[montezumawell]

OK, here it is--a topic to let it all hang out on what happens when bi-peds meet quad-ri-peds on the trail. Hey, it's a wild and wholly world out there!

We will start it off by saying that we fear animals far more than humans. Dogs are the worst.
But there really, truly ARE such things as rabid coyotes, skunks and just flat out WEIRD coons!

We personally live on the fringe of society. (YEA!) But that means lots of mainstream people "dump" their so-called "pets" right in our backyard. Guess what? spicy dogs and cats revert to primal animal behavior REAL fast! Get a few spicy dogs in a pack and you gotta a real problem.

And guess what? Even NORMAL wildlife sometimes thinks it's OK to take out a human.

If pressed, we can dredge up a few examples of people who came out the losers in such encounters with wildlife. Afterall, it is a WILD world out there. Humans are kinda an after-thought.

99.999999 percent of the time we can deal with weirdo animals with our trekking pole.

Most of the time, we simply get to yell at dog owners who think their canines have free right to "run and jump" or "dash and knash and snap" or "play tag and bark." If a human hiker ran up and stuck its nose in your crotch or jumped up and smacked their lips on your face, you'd dial 911 on your cell phone. From our point of view, it not much different with dogs!

Sorry to offend you dog owners but, hey, when you say, "He's friendly," you really push the WRONG button!

PLEASE CONTROL YOUR DOG(S)!

J&S

[chihiggs]

I hear what you are saying about pets that are either not under voice command or leashed. However, depending on the sniffing hiker and how good she kisses; well....maybe getting her number would be more appropriate than dialing 911..... depending on one's mood of course!!

[montezumawell]

I hear what you are saying about pets that are either not under voice command or leashed. However, depending on the sniffing hiker and how good she kisses; well....maybe getting her number would be more appropriate than dialing 911..... depending on one's mood of course!!

But, of course! It's GREAT to see and read your posting on this list, Chi Higgs! God Bless You!

Well, sure. dogs are great pawns in the Grand Dating Game! They are the best "ice-breakers" ever known.

We've seen some really heart-warming incidents when dogs bridged a gap that could not have otherwise been overcome. We both grew up with dogs and love them very much. Don't get us wrong.

There's really no such thing as a "bad dog."

It ALL comes back to the dog's owner. If the owner really, truly CARED about their animal(s), there would be NO problem whatsoever. We LOVE to encounter well-trained dogs on trails and we ALWAYS compliment the owner on their skillful prowess and thoughtful consideration. Positive reinforcement has its place!

J&S

[fatoldsun]

WOW, I just got a good piece of information about this subject from Montezumawell. Besides aiding in hiking/walking, walking sticks can be used to defend yourself too in precarious situations. Do you use them only when on remote trails where there's not many people or do you use them on all of your hikes?
thanks

[Abe]

Walking stick, an excellent companion on all my treks long and short. Admittingly, I do not care to see dogs on the trail, I would rather see wild critters. However, when I do see a fellow hiker with dog or dogs, I generally stop and wait for them to pass. I do understand some folks like to have dogs as company; especially lone woman hiker and elderly couples. More often than not, the dogs are not on a leash, but I have my walking stick should a dog feel salty. My biggest threat of dogs comes when I am jogging around Prescott Valley. As yet, have not seen any wild dogs, but recall hearing many stories when staying in Pinetop-Lakeside with relatives about wild dogs running around and to keep a sharp eye out while we were fishing.

[fatoldsun]

Thanks for your reply Abe. Actually on my Cave Creek/Skunk Tank hike last weekend (Mar. 8th, 03) I saw 3 gentlemen on a deep hike in the area (well, at least they were packed that way) each with walking sticks. They were very helpful with showing us the way to go as there's a couple spots where we could've gotten off the trail. I could've used a walking stick so I'll be in the market for one ("You wouldn't deny an old man his walking stick, would you?" -Gandalf in Two Towers). Crossing streams and some rocky areas on this long 10 mile hike would have made precarious situations relatively easy if I had one.

Montezumawell, I didn't mean to get too much off topic about getting into walking sticks!

[Daryl]

A couple tips when encoutering dogs on the trail:
If you come across an unleashed dog running at you and are afraid it may attack, yell in a commanding voice "SIT!" Most dogs have been taught this simple command and you would be surprised how well it works. If that doesn't work, wait to see what the dog will do. It may just be coming up to you to say hi, or want to play.
Do not get aggressive with the dog until you are sure the dog is going to get agressive with you (if a person was jogging on the trail coming towards you, you wouldn't wack them with a stick unless you knew they had bad intentions). If it's coming up to you to play, or just running by you, and you wack it with a treking pole, the dog will probably fight back and you may not win.

All dog owners should have their dog on a leash while hiking a trail where there is even a chance of coming across other people. Not everyone appeciates dogs and some people are afraid of them. When hiking with my dog I won't let him sniff or approach other hikers unless they initiate it. It's common courtesy.

One last bit, always remember that you are the top of the food chain! Even though a rabid dog or a bear could probably wip us in a fight, if you stand up to them and show no fear they will back down most of the time.

[mountain goat]

I dont know...I am still trying to teach my stick some nice tricks...It plays dead pretty well but I cant get it to sit or roll over for the life of me. Dogs on trails are kind of a pain in my eyes. but I do have a soft side for someone out with their dog enjoying it all. Bottom line is (for me anyway) dogs dont bother me if their well behaved. It really bothers me when you get the loud, undisiplined, uncontrollable dog running everywhere. even worse is the dog owner that thinks everyone should but up with him and his dogs poop!! litterally and figertivly!