National Parks and dogs

[A W Warn]

I was at a campground on the Blue Ridge Parkway a few weeks ago, where pets are allowed everywhere as long as they are on a leash. My site was about 50' from a hiking trail. Just at dusk as I was watching a deer graze as a couple approached with a beautiful white German shepherd that was not on the leash. Needless to say the dog chased the deer. The couple chase and gave the dog commands to stop. They were still searching for the dog the next morning. I hope they found it!
Some owners don't understand the leash rules are for the protection of the pet.

[streaminwild]

Originally Posted by n2916s

After years of petitioning, the Florida State Parks in the Keys (Bahia Honda, Curry Hammock, Long Key and Pennekamp) finally allowed dogs in the campground. You can't use the trails or take your dog to the beach but there are dog walks and you can use the paved trails. Great for us as we have a weird Dachsund named Jane who travels with us.

Unfortunately, they are seriously considering reinstating a total ban on pets because of fools who abuse the privilege. I've seen lots of dogs on the beach, off leash. Lots of piles.

I just don't understand the "I'm special, the rules don't apply to me" mindset..

There should be a ''special fine'' for the special people. 1st offence- A warning, 2nd- Owner should be leashed to a tree for a day. 3rd- Owner banned from park

[Nanette L]

I don't understand the "Im special, the rules aren't for me." mindset either. Everyone will loose privileges because of the few who are unwilling to comply. I do think that there should be areas reserved for dogs/humans on the beach in every park that has enough land to accomodate. Steep fines are for those that won't comply with the rules.

[Nanette L]

PS. There isn't one legal beach where you can take your dog in ALL of LA County. That's really wrong. We pay so many fees in order to own a dog here.

[Hittenstiehl]

How about Rosie's Dog Beach.

[helmsman]

Hello dog lovers & Nannette L.

Long Beach California is in L.A. County and we have a long beach, (hence our name), which runs for many miles through many communities. Our city fathers set up a large prime area of surf and sand just for dogs and their owners. No charges (free) -- Only charge is for parking and sometimes you can find free parking in adjacent residential areas.

The dog area is not fenced. It is marked only by signs. Your dog is expected to be leashed until you get to a sign, then you can release him and allow him to cavort and run free with the other dogs and their owners.

Our city fathers understand your dog might not be able to read, so we are tolerant when he strays outside this area. But, the owner is expected to get him back and to pick up his waste products. Some owners do a good job and some don't. We even provide a manned life guard station for you and your dogs. -- Welcome!

[Nanette L]

You are both right! I forgot. No wonder because for me that's over 40 miles away.

[Zybane]

A perfect example of the dumb asses out there spoiling it for the rest of us.

One thing I hate about humanity is the "lowest common denominator" effect.

[Len n Jeanne]

Originally Posted by uluwene

We are trying to plan a trip to the southern parts of Utah, Bryce, Zion, Arches, etc. We have an almost one year old Golden Retriever. All my on line research tells us that dogs are not welcome in the National Parks. We were planning the trip for April of this year and thought we would be camping in National Forests or State Parks where dogs would be more welcome, but the National Forest camp grounds do not seem to be open until mid May.

Does anyone have any experience camping in southern Utah and visiting the National Parks with a dog, in the spring, that they can pass along.

It would be much appreciated.

The Doggy Dude Ranch in Rockville, outside of Zion NP, is a good kennel for either day care or overnight stays, but reservations are recommended.

The thing about Zion is that by April, you can access the main part of Zion Canyon only by NPS shuttle due to heavy visitor use, meaning you would have to leave your dog in your RV for hours while you tour the park.

Have you got reservations for these places? They will be extremely crowded.

[SeaLevel]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Have you got reservations for these places? They will be extremely crowded.

That OP was from over 8 years ago.

[Len n Jeanne]

And still timely!

[HowieE]

I love the insane doggy arguments. Who decided that dogs were it? I can step out of my trailer to a door mat left behind by a bear. Geese have made many areas more treacherous than a Mogadishu mine field. But I am protected form mans best friend.
I gave up owning a dog when the leash laws presented themselves. I would not restrain a dog and thus will not own a dog. In my younger days we had TOWN dogs. Dogs that had an owner but were free to roam and loved buy all they came in contact with. I remember Coco, a huge black lab the came to my front door every night at 6 o clock. Coco would come in, go to the kitchen, and check what was for dinner. If he liked it he stayed if not on to the next house. How did we ever survive prior to the beneficial efforts of the Do Gooders?

[VaTravelers]

Sigh, reading an old post but responding. We have two 4 legged best buds. They love to hit the road as much as we do. If they aren't welcome neither are we so we move on. This is a big country and there are plenty of wonderful places where these wonderful creatures are welcomed and loved. For all those who have not had an opportunity to share quality time with mans (and woman's) best friend I highly encourage it! You will be better for it.

