When it comes to service animals; most people including Park rangers, most likely will not challenge the statement "The dog is a service dog". In that no one wants to be on the bad side of the legal system. As for dogs being allowed in NPS as a dog owner I think my hiking buddy should be allowed but there are he weinnies of the world who are a) afraid of dogs b) think they will cause issues with animals c) carry illness to wildlife. All of which may or may not be true.
A seizure alert or diabetes alert dog is also a service dog and they do not need to be off leash for them to do their jobs.
Please don't try to pass your pet off as a service animal. People who use service dogs already have enough hurdles, don't give them another.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if your dog--even a service dog who has passed skills tests after years of training--causes problems, you can be asked to leave. This is no different legally from hitting someone with a cane, running over feet with a wheelchair, etc. As my ADA compliance officer says, "I have a disability, not a license to be an a**hole."
THX for posting that HooKooDooKu. I'm going to start saying HKDK as I almost always type your user name incorrectly.
The Parvo confirmed in the one dead Red Wolf pup came from somewhere though. So, just because there's no confirmation that the Parvo in that Red Wolf pup came from a domesticated dog that isn't proof that it couldn't have been transferred to the Red Wold pup that way either. Some have speculated(and it is just that, speculation) the most likely cause was either from a domesticated dog or prehaps from a coyote(they live in GSMNP as well and carry Parvo).
http://blogs.lifeandscience.org/keep...on-red-wolves/
I love dogs and own 2 but I would never hike with one too much to worrie about. It sucks for the people that do need service animals that some people bring there untrained pets on the trail and ruin it for everyone around them. I don't want your wet nasty mut jumping all over me. I was sleeping in a shelter one night. It was a full house I was on the floor by the fire. Around 3am this dudes dog just started barking like crazy for no reason running all around the shelter. There was no bear or anything it sucked. On the other hand if you have spent the time and energy to train your dog not to jump and chase everything it sees I see no problem and love to pet and play with a nice trained dog.
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People that cheat on a "service" animal are a small number and not worthy of this thread... So let's move on
• Dogs can carry disease into the park's wildlife populations.
I find this interesting as Horses do not in retrospect carry as much e coli and yes you and I and dogs do carry e coli - and a few local bars & resturants have e coli in ice local to you and that to me is far more distressing...
• Dogs can chase and threaten wildlife, scaring birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting sites. The scent left behind by a dog can signal the presence of a predator, disrupting or altering the behavior of park wildlife. Small animals may hide in their burrow the entire day after smelling a dog and may not venture out to feed.
• Dogs bark and disturb the quiet of the wilderness. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively.
Beyond stupid... dogs don't ( for the most part ) chase birds... Feral Cats & domestic eat MILLIONS of birds... the rest die of road rage.
• Pets may become prey for larger predators such as coyotes and bears. In addition, if your dog disturbs and enrages a bear, it may lead the angry bear directly to you. Dogs can also encounter insects that bite and transmit disease and plants that are poisonous or full of painful thorns and burrs.
I am willing to take that risk - there are risks in everything in life and in spite of regulations and society we are all going to die, someday.
• Many people, especially children, are frightened by dogs, even small ones. Uncontrolled dogs can present a danger to other visitors.
The Southern Highlands region offers an amazing variety of federal public lands for recreation and enjoyment. Some public lands outside the Smokies offer a wider range of recreational opportunities than are available here, including hiking with your pet. For maps and information about these national forests and recreation areas please contact the offices listed below. (By clicking on these links, you will leave the Great Smoky Mountains National Park website.)
I cant begin to defend this BS... - Wild dogs were domesticated by American Indians some 10,000 years ago yes they had a few large breeds. The naive and small minded are writing the rules.
Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.
Woo
Oh please, not this again. There are 2100 miles of trail on which you can take your dog. Can we please keep 72 miles of it dog free? Start letting people bring thier house mutts out to a place as popular and as busy as the Smokies and you will have problems. I can't imagine being in a Smokies shelter which is full of both people and dogs.
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Wow - On that you and I can agree - Great Take.... see I am not so bad. - that was a winning post!
Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.
Woo
I have been hiking with my dog for 5 years both in true wilderness and large parks like Algonquine Park. Twice in the middle of the night my dog started barking and since I was tired I just opened the tent door and since I found nothing out of place I slept and told him not to bark. The next mornings I found my Cooler emptied and scratched by an animal(possibly a bear in one occasion and Racoon in other).
It is possible there was a large predatory type animal around the shelter and the dog sniffed the trouble. Dogs do not bark for no reason in the middle of the nights in my experience especially when They are as tired as you . Just sometimes we cant find the real reason behind their bark.
Dogs can be trained not to bark and then to alert. And is that way.... shame tho - too many regulations.
Dogs are excellent judges of character, this fact goes a long way toward explaining why some people don't like being around them.
Woo
Having a dog carry items out in town with you, because your in a wheel chair, or bad back can be used as a service animal. But it has to be trained. A trained service animal can cost upwards to 50 grand, so their are no "official" regulations so that people can train their own dogs and have equal access. There are service dogs that help with anxiety stemming from PTSD, Abuse, and other psychiatric issues. Being afraid of the woods, is no go. If you can't back it up in court, in front of a jury of your peers, I would not do it as you will be facing jail time, and public backlash. I have a service animal, and it is because of all the abuse that cause folks with a legit service animal such hard times. Also folks who do have a legit service animal carry all shorts of paper work because it is the ones who play the ADA card "can only ask two questions" that are more likely committing fraud. If you have a legit service animal, you are an ambassador to the community, your actions will dictate how others view service animals. Please do what you think is right, and act according and then you should have nothing to worry about.
It amazes me that there are still unsocilized people with their untrained dogs that think they have a right.
Last edited by Farr Away; 04-06-2015 at 10:16. Reason: inappropriate
I used to be a ranger in GSMNP, and most other National Parks are, and always have been, closed to bringing dogs into the backcountry, or more than 100ft from a campsite, or road. Every National Park I have been a ranger at has been that way, and I can't remember a time that it wasn't. National Forests are a different story. It mostly has to do with bears, wildlife in general, and waste in GSMNP. It's unfortunate, but it's a rule. You could see if you could have your dog shuttled around the park and taken care of until you reach the other side. Best of luck!
Part of the reason dogs are banned is not a pet owners are responsible. It's impossible to get hiker's to admit that they're not responsible, so it's necessary to just banned all dogs, born ones owned by responsible and irresponsible owners. Just as some parks have required all hikers to use bear canisters because many fail to secure their food.
Rules are rules whether we agree with them or not! I have hiked with my lab ( whom I lost last year at 14 years old) and did so where it was allowed. Plus only did day hikes with him! But when you are in the backcountry and a group brings their dog, alcohol and marijuana like they did in 2004 into BC 90 on Eagle Creek and partied all night and the dog barked half the night. Then I went off!! (they kayaked in) But to my surprise as we were getting ready to hit the stream and fish early that morning, a lovely site to behold! Two rangers snuck in by boat. I just had to sit and watch (after he checked me for every permit and fishing license and my lures/flies). He asked m about the numerous tents pitched next the creek. I just smiled and told him he was gonna have a good day with this bunch. Needless to say, it was hilarious watching one girl try and hide the dog and he just so happened to poke his head out of the tent right in front of the Rangers! CLASSIC!!!! Well we watched for almost an hour as summons were being written an then watched as they were escorted out of the campsite back across the lake by the Rangers!! LOVED IT!!!
There actually is a classification for a Psychiatric Service Dog. These dogs are trained to sense things like panic attacks and can help their owner get somewhere safe and then protect them until it passes. My psychologist offered to give me paperwork for my dog stating that she was a PSD (I have pretty bad anxiety), I may have to take her up on that before I hit the AT in a few years.