Dogs at glaicer and Yellowstone

havasu wrote:
You obviously haven't seen a bear close up - one swipe with those 5" claws will rip open any dogs belly.

Didn't recognize the joke did you? :h However, I have seen a grizzly up very close and alive. Last June we were driving in upper Yellowstone and as we rounded a curve there he was ambling along minding his own business with those huge, sharp claws scratching along the asphalt as he went. We passed within ten feet and got a good look at his radio-collar. He only gave us a cursory glance as it appeared he was looking for something; probably lunch. Our Pug was back in the MH with the AC sound asleep. :p

You obviously haven't seen a bear close up - one swipe with those 5" claws will rip open any dogs belly.

Our Pug goes with us everywhere we go. He stays in the MH with the AC on if we're going where he can't. When we're in the cg, he and I walk the whole place and make friends. He enjoys walking in the woods when we go to Yellowstone as much as I do. He's also a rock climber and I pity any bear foolish enough to try him.

Veebyes wrote:
Bear snacks.

Oh stop it!

Bear snacks.

Wanted to thank everyone for ALL THE GREAT ADVICE...

we will be taking the 2 small dogs with us and will enjoy.

Jeff

Our Sadie loves her traveling with us. She sits in the back seat of the TV on a raised seat with a bed of sheetskin - nice and furry and can see out the window. It is secured by seatbelt and she is secured to it.

To the point. We get to many NP's and all. She is content to stay in the 5er and she basically just sleeps; we have never heard any complaint. We will not, however, stay away more than 6 hours or so.

When it comes to restricted areas we follow the the rules - for her safety, the safety of others and - guess what - it is the rules!

We learned something at Old Faithful. DW Barbara took her for walks in the parking lot while I set up a photo shoot and all. Then left her in the truck and joined me for a short time.

We were then told by the park staff that Sadie could have been all thru the viewing area all the way to the No Dogs sign.

She said that is true at any NP. You can go to the No Dogs sign anyplace.

So that has now been our practice. If there is not a No Dogs sign, Sadie comes.

Pretty simple.

Main thing is safety of your furry loved one and all the other animals (also humans).

Be safe. Enjoy.

We took both of our small dogs which appear in our signature below to both of the parks that you mentioned. Just obay the NPS rules which others have already shared with you. It was early spring of last year so heat was not an issue. We either left them in the MH or carried them in the car with us. Not a problem at all and all had a great time. Have fun it is a fantastic experience.

pennysmom09 wrote:
I wonder if the short, seemingly curt answeres about pets being "a dumb idea" or "a bear snack" are pet lovers/owners. Most people, like us, have their pets along because they are part of the family. We follow the rules, keep her leashed, clean up after her, and make adjustments with travel plans. We take her when we can, if not, she sleeps happily crated in the RV for an afternoon, or we take her with us if practical. Sadly, the few who are not considerate effect opinions in a negative way.

I think you will find most of those people who made those "curt answeres (sp)" are pet lovers. They make those remarks because they have seen pet owners subject their pets to situations that range from uncomfortable to dangerous because they were either selfish in their personal wants or just plain oblivious to the dangers present in places like Yellowstone and Glacier. Traveling with pets to those parks will require you either miss a great amount of the park or you have to leave your pet unattended for long periods of time. Many pets are fine being left in the RV all day, for others it will be 10 hours or unrelenting terror.
Carelessly leaving a dog tethered outside and unattended, even for a short period of time, can be fatal to that dog. Coyotes, bears, wolves and mountain lions all see fluffy the poodle as a delicious snack. Eagles and foxes will snatch a small dog without hesitation. In the mountains, weather can change almost instantly. Leaving your pet in the back seat of the car with the windows cracked may be fine or maybe the temperature will soar 30 degrees in 10 minutes or drop to below freezing in a passing storm. Both happen with regularity. All those people were trying to do was get someone's attention before they did something they will regret.

Allworth - sounds like what we do. You can make it work. When we traveled to Banff, we found a recommended doggy day care and left them there while we did all our non-dog touring and hiking one day. Same when we went to Mesa Verde and Zion.