[dudley]

On some of "those other" hiking web sites, the mention of dogs sends some people into a feeding frenzy.
I remember seeing a post a couple of years ago on "white blaze" that dogs should be banned from the AT.

Yesterday my hiking partner (my dog) and I were walking down a tote road, some where near the RI/CT line when the dog stops dead, ears up. I figure it's some deer or maybe turkeys (lot of turkeys around there). But no, it's a lady on a horse. We have only run into horses a couple of times before on the trail, so I'm not too sure of what Andy is going to do.
I stand over to the side on the trail, snap my fingers, and point to the ground at my feet.
As I had hoped, and as he always does on regular hiking trails, he came right over and lay at my feet.
The woman on the horse, probably fearing the worst, was very impressed.
I guess I was too.

My dog can be a real sh*t head sometimes. He bites the UPS guy regularly
He's not social with other dogs..always a problem
When some one asks.. "does your dog bite?" I'm afraid the truthful answer is "Yes"
But always on the trail he's on his best behavior .
Maybe it's because trained to do the same thing every time someone comes along, but I think more likely that he knows it's ...behave or stay home...

The dog loves to hike as much as anyone and I don't think he wants to ruin it

[Soulfrk]

Banned from the AT? … I’m not really sure what to say about that…

I’ve been hiking all over the place since I was a kid, and not once have I had a bad encounter with a dog on the trail. I’ve found for the most part other hiker’s pets are friendlier than the hikers themselves.

[Andrew_CT]

yeah I love hiking with my dogs, especially since i hike alone often, so having a dog or two with me in the eerie woods at 6p.m. at night is very welcome presence. Not to mention that they love exploring the woods and all the smells and animals. They do pretty well when i call them too, they usually come right to my side.

[Fox]

I hike with my dog too. I swear at home he acts like he's retarded and has OCD. He can be incredibly hard headed. I get him out on the trail and he's a different dog. He responds to all my commands. I never have had an issue with him. He's trained to stop and return to my side whenever he encounters anything on the trail that's not trail. I always figured he just loved being out there as much as I do.

[dudley]

Exactly what I'm talking about with my dog, Fox
Great picture by the way!

[Andrew]

I do firmly believe it's not the dogs that are the issue, it's the owner.

I've been in uncomfortable situations with dogs on the trails before, but I would never go so far as to say they should not be allowed. I just think that people that bring dogs out there need to be in more control. I'm not a "dog guy", but it's not up to me to tell anyone else what to do, or not do.

As long as they don't bother me, I don't get involved. Once they com eat me growling and being territorial, then things change. I'm a firm believer that people should be able to do what they like, as long as it does not affect me.

[Fox]

I totally agree with you, Andrew. I've often said there's no such thing as a bad dog, just bad owners.

My attitude is, I'm out there to enjoy the experience. I don't want anything I do to take that away from anybody else that's in the woods. If my dog wasn't trained I wouldn't take him out. Heck, I don't know when we encounter you for the first time if you may have been severely traumatized by a dog at some point in your life (it happens).

When he sees another hiker, my dog comes to me and sits down. His lead is clipped on and we step off the trail. In my mind it's just the right thing to do. If you're going to hike with your pup you have to be responsible. I've encountered people that didn't have control of their animals and it is never pleasant.

[Andrew]

Quote

Heck, I don't know when we encounter you for the first time if you may have been severely traumatized by a dog at some point in your life (it happens).

Attacked by a Doberman Pincer as a kid, sent to the hospital.