[pct-l] Re:dogs on the trail

[jjolson at uwyo.edu (Jeffrey J. Olson)]

I went hiking for seven days with my brother-in-law along the Highline Trail
in the Winds a couple years ago.  He insisted on bringing his year old
yellow lab along.  The dog is sweet, playful, constantly moving and really
fun to walk with.  He is a never ending source of entertainment.

The only problem is that my brother-in-law's ongoing rebellion against his
parents (he's 53) has him believe that by training his 90 pound dog to heel,
to come when called, to obey, is somehow contrary to the whole spirit of
being an enlightened dog owner.

Whenever we met someone on the trail the dog felt protective, would raise
his hackles, bark menacingly, and back up as the hikers came closer.  The
dog is a chicken, and it was all show.  But the hikers didn't know that.
When my brother in law was fishing, and the dog was with me, it wouldn't
obey.  It was incredibly embarrassing to grab the dog by the collar and drag
him away from the trail, while he's still barking and snarling.

I refuse to hike with the dog now.  Unless a dog is on a tight verbal leash,
I don't believe it should be in the wilderness.  it's not the dog's fault,
but the owner's...

Jeff Olson
Laramie WY