How do you feel about hikers and backpackers that take their dogs on the Trail?

[Guests]

I own two wonderful dogs and adopted them from shelters. They have never been threatening to humans or other animals. I always allow them to run off the leash while hiking. They are in an enclosed area all throughout the week and need to stretch their legs on weekends. I think it is horrible that there are laws against letting your dog run free in a wild area. People can be so petty when they complain about animals running free. These nagging, complaining people are the reason we have stupid laws like leash laws. In my opinion, you are taking a risk of running into a wild animal every time you set foot in a wild area, how is a domestic dog going to cause you trouble in these types of situations???? Please try to put things into perspective people!! You aren’t on this earth for very long so take life as it comes to you, laugh a lot, don’t be a complainer, and have a good time!!

[Tree Top Flyer]

This is a good debate. It’s interesting to see how much dogs mean to their owners and rightly so. The war between parents of kids with no dog and owners of dogs with kids is always assured to get heated.

I had a lot more on this comment but decided it would only escalate the fury so I’ll just leave it neutral.

[Drip Dry]

I love taking my dog with me on the trails! He is in heaven with all the smells out there. I don’t mind other dogs on the trails as long as you clean up after then and take care of them. Theres nothing worse than passing by a dog that is being draged along and is obviously thirsty and tired. They should be having fun just like you! And, just like you, they need water and food to keep them going. Don’t forget that!

[jethro]

I am avide hiker in north ga almost every week somewhere and i hardly ever go without my dog!! esp in the areas of bears, but i believe dogs that are house dogs like chiuahuas and pikansee and shitzus need to be left at home and off the trails!!

[jethro]

yesterday 2-3 -08 my dog and i hiked to Jacks river falls via beech bottom!! on the way out during the rain we encountered a guy going in at 430 on a trip to the falls which in and out is about 11 miles it was beginnning to rain and he had three chiawahiwas!! with him only a day pack!! and it was raining he was already about 4 miles in!!! THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR HOUSE DOGS!!!Use alittle common sense!!!

[Tree Top Flyer]

Chihuahua….

the other, other white meat.

[peewee]

If you do bring your canine please keep control of him on the trail. I’ve taken mine everytime and he is leashed for respect of other hikers.

[Lost2gether]

I would never leave home without our dogs. We have a Rottweiler and a Golden Retriever. They always greet other hikers with tongue and tail wags. I couldn’t imagine being on a trail without them. We usually try to find and avoid a lot of the smokies because you’re not allowed there with them. Its sad that they are not allowed!

[Found-2-Gether]

As Kristy already said,

Our dogs are like our kids and if we went on a trip without them they would be heartbroken. So I’m all for traildogs as long as they are well mannered and don’t act aggressive towards me.

[Tree Top Flyer]

Yet another bad experience with dog owners who place their dog over my kid. Yet another pit bull on the trail, unleashed, and charged me rather than my son. When my 4 yr old panicked, the dog got interested in him and charged my son. Dog got the snot kicked out of him repeatedly and whacked with the trekking pole. Dog owner was upset at me for hitting his dog..go figure. I wish I could say this is the only experience I’ve had with vicious dogs on the trail but it’s not. And the dog owner’s reply of his dog’s behavior after he calmed down? “I just don’t understand, he’s never done that before, I never thought he’d do something like this”. Whatever.

I love friendly dogs on the trail but I’m sick to death of kujos.

[TomSneath]

I now have a dog. He is very a very small Chihuahua mix. He handles trails surprisingly well and even eagerly crosses shallow, slow moving streams. I reserve easier, and consequently more populated trails for him. I think dogs are fine on the trail as long as they are well trained and LEASHED. My dog is four pounds and gets intimidated when two or three unleashed dogs come running at him. I don’t particularly like being on a cliff with strange dogs running at me either. I can understand wanting your dog off the leash but, unless your dog is extremely well behaved, and will not chase people or other dogs down, you should be considerate of others. Also, poop bags are cheap, readily available, and can also be used to pick up trash the idiots leave behind.

[Tree Top Flyer]

Well said Tomvag. I keep on posting run ins I have with aggressive dogs on the trails. We seem to be going through quite a streak of meeting Kujo’s cousins these days on Savannah area trails, but I keep deleting the comment in order to keep it civilized conversation. I simply don’t get how people seemingly don’t have a problem with their dogs charging, snarling, nipping, at my 4 yr old and then get upset when the dog gets kicked. Are people truly this self centered that they put a dog over a kid? In Savannah, this seems to be the case.

[karatekid]

i’m fine with dogs on the trails as long as they are on leash and the owner picks up after them. it’s rather very disgusting and offensive when the owner doesn’t pick up after the dog.

[andyblack]

I personally do not like dogs. Sometimes they get on my nerves when they’re on the trail, but I understand that a lot of people love their dogs and consider them family members. Therefore, I say bring the dogs on! Just don’t cause me to step in any more doggie piles. I may just find out where you and your dog are camped at and leave you a pile of my own in front of your tent.
Just kidding!

[hikingfan]

My dogs are the reason I got into hiking. In fact, they make great companions on the trail. They never complain! The’re just happy to be out and about. So I say bring em. Just be respectful of others on the trail, responsible and leash them up, and most importanly, clean up after them. Happy hiking

[Author]

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