!

Repulicans vs Democrates

[Mags]

I suspect the OP is long gone though. No doubt walking the dog off-leash somewhere in the Boulder-area.

I think I saw her today. Snowshoeing with her dog today in the Boulder Open Space. The dog started running into me today when I was on skis. Had to stop abruptly so I would not hurt the dog.

Naturally the dog was off-leash in a leash required area. Natch.

Or maybe it was the person my buddy and I had to dig out and push. She had a dog too....

[elmotoots]

Park Ranger Uses Stun Gun on Man Walking Dogs Off-Leash in California


(CBS/AP) MONTARA, Calif. - A California congresswoman wants an
independent investigator to determine if a federal park ranger used
excessive force when she fired a stun gun at a man walking his dogs
off-leash. The San Francisco Chronicle
reports Rep. Jackie Speier said in a letter to the head of the Golden
Gate National Recreation Area, "Many of my constituents are
understandably angered by what appears to be an excessive use of force
by a park ranger. From the information I have to date, it does not
appear that the use of a Taser was warranted."50-year-old
Gary Hesterberg was walking two small dogs off-leash when he was
stopped by a ranger Sunday afternoon in Rancho Corral de Tierra. The
area in which he was walking is newly incorporated into the national
park system, and dogs are required to be on a leash. Hesterburg
allegedly gave a fake name to the ranger, who then asked for backup,
said Howard Levitt, a spokesman for the recreation area. Hesterberg
challenged the ranger's authority to detain him and tried to leave,
Levitt said. The ranger then grabbed his arm and warned him to stay
where he was, threatening the Taser. Hesterberg told the ranger
not to stun him because of a heart condition, but still tried to walk
away, a witness said. The ranger then shot him in the back with the
shock device. Hesterberg, 50, was checked out by paramedics at
the scene and arrested on suspicion of failing to obey a lawful order,
having dogs off-leash and knowingly providing false information, Levitt
said. He was later released.Rep. Speier said she wants more
information about what happened, what training park rangers receive for
stun-gun use and whether there are enough notices about leash rules. The
National Park Service planned to answer to Speier's questions by the
week's end. The ranger remains on the job, Levitt said. Her name has not been released.

[Wise Old Owl]

The Important thing here Elmo, is the owner got tazed.... not the dog... and he was 50 and knew better and all I can say is "You go Girl!"

[redzombie]

Look, were all humans, some of us are blessed with a higher IQ than others, some have common sense and others do not. Everyone knows how to be a better dog owner, parent ect. What you don't know is how to be considerate. **** happens, mistakes are made, dogs have a mind of their own too ya know. You can beat this topic to death, but what know one is suggesting is maybe we should all have a little bit of compassion towards one another, and maybe more people should learn how to respond to a dog. We all look up and research bear safety and what to do if a bear charges, so my question is how come we don't educate ourselves on how to handle a loose dog? I am not advocating you to be a butt, not saying anything to a irresponsible dog owner does no one any good. You have to learn how to speak up without being a butt. Sometimes the other person is just ignorant, and you might be the only person that will educate them, and more then likely you will save other hikers from a bad experience.

[Oak88]

Personally I'd rather share a shelter with a dog than a farting,snoring old man any day, lol.

Had to share a shelter with a snoring old man with a wet dog that clicked his teeth all night. I have nothing against dogs on the trail but out of respect I think a dog owner should have a tent. I have met some aggressive dogs on the trail and that bothers me. Most dog owners are very responsible.

