Dogs loose in the woods-your opinion?

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The whole issue is a moot point.

In any National, state, or county park I've been in, all dogs are supposed to be leashed. Period. It does not matter if you think your dog is special, or you think you are special, the law is the law.

Over the last 6 years, our welsh corgi has been attacked twice by off leash dogs that came running up while the owners are yelling "He's friendly!" and they proceed to chomp down on our dog. In the first case the attacking dog in question died from having it's skull caved in from a very heavy hormbeam hiking staff. Then pepper spray and said staff had to be used on owner as he had the gall to be enraged that I defended our corgi, who had to be transported to a vet for emergency care and stitches.

I no longer have any tollerance for off leash dogs charging me or my dog. If a charging dog gets in range of me, it's going to be wacked with everything I can put behind it. Simple as that. To allow your dog to run off leash in a public park is a violation of the law, as well as being rude, overbearing, and self centered. If you choose to disregard the law, it's on your head what may happen.

I'm very sorry if this attitude offends somebody, but sitting in the car holding our badly injured dog bleeding in my lap is a place I'm not going anymore. I don't care if your dog is friendly to you, it just may see the smaller dog as some sort of prey. And I am going to defend our corgi as she's a loved member of our family. That means I have zero qualms about killing another dog to protect mine.

Public; keep your dog on the leash and there is no problem. You never know what kind of person with bad memories they may be running up to, and whatever they do, 99% of the law will be on thier side.
 
1. Molly will sit, stay, and heel on command (as long as no rabbits are near...)
2. She likes all humans of the female persuasion, all children, and warms up to most adult males after a couple of meetings. (She was mistreated by her previous male owner).
3. She will pee on the spot if you raise your voice at her (kind of annoying).

When out in the woods she always has her harness and leash on her. Lost her for two days after she took off after a tree rat. She can't help it, her brain's only as big as a walnut.

LEAVES033.jpg
 
I know y'all dog owners ALWAYS have fidaux tethered to you with firm voice control. I know y'all feel your pup is NEVER going to be aggressive, and would never bite a stranger.

Fine.............. BUT, I just don't know the mutt as well as you do. Iff'in I see the dog heading my way, and don't see you, I'll be very unhappy. He won't get a warm welcome. Just saying........

Protect your dog. Keep him leashed.
 
if your dog is under control i see no problem with having them off leash however on busy trails mine are always on leash and if i know of recent cougar or bear activity in an area i wont bring them as dogs attract unwanted attention very easily
 
cuphead said:
ppl are afraid of things they don't understand. so what the hell are ppl afraid of dogs doing in the woods to begin with if you can encounter coyotes, bobcats, bears etc..

no offense, but I think hikers should understand that when they are leaving the security of their homes, they should be prepared for anything and not bitch and moan at every opportunity that presents itself. You'll run into hikers that will even make you feel like shit for letting your dog loose, I say to hell with them they shouldn't be there to start with.
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Couldn't have said it any better my self! Thank you for saving me the typing! :)
 
Pets are not the same as coyotes. A pet owner has some degree of responsibility. Pet owners bringing pets into the woods are bringing an aspect of society with them. But if you want to let your pet roam around like a coyote then I hope you're fine with it being treated like one.
 
JCavSD said:
Pets are not the same as coyotes. A pet owner has some degree of responsibility. Pet owners bringing pets into the woods are bringing an aspect of society with them. But if you want to let your pet roam around like a coyote then I hope you're fine with it being treated like one.
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Yes, perfect, just what I wanted to say but if far fewer words, especially the last bit!!

I like dogs well enough, but like many of the people chiming in I have one hand on my knife at the first sign of unfamiliar dogs on the trail until I'm sure they're friendly. Unlike someone suggested (and then rephrased much better after:)) I not afraid of dogs on the trail per se, but I am respectful and I wont hesitate to defend myself against them as I would any other animal. The unnerving thing about dogs that might attack you on a trail is that their irresponsible owners might, as some people have obviously found out first hand, become enraged at your gall in not letting their pet maul you and subsequently attack you themselves. I say 'irresponsible owners' because the responsible ones either wouldn't let it happen in the first place or would realize that the mistake was theirs and be thankful it didn't cause more harm.

