Here we are, I got this reservation 2 months ago. I spoke on the phone with a lady, I called precisely to ask what are the restrictions on the dogs. She hymmed and hawed around after I told her I have a German Shepherd with k9 special training. She said "well I think that is ok" I sent the $100.00 deposit and thought all was a go.2 months later we pull in. The lady at the counter asked what kind of dogs do you have? 1 German Shepherd and the other part black lab. All of a sudden OH NO! WE have a breed restriction. Can you go somewhere else? WHAT?!!? No, I said, I spoke to a lady named Helen and she said we were good, we drove 1400 miles and youtell me We have to go somewhere else? The guy argued with me and asked me "what do you call a aggressive dog? I said a chiauaha (sp) he said well your dog is an aggressive breed. I said "well, my husband is setting up" I better tell him we have no place to go.Then he comes tearing down the trail in his golf cart and said He was sorry, He just learned my dog is a service dog and we can stay but it's ridiculous to put someone through all that. Now people here look at us like we are crazy. I will look for some place else next year. If you have any suggestions for Vancouver, WA please let me know.

No susggestions for Vancouver but just had to chime in that I would have stated from the beginning that your german shepherd is a service dog. The aggressive breed restrictions don't apply to service dogs due to the specialized training the dogs and owners have to go through.Also keep in mind the aggressive breed restrictions are mandated by the RV Parks liability insurance carrier.... RV Parks want to have you stay there. But they do need to have liability insurance so they have to abide by the insurance carrier's rules.

I have been bitten by more chihuahuas than German shepards, rottweilers, and pit bulls put together.

What park are you in right now?Are you in the Vancouver RV Park (by Toyota)

It's NOT ridiculous to question you about your dog, it's ridiculous to have a service dog and not identify it as one.Your husband might be able to read your mind but no one else can.My Grandkids safety is certainly worth questioning you about your dog.Good Luck, Mike

...I have to say that it was miscommunication on your part. You should have identified your dog as a special needs service dog and the whole incident would have been avoided. Instead of bashing the campground why not take this as a lesson learned and a way to educate others to identify their pets properly.

My dog is not a threat. | Good Sam Community

129 Replies

Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2014
And the more I think about Mark's question - the more I suspect I'm expecting my dogs to act like humans??

I shouldn't say to someone "You are a PITA and I don't want to talk to you". Or "You're being drunk and aggressive and you smell funky". Or "You are clearly an idiot". So instead, I lie my way out of contact with people like that: "Oh -oops! I have a meeting I have to be at in ten minutes - bye!"

I guess dogs are always used to being honest :-)
Deb_and_Ed_M
Explorer II
Jun 26, 2014
BCSnob wrote:
This conversation got me to ponder these questions for which I'm not sure how I would answer.

Is it okay for a dog to show its teeth, growl, bark, and posture to strangers; or would you consider these unacceptable?

If we are teaching them these are unaccpetable means to communicate, how should they communicate their desire to have someone backoff?

Do we expect them to always resort to flee?

I think LIABILITY forces us to do this to our dogs? Ike didn't like strangers. As he got older, if he felt they were going to be "pushy" - he'd growl softly and turn away from them. I'd tell him "no growling" - because I was afraid of people thinking I had a vicious dog. BUT - once I had warned him to not growl - IMO, it was up to me to protect him from the intruder, and I would.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 26, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
That is why I am advocating educating the public, and teaching children how to approach, and pet a dog.

In any bite case many things went wrong, but if the child had some knowledge, perhaps the bite would be avoided.

I am NOT trying to blame the victim. My only motivation is to reduce bites.

Through education there will be less "victims." Simple as that, just hard to implement.

The dog owner is always responsible for the animal. Legally and morally.

I agree 100%.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
That is why I am advocating educating the public, and teaching children how to approach, and pet a dog.

In any bite case many things went wrong, but if the child had some knowledge, perhaps the bite would be avoided.

I am NOT trying to blame the victim. My only motivation is to reduce bites.

Through education there will be less "victims." Simple as that, just hard to implement.

The dog owner is always responsible for the animal. Legally and morally.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
jfkmk wrote:
Dog Folks wrote:
BCSnob wrote:
I suspect in the generalized situation you describe the pet did give warnings but the child did not know how to read the warning.

I agree a 1000 percent!!

That is why I am advocating educating the public, and teaching children how to approach, and pet a dog.

In any bite case many things went wrong, but if the child had some knowledge, perhaps the bite would be avoided.

But it is the pet owner, not the child or the child's parents, to make sure the pet is always kept under control. Let's not blame the victim.

I am NOT trying to blame the victim. Through education there will be less "victims." Simple as that, just hard to implement.

The dog owner is always responsible for the animal. Legally and morally.
BCSnob
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
No parent should leave their child alone with a pet. No pet owner should their pet alone with a child. Both share equal responsibility.
jfkmk
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
Dog Folks wrote:
BCSnob wrote:
I suspect in the generalized situation you describe the pet did give warnings but the child did not know how to read the warning.

I agree a 1000 percent!!

That is why I am advocating educating the public, and teaching children how to approach, and pet a dog.

In any bite case many things went wrong, but if the child had some knowledge, perhaps the bite would be avoided.

But it is the pet owner, not the child or the child's parents, to make sure the pet is always kept under control. Let's not blame the victim.
Dog_Folks
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
BCSnob wrote:
I suspect in the generalized situation you describe the pet did give warnings but the child did not know how to read the warning.

I agree a 1000 percent!!

That is why I am advocating educating the public, and teaching children how to approach, and pet a dog.

In any bite case many things went wrong, but if the child had some knowledge, perhaps the bite would be avoided.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Jun 25, 2014
I had a boxer when I was growing up. She never growled, bared her teeth, etc. She had pet rats, kittens, parrots, kids, etc. crawl over her and never reacted. She had her ears pulled, was poked and prodded, etc. and never reacted. She took the Guide Dogs for the Blind's guide dog obstacle course and got a perfect score (time after time much to the chagrin of the guide dog puppy handlers). She NEVER behaved in any way, shape or form aggressively, etc.

UNTIL one day we were at the park and some 20-something guys came up to us with their lab. They acted very aggressively towards us and threatened to have their dog attack us.

Our Siberian Husky ignored them and the dog. Our Belgian Shepherd ignored them and the dog. The boxer got up, stood in front of us, raised her hackles and growled at the dog and guys.

Any dog is capable of anything given the right set of circumstances. In addition, a dog who is being protective of a baby/toddler is very likely to try to grab the child by the scruff of the neck to pull it to safety. Unfortunately, children don't have a "scruff" to grab so the dog ends up hurting the child that it was trying to protect.
BCSnob
Explorer
Jun 25, 2014
I suspect in the generalized situation you describe the pet did give warnings but the child did not know how to read the warning.

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My dog is not a threat.

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