[2015 Lady Thru-Hiker]

i like dogs but am wary of ones i don't know because i was bitten, unprovoked by a shepherd a number of years ago. I have a quarter sized scar in my calf from it. I don't want to feel like i have to be on high alert the whole time for out of control dogs being allowed to run loose. figure i have enough other things i need to be on the watch for

The thing i really take exception to is where i read on another site someone encouraging a couple who wants to keep their dog with them the whole time to fraudulently file for a service animal permit, stating that is what he did to get around it

[4eyedbuzzard]

Park Ranger Uses Stun Gun on Man Walking Dogs Off-Leash in California


(CBS/AP) MONTARA, Calif. - A California congresswoman wants an
independent investigator to determine if a federal park ranger used
excessive force when she fired a stun gun at a man walking his dogs
off-leash. The San Francisco Chronicle
reports Rep. Jackie Speier said in a letter to the head of the Golden
Gate National Recreation Area, "Many of my constituents are
understandably angered by what appears to be an excessive use of force
by a park ranger. From the information I have to date, it does not
appear that the use of a Taser was warranted."50-year-old
Gary Hesterberg was walking two small dogs off-leash when he was
stopped by a ranger Sunday afternoon in Rancho Corral de Tierra. The
area in which he was walking is newly incorporated into the national
park system, and dogs are required to be on a leash. Hesterburg
allegedly gave a fake name to the ranger, who then asked for backup,
said Howard Levitt, a spokesman for the recreation area. Hesterberg
challenged the ranger's authority to detain him and tried to leave,
Levitt said. The ranger then grabbed his arm and warned him to stay
where he was, threatening the Taser. Hesterberg told the ranger
not to stun him because of a heart condition, but still tried to walk
away, a witness said. The ranger then shot him in the back with the
shock device. Hesterberg, 50, was checked out by paramedics at
the scene and arrested on suspicion of failing to obey a lawful order,
having dogs off-leash and knowingly providing false information, Levitt
said. He was later released.Rep. Speier said she wants more
information about what happened, what training park rangers receive for
stun-gun use and whether there are enough notices about leash rules. The
National Park Service planned to answer to Speier's questions by the
week's end. The ranger remains on the job, Levitt said. Her name has not been released.

Which part about giving false information to and disobeying the order of a ranger (or any official) does this guy not understand? Seriously - only an idiot questions the authority of a federal officer wearing a badge and brandishing a drawn Taser.

[Grampie]

Post #85 is really instructive. "Screw people who don't like dogs" is a great way to vent, but all it really does is substantiate the argument that many dogs owners either aren't aware of how their dog's presence impacts other people, or more likely, they simply don't care. And comments like this also give support to the argument that the dog is not necessarily the problem, nor is it people who don't like them. The problem is with uncaring, and ultimately selfish dog owners. I repeat, the problem isn't with dogs, nor is the solution to the problem. The problem is people who say "Screw em!" to anyone who disagrees with them. This sort of comment does little to address the problem and tends to dis-credit the person who says it. And all too often, this attitude is held by all too many dog owners, who refuse to acknowledge that THEY are creating the problem and not their pets.

Well said.

[The Cleaner]

I like dogs and used to take mine on the AT. Last time I was at Jerry's Cabin shelter on a clean up trip( I was spending a night there) a young woman showed up and her small dog jumped up on the bunk, stepped on my sleeping bag & pad and tried to get in my face. Then there's the dog hair left behind....

[adamkrz]

Post #85 is really instructive. "Screw people who don't like dogs" is a great way to vent, but all it really does is substantiate the argument that many dogs owners either aren't aware of how their dog's presence impacts other people, or more likely, they simply don't care. And comments like this also give support to the argument that the dog is not necessarily the problem, nor is it people who don't like them. The problem is with uncaring, and ultimately selfish dog owners. I repeat, the problem isn't with dogs, nor is the solution to the problem. The problem is people who say "Screw em!" to anyone who disagrees with them. This sort of comment does little to address the problem and tends to dis-credit the person who says it. And all too often, this attitude is held by all too many dog owners, who refuse to acknowledge that THEY are creating the problem and not their pets.

Did you read the rest of the post ? In the 20 plus years of hiking the A.T. I've come across many obnoxious people and yet never had a problem with dog. Let's get the mean people off the trail and let them walk the malls where dogs are not allowed.