Boy, some people really seem to love their dogs..

Edit: I really mean no disrespect to people who love their dogs:thumbup: I grew up with dogs, both family dogs and working sheep dogs, and I like and respect them. I just get a sour feeling when it seems like people might put a strangers life above the the life of their pet. I grew up in NZ and there are far too many accounts there of people who let their dogs become viscous and then cry foul when the police put the animal down after it tears some child's face off.
 
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tonym said:
I have no problem with you letting your dog off its leash if its a friendly dog. 99% of dog owners won't let a vicious dog run around uncontrolled. and for those who are gonna say, "but what about that 1%" I am not the type to punish the good just because someone else screws up... I handle each situation one at a time. Be aware, be prepared, and you will be allright.
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tony thats how i feel....usually i aint too worried because i know i could take a dog if need be.

just last month walking my 11mo old son around the park i hear the jingle of a dogs collar coming from behind...i scared it off with my voice but had i not heard that collar jingle...who knows...owner was on the other side of the park. i had some choice words for the owner.
 
cuphead said:
ppl are afraid of things they don't understand. so what the hell are ppl afraid of dogs doing in the woods to begin with if you can encounter coyotes, bobcats, bears etc..

no offense, but I think hikers should understand that when they are leaving the security of their homes, they should be prepared for anything and not bitch and moan at every opportunity that presents itself. You'll run into hikers that will even make you feel like shit for letting your dog loose, I say to hell with them they shouldn't be there to start with.
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so what youre saying is its ok for people to bring vicious dogs and unleash them on unsuspecting hikers and its the hikers fault for not paying attention to vicious dogs? wheres the jerkit icon...

i always have my senses running while in the woods...and im prepared esp on blind corners...but people need to take some responsibility for their animals actions.
 
Okay. let's back up a bit.

Dogs have different types of training. No one here, even the most rabidly anti-dog, is going to seriously suggest a retriever be on a leash to retreive dove or duck!

There is a huge difference between a dog charging, a dog stopping a safe distance away, a dog begging, a dog who is trained to sit on command well away from his owner- painting all these dogs with the same brush is silly.

I happen to own a large, black, scary dog- 85 pounds of rottie mix. She's fed on raw food and has teeth that do scare people- even playing at the dog park. She is fully trained in off and on leash social skills. Sits in front of children, sits when commanded, drops when commanded, returns when called, 'releases' other dogs if they are being overwhelmed by her play energy. (release is a command word, very useful for balls, ground scores, and playtime)

I do NOT let her roam off leash in areas with other dogs intentionally, unless the situation is appropriate (dog park, wilds running with familiar dogs, etc).

she does have specific off leash duties in certain situations, helping to manage the kids.

and it is my responsibility to keep track of her- I know where she is and what she's doing- which does NOT include running halfway down a ridgeline when I'm at the peak!

FWIW- the only two times I did draw a knife on a dog were both idiotically trained and poorly socialized dogs attacking my (leashed in both cases) dog. Though ah did go and gave one bike chaser a kick in the head once.....
 
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Dad lost one of his best Brittanies on his mountain property to a mountain lion and his neighbor lost a very large Rottweiler to a pack of coyotes.... Both dad and his neighbor learned a hard lesson about letting their beloved pets run wild and out of sight. ...Steve
 
Keeping in mind that I love dogs.

If your dog listens to you, then it will never get close enough for me to cut its throat, shoot it or bash its skull in.

If your dog does not listen to you, you should keep it on a leash so I don't cut its throat, shoot it or bash its skull in.
 
I've run into as many hikers and their children that needed to be leashed as I have dogs.... just saying.... ;)
 
PrimitiveMan said:
Keeping in mind that I love dogs.

If your dog listens to you, then it will never get close enough for me to cut its throat, shoot it or bash its skull in.

If your dog does not listen to you, you should keep it on a leash so I don't cut its throat, shoot it or bash its skull in.
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Straight to the point and well said.

Sadly, this is the reality it comes down to. I love dogs as well, but I will not tolerate an unrestrained dog presenting any aggressive behavior towards me or my family.

