I don't usually post rants on forums or any social media for that matter but I'm trying to see if I'm just narrow minded or what.We have been RVing for over 11 years now. We have been to many different places with our kids and with a dog. After the dog we had passed away we didn't replace it with one that I consider a traveling dog. We have a black lab that lives at the house and that's where he stays. He doesn't like riding in anything. So he doesn't travel with us. Anyway, on to my rant. If you want to take your dog with you when you go RVing so be it. If you have three dogs that are as big as cows and you want to go RVing then have at it. I personally don't want to be in an RV with three large dogs but if that's what makes you happy then more power to you. However, if you have three dogs at your RV site next to me and one of your unleashes free roaming dogs comes over to my RV site and starts growing at my wife then don't be surprised if I'm not standing there with my hatchet in hand to protect my wife. I don't know you nor do I know your dog. You may say that your dog doesn't bite but people get bit everyday by dogs that "do not bite". Also, if your dog barks constantly at every squirrel and person that walks by then you need to buy a muzzle or you need to train your dog to not bark. Don't get me wrong. I love dogs. I'm 51 years old and can never remember a time that we didn't have a dog. I guess my problem is more with the owners of the dogs than the dogs themselves. Is it to much to ask that people control and keep their dogs on a leash? Is that an unreasonably request in the world we live in today? Am I just being a narrow minded jerk? Your thought.

As noted the problem is not the dog but the idiot owners who have no clue. I probably love dogs more than anyone you ever met, lost our last, a Greyhound rescue 18 months ago to the Rainbow bridge... sigh. Thanks to all the fine dog owners who permit me to pet your pooches, it helps a lot.My personal rant is regarding those stupid extended leashes, push a button and Fido now has 30' of a leash to exploit. Virtually every campground I have ever visited requires that dogs be on a 6' leash and these DO NOT qualify.Our Greyhound, as gentle a soul as ever lived was attacked more than once by dogs at the end of the 30' tether while their owners were outside of our site. Google these leashes and you will see the carnage they can provide to the person on the other end of the leash. Many have lost fingers and or been tripped up and fallen with disastrous results. They are in fact rated as one of the most dangerous consumer products you can buy.OK, Rant off for now. It would help to take my dog for a nice walk right now but alas I remain one dog short.... Someday another pooch.:C

Desert Captain wrote:My personal rant is regarding those stupid extended leashes, push a button and Fido now has 30' of a leash to exploit. Virtually every campground I have ever visited requires that dogs be on a 6' leash and these DO NOT qualify.:CAlmost every county and city in California has that law and yet the chances of being sited or being required to stop using one of the extendable leashes are as good as Donald Trump being elected to anything by Californians. Don't dog owners know that they are dangerous to everyone involved in their use?I too love dogs and I try to show good manners around dogs, I always ask permission before I approach one and I try to kneel down so I am not so impossing, yet owners seldom show the courtesy of following the leash laws.

D.E.Bishop wrote:Desert Captain wrote:My personal rant is regarding those stupid extended leashes, push a button and Fido now has 30' of a leash to exploit. Virtually every campground I have ever visited requires that dogs be on a 6' leash and these DO NOT qualify.:CAlmost every county and city in California has that law and yet the chances of being sited or being required to stop using one of the extendable leashes are as good as Donald Trump being elected to anything by Californians. Don't dog owners know that they are dangerous to everyone involved in their use?I too love dogs and I try to show good manners around dogs, I always ask permission before I approach one and I try to kneel down so I am not so impossing, yet owners seldom show the courtesy of following the leash laws.I would be less popular than a pork chop vendor in Mecca if I attempted to enforce our 6 foot leash rule when people are using the retractable leashes. Never going to happen.

First, to clarify, a muzzle should not be used to silence a dog. There are other and better ways to do so - number one determining WHY the dog is barking non-stop and dealing with that problem. I have a "deal" with my Bat-dog. She is allowed to bark twice if someone or something comes near - this is because she has people fear and the bark makes her feel in control ("I know you're there, stay away from me"). After that, she is to be quiet (unless it's a real threat). If she isn't, I get out the water bottle. After a squirt, she wines a bit but won't bark.The rest I agree with. I do take my two large dogs camping (NF, COE campgrounds, etc.) and to rallies (private RV parks). My Moose-dog at 85lbs is afraid of small dogs because he has been repeatedly attacked by them. I am tired of being the "bad gal" because I insist others put their dogs on leashes to protect mine. My dogs are on a leash for their protection, mine and everyone else's. And the number of times I hear someone tell me that their dog stays right with them while their dog is running off into the sunset - well if I had a dime for each time, I could buy lunch.I HATE those extended leashes with a passion. The idea that you can control a dog using a thin clothesline with a massive block on one end is ridiculous. The only way to get the dog to come back to you is for the dog to WANT to come back to you. With a standard leash, you can pull the dog back in regardless of what the dog wants because the leash is made to control the dog not the other way around.I KNOW my dogs aren't perfect. I ACKNOWLEDGE my dogs aren't perfect. I try to control my dogs and I make an effort to keep them from irritating, bothering, upsetting others. Because they see me making the effort, most people are understanding of any imperfectness in my dogs. Those who refuse to make any effort are dooming all dogs in the future from enjoying the world outside their homes.

