Hiking etiquette with dogs

[chumley]

There was a recent thread about rabid foxes and the threat to unleashed pets which got me to thinking about hiking with my dog. I have a yellow lab, who is by nature, a people-loving dog. His greatest threat to anybody is the ability to possibly lick you to the point of illness due to his bad breath. He's getting old and has always been a little bit lazy, so chasing rabbits, squirrels, skunks, and porcupines only lasts for a few yards before he comes back to me. He is always fascinated (but scared) of larger animals such as elk or cattle.

As a result, I frequently hike with him off-leash. This allows him to stop and sniff things while I continue my pace uninterrupted. I am cognizant of other people however and realize that not everybody loves dogs. If I encounter others, I always try to either put him on his leash or at least give him a "sit" command while people pass. I will always restrain him when we encounter other dogs (especially off-leash) until I've had a chance to talk to the owner and determine the demeanor of the dog.

I love to go somewhere that there's nobody else around for miles and miles ... but its nice to share that solitude with my dog. Often it is impractical to have him restrained, especially on trails that involve climbing or scrambling over obstacles.

So, what do you all think of dogs on the trail? I think part of my responsibility as a dog-owner is to try to understand the feelings of others, and while I have some ideas, it can't hurt to get more input.

[Alston_Neal]

Wait a sec, did I just get dissed?

[supai]

Raise and train your dog right and we will have no problems. I have never had a problem with dogs on the trail sure they run up to you I don't mind as long as they are friendly. Maybe I am a little more comfortable bc I carry and if something attacks me it is the end for whatever it may be but as long as they aren't gnawing on my leg A OK.

[Jeffshadows]

I was mostly kidding about pulling out my gun. That's always a last ditch effort. But I wasn't joking about my boot. I would have made a feild goal with the nearest saguaro. :PMIC:

That probably would have made two of us!!

[kingsnake]

Luckily the (naturally unleashed) dog which put its paws all over me yesterday was a friendly one.

Me: "Please call your dog."

She: "Do you have a dog bone?"

Ah, pumpkin no, lady, I got raw steaks all over me, what the pumpkin do you think!?

[Alston_Neal]

Jeez....Do you have a dog bone?
Wtf?
I take it you didn't see my post on wearing a porkchop as a necklace... ;)

[DarthStiller]

@kingsnake

Was she hitting on you?

[Tough_Boots]

@The Stillernator

there are so many things I want to write but I know they'll get deleted immediately...

[PLC92084]

@Tough_Boots

I see you've learned by our example... That Alston is such a bad influence !

[azbackpackr]

@kingsnake

Was she hitting on you?

[Alston_Neal]

There are so many wise and knowledgeable people on this site that I feel like I might make a nice counter balance..

[Alston_Neal]

Bwahahahahahaha!
I just noticed I'm Feral Kitty Kopelli...

[BobP]

There are so many wise-pumpkin and knowledgeable people on this site

I fixed it for you ;)

[PLC92084]

Hey Bob...

I'll bet Bruno is so well trained by now that even someone wearing a fillet-O-vest would be safe on the trail ?

[BobP]

Where do I start....he's a great dog that has eaten my plants,socks,a towel,webbing,his harness,the list goes on and on...Yet he has bones and toys all over. I've had him off-leash quite often. The only person he ever barked at was Richard(laz) in the Mazzies one time. Its probably because he speaks proper English ;) . He does pretty well off-leash if I've somewhat tired him out swimming earlier in the day. Fillet o vest guy would be approached and licked to death.

[big_load]

I've heard people say dumber things. I probably posted on the big dog thread that a woman once told me "don't worry, he doesn't bite". She told me that while she was looking at his mouth clamped onto my ankle.

[chumley]

Fillet o vest guy would be approached and licked to death.

Yup. Death by licking. Bruno is definitely a yellow lab.

[kingsnake]

I take it you didn't see my post on wearing a porkchop as a necklace

Nah, missed that one.

I'm friendly with dogs, I like dogs, but a dog should never put its paws up on a person without permission. A good owner would not allow that in their own home, let alone in public. Cesar would not be happy ...

[Tough_Boots]

but a dog should never put its paws up on a person without permission.

Do you give dating advice as well? Cuz I always feel that asking can really ruin the moment.

[Sredfield]

I also recommend not wearing a porkchop as a necklace....imho. ;)

I was such a loner as a child my mama tied a pork chop around my neck so the dog would play with me.

[Alston_Neal]

I also recommend not wearing a porkchop as a necklace....imho. ;)

I was such a loner as a child my mama tied a pork chop around my neck so the dog would play with me.

and it's different now cuz?

Jk... ;)