A leashed dog is a safe dog
(This is a blog I wrote years ago but think it is worth repeating every now and again. As folks begin to start planning for their 2021 camping adventures, I want to repeat it as a reminder that a leashed dogs is a safe dog. Stay safe.)
The other day we received an email about our guidelines for avoiding conflict between pets, specifically dogs, and bears. He presented some valid arguments for permitting dogs to go off-leash in and out of campgrounds but I am not convinced this is a good idea.
We started our U.S. National Forest Campground Guide efforts with a grand old golden retriever, Tory (she passed 5/04). Than we got two dogs. Ralf, my little 9.5 pound white fluffy “junk-yard-wannabe” dog, and Dani, our big loveable “what-can-I-do-to-please?” golden. We call them “our kids” and most people understand. Yes, they were spoiled and if anything should happen to either we would be horribly upset. I know there are people who do not care about their dogs like we do ours and there are some who will think we are basically crazy but. . .
Our position is a dog on leash is a safe dog, not only to others, both two and four legged, but to themselves. While we present our recommendations as part of “Bear Awareness,” it is really more to reducing ALL possible dangers and risks to a pet while in the forest. We have heard of dogs being kicked by deer, bitten by chipmunks, and sprayed by skunks, to name just a few incidents. Experiencing any of these or one of the many other dangers found in the woods will make owner or puppy happy.
That earlier reader contends a dog has never brought a bear back to its owner. He may be correct. (There could be a greater danger in wearing the same clothes you fried up your breakfast bacon in than having your dog lead a bear back to your camp site – I don’t know.) However, what if the reader’s statement is true only because the dog was mauled and couldn’t return? It was also claimed with their wolf heritage, bears don’t like dogs. This too could be accurate statement but I seriously doubt a momma bear considers the threat’s heritage when she considers a danger to her cubs.
My position is, and will remain, one should err on the side of caution and keep pets safe from any possible danger hiding in the woods. Not all users of our national forests are as well read and as well-informed as the reader who started me thinking. Others may not have the level of common sense needed to protect their four-legged family members. And some simply do not have the depth of outdoor experiences. Our recommendations may be the only guidelines these groups have to go by, so I will continue to err on the side of caution.
Heads-up to dog loving campers – there is something of a grass-root movement afoot to institute bred-specific restrictions in our national forests via locally mandated regulations. Could this be another reason we need to maintain leash guidelines?
