Forum Discussion
toedtoes
Nov 23, 2014Explorer III
These are my recommendations (and what I personally follow with my dogs) regardless of the breed or size:
1. Don't use flexi/extend/retractable type leashes. The retraction is only effective if the dog retracts with it. Think of a tug-of-war game where one side is a retractable leash and the other side is leather leash - now, which side do you think will be able to pull the other side over the center. With a leather leash, you can hand over hand and pull your dog from danger without having to step closer to the danger. With a retractable leash, you will be trying to pull on a thin rope with a large plastic handle whacking you with every pull or you will have to move towards the danger to get the retracting to happen.
2. Follow the rules of the campground - NO EXCEPTIONS. If the rule is "on leash only", then keep your dog on a leash - period. If the rule is "not left unattended", then don't leave your dog unattended - period.
3. Clean up after your dog - period. As a side note, if your dog is not on a leash and is wandering through the campground following you, then how can you possibly clean up after them - they are wandering away to do their business while you continue to ignore them.
4. Don't expect anyone to love your dog. Don't expect everyone to even like your dog. It doesn't matter why they don't - it's their right. When someone does like or love your dog, then enjoy the moment, but don't push your dog on everyone because "everyone loves him" - everyone doesn't.
5. No dog is perfect. It's OK to have a dog that's not perfect. If your dog has a specific issue, then learn how to minimize that issue - either by eliminating the trigger, retraining, or avoidance. If the dog is food aggressive, then you can eliminate the trigger by removing food from the area; if the dog has a fear of large dogs, then you can avoid large dogs; etc. If your dog is just generally hard to manage, then take it to obedience classes and learn how to properly manage your dog.
6. A leashed dog and an unleashed dog meeting is potential for trouble. The leashed dog is going to feel vulnerable and could react poorly to the other dog - no matter their general personalities. In addition, trying to introduce more than 2 dogs at once is far more likely to result in trouble - if you can, try introducing only 2 at a time. If you have to introduce all at once, go very slowly and watch the dogs' body language - back off immediately at any sign of fear or aggression from any dog. Also, never walk between a dog and its owner (especially with a dog of your own) - the dog can easily see this as a threat and react.
7. Make the effort. Most people will excuse "bad behavior" if they believe the owners are trying to correct that behavior. If your dog is barking at the neighbors, don't just ignore the dog - make the effort to stop the barking. Even if you're not successful, you will create goodwill. This works with children also.
Even though my dogs are far from perfect, they have been welcome where ever we camp. My dogs and I have had great camping trips and enjoyed ourselves immensely, and so have our fellow campers.
1. Don't use flexi/extend/retractable type leashes. The retraction is only effective if the dog retracts with it. Think of a tug-of-war game where one side is a retractable leash and the other side is leather leash - now, which side do you think will be able to pull the other side over the center. With a leather leash, you can hand over hand and pull your dog from danger without having to step closer to the danger. With a retractable leash, you will be trying to pull on a thin rope with a large plastic handle whacking you with every pull or you will have to move towards the danger to get the retracting to happen.
2. Follow the rules of the campground - NO EXCEPTIONS. If the rule is "on leash only", then keep your dog on a leash - period. If the rule is "not left unattended", then don't leave your dog unattended - period.
3. Clean up after your dog - period. As a side note, if your dog is not on a leash and is wandering through the campground following you, then how can you possibly clean up after them - they are wandering away to do their business while you continue to ignore them.
4. Don't expect anyone to love your dog. Don't expect everyone to even like your dog. It doesn't matter why they don't - it's their right. When someone does like or love your dog, then enjoy the moment, but don't push your dog on everyone because "everyone loves him" - everyone doesn't.
5. No dog is perfect. It's OK to have a dog that's not perfect. If your dog has a specific issue, then learn how to minimize that issue - either by eliminating the trigger, retraining, or avoidance. If the dog is food aggressive, then you can eliminate the trigger by removing food from the area; if the dog has a fear of large dogs, then you can avoid large dogs; etc. If your dog is just generally hard to manage, then take it to obedience classes and learn how to properly manage your dog.
6. A leashed dog and an unleashed dog meeting is potential for trouble. The leashed dog is going to feel vulnerable and could react poorly to the other dog - no matter their general personalities. In addition, trying to introduce more than 2 dogs at once is far more likely to result in trouble - if you can, try introducing only 2 at a time. If you have to introduce all at once, go very slowly and watch the dogs' body language - back off immediately at any sign of fear or aggression from any dog. Also, never walk between a dog and its owner (especially with a dog of your own) - the dog can easily see this as a threat and react.
7. Make the effort. Most people will excuse "bad behavior" if they believe the owners are trying to correct that behavior. If your dog is barking at the neighbors, don't just ignore the dog - make the effort to stop the barking. Even if you're not successful, you will create goodwill. This works with children also.
Even though my dogs are far from perfect, they have been welcome where ever we camp. My dogs and I have had great camping trips and enjoyed ourselves immensely, and so have our fellow campers.
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