[pct-l] thru dogs dates?

[Mike Chapman]

If people care about there dogs,they wouldnt put them in a bad
position,if they attack people,please carry a leash. If a dog attacked
me,and I defended myself only to get attacked by the owner as well,oh
boy! I guess the only thing that would change the owners mind or ways
would be a giant lawsuit,but I doubt it. I bring my dog to castle
peak(castle pass on pct) all the time in the summer,but she has a huge
leash that runs off a secure beam on my pack. Shes usually the only
leashed dog out there. Ive heard too many tails of horror to bring her
on the thru. The cost of boarding is flat out more than my overall
hike cost,and the cost of missing her is just as much,so I understand
those that do it.

On 1/7/11, Kevin Cook <hikelite at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Rob
>
> Based on your story, I have to wonder if the problem isn't you! This isn't
> meant as an insult or slight. Dogs are not people. They do not judge you
> based on what you look like or what you say. They respond to your energy. It
> sounds to me like you might be putting out an energy of being a victim or
> prey of some kind. When you see the dog, are you thinking, "oh shit its
> gonna come attach me!"? If you're having thoughts like that, the dog will
> pick that up and interpret it as, "oh look, this guy is something I'm
> supposed to attack."
>
> Do you have problems with dogs outside the backcountry setting? Have you
> ever owned or lived with a dog?
>
> I'm not trying to trivialize your experience. It's totally understandable
> how you have developed the feelings you have. I'm also not trying to say
> it's entirely your fault, but I do think the thoughts going through your
> head are sending out a message to the dog that is contributing to the
> problem.
>
> Also I'd like to offer one small piece of advice. I know you are afraid of
> the dog, but if you were to hurt someone's pet, they may not react
> favorably. I understand your position, but you might find that the owner
> becomes a much bigger problem than the dog. My dogs have never acted
> aggressively towards anyone, but maybe your energy could bring out the worst
> in them. I hate to say it, but if you were to hit my dog with a rock, you
> might find yourself getting hit with a rock as well. I'm one of those people
> that don't think a human life is worth more than any other (except for
> mosquitoes!). This isn't a threat. I'm just saying what my instinctive
> reaction would be, just as you are. I would defend my best friend without
> thinking about it. I would probably feel bad afterwards though if that
> helps. ;)
>
> Given your experience with dogs and the resulting fear, have you considered
> carrying a can of pepper spray? It would be a much more humane way of
> dealing with your issue. It might avoid a potentially dangerous situation as
> well. As others have said, you're going to have a difficult time avoiding
> dogs on the trail completely. You might be better served to find a way to
> make the encounters positive. Maybe instead of pepper spray a dog whistle
> might work too. Would be lighter and easier to access and would not upset
> the dog's owner. I've used dog whistles in training, and I can vouch that
> they do not like the sound. It would definitely stop the dog's approach and
> provide its owner an opportunity to control the animal.
>
> I understand if you pass on the offer, but I'd be happy to introduce you to
> Doc if our schedules match up. Have you ever had a healthy relationship with
> a dog? Doc really is a sweet heart. He's big, ~90 lbs, but he would never
> hurt anyone. He is a retriever breed, Flat Coated Retriever to be specific.
> They are bred to have a "soft mouth". Retrievers just don't bite or chew
> things (he had stuffed toys that lasted years until we got a puppy that
> destroyed them). It's not in their nature. They are used for hunting fowl,
> so it's a desirable trait that they fetch the bird and bring it back without
> damaging it. He will be on the trail with me between Echo Lakes and Soda
> Springs. I'm not exactly sure of the dates this early, but I'd love to
> introduce you to him. Maybe it will help?
>
> Anyway, I hope none of this offends you. It was not my intent. I truly
> believe dogs enrich our lives and I hope you can develop an appreciation for
> them someday.
>
> See ya on the trail! :)
>
> On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 12:34 AM, rob gratz <hikergratz at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> > I love my dog but I'm very leary of other loose dogs since being bit
>> > from
>> > behind after passing two loose "friendly" dogs.
>> >
>> >
>> > i really didnt want to get back into this,but people are accusing me of
>> > a
>> lot of things.this was a legitimate post and not a troll.
>>
>> heres my story. years back i was setting up camp in the cascades,when out
>> of
>> nowhere a german shepard attacked me from behind.anyone who has seen
>> videos
>> of "cops" knows what kind of damage these dogs can do.i had to wrap myself
>> up the best i could, hike out 5 miles to the trailhead. then go to the
>> hospital for 18 stiches.i still carry the scars.
>>
>> around 2002 i stopped for lunch at maidu lake in oregon when some touron
>> decided to let his pitbull loose,he came straight at me,and the only thing
>> that saved me was a lucky rock up side his head(the pitbull not the
>> touron).that slowed him down enough so his clueless owners could grab him.
>> referencing as a bat, i have also been bitten by seemingly friendly dogs
>> ,and have been menaced by countless aggressive dogs.
>>
>> seeing my history you may understand why im a little leary of having dogs
>> around me.i think many dog owners don`t understand that dogs in the
>> backcountry may not behave as they do at home. in my experiance, dogs in
>> the
>> backcounty become very territorial and hyper aggressive. this can cause
>> problems.
>>
>> the reason for my post was i didnt want to have conflicts.if your dog (and
>> i
>> hate this term)invades my personal space, im going to send him packing,
>> with
>> whatever i got, while i scream at you.this will not be pleasant for me or
>> you.i don`t want the hassle,especially with someone  im going to see for
>> hundreds of miles.
>>
>> so here it is. im planning on starting around may 20. if you and your
>> large
>> dog are planning to start around the same time,let me know. my schedule is
>> flexible im not asking you to leave your dog at home,i don`t even want to
>> get into the ethics of dogs on the trail.i will work around you
>>
>> on a personal note.
>> sorry brick,lots of sites have overeducated a-holes that love to give
>> people
>> crap,so they feel Superior .after 12 years on the list i know you are not
>> like that.next time i post i will count to ten.thanks for all you do. rob
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