One of the most heated topics in the hiking with dogs world is owners hiking with their dogs off-leash.
All too often, my partner Dave and I encounter a dog on the trail whose human is nowhere in sight, or oblivious, or comatose. The dog may or may not be aggressive, but he’s interrupting our activity to meet our dogs. Maybe he is aggressive and attacks. Maybe he just looks aggressive, but we have no way of knowing his intentions. Perhaps our own dog is not friendly with other dogs. Some people aren’t even hiking with dogs, they just fear them or plain don’t want them in their space.
We seek the trails to find peace, quiet, and solitude, to de-stress, and to spend quality time with friends and our pets.
Off-leash dogs that approach other hikers, whether the dog is friendly or not, can disturb the users’ experience and can cause frustration. In a perfect world, all dogs would be on a leash or have perfect recall, but that’s just not how it works.
We always apply this set of guidelines when we head out on the trail, and we encourage other dog owners to do the same, with the goal of creating a trail etiquette agreement among all of us who hike with our dogs.
We agree to accept our dog for who she is and understand that she may not be the best candidate for off-leash hiking.
If our dog tends to pick fights with other dogs, barks at strangers, ignores recall attempts, or has a high prey drive, then we agree to love our dog regardless, and do our best to avoid altercations with others by keeping her on leash at all times. Unless we hike at 5 am. Then we’re probably okay off-leash.
We agree that if we do wish to hike off-leash with our dogs, then we will manage them attentively.
This means looking ahead and listening for approaching people, other dogs, and wildlife. It does not mean replying to our latest comments on Instagram or gabbing on the phone to our bestie.
We agree to Always Be Training.
The trails offer a perfect opportunity to practice ongoing training with your dog. Recall, sit, stay, wait, leave it, look. Hey, go on enough hikes, and you just might earn your dog off-leash privileges in accordance with this manifesto. Just don’t forget the high-reward treats. No treats, no service.
We agree to always ask permission first before allowing our dog to do any of the following towards another dog or human:
Run, sprint, or walk up to someone, sniff a butt, sniff a face, lick a face, hump, jump on, or any other interaction.
And hey, humans, especially of the parental variety, let’s follow the same rules of asking for ourselves and our kiddos. Just pretend like some stranger is hugging and kissing your kid without asking or encroaching in your personal bubble. You’d probably want to bite, too. We know our dogs are really stinking cute, but if we value our fingers and toes, let’s just practice this courtesy.
We agree to listen when others tell us that their dogs are not friendly, rather than brush it off and continue approaching regardless.
Yep, we know your dog is friendly. And please don’t tell us that you are a dog behaviorist and then inform us that our dog does indeed wish to meet. He doesn’t. I’m fairly certain that I pick up his poop and you do not. You do not know my dog better than I do.
We agree to communicate with others by using the commonly understood, yet highly ignored phrase “my dog is not friendly.”
It’s a tough phrase to say to others because in reality, our dog might not really be all that unfriendly, but perhaps he gets excited easily, or pulls uncontrollably, or is scared or nervous.
We agree to recall our dog, restrain her, and step aside when we see others approaching.
Keep in mind that recall is not simply the act of calling our dog’s name repeatedly while they ignore us, allowing them to continue approaching the unassuming dog and human. Our dog must return in order to score a perfect 10 on recall.
We agree that if we see a human put their body in between your dog and their dog, short leash him, and take out a treat to distract them from meeting yours that this is not an invitation to allow your dog to approach without permission.
On the contrary, it signifies the opposite. This is a non-verbal cue for you to move on. For the love of DOG, we get it, your dog is friendly.
We agree that, if our dog has zero recall, but we refuse to leash him on trails, despite the fact that he never comes when called and we always seem to leave those treats in the car, thus unable to Always Be Training, we solemnly swear that we will never stand like a petrified raccoon 10 feet away from our own dog and watch and stare while our dog accosts the approaching dog whose human has inserted her entire body to block the two dogs from interacting and call his name over and over.
Listen carefully: He’s not coming back to you and he is intruding on someone else’s space and time. Sprint immediately to your dog, remove him from the other dog, leash him, and apologize profusely. Please don’t repeat it with the next dog on the trail.
We agree, nay vow, to never use a retractable leash.
If you need further explanation, read here.
