Imagine you are starting on hike along the North Shore Rugged Trail. You park at the Smelter Wharf, walk around the salt pile, and head past the trail sign. Just as you come to the top of the rise you see a couple sitting on the rock, blocking your way in the middle of the path. As you approach closer the man turns, casually pointing a shotgun at you while still blocking the way. Seemingly unaware what he is doing you stop, and ask him to point the gun elsewhere. He gruffly says that there is no issue, the gun isn’t loaded. It seems obvious that you will need to find another way around. But you really don’t want to turn your back on anyone holding a gun, even if it isn’t loaded.
Now imagine that instead of a shotgun the couple have four mid to large sized dogs who run up and block your way, barking and growling. You ask them to take control of their dogs and they tell you not to worry, their dogs don’t bite, despite their current behaviour. What do you do? Start pushing through the dogs, risking a bite? Ask the people to control their dogs? Or turn around and try another path?
Well the second scenario happened to me this past weekend and the people with the dogs were indignant when I asked them to restrain their dogs. I suggested that they should have their dogs under control and preferably on leads. The man told me they were allowed to have their dogs off lead and to “go read the f***ing sign”. Eventually the woman grabbed the dogs and pulled them back so I could pass. He remained on his rear end bitching about the inconvenience. She was muttering about how the dogs just didn’t like me. Well I suspect that the woman was more embarrassed by the situation and her partner’s reaction than she wanted to let on and the dogs were picking up on her emotions, which made it worse.
Well that ruined a pleasant hike as I ran through the whole scenario in my head while hiking the trail. And then a couple of hundred metres ahead my route was blocked by another barking dog. In this case the owners came up and grabbed the dog apologizing for her behaviour. She was a German Shepherd, pretty much full sized, but obviously still a puppy.
It seems that nine out of tem times when I come across a dog off lead on the trail there is no issue. The dog walks by ignoring me, or runs up tail wagging looking for a pat on the head. I’m happy to accommodate them.
Dog owners don’t understand that everyone doesn’t see their pets as friendly and non threatening when they run up to people and start barking and growling. I grew up with large dogs and learned to be cautious with a strange dog, or even a familiar dog in a stressful situation. Put four dogs together as I faced while on the trail and you have a pack, and anything can happen. But of course the owners are not likely to be the ones getting bitten. Someone who is afraid of dogs would have been terrified.
I had a similar situation a year ago along the North Shore Rugged Trail. I was walking along the trail and a large dog came up running, barking, growling and blocking my way. I didn’t move. Eventually the owner, someone I knew, came along with the customary – oh she doesn’t bite. No apologies or promises to keep their dog under control. Just a suggestion that there was no need to be cautious. I dare anyone else to be in that situation and take a step forward or turn their back on the dog.
Despite what the owner of the four dogs said, dogs are required to be on lead when on the North Shore Rugged Trail. It’s on the fading sign. If you want to let your dog run, it’s okay with me, but have them under control.
It’s really not about dogs being off lead, it’s about common courtesy and taking responsibility for your actions and those of your pets. And that includes your dog’s poop.
Dogs can be as dangerous as a shotgun. It all depends on the owner. I hope people will not stop hiking the North Shore Rugged Trail to avoid a few bad actors. Perhaps bear spray is to be recommended. My sense is that soon enough someone is going to get bitten, but it’s not going to be me.
But it Was Still a Gorgeous Evening on the Trail (Parry Sound in Colour)
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September 17, 2015 at 5:09 am
I’m one of the dog owners that will commonly walk with one of my dogs off leash on trails. I have 3 rescue pugs, all under 30 lbs. We usually have one off leash (as we are training him), but always secure the other two. As soon as we see people, we immediately leash all of them – especially if the oncoming have dogs.
My frustration is when others do not leash their dogs when mine is barking frantically at them. My youngest rescue doesn’t deal well with other dogs, not to mention ones that are running at him full charge. It’s nearly impossible to train him to be good with other dogs, when he is constantly “greeted” this way on walks. It’s been a two year struggle since trying to train him.
I just wish dog owners would respect all others on trails (including other dog owners). Regardless of how well their pet is behaved, you don’t know what position you are putting the others in.
September 17, 2015 at 8:05 am
Good point. Your dog is on a lead with few or no options. And of course the owner of the dog off lead will insist their dog is “just being friendly”. But what if your dog isn’t?
Like humans, some dogs are terrified by other dogs, and will react unpredictably.
Dogs don’t need to be on a lead but they need to be under control. Too few people bother to properly train their dogs. That’s okay, but then they need to walk them on a lead in public places.