Cars should be banned from the great outdoors.

[woodsman]

Yesterday me and my girlfriend decided to go on a little trek, we took our dog as well. She's the puppy I found a couple of months ago. We started off on a trail that leads to a meadow, where it splits into multiple trails. The only problem is that the meadow is accessible by car, what this means is that a lot of weekend "campers" show up, who really have no business in the woods. Anyway we pass through the meadow and I decided to give Maya some off leash time. We have a nice trek, arriving back at the meadow after a few hours. I decided to not put the leash on her thinking that we'll be between the woods again soon, that was my mistake. She lagging behind us sniffing everything like dogs do, then she decides to walk up to a couple who had two children. I call her back, she immediately starts coming back, when the idiot throws a stick at her. Of course she doesn't even notice it, but I did. My shoulders bounce up, my head tilts a little forward, I'm ready to tell and show this guy where he should put that stick. Luckily my girlfriend tugs on my arms and manages to calm me down. Anyway to make a long story short, if this trail wouldn't have been accessible by car, this "gentleman" would have probably stayed at home slobbering in front of the TV, where he belonged.

[Newanderthal]

I'd let him off with a warning for throwing, but if the stick had actually hit my dog he would have been camping in the ER.

[Hikenhunter]

I think I care about my dog as much or more than the average person, that being said I never assume that my dog,even though he is not aggressive or intimidating, is welcome by others. I give him all the off leash time I can but you have to realize that everyone doesn't like dogs and when you are in the presence of other people it is your responsibility to keep your dog with you. The guy that threw the stick at your dog is probably a real @$$h0le but he has the right to not be bothered by your dog. Maybe he should stay home and watch t.v. but he has as much right to be in a public place as the next guy. Personally I do not understand people who do not like dogs and truth be told I am wary of those who find dogs intolerable, yet they have the right to be that way.I'm sure Maya meant no harm but no one likes to have their space invaded. Somebody throwing a stick at my dog is gonna find out how mean and nasty an old dutchman can get. I understand how someone throwing a stick at your dog can push your buttons but the best thing you can do for yourself and Maya in the future is keep her at heel and preferably on a leash when you are around other people.

[ppine]

That's what wilderness areas are for. Go find some more remote country. Find a Nat For.

If you think you are protective of your dog, don't get between momma and her babies.

You were in the wrong in my opinion because your dog was off lead in the presence of other people's children. If the guy hit your dog with a stick, and you smacked him and you go to court you would lose.

[Pathfinder1]

Hi...


Many Southwest states seem to be overrun with vehicles off the road...Utah, for example. They even host huge Jeep jamborees there.

Theren't many places to be seen anymore where tire tracks from various types of vehicles can't be seen.

These driven-upon areas and the trails they leave behind are a blight on the countryside. As is the wanton destruction of monuments, ancient wall writings, etc.




Everybody knows something.

[Grandpa]

Originally Posted by Pathfinder1

Hi...


Many Southwest states seem to be overrun with vehicles off the road...Utah, for example. They even host huge Jeep jamborees there.

Theren't many places to be seen anymore where tire tracks from various types of vehicles can't be seen.

These driven-upon areas and the trails they leave behind are a blight on the countryside. As it the wanton destruction of monuments, ancient wall writings, etc.
Everybody knows something.

This goes along with the thread about a place for everybody. Yes, Moab is very big on off road vehichles. They have a huge section for the off roaders but that huge section is almost totally surrounded by massive restricted areas. And the Maze section of Canyonlands is a deathtrap for all but the most experienced hikers and even then, only those capable of carrying huge amounts of water can enter there.

I'm not big on seeing the offroaders but I feel strongly that they deserve a little chunk of this great land to play as well. It is the same with Lake Powell. Yes, that lake covered a lot of canyons and some ancient artifacts but the benefits of that electric power affect millions of people whereas those canyons would only have been visited by hundreds. And after years of hiking that area, there are still hidden canyons and some not so hidden that I have yet to visit.

[woodsman]

Originally Posted by Hikenhunter

I think I care about my dog as much or more than the average person, that being said I never assume that my dog,even though he is not aggressive or intimidating, is welcome by others. I give him all the off leash time I can but you have to realize that everyone doesn't like dogs and when you are in the presence of other people it is your responsibility to keep your dog with you. The guy that threw the stick at your dog is probably a real @$$h0le but he has the right to not be bothered by your dog. Maybe he should stay home and watch t.v. but he has as much right to be in a public place as the next guy. Personally I do not understand people who do not like dogs and truth be told I am wary of those who find dogs intolerable, yet they have the right to be that way.I'm sure Maya meant no harm but no one likes to have their space invaded. Somebody throwing a stick at my dog is gonna find out how mean and nasty an old dutchman can get. I understand how someone throwing a stick at your dog can push your buttons but the best thing you can do for yourself and Maya in the future is keep her at heel and preferably on a leash when you are around other people.

I do agree with the fact that he had every right to be scared for his children, even though if he knew a little dog body language he could have understood she was being curious. What got me pumped up is that he threw the stick after she turned around and was heading back to my side.

[oldsarge]

Originally Posted by ppine

You were in the wrong in my opinion because your dog was off lead in the presence of other people's children. If the guy hit your dog with a stick, and you smacked him and you go to court you would lose.

I agree! As much as we believe our pets are safe to others, there's always that one time where something goes wrong. I'm not and never been a gambler. It's not worth it. When ever I take my dogs off the lease, it's way out in the woods where I know nobody's around. Even then if I were to run across someone and my dog bit them, I'd be at fault. Just the way it is.

[carmen]

We have one area by our home and everyone uses a leash as it is posted on the walkway signs. The only traffic we have is when a ranger to check things out. Last week I saw two men I was not familiar with had a canoe and there is no place to use one. I got a little suspicious and called the ranger's station to report them. He advised me that these two have been on a few other trails in the area and are always causing madness. Thankfully with my tip they caught the guys, I hope someone can keep an eye out for people in your area too.

[ponderosa]

It sounds like the guy probably overreacted...but you shouldn't assume that everyone you encounter is going to have any knowledge about "dog body language." You should never ever put a stranger in the position of having to make a judgement call about whether your dog poses a threat or not. I can tell you that when I have my little kids with me, I'm likely to ere on the side of caution and assume a dog may not be trustworthy. That is especially the case if the dog owner is not controlling the dog (you don't say how far behind you Maya was, so I'm not saying that was necessarily the case here, just speaking generally).