We agree that if we see any of the following users on the trail: runners, horses, mountain bikers, motorized vehicles, groups with multiple dogs, or a gaggle of geese, that we will always, without fail, recall and secure our dog and then step to the side to allow other users to pass.
Think about it practically, how do you really think your dog will fare against a gaggle of hissing geese?
We agree that if we so desire for our dogs to run around and play with other dogs, that we will save this for parks designated for such activities.
They are called dog parks. These differ from hiking trails in that they are allocated for the specific use of co-mingling with other off-leash dogs. In these parks, all humans unanimously agree and understand that their dogs may run amok freely.
We agree to practice Leave No Trace Principles and discard of our pet’s poop.
Bear or coyote poop found on the trail? Pretty cool (or unnerving, depending on your situation). Dog poop? Not cool.
We all carry poop bags, right? Another fondly debated topic in hiking with dogs world is whether or not it is acceptable leaving poop bags on the side of the trail to pick up on return. And then do we always remember to pick it up on our way back? And if we forget, then we run back and go get it, right? There are no excuses, our dogs all poop within the first 200 yards of the trail. It’s not that far. An alternative and preferred method is to use something like a Poo Vault or a Nalgene bottle dedicated to poo stashing. Just don’t drink from it later.
Sometimes we forget poop bags or unexpectedly run out. It’s okay. Just like shit, it happens. Just ask another dog hiker they have an extra bag, or try the old poop stick flick trick. It’s just like being at the driving range. Just find a good stick and flick it away.
These trail etiquette guidelines are not intended to serve as a mandate that all dogs must be on leash at all times. Some dogs perform just fine off leash, others, not so much. Rather, the purpose is to create a set of standards with which we comply in order to keep our experiences on the trail positive, safe, and without incident. Who can argue with that?
This post originally appeared on Long Haul Trekkers.
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I am so sorry to read all this. You are not thinking in the dogs at all. You are just being selfish and thinking in what is better for you. Why you have more rights than dogs to be on the hikes? The greatest happines, fullness and contentness that a dog can get is to be free in the nature. So we shouldn’t banalize the fact of use always a leash, sometimes will be necessary, but not as necessary as to look for the mental balance of our dogs.
I really hope you are being sarcastic, because if not, you should realize that you are COMPLETELY missing the point of the article. The point is not to reduce the dog’s enjoyment of the hike, but rather to ensure that all members of the trail (digs and humans) can have an equal experience. When dogs are not controlled, they can detract from other trail users experience in an unfair way.
This article seems to be one sided. In the perfect world, all our dogs would be professionally trained and could stand on their heads on demand. It is not!
I take my small dogs off-leash on my hikes for several reasons: to exercise, they are my best friends and mostly to let them be dogs and do dog things
Thank you to the author for writing this piece.
Here’s another point of view that also isn’t from the dog’s point of view: I love dogs, but I spent two hours trying to hike out of the woods while an off-leash dog attacked me repeatedly. I saw the owner walk by 30 minutes prior, casually calling and looking off into the woods without much worry. After the dog found me, I spent the two full hours fending off nips and bites. I finally scared him off (with a gunshot – I was bird hunting), got back to my car, called the police, then spent the next several hours shaking at home. I’ve been afraid of off-leash dogs since. When I take my four year old hiking, I won’t let dogs near him anymore; my patience for off-leash dogs is gone. This is due to someone (who couldn’t control their dog) acting irresponsibly.
The truth is – you guys don’t care about me, or your fellow hikers. You don’t care that I was attacked by the dog. ‘My dog didn’t do that,’ you’re thinking. Unfortunately, you’re in the realm of irresponsible dog owners, and this article didn’t get through to convincing you to get training for your dog, or put them on a leash.
Spot on. I was recently walking in a California State Park with my two- year old daughter and watched as two dogs charged her, and got in her face barking, teeth bared doing the lurchy-snipping thing with their snarled teeth. I had to step between the dogs and my frightened two year old toddler, yelling at the owner to get the dogs under control.
@Miguel Gisbert: “Why you have more rights than dogs to be on the hikes?” This is absurd, what right does your dog have to bark and snip at a two year old little girl in a public park where they are required to be on a leash? None, which is why the California Parks state law and website ‘Dogs’ section warns: “Please remember that violations of these rules may lead to a costly citation. Remember too that you are financially responsible for injuries or damage caused by your dog.” Now I carry bear spray. I will spray your dog if it attacks my child.