Seems like people don't just take 1 dog camping anymore. I's two, three or more. The average person with a dog on a leash has a hard time controlling 1 dog let alone multiple dogs. The extended leashes only make it worse. People need to understand that other dogs don't understand that a dog on an extended leash is tethered. They see them as free roaming and a possible threat. That causes the properly leashed (6 ft) to become defensive. We have trained dogs for over 40 years and I think those retractable leashes should be outlawed. We've always said it's bad owners, not bad dogs.

Pets in the RV park | Good Sam Community

Ramp_Digger
Explorer
Oct 15, 2018
georam1 wrote:
So Lantley I'm an extreme jerk for picking up the hatchet. Let me just informe you a little bit. I'm exmilitary, been in law enforcement for over 25 years. The hatchett was laying on the picknick table where I had used it to chop some fire wood that morning. I was in the RV. My wife was sitting under the awning reading. She wasn't looking out for the dog that invaded (our) camp site and was now 15ft away from her growing with it's teeth showing. I came out of the RV and grabbed the first thing that was close by to do whatever I needed to defend my wife and myself. If you want to get into a brawl with a dog and duke it out bare handed then more power to you Mr. Ninja. However, my training tells me that using something other than your hands to defend yourself against an animal keeps you from going to the ER to get stitches or a cast on your hand then be out of work for the next month. So if that makes me an extreme jerk then so be it. Maybe next time I'll just see if there is a dog whisperer around and see if he can just "talk" to the dog. Maybe if you're in the neighborhood you could do that for me.

x2 maybe some of the nay Sayers would feel differently if it was their wife being threatened.
toedtoes
Explorer III
Oct 10, 2018
One thing that can help is to learn to identify particular warning signs and behaviors.

Depending on the dog, grabbing a weapon and brandishing it could turn a warning into an attack. With a different dog it could scare them away. Learning how to read the body signals can help prevent an attack.

Usually, a firm but calm tone and standing still can prevent an attack. But knowing what type of aggression should be responded to by direct eye contact or avoiding eye contact will be the difference between an attack or not.
dturm
Moderator
Oct 10, 2018
OK, settle down
georam1
Explorer
Oct 10, 2018
So Lantley I'm an extreme jerk for picking up the hatchet. Let me just informe you a little bit. I'm exmilitary, been in law enforcement for over 25 years. The hatchett was laying on the picknick table where I had used it to chop some fire wood that morning. I was in the RV. My wife was sitting under the awning reading. She wasn't looking out for the dog that invaded (our) camp site and was now 15ft away from her growing with it's teeth showing. I came out of the RV and grabbed the first thing that was close by to do whatever I needed to defend my wife and myself. If you want to get into a brawl with a dog and duke it out bare handed then more power to you Mr. Ninja. However, my training tells me that using something other than your hands to defend yourself against an animal keeps you from going to the ER to get stitches or a cast on your hand then be out of work for the next month. So if that makes me an extreme jerk then so be it. Maybe next time I'll just see if there is a dog whisperer around and see if he can just "talk" to the dog. Maybe if you're in the neighborhood you could do that for me.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Oct 10, 2018
You will always have people who think the rules don't apply to them. Not only do I have to clean up after my dogs I usually have to clean up after other inconsiderate owners. If I see them I offer to let them use my bucket and pooper scooper. Most don't use leashes at all. Same people let their kids go unattended to the docks where unattended children are prohibited.
colliehauler
Explorer III
Oct 10, 2018
Lantley wrote:
DutchmenSport wrote:
I can see it! I can just see it! Loose dog running toward my wife! Wife freezes in place at the oncoming dog, barking as it approaches closer and closer. She's terrified. Yells at me.... HONEY GET THE HATCHET!

OK, so there I stand? um.... where is it dear! Do you remember where I put it!

It's over there! Go, quick! Get the hatchet!

Over where? you said, over there. It's not here! Are you sure it's really hear? Are you sure it didn't get moved somewhere else.

JUST GET THE DANG THING! GET IT NOW!

Yes dear! um.... is it even in the camper? It's really not here.

Dang you! Do I have do everything myself!

Careful Dutch..... Sounds like your not prepared.....
Camping isn't safe without your hatchet at the ready....Good Grief.

