[pct-l] Re:dogs on the trail

[jeffmoorehead1 at cox.net (Jeff Moorehead)]

Most of this discussion about dogs has been centered on whether the dog was 
useful to its owner in backcountry situations, yet not one response dealt 
with the reaction of dogs to other hikers. Dogs are loyal to their owners 
and therefore are protective. If you happen to wander too close to another's 
camp, the dog may get aggressive and pose a threat. This happened to me 
twice, where a significant rerouting always had to be made around a dog 
owners camp. The worst case occurred when I was steadily gaining on a hiker 
who had two unleashed dogs travelling with her. As I approached, the dogs 
took notice and proceeded to defend their owner in a most viscious way. She 
commented that the most vicious and bold of the two dogs seemed to be the 
one that was 'nicest' and she couldn't understand what was happening. This 
made sense to me, but never did to her. Her most loyal dog was the most 
defensive and ferocious toward intruders. I was pissed that she would have 
missed this. At that point, every dog I passed I had to admonish every dog 
owner to hold tight on their dogs as I passed them.Most thought I was the 
irrational one who never understood dogs. I told them that these are exactly 
the reasons why dogs should not be allowed in wilderness areas. I emerged 
from this experience solidly against dogs in the wilderness. Follow the 
rules for a reason. It's just like the bear canniser debate!
 Jeff