[McDave]

Originally Posted by HowieE

I love the insane doggy arguments. Who decided that dogs were it? I can step out of my trailer to a door mat left behind by a bear. Geese have made many areas more treacherous than a Mogadishu mine field. But I am protected form mans best friend.
I gave up owning a dog when the leash laws presented themselves. I would not restrain a dog and thus will not own a dog. In my younger days we had TOWN dogs. Dogs that had an owner but were free to roam and loved buy all they came in contact with. I remember Coco, a huge black lab the came to my front door every night at 6 o clock. Coco would come in, go to the kitchen, and check what was for dinner. If he liked it he stayed if not on to the next house. How did we ever survive prior to the beneficial efforts of the Do Gooders?

I was in Vigo Spain last year for a couple of weeks. It is still that way there. In a very metropolitan area, dogs follow their humans around off leash on the sidewalks, or wherever they might be going. Not just a few dogs, most dogs. Dogs don't want to be squished by cars anymore than we do, and are fully capable of learning not to be squished, just like we are, if they are given an appropriate level of responsibility. Once I was walking down the sidewalk, and noticed a dog not obviously associated with anyone. After a while, I thought it was lost. I mentioned this to a couple (good opportunity to practice my Spanish), and they said something like, "Oh no! He belongs to ___________ (gesturing to someone vaguely visible down the block). I wish it were still that way here too.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by McDave

I was in Vigo Spain last year for a couple of weeks. It is still that way there. In a very metropolitan area, dogs follow their humans around off leash on the sidewalks, or wherever they might be going. Not just a few dogs, most dogs. Dogs don't want to be squished by cars anymore than we do, and are fully capable of learning not to be squished, just like we are, if they are given an appropriate level of responsibility. Once I was walking down the sidewalk, and noticed a dog not obviously associated with anyone. After a while, I thought it was lost. I mentioned this to a couple (good opportunity to practice my Spanish), and they said something like, "Oh no! He belongs to ___________ (gesturing to someone vaguely visible down the block). I wish it were still that way here too.

Its wonderful to see well behaved dogs walking unleashed. The only issue is who gets to be the judge of well behaved. Just like your experience in Spain I was in Hong Kong this past weekend. Lots of nice well behaved dogs running around unleashed on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. In fact two really cute ones ran after each other right under the table I was sitting at enjoying a beer. The end result was was two bloody dogs and one person who I assume was one of the owners taken away in a ambulance.
So we have rules and there are reasons for them.

[Shiny16]

Additionally the streets of Madrid as well as other European cities remind of NYC growing up in the 1970s. Dog crap everywhere. Something I would prefer not to go back to.

[McDave]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Additionally the streets of Madrid as well as other European cities remind of NYC growing up in the 1970s. Dog crap everywhere. Something I would prefer not to go back to.

Is this a problem of having to pick up after your dog, or a problem of well trained dogs off leash? I didn't notice this problem in Vigo. Perhaps the citizens of Vigo pick up after their dogs better than those of Madrid? Would this be less of a problem if the dogs of Madrid were leashed? Or is it a matter of perception? Is having to walk around one log in a block "dog crap everywhere?" All I can say is, people and dogs and traffic seemed to coexist better in Vigo than I've seen here in the US.

[McDave]

Originally Posted by Shiny16

Its wonderful to see well behaved dogs walking unleashed. The only issue is who gets to be the judge of well behaved. Just like your experience in Spain I was in Hong Kong this past weekend. Lots of nice well behaved dogs running around unleashed on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. In fact two really cute ones ran after each other right under the table I was sitting at enjoying a beer. The end result was was two bloody dogs and one person who I assume was one of the owners taken away in a ambulance.

So we have rules and there are reasons for them.

And how many violent confrontations were there between human beings in Hong Kong during the same hour?

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by McDave

Is this a problem of having to pick up after your dog, or a problem of well trained dogs off leash? I didn't notice this problem in Vigo. Perhaps the citizens of Vigo pick up after their dogs better than those of Madrid? Would this be less of a problem if the dogs of Madrid were leashed? Or is it a matter of perception? Is having to walk around one log in a block "dog crap everywhere?" All I can say is, people and dogs and traffic seemed to coexist better in Vigo than I've seen here in the US.

Obviously this particular post was in reference to picking up after your dog. I'm not sure if it's a law in the European cities I'm familiar with. If it is it is not strictly enforced.
In NYC I never see crap on the street, in Paris , Madrid and other European cities there is a lot. Everywhere might be an exaggeration if you took that to mean I meant they painted it on every inch of the city then I'm sorry for your misunderstanding. By a lot I mean at least one or two in the middle of the side walk on every block. My first post addressed the problem of dogs off theirs leashes. I'm sure the owners in Hong Kong had well behaved dogs too.

[Shiny16]

Originally Posted by McDave

And how many violent confrontations were there between human beings in Hong Kong during the same hour?

Absolutely none that I encountered. If you care to do some research it was about 1 pm local time in Hong Kong April 1 st.