I went camping last week with my Boston. We were on a hike about 2 miles from the camper in a SW Idaho desert near Zeno Falls. The area is covered with waist high sage brush. She is very good and always sticks close to me. But I went out on a very narrow ledge to try to take a pic of the Falls. I left her standing at the top of a rock slide about 300 ft away.When I returned she was gone. I could not find her anywhere. I hollered and searched and hollered and searched. I virtually ran back up the canyon and back to the camper to see if she went there.Nope, not there. I returned to the Falls. I was frantic. It's been 2 hours now and I still can't find her. This area is lousy with rattlesnakes, birds of prey and coyotes. Then I catch a glimpse of her about 100 yds down into the canyon. I called to her but my voice echoed off the opposite canyon wall and she headed in that direction.After I got to where I last seen her it took another hour to find her again. She was almost in heat stroke. Very warm day and there was no way she could get to the creek for a drink, steep canyon walls.I got water down her and poured on her and she laid in the shade of a bush until rested up.Anyway, I had finally found her within 50 yards of when I first lost her. I shopped around town for a GPS dog tracker, all way too big for an 18# dog. A friend suggested a bear bell. I'm pretty sure I could have located her fairly fast had she been wearing one.But my main concern here is that could it also attract predators? Maybe faster then I could have found her?Here is the terrain I was in. I went up and down that canyon 4 times searching for her. I still feel like I have climbed a million stairs!!! But I am more thankful to have her home safe and sound.I would appreciate any thoughts on the bell. Thanks......DJ

Glad you found her safe and got her home. Leashes are not just for PEOPLES protection, especially in the back country.

skipnchar wrote:Glad you found her safe and got her home. Leashes are not just for PEOPLES protection, especially in the back country.Exactly...Skip, you took the words right out of my mouth.

Thank God she's safe DJ. I would've been sick. I know you are asking about a bell, but I don't understand why not the GPS device. Other's mentioned a leash. Maybe one that is retractable and attaches to your waist. I know they are a hassle but it's for their protection. We keep leashes on our dogs. My little Maltese would disappear in a second without it. Once while hiking to hot springs beyond Boiling Springs, we had to hike over ledges. My thought was that if my Maltese slipped, that leash would be her life line, literally. My fear would be that one of my three take off after something they see and never come back. That nightmare was almost realized with you, but you were both very fortunate.

Glad your story had a happy ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Bears, and many other critters, do NOT like surprises. Most will leave IF they hear you coming. Bear bells are mostly used to avoid surprising bears. My dog wears a bear bell when we go walking. It is ALSO helpful for me to keep track of him, though he never gets very far away. As I recall it is from Silverfoot.IMHO the kind that look like sleigh bells are useless, you want the kind that looks like a small cow bell.

There are smaller bells available, too. They are used on bird hunting dogs - they have a loop to slip on the collar, or a snap. Even though they are small, they are loud.But, I know I would not have the courage to take my dogs into a wilderness area unleashed. It is for their safety and yours, like others said. There are all kinds of leashes and harnesses available that are designed to be "hands-free" for people who run with their dogs. They are worth looking in to.

Bear bell for dog? | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

Jayco23FB
Explorer
May 13, 2013
I have not had any troubles with bears. But the bear bell has paid off for us with moose, moose do not like dogs and do not like to be surprised. Even though I keep the dog on a leash I still use a bear bell when in bear and moose country. My son who lives in Alaska calls them dinner bells :R
azgundog
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Try this place for smaller dog tracking collars:
http://www.gundogsonline.com/dog-training-collars/small-dog-training-collar/
Go_Dogs
Explorer
May 13, 2013
My Mastiff wears a bell. When she was a 'tiny' pup, we lived on a farm. I put a bell on her so I knew where she was. We all got so used to it, that the sound of the bell became part of her 'persona'.
As far as predator protection goes, I think the smell of a meal,(small dog) would outweigh the fear of a tinkling bell.
That was a big mistake on the OP's fault. Heat stroke, predation, loss or injury-owner's responsibility.
resmas
Explorer
May 13, 2013
There are smaller bells available, too. They are used on bird hunting dogs - they have a loop to slip on the collar, or a snap. Even though they are small, they are loud.

But, I know I would not have the courage to take my dogs into a wilderness area unleashed. It is for their safety and yours, like others said. There are all kinds of leashes and harnesses available that are designed to be "hands-free" for people who run with their dogs. They are worth looking in to.
Chuck_Gail
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Glad your story had a happy ending!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bears, and many other critters, do NOT like surprises. Most will leave IF they hear you coming. Bear bells are mostly used to avoid surprising bears. My dog wears a bear bell when we go walking. It is ALSO helpful for me to keep track of him, though he never gets very far away. As I recall it is from Silverfoot.

IMHO the kind that look like sleigh bells are useless, you want the kind that looks like a small cow bell.
ReneeG
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Thank God she's safe DJ. I would've been sick. I know you are asking about a bell, but I don't understand why not the GPS device. Other's mentioned a leash. Maybe one that is retractable and attaches to your waist. I know they are a hassle but it's for their protection. We keep leashes on our dogs. My little Maltese would disappear in a second without it. Once while hiking to hot springs beyond Boiling Springs, we had to hike over ledges. My thought was that if my Maltese slipped, that leash would be her life line, literally. My fear would be that one of my three take off after something they see and never come back. That nightmare was almost realized with you, but you were both very fortunate.
downtheroad
Explorer
May 13, 2013
skipnchar wrote:
Glad you found her safe and got her home. Leashes are not just for PEOPLES protection, especially in the back country.

Exactly...Skip, you took the words right out of my mouth.
skipnchar
Explorer
May 13, 2013
Glad you found her safe and got her home. Leashes are not just for PEOPLES protection, especially in the back country.

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Bear bell for dog?

18 Replies

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