[pct-l] thru dogs dates?

Fri Jan 7 12:46:48 CST 2011

Yep. I'm really scared even more of someone who says they will hit another hiker with a rock because that hiker had to fight off their dog.

I came close in Sierra City. It was 5 in the morning when a doberman came at me with ears back and teeth bared. I was sure I'd be bit or even mauled. I yelled as loud as I could (at 5 am) and held my poles in front of me for defense, pushing them towards the dog as it kept lunging. (I never hit the dog.) The owner finally came out, called the dog off, and said the dog "didn't like my sticks". No apology for the incident or for waking the neighbors. 

AsABat

"Tortoise" <Tortoise73 at charter.net> wrote:

>I have not had a really bad encounter with a dog, on the trail or 
>elsewhere. I've been lucky.
>
>Several times I've had to face down dogs and so far so good. But the 
>problem is out of control dogs and their owners not my attitude towards
>dogs.
>
>The owner is responsible for his/her pet's conduct. Not someone else, 
>especially one threatened or attacked by a dog.
>
>Tortoise
>
><> Because truth matters! <>
>
>On 01/07/11 08:11, Kevin Cook wrote:
>> Hi Rob
>>
>> Based on your story, I have to wonder if the problem isn't you! This
>isn't
>> meant as an insult or slight. Dogs are not people. They do not judge
>you
>> based on what you look like or what you say. They respond to your
>energy. It
>> sounds to me like you might be putting out an energy of being a
>victim or
>> prey of some kind. When you see the dog, are you thinking, "oh shit
>its
>> gonna come attach me!"? If you're having thoughts like that, the dog
>will
>> pick that up and interpret it as, "oh look, this guy is something I'm
>> supposed to attack."
>>
>> Do you have problems with dogs outside the backcountry setting? Have
>you
>> ever owned or lived with a dog?
>>
>> I'm not trying to trivialize your experience. It's totally
>understandable
>> how you have developed the feelings you have. I'm also not trying to
>say
>> it's entirely your fault, but I do think the thoughts going through
>your
>> head are sending out a message to the dog that is contributing to the
>> problem.
>>
>> Also I'd like to offer one small piece of advice. I know you are
>afraid of
>> the dog, but if you were to hurt someone's pet, they may not react
>> favorably. I understand your position, but you might find that the
>owner
>> becomes a much bigger problem than the dog. My dogs have never acted
>> aggressively towards anyone, but maybe your energy could bring out
>the worst
>> in them. I hate to say it, but if you were to hit my dog with a rock,
>you
>> might find yourself getting hit with a rock as well. I'm one of those
>people
>> that don't think a human life is worth more than any other (except
>for
>> mosquitoes!). This isn't a threat. I'm just saying what my
>instinctive
>> reaction would be, just as you are. I would defend my best friend
>without
>> thinking about it. I would probably feel bad afterwards though if
>that
>> helps. ;)
>>
>> Given your experience with dogs and the resulting fear, have you
>considered
>> carrying a can of pepper spray? It would be a much more humane way of
>> dealing with your issue. It might avoid a potentially dangerous
>situation as
>> well. As others have said, you're going to have a difficult time
>avoiding
>> dogs on the trail completely. You might be better served to find a
>way to
>> make the encounters positive. Maybe instead of pepper spray a dog
>whistle
>> might work too. Would be lighter and easier to access and would not
>upset
>> the dog's owner. I've used dog whistles in training, and I can vouch
>that
>> they do not like the sound. It would definitely stop the dog's
>approach and
>> provide its owner an opportunity to control the animal.
>>
>> I understand if you pass on the offer, but I'd be happy to introduce
>you to
>> Doc if our schedules match up. Have you ever had a healthy
>relationship with
>> a dog? Doc really is a sweet heart. He's big, ~90 lbs, but he would
>never
>> hurt anyone. He is a retriever breed, Flat Coated Retriever to be
>specific.
>> They are bred to have a "soft mouth". Retrievers just don't bite or
>chew
>> things (he had stuffed toys that lasted years until we got a puppy
>that
>> destroyed them). It's not in their nature. They are used for hunting
>fowl,
>> so it's a desirable trait that they fetch the bird and bring it back
>without
>> damaging it. He will be on the trail with me between Echo Lakes and
>Soda
>> Springs. I'm not exactly sure of the dates this early, but I'd love
>to
>> introduce you to him. Maybe it will help?
>>
>> Anyway, I hope none of this offends you. It was not my intent. I
>truly
>> believe dogs enrich our lives and I hope you can develop an
>appreciation for
>> them someday.
>>
>> See ya on the trail! :)
>>
>> On Fri, Jan 7, 2011 at 12:34 AM, rob gratz<hikergratz at gmail.com> 
>wrote:
>>
>>>> I love my dog but I'm very leary of other loose dogs since being
>bit from
>>>> behind after passing two loose "friendly" dogs.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> i really didnt want to get back into this,but people are accusing
>me of a
>>> lot of things.this was a legitimate post and not a troll.
>>>
>>> heres my story. years back i was setting up camp in the
>cascades,when out
>>> of
>>> nowhere a german shepard attacked me from behind.anyone who has seen
>videos
>>> of "cops" knows what kind of damage these dogs can do.i had to wrap
>myself
>>> up the best i could, hike out 5 miles to the trailhead. then go to
>the
>>> hospital for 18 stiches.i still carry the scars.
>>>
>>> around 2002 i stopped for lunch at maidu lake in oregon when some
>touron
>>> decided to let his pitbull loose,he came straight at me,and the only
>thing
>>> that saved me was a lucky rock up side his head(the pitbull not the
>>> touron).that slowed him down enough so his clueless owners could
>grab him.
>>> referencing as a bat, i have also been bitten by seemingly friendly
>dogs
>>> ,and have been menaced by countless aggressive dogs.
>>>
>>> seeing my history you may understand why im a little leary of having
>dogs
>>> around me.i think many dog owners don`t understand that dogs in the
>>> backcountry may not behave as they do at home. in my experiance,
>dogs in
>>> the
>>> backcounty become very territorial and hyper aggressive. this can
>cause
>>> problems.
>>>
>>> the reason for my post was i didnt want to have conflicts.if your
>dog (and
>>> i
>>> hate this term)invades my personal space, im going to send him
>packing,
>>> with
>>> whatever i got, while i scream at you.this will not be pleasant for
>me or
>>> you.i don`t want the hassle,especially with someone  im going to see
>for
>>> hundreds of miles.
>>>
>>> so here it is. im planning on starting around may 20. if you and
>your large
>>> dog are planning to start around the same time,let me know. my
>schedule is
>>> flexible im not asking you to leave your dog at home,i don`t even
>want to
>>> get into the ethics of dogs on the trail.i will work around you
>>>
>>> on a personal note.
>>> sorry brick,lots of sites have overeducated a-holes that love to
>give
>>> people
>>> crap,so they feel Superior .after 12 years on the list i know you
>are not
>>> like that.next time i post i will count to ten.thanks for all you
>do. rob
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