Dogs not allowed on CA State Park Trails ?

[Wavery]

Originally Posted by Goodyear Travels

You know, it feels like the same old, same old. Those folks who do right -- must suffer the same fate as those who do wrong. My Aussie has served as a therapy dog to Banner Estrella Hospital, and he now serves Hospice of the Valley. He gives more to this world that most humans.

I gladly pick up after him during our 4:30 am walks in our neighborhood with the help of a flashlight, and I carry out his occasional leavings on the Butterfield trail in the Estrella Mtn's.

But I guess there aren't many CA trails that we can enjoy together because of regulations.

My preference would be -- more strict enforcement of dog litter laws and SEVERE punishment to offenders. I am saddened because there are few CA trails that I can share with my dear friend because of others' willful disregard.

I guess I'll stay in Arizona and commune with the Pines instead of the Redwoods. When we get a hankerin for a change -- we'll head to Colorado -- where we can still walk together most anywhere.

Too bad you can't post pictures of the offenders on your apartment complex's message board or return the droppings to their doorsteps with a note saying, "I believe you misplaced this."

My dog's best friend is an AussieShephard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-JDsNEw45I

Originally Posted by harveyrv

IMO.....the biggest problem is the dog owners....not the dogs.

I agree 100% !!
I have several neighbors that think "walking the dog" means, let them out to run loose in the neighborhood and do their business in someone elses yard.
Came out my back door one morning to find a Pitbull in my backyard, and then about 60 seconds later my 3yr old grand-daughter walked outside. I told the owner that if that ever happened again, he would not get the dog back.

I've often said that if you are a good pet owner, your neighbors are unaware you have a pet.

[QUOTE=harveyrv;75883]IMO.....the biggest problem is the dog owners....not the dogs. BLM does not want to be responsible for picking up after irresponsible dog owners, of which there are too many.

QUOTE]

I'll also agree with that! We get especially angry as we camp with four dogs and always clean up after them, even in the pet areas in rest stops. If we can pick up after four, people can pick up after one or two!

Bob

Originally Posted by Al-n-Sue

While talking to a ranger at a Colo SP a few weeks ago, we found that an additional reason and probably more improtant is that a dog's scent is like a "predator" to the wildlife. So when dogs are on the trails they leave a predator scent and the wildlife won't return to that area.

I dog will also not behave well if you come across a mountain lion or bear, making the meeting uncontrollable.

Originally Posted by ED-n-KEL

I dog will also not behave well if you come across a mountain lion or bear, making the meeting uncontrollable.

A few years ago, while walking down from Nevada falls, while I was on the trail I spotted a bobcat about 7 feet off the trail. I can only imagine what would have happened if one of the other 30+ hikers had a dog with them.

Of the 30+ hikers near me, to the best of my knowledge, I was the only person that saw the bobcat. The woman in her skirt and high heels certainly was oblivious. I don't think the hikers from, Japan, Switzerland, South Africa, Germany, Ireland, etc. that I frequently meet on the trails would ever notice a bobcat sitting still looking for a meal.

The bobcat was under a bush, with only his head visible. A large dog would probably be safe. A small dog might have become a meal.

Originally Posted by PopBeavers

The bobcat was under a bush, with only his head visible. A large dog would probably be safe. A small dog might have become a meal.

Not to mention any kind of human injury caused by the altercation, even to those innocent by-standers.
I remember decades ago, sitting on a sidewalk with a girlfriend, when two neighborhood dogs starting fighting within a few feet of us. The two dogs continued to fight and wrestle right over me as I laid down and covered my head. The fight only lasted a minute or two, but when it was all over with my hand had been punctured by a tooth as the dogs fought over me. Imagine if one of these animals was not "domesticated" and he discovered that I tasted better than the dog.
Sorry, but I totally agree with the law for numerous reasons.

I've had dogs, cats, birds, and fish throughout my lifetime, and have always been a firm believer that MY pets shouldn't be an issue to anyone else but me and my family.
After loosing my best bud (a large orange male cat named Roo) last year, we now only have his sister (Poo), who is becoming senile. My neighbors don't know these animals exist/ed, which is the way it should be IMHO.

[OneMoBear]

Originally Posted by myersm

CO is the same way... in the capming areas, no problem, but not on th trails. Their concern is that the dogs will disrupt the local wildlife.

Since I work for Colorado State Parks, I feel like I need to step in . . . a few state parks are not at all dog friendly but most are fine with dogs on the trails. At the park I work at, half of the lake is a wildlife refuge and dogs aren't allowed there but are welcome on the other 4 1/2 miles of trail. National parks are the ones you can count on not being dog friendly.

Malinda

Sweet Aussie -- thanks Carolyn and Wayne, and thanks Malinda for the Colorado update.

We never leave Deacon in the trailer. He pretty much goes everywhere with us. If we go into town from an RV site to have a meal -- we find a restaurant that has outdoor seating so he can be with us.

He's been one of our best teachers. He loves unconditionally and he's masterful at "living in the moment".

And that's all I have to say about that. F.G.

I'll weigh in on this one. I don't mind sharing a trail with a well trained dog. We've had dogs all our married life, until recently. We've trained, shown, and done obedience trials with our dogs. Even taught one to square dance. There's only one kind of dog to have outside the home, in my not very humble opinion. That's one that has been trained. One that comes when called and follows basic commands - sit, stay, heel, etc. And especially one that is well socialized with other dogs. The rest should stay at home. They are a risk to others, no matter their size. It isn't hard to train a dog but does take time and consistency - the least owners can do if they love their animals.

Yeah, I do have strong opinions on this.

Keith