Dogs loose in the woods-your opinion?

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dawsonbob said:
Some dogs are better than others. Don’t get me wrong: I love dogs, but I’ve learned my lesson about which ones can be taken out in the bush.

I used to have an Afghan Hound. Actually, it was my girlfriend’s dog, but I considered it mine, too. There are some things you really should know about afghans before you take them out in the boonies. Not familiar with afghans? Well, think of them as overgrown whippets with a lot of hair. Afghans were bred to hunt snow leopards, and they’re not afraid of anything. They’re very, very fast. Oh, and they’re sight hounds. Anything that moves within their sight radius draws their immediate attention, at which point the forget any command you might have given them — like “sit,” “stay,” etc. They’re pretty loyal to their owners, whose commands they ignore, but they’re pretty aggressive towards anyone or anything else.

I made the mistake of taking Nate (that was the dog’s name) out in the desert for a hike just once. He was pretty calm at first, while he was on the leash, but oh, brother, once he was off it, it was a different story. We took the leash off, and he took off. Man, that dog could run! Calling him had absolutely no effect: might as well have been calling rocks. We couldn’t chase him, so we just stopped and made a little camp and waited. Finally, after about two hours he came back all ragged looking, with all that pretty fur matted and clumped (we had to shave him, because it couldn’t be untangled).

Anyway, I learned my lesson, because it got me thinking. This is a fast, highly aggressive dog, that will not obey a command. What if there had been other hikers in the area? Would he attack a child? I don’t know, and that’s kinda scary. I never took him out again, and I’ve never taken any other dog out that wasn’t on a leash, even my Golden Retriever, because you simply don’t really know what will happen.

Now, most of the dogs I’ve encountered have been pretty friendly. But what if you run across a dog like Nate? He’s fast, he’s aggressive, and he won’t listen: could be trouble. I’ll never again take a dog out that’s not on a leash.
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This is really odd. I had a Rhodesian RIdgeback (bred for hunting lions) and he would never disobey direct commands. Even if something got him all riled up he would wait until I let him go chase whatever it was...
 
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This is an emotional debate. People love their dogs and treat them like family. When those dogs intrude into other people's lives, it creates feelings in those people. They feel threatened and want to protect their family and their pets. Not too sure that this debate is going to go any place good. I have been on both sides of this issue with hunting dogs that we had running loose and having my son attacked. Liability and the law will probably come down on the pet owner that allows dogs to roam free. If you have dogs, then it kinda comes with the territory.
 
pitdog said:
For every person that believes all dogs should be kept on leashes and all dangerous breeds should be banned etc there is a person that believes knives should be banned and anyone carrying one should be locked away !

Maybe we should all just deal with situations as they happen and stop judging others as each persons situation is different !..........JMO !!!
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Pit, just for the record, I always enjoy photos of your hikes with Maisy...:thumbup:
 
Feel free to stab my spaniel, thats why I carry a .38. But she's too small to scare big ol you guys.

Those people are stupid for not knowing their dog was not allowed. Off leash is one thing, dogs are animals (a fact some seem to have forgotten); taking your dog somewhere it is not allowed, especially in a national park, is begging for a ticket, and a shortened trip.

The thing that scares me more than the free range dog, is the free range owner. What other pertinent information did they overlook in addition to the rules regarding dogs? If you are going to break the rules, at least know the consequences of your actions.
 
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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I take the folks' GSD hiking from time to time. If he is "close enough" for you to do the above and you indulge yourself I am likely to return the favor. On a narrow hiking trail, even on a leash, my dog would be well within arm's reach of someone else....
 
I've always kept my Lab on a leash. He's well trained and doesn't leave my side unless I let him. I've always just kept him leashed just in case.
 
I let my dog loose only when there are no other people around and I never let him out of my site. He is too friendly and he's not one bit shy of people. I'm just afraid of that one person who is scared of dogs and sees my dog then starts to run and scream. My dog will think it's a game and start chasing, making him look like an agressive dog. Then when he catches that person he's going to jump up on them and it just doesn't look good. This is why I don't let him loose when there are others around and never out of my sight.
 
An old saying -Before you hit the dog, look at the master.


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There are more mad men than mad dogs on trail.:D
 
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raylaconico said:
I let my dog loose only when there are no other people around and I never let him out of my site. He is too friendly and he's not one bit shy of people. I'm just afraid of that one person who is scared of dogs and sees my dog then starts to run and scream. My dog will think it's a game and start chasing, making him look like an agressive dog. Then when he catches that person he's going to jump up on them and it just doesn't look good. This is why I don't let him loose when there are others around and never out of my sight.
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thats usually the case...then the whole thing gets blown out of proportion.

its tough for people who had a negative interactions with a dogs....it took me around 10 years or so to kill the phobia...and im still very skeptical.

same with dogs...when they have negative interactions with humans.
 
No offence intended here, but when I think about all the times that my lab has sauntered up to a hiker, tail-wagging and friendly, and all the statements about being ready to deanimate dogs that enter one's kill zone, I find myself glad that I don't hike where some of you gents hike.

But to each his own. The solution, of course, is to opt for a more exotic pet, thereby circumventing ingrained attitudes towards dogs. I think I need to look into purchasing an emu.

Best,

- Mike
 
Mentor said:
No offence intended here, but when I think about all the times that my lab has sauntered up to a hiker, tail-wagging and friendly, and all the statements about being ready to deanimate dogs that enter one's kill zone, I find myself glad that I don't hike where some of you gents hike.

But to each his own. The solution, of course, is to opt for a more exotic pet, thereby circumventing ingrained attitudes towards dogs. I think I need to look into purchasing an emu.

Best,

- Mike
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I have some ostrich
 
Maisy got chased by some Llama once as we followed a trail, now they are one nasty creature that you don't want to mess with !
 
Mentor said:
No offence intended here, but when I think about all the times that my lab has sauntered up to a hiker, tail-wagging and friendly, and all the statements about being ready to deanimate dogs that enter one's kill zone, I find myself glad that I don't hike where some of you gents hike.

But to each his own. The solution, of course, is to opt for a more exotic pet, thereby circumventing ingrained attitudes towards dogs. I think I need to look into purchasing an emu.

Best,

- Mike
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LMAO!!!!

i dearly want a huge hyena to walk down the streets!
 
I have a Newfoundland /Saint Bernard mix. She is only 6 months old but weighs over 70 pounds with fur she looks even bigger. I love taking her out for a walk or a hike but I never let her off leash. She does not have a mean bone in her body, a real push over in every way. That said she loves people and I mean loves them. She wants to met and greet every person and dog that she sees. Most of the time she simpley sits down when she spots someone and starts to bark. Her barks are loud...very loud and a lot of people get that "oh no a crazy mean dog" look on their face. Sometime she will pull on her leash trying to get to the person. Now if the person approaches when they get within 5 feet she will always drop down roll on her back and expect her belly to be rubbed. Never fails to happen. I don't let her off leash because she still has the excitement and energy of a puppy but looks like a little black bear when she is running up on someone. Real chance that she could knock someone down or that the person would think they where being attacked. I understand that when I take her out and do not risk it. She stays right by me leashed up and ready to love!
 
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This one time a teacup yorkie sent me up a tree. (kidding)

Feral dogs are a problem, pack mentality, at this point hiking with a buddy is the best thing ever.

Off leash dogs (unless small) are threats in the same way as walking through a poorly lit neighborhood. Could be a good guy or you could get jacked.

When it comes to anything but people, shoot first, no need to prove to a jury about killing an animal that's charging you.

I love dogs, and I love cars, however if either are not under direct competent control they need to stay away.
 
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