If your dog gets hurt, it is your fault.
 
jackknife said:
The whole issue is a moot point.

In any National, state, or county park I've been in, all dogs are supposed to be leashed. Period. It does not matter if you think your dog is special, or you think you are special, the law is the law.

Over the last 6 years, our welsh corgi has been attacked twice by off leash dogs that came running up while the owners are yelling "He's friendly!" and they proceed to chomp down on our dog. In the first case the attacking dog in question died from having it's skull caved in from a very heavy hormbeam hiking staff. Then pepper spray and said staff had to be used on owner as he had the gall to be enraged that I defended our corgi, who had to be transported to a vet for emergency care and stitches.

I no longer have any tollerance for off leash dogs charging me or my dog. If a charging dog gets in range of me, it's going to be wacked with everything I can put behind it. Simple as that. To allow your dog to run off leash in a public park is a violation of the law, as well as being rude, overbearing, and self centered. If you choose to disregard the law, it's on your head what may happen.

I'm very sorry if this attitude offends somebody, but sitting in the car holding our badly injured dog bleeding in my lap is a place I'm not going anymore. I don't care if your dog is friendly to you, it just may see the smaller dog as some sort of prey. And I am going to defend our corgi as she's a loved member of our family. That means I have zero qualms about killing another dog to protect mine.

Public; keep your dog on the leash and there is no problem. You never know what kind of person with bad memories they may be running up to, and whatever they do, 99% of the law will be on thier side.
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Ive been reading this thread kinda bummed out on everyone's view on dogs in the woods. I don't agree with alot of your opinions, but that's what they are, opinions...I dont have to agree with everyone....There was a similar thread here a while ago about a homeless man who was shot protecting his two dogs who barked at an armed hiker.

I've had a beautiful Rhodesian Ridgeback shot while chasing cattle. I dont blame the ranchers, they were only protecting their livelyhood.

jackknife: I would have done the same thing, a dog attacks my dog and isn't stopping? I'm gonna slam it with any stick I have around. If it dies, it dies....
 
Leash laws are there for a reason.

I have a very good-natured but still young and sometimes spooky Weimaraner, and when some people see her, they see two floppy ears and a goofy grin. Others see 85 pounds of very cut muscle. Each person pretty much gets exactly the interaction they expected -- dogs have an uncanny way of mirroring back the emotions of the people they're interacting with (though ultimately their behavior is generally nobody's fault but the owner's). The former gets a new friend, the latter gets a wary, aloof look.

In public, I use a leash partly to control the dog, but mostly to help me control the interaction with the other human, which is a far more unpredictable creature.

I've never been in a situation in which I'd use a knife on a dog -- though I've had some run-ins with asshole pits (one of which I tackled when it was going after my neighbor's little dogs). Pepper spray (and possibly a full bear load) is probably a more useful tool most of the time.
 
I don't notice many people here saying all dogs should be kept on leashes and who said "dangerous breeds" should be banned?

When I am walking in public, on the sidewalk or on a park trail, I have a right to go about my business without some irresponsible owner's pet jumping on me. I don't care if it's trying to be friendly. Restrain the dog in public or I and the law will restrain the dog and the owner.
 
Bear Claw Chris Lappe said:
Straight to the point and well said.

Sadly, this is the reality it comes down to. I love dogs as well, but I will not tolerate an unrestrained dog presenting any aggressive behavior towards me or my family.

If your dog gets hurt, it is your fault.
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I agree.

Usually after a dog has bitten someone, the owner will pipe up and proclaim "He/She has never bitten anyone before". Even the most good natured dog will eventually meet someone he doesn't like or a smell on you that doesn't rub him well and this cannot be predicted. Some dogs chase cars and bite tires, some chase bikes and bite ankles, some bite anything for no apparent reason.

For you dog owners out there so sure your pet won't harm others, you better have some good insurance because a dog bite can cost you a bundle in a lawsuit, leashed or not.
If you walk your dog unleashed, your taking a risk.

I like dogs but when they are aggressive towards me, I won't think twice about taking it out.
 
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