You would think there was at least one dog attack in the CG every night:S.
On the off nights when the wild dogs are put away. The armed bandits come through the CG. Be Prepared.
Why not just carry RBG'S and Claymore's that will make your site secure or a least everyone around will give you a wide berth, you might even have the RV park to yourself. :B
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 10, 2018
DutchmenSport wrote:
I can see it! I can just see it! Loose dog running toward my wife! Wife freezes in place at the oncoming dog, barking as it approaches closer and closer. She's terrified. Yells at me.... HONEY GET THE HATCHET!

OK, so there I stand? um.... where is it dear! Do you remember where I put it!

It's over there! Go, quick! Get the hatchet!

Over where? you said, over there. It's not here! Are you sure it's really hear? Are you sure it didn't get moved somewhere else.

JUST GET THE DANG THING! GET IT NOW!

Yes dear! um.... is it even in the camper? It's really not here.

Dang you! Do I have do everything myself!

Careful Dutch..... Sounds like your not prepared.....
Camping isn't safe without your hatchet at the ready....Good Grief.

You would think there was at least one dog attack in the CG every night:S.
On the off nights when the wild dogs are put away. The armed bandits come through the CG. Be Prepared.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Oct 10, 2018
I can see it! I can just see it! Loose dog running toward my wife! Wife freezes in place at the oncoming dog, barking as it approaches closer and closer. She's terrified. Yells at me.... HONEY GET THE HATCHET!

OK, so there I stand? um.... where is it dear! Do you remember where I put it!

It's over there! Go, quick! Get the hatchet!

Over where? you said, over there. It's not here! Are you sure it's really hear? Are you sure it didn't get moved somewhere else.

JUST GET THE DANG THING! GET IT NOW!

Yes dear! um.... is it even in the camper? It's really not here.

Dang you! Do I have do everything myself!
Terryallan
Explorer II
Oct 10, 2018
Lantley wrote:
Terryallan wrote:
Lantley wrote:
Am I just being a narrow minded jerk? Your thought.

For the most part, You make sense but the idea protecting your wife using a hatchet puts you in the extreme jerk category.
Who thinks of defending themselves with a with a hatchet? Daniel Boone? Paul Bunyan?
I don't think rational people have thoughts of using a hatchet on any living creature!

I agree. I wouldn't let it get that close. I would would stop it at a much safer distance. against the rules you say. So is a loose dangerous dog.
And BTW. You how do you think rational people kill chickens? Yes it is with a hatchet. And then, and then. they turn them loose and let em run. You have heard "like a chicken with it's head cut off"? it is a real statement. Amazingly. they run to the same place every time.

We are not talking about the food chain. We are talking about domesticated pets.
While chickens and hatchets maybe commonplace. Domestic animals and hatchets are not the norm.
Just because a dog is loose does not mean its OK to slaughter it like a chicken.
Every loose dog is not dangerous. Of course many of us are internet ninjas and like to our muscles when safely behind their keyboard.

I get it if a loose dog approaches me in a threatening matter, I will defend my self by any means necessary, however I don't need to be armed or have a weapon at my side just in case.
Hatchets are for chopping wood....OK and an occasional chicken :W

Thing is. I'm usually armed anyway. The world has turned into a not so pleasant place. Someone tried to walk into my house the other day, And I WAs HOME. Plus I live in a very nice neighborhood, with the police station down the block.
No not every loose dog is dangerous. Just Sat night one in the MH behind us got loose, and came to our site a great big friendly dog. DW grabbed the leash and took it back. But had it come in attack mode. It would have had to be carried back, and that has nothing to do with sitting behind a key board. like scouts. Some us are just prepared.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 09, 2018
Terryallan wrote:
Lantley wrote:
Am I just being a narrow minded jerk? Your thought.

For the most part, You make sense but the idea protecting your wife using a hatchet puts you in the extreme jerk category.
Who thinks of defending themselves with a with a hatchet? Daniel Boone? Paul Bunyan?
I don't think rational people have thoughts of using a hatchet on any living creature!

I agree. I wouldn't let it get that close. I would would stop it at a much safer distance. against the rules you say. So is a loose dangerous dog.
And BTW. You how do you think rational people kill chickens? Yes it is with a hatchet. And then, and then. they turn them loose and let em run. You have heard "like a chicken with it's head cut off"? it is a real statement. Amazingly. they run to the same place every time.

We are not talking about the food chain. We are talking about domesticated pets.
While chickens and hatchets maybe commonplace. Domestic animals and hatchets are not the norm.
Just because a dog is loose does not mean its OK to slaughter it like a chicken.
Every loose dog is not dangerous. Of course many of us are internet ninjas and like to our muscles when safely behind their keyboard.

I get it if a loose dog approaches me in a threatening matter, I will defend my self by any means necessary, however I don't need to be armed or have a weapon at my side just in case.
Hatchets are for chopping wood....OK and an occasional chicken :W

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