My dog will not be on a leash on a trail. Get over yourselves! You ARE in most cases, hiking where there are wild animals. Kids are annoying too, but we don’t ban them
I am an avid hiker and having an off leash dog was important to me. However, to have one I have spent my time bonding and training my dog that when he sees a human or another dog he doesn’t know he comes back to me and I leash him until they pass then I unleash him again. He also comes when he is called and heels when asked. It was hard but rewarding work to get to this point. It is worth it though because I have no fear of losing my dog or for him to get into a bad situation. I understand some dogs are harder to train to do this than others but I do believe they all can. I just got a second dog who we believe is part hound. He loves baying and chasing other animals. He currently is not able to be off leash but I do think with persistent training and bonding he will get to where my older dog is and have the same freedoms.
As a dog owner your dogs safety should be your top priority. Letting them do whatever they want without the proper communication between you and your dog is reckless. If your dog sees a rattler or is too close to a cliff or gets too close to an unfriendly dog or human and gets hurt it is on you not the dog. They are your responsibility.
If you don’t care about others at least care about your dog. If you think it takes too much work to do this then you shouldn’t have a dog. Training is part of having them. I think of training as opening more doors to understand and trust eachother. Seeing all these dog owners say I am going to do what I want is not only selfish towards other hikers but also to their dog.
The dogs referenced are being introduced and managed by their owners. That, alone, incurs certain and specific responsibilities of those owners to ensure the safety, health, and courtesy of bringing dogs on an activity where they are likely to interact with other humans. Newsflash, you’re claiming the author is being selfish when it’s your reply that is evoking that affect. Owners of dogs that bring them on hikes and fail to successfully heel/manage their dogs are the selfish ones. They are not empathizing with fellow trail users at all. This may come as a shock to you but not all people enjoy dogs and quite many people have had traumatizing experiences with aggressive dogs. My Blue Heeler and Chow mix run free on my farm but I’m courteous and respectful of others when I take them out and keep them both on leash. They don’t even tug/pull at the end of the leash, but walk at my pace at all times.
1. People have more rights than animals. In most countries. Look it up.
2. If you’re so concerned about a dog being “happy, full and content” in nature, why would one even own a dog. Ban pets. Wolves only. (High sarcasm content).
3. I bet your dog is a nightmare.
I find ALL of these absolutely spectacular, as someone who hikes with and without dogs, who has owned and does not now own a dog, or just likes dogs. Control. Your. Animal. Simple concept, obviously terribly confusing to understand.
Because the ” hiking trails” were not made for dogs to take priority over humans. Just because you have a dog and like it, doesn’t mean that others want to risk their safety with an unknown dog that approaches or jumps on them or is aggressive. Because you have no right to walk up to a human and stick your head in the human’s crotch, so why should a human let your dog do that?…just because YOU don’t care and you want your dog to run free? And other humans DO have priority over your dog. I would never go inside a dog park and pretend that I have priority over the dogs. You really can’t figure this out? Seriously? Take your dog where no other humans are if you want it to always run free. Or a dog park. We don’t have to accommodate your dog. You have to accommodate humans.
Spot On! Perfectly stated!
I 100 % agree with you.
Society has gone soft, selfish narcissistic and just plain ignorant and lame.
Said every older person ever. 🙂
Totally agree with you. Just sayin’.
Agree with you about all of these extremely inexperienced and selfish city hikers who head into the wilds with zero knowledge of what they may experience from wild animals. When a human thinks that a dog is a “wild animal” and acts in a way that the majority of other aware humans would find dangerous, the ignorant, inexperienced human is to blame. If you are a city loving, animal hating human: Do not go anywhere you would be afraid of a loose dog. If you think you can handle a mother moose, bear, grizzly, rabid raccoon, dive bombing eagle or hawk would you feel so entitled?. If there are huge herds of deer in your new neighborhood after relocating from a big city due to your wealth, please realize that it is you, not the locals with herds of deer in their fenced yards, taunting their dogs, who are the problem.
A. Didn’t think about the retractable leash hazard, totally going to review my dog’s hiking leash situation.
B. As for dog poop the Nalgene bottle is a great idea! You can pick up cheap used ones at resale shops that would be perfect for it!
Holy smokes. Do I