Will my dog and I be welcomed?

[LBRiver]

So, I'm a young woman who adores both backpacking and dogs. I recently adopted a pup who will hopefully one day hike the AT with me. However, when I read some of the notes written on this message board, I start feeling anxious that dogs really aren't welcome on the appalachian trail. I am well researched on the difficulties of caring for a dog on long distance hikes, and that the AT doesn't allow them all the way through, and the difficulties of staying at shelters, and the diminished percentage I have of finishing the trail, etc…but I am concerned about whether my dog and I will be scapegoated by the thru hiker community. I have read posts by other dog owners who outline useful commands to teach them, but I find some of these posts overwhelming---I am training my pup to be a therapy certified dog, so both he and i are working very hard, but in the end no matter how much training I do he is still going to be just what he is, a dog: he's going to want to bark, roll in dead things, chase after squirrels, say hi to strangers, and hate to have to "heel" next to me for extensive periods on the trail. And really I don't want to train that all out of him, I want him to enjoy rolling in the grass and become excited by the smells of the earth, and I want hiking to be fun for him just as much as it is "work." I guess I am posting this because I want to know whether my concerns are justified, and whether, ultimately, the AT is a rewarding hike to accomplish and community to be a part of when you own a dog.

[2015 Lady Thru-Hiker]

LBR let me start out by saying that I do enjoy dogs; however I am wary of dogs I don't know, having been the victim of an unprovoked attack by a dog that I was told is "very friendly". They did not take into account that the dog might not response well to a stranger in the moments before she delivered puppies. As a consequence I have two quarter-size scars in my right calf. I would not want to deny someone the pleasure of hiking with their four-legged companion as long as they are 100% under your control, preferable leashed for those moments when dogs can't help being dogs.

[Wise Old Owl]

LBR let me start out by saying that I do enjoy dogs; however I am wary of dogs I don't know, having been the victim of an unprovoked attack by a dog that I was told is "very friendly". They did not take into account that the dog might not response well to a stranger in the moments before she delivered puppies. As a consequence I have two quarter-size scars in my right calf. I would not want to deny someone the pleasure of hiking with their four-legged companion as long as they are 100% under your control, preferable leashed for those moments when dogs can't help being dogs.

Uh so it wasn't on a trail right? Most dogs on a trail are well behaved as they are away from their territory.

[2015 Lady Thru-Hiker]

Uh so it wasn't on a trail right? Most dogs on a trail are well behaved as they are away from their territory.

No WOO it wasn't a trail related incidence. It was around the time I was 15 y.o. And I didn't hike at the time. Fast forward 41 years and I am still wary of dogs and people who tell me their dog is "very friendly" because of this one incidence. I confess most of the dogs I have run into on the trail have all been leashed and been no problem. I have run into a few who acted aggressively and had to warn one person that if they stayed close enough to me that their animal lunged at me again I would be forced to take action. I had a pretty good sized walking stick in hand at the time. Fortunately they put some distance between us and my resolve was not put to the test. But, as I said, most have not been an issue because they were controlled and on a leash.

[Second Hand]

Everyone is different.
I have dogs, I love dogs, they don't bother me at all. I've brought my pup a few times, but she gets anxiety with all the noises in the woods.

I think if your respectful to others at a shelter you'll be all set. Tent if the shelter is full. If there is only a few people ask if they mind. I met a women doing a 600 mile solo section hike w/ 2 massive dogs. She said they make her feel safe. I doubt anyone bothered her lol.

[Grampie]

All the dog lovers will say "Yes", bring the dog. Most folks who have done a thru-hike will tell you to leave the dog home.

[illabelle]

Keep in mind that WhiteBlaze isn't the trail. Discussions here don't reflect reality in the woods. Really, the issues are courtesy and responsibility. Be responsible for your dog and his behavior. Be courteous towards others. Go hike.

[atmilkman]

Keep in mind that WhiteBlaze isn't the trail. Discussions here don't reflect reality in the woods. Really, the issues are courtesy and responsibility. Be responsible for your dog and his behavior. Be courteous towards others. Go hike.

+1 on this. The key words are in your own post. You "READ some of the notes WRITTEN on this message board".

[Dogtra]

Keep in mind that WhiteBlaze isn't the trail. Discussions here don't reflect reality in the woods. Really, the issues are courtesy and responsibility. Be responsible for your dog and his behavior. Be courteous towards others. Go hike.

Right on.

Sadly Whiteblaze has a tendency towards negative feedback. The actual Trail community is much different. Doesn't mean you can't learn a thing or two from this site - just that you have to keep your guard up and know how to filter through threads. Take your new pup on overnights now and longer sections as he gets older, THEN you will experience firsthand what it is like out there.

On the subject of training that you mentioned. It does not diminish a dog's spirit like you seemed to hint that it does. Only a heavy handed, ill-tempered, and inconsistent trainer would do such a thing. Which unfortunately can and does happen. Not every trainer is created equal...
My dog's training keeps him and I safe. It is that simple. If I ever had a dog that ran at someone that was afraid of dogs - the dog could be hurt and I'm responsible. If I had a dog that I allowed to chase wildlife - again, another health and safety risk to which I alone am responsible.

Not training a dog to be well-mannered has consequences. Only question is if you can live with them.

[Old Hiker]

I'd say we are MUCH more restrained in our face-to-face communications on the Trail instead of anonymously here on WhiteBlaze.

An observation from me is that you want your dog to be a dog. It sounds (to me) like you are more worried about your dog's "feelings" than some human's feelings or safety.

This is important to me, as I had two unprovoked aggressive attacks while hiking my 500 miles. BOTH times I was able to stop the dog(s) from reaching me with my hiking sticks. BOTH times, no leash. EACH time, I had my knife out and ready to use. EACH time, I had no apology from the dog owner and one time I was yelled at for instigating the attack. Bear in mind, one dog attacked from behind. No growl, no bark, just a sound of running feet in time to turn around to defend myself. The other time, I stepped several steps off the Trail to let the unleashed dogs by and they attacked.

While the above is MY experience, it explains why I'm very, very leery of any dog on the Trail. I've never seen them at a shelter. No experience there, but I'd move on and tent at least 1/4 + mile away.

I like dogs - have 3 of them. Fairly well trained, but I wouldn't take them hiking without a leash AT ALL TIMES.

Good luck - happy hiking.

[Dogtra]

An observation from me is that you want your dog to be a dog. It sounds (to me) like you are more worried about your dog's "feelings" than some human's feelings or safety.

That was also the impression I got from the OP. Perhaps that was not intended?

[rafe]

An observation from me is that you want your dog to be a dog. It sounds (to me) like you are more worried about your dog's "feelings" than some human's feelings or safety.

Bingo. I don't know the OP but I get the same sense from the opening post. You may love your dog very dearly but don't make the mistake of assuming that everybody else shares that feeling.

As for Whiteblaze being representative of the "larger" hiking community on this matter, I would assert that yes, it is. Well-trained dogs are *usually* not an issue. Most of the issues are in the nuisance category, but there have been several times when I've felt physically threatened by dogs, and was prepared to defend myself against aggressive dogs off-leash. I don't like to hear dogs barking when I'm in the woods, or any time, really. It's not a pleasant sound.

[canoe]

Bingo. I don't know the OP but I get the same sense from the opening post. You may love your dog very dearly but don't make the mistake of assuming that everybody else shares that feeling.

As for Whiteblaze being representative of the "larger" hiking community on this matter, I would assert that yes, it is. Well-trained dogs are *usually* not an issue. Most of the issues are in the nuisance category, but there have been several times when I've felt physically threatened by dogs, and was prepared to defend myself against aggressive dogs off-leash. I don't like to hear dogs barking when I'm in the woods, or any time, really. It's not a pleasant sound.

I have seen aggressive dogs on the trail too. Scares the crap out of me. We were coming off of blood mt there were many day hiker going up to the top. Small woman passes with a very big german shepherd that she tried to keep under control. Dog was on a leash but the dog was in control. We made it past with no problem. Maybe because we had purpose and confidence as we past. A moment latter another day hike comes by with a frail wippet. As we hiked down the Mt. we heard this god awful sound. That shepherd tore into the whippet and it was over. So sad

[LBRiver]

An observation from me is that you want your dog to be a dog. It sounds (to me) like you are more worried about your dog's "feelings" than some human's feelings or safety.

Thanks all for the responses! and sorry, I think my original post was a little bit defensive and misleading. Humans feelings and safety are my primary concern, so much so that at times I feel like I should never bring my dog hiking at all, because so many people seem to have bad experiences with them and don't like them there. That being said, I am working extremely hard to train my dog incredibly well, so that we'll never have to face these problems. Everything I can think of for both trail and social training, we're doing. My primary goal for him is to work in Outdoor Education with me, a teacher, and my elementary school students, so he has to be very well behaved all of the time. I think where my concerns are coming from is feeling like hikers don't want dogs on the trail at all, and my anxiety that even if I have the best trained dog in the world, I am still going to receive a lot of dirty looks/flac for having him there with me.

[SteelCut]

When it comes to training your dog, you might want to read (if you haven't already) this post by user 'dogtra':

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ility-Training

[mattjv89]

In my hiking experience keeping them leashed is what I appreciate most. When I'm backpacking in areas with a lot of dogs they are usually off leash and usually running up and down the trail, running circles around my feet, jumping up, etc. It's really annoying especially on a rough trail when I'm now trying not to trip on the dog at my ankles in addition to the normal trail hazards.

[RED-DOG]

I have had MANY bad encounters with dogs and their owners, I DO NOT WELCOME DOGS ON THE AT or any trail.

[Old Hiker]

I have had MANY bad encounters with dogs and their owners, I DO NOT WELCOME DOGS ON THE AT or any trail.

And from another thread by you, Red-Dog:

It is Hunting season so expect these types of encounters, it was said that the hunters should keep their dogs on a leash and how many hikers really keep their dogs on a leash at all times not too many, THIS IS A NONE ISSUE. Most folks blows this type encounters way out of proportion. Theirs no need to carry a gun either.

So, which is it? A non-issue? Or you don't welcome dogs?

I'd think that dog bites, aggressive dogs trying for my food, my own dogs being mauled, dogs running free with no supervision a definite issue.

[RED-DOG]

And from another thread by you, Red-Dog:

It is Hunting season so expect these types of encounters, it was said that the hunters should keep their dogs on a leash and how many hikers really keep their dogs on a leash at all times not too many, THIS IS A NONE ISSUE. Most folks blows this type encounters way out of proportion. Theirs no need to carry a gun either.

So, which is it? A non-issue? Or you don't welcome dogs?

I'd think that dog bites, aggressive dogs trying for my food, my own dogs being mauled, dogs running free with no supervision a definite issue.

I think your talking about hiking dogs I can't begin to tell you how many times a hiking dog have gone after my food or tried to attack me and I see hiking dogs running free without supervision all the time but on the other hand Hunting dogs never have destroyed my gear never attacked me and they also move on after a few minutes their a none issue and if your dogs have been attacked by hunting dogs well they probably asked for it, Hiking dogs on the other hand, I have literally lost Hundreds of dollars maybe even thousands of dollars of gear only because the disrespectful owners want keep the unruly dogs under control so yes people that hike with dogs is a major issue wit me.
HIKING DOGS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, HUNTING DOGS NONE ISSUE

[rafe]

HIKING DOGS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, HUNTING DOGS NONE ISSUE

Hunting dogs do serious damage, as a currently-running thread here attests. Hunting dogs can get lost, and that's pretty bad news for the dog, and a tough choice for a hiker that finds one. (Happened to me near Brown Fork Gap shelter.)

I've encountered dogs at shelters and campsites who were friendly and well controlled and no problem whatsoever. These were pets with responsible owners. I would have to say on balance that most dog encounters on the trail and at camp... I could have done without. Feral dogs, poorly controlled pet dogs, can be a royal PITA. Your "well-behaved" dog may not be seen as such by every hiker he/she encounters.