dogs in campgrounds - Page 1

Some may recall a few weeks ago I complained about a campground in NC banning GSD's. To demonstrate how ridiculous it is to issue a breed ban, this past weekend we were camping with Blitz at a local lake. He was the perfect dog, never even barked at anyone. However, the Lab a few sites away tried to bite 2 people myself included. Ever hear of a campground banning Labs?

They need to BAN the Labs OWNERS!

This dog is owned by friend, he a retired state cop. They are well aware of this dog's tendencies and do not allow strangers to appraoch him. However, I and the other person he went after are not strangers, rather people he has been around often. He is truly the sort of dog that will sooner or later draw blood.

We went camping a couple weeks ago.  Between the two families that went we had 4 GSD's, our 3 and their 1.  It was Not one person said anything negative.  They enjoyed meeting happy healthy dogs. The recognized one was still a youngster at 18 months.  They enjoyed watching some basic obedience practise as we had BH's coming up the next weekend and needed to work the dogs some.  Of course we did our part by keeping them quiet, on leash at all times when out, picked up after them right away.  We have to do our part when out and about to try and head off the negative impressions of the GSD.

I think lab owners are to funny and very dangerous. They honestly think their dog does not need social skills or training, the dogs are just born with the skills. I have had few friends own them and have watched them run lose and bite others. I have often wondered how a lab would do at sch, has anyone ever tried it? I would be very interested in knowing.

There is a video somewhere online of a Lab doing K9 Pro Sports. It's a yellow lab named Scooby. He had a very convincing hold & bark.

Blitzen,

I wouldn't take my dog to the typical "campground" if we're thinking of the same thing.  Too many campgrounds are parking lots for RV's with children running willy nilly everywhere as if the whole place was their playground. 

My husband and I love to camp but we enjoy tent camping in primitive conditions.  The further you leave civilization behind, the less likely you are to run into clueless people who treat a public campground like it's their own backyard.  We love to go backpacking with our GSD in West Virginia's designated Wilderness Areas, as these are completely undeveloped and the people who venture in such places really belong there, and have respect for the trails and other hikers.  Every dog and owner that we've met in such places is courteous and well behaved.

Best wishes in your own recreation!

Yvette

Hi Yvette,

The campgrounds we use aren't too bad as far as kids running everywhere because we usually don't go there during the summer. My kids are grown now and I'll be darned if I'll put up with someone else's ruining my vacation . We are always with Blitz, when we go away from the site for any reason, he goes inside or we take him with us.

My husband is from Martinsburg and we've camped in W VA a few times, I really like Caanan Valley. Maybe we'll run into one another sometime.

First, I just want to comment on the labs.  I'm a Midwestern girl who's been around labs my entire life and think the problem could as easily be the owner/s as the dog/s.  They, like GSD's, are as good as their breeding and training.  I encounter numerous labs when out walking my GSDs and have never had an issue, nor have I ever known a lab to bite... and I've known many labs in my life.  (In my experience, it has always been the smaller breed dogs to watch for.)  In this area, many of the police dogs are labs.

Now, as for camping, I tend to think along the same lines as Yvette.  We go tent camping and generally enjoy an atmosphere of mutual respect with the other campers.  We've been taking our 4 year old GSD camping almost from the day we brought him home.  The only problem we ever had was with a couple who felt their little dog didn't need to be leashed or restrained and was free to wonder where ever and charge at who ever it pleased.  The only time we ever chain our dogs is when in camp (since all dogs are typically required to be restrained and/or leashed at all times).  On this particular occassion, the couple with the small dog came back to the campground, opened the door of the mini van, and their dog charged right over, barking the whole way, to where my daughter was standing petting our dog.  My Shepherd swatted the little thing aside and those owners pitched a holy fit.  My husband encouraged them to go report the incident, which they, of course, declined to do.  Another camper reported their dog later that day, and they were asked to restrain their dog or leave the campground.

People who ban a particular breed have probably had an incident with a specific dog and think the entire breed will act the same way. 

Something I find interesting is that many hotels that allow pets put a weight limit on the dogs.  The last one we stayed at allowed dogs up to 45 pounds.  Feeling a little smart-allecky the day we were there, I asked if there was a reason they had a preferrence for the dogs with smaller bladders. 

Blitzen,

Well isn't this a small world?  I love the Canaan Valley area.  Great hiking, camping, and mountain biking out there.  Drop me a line the next time you plan a trip in our neck of the woods.

Yvette

schhbabe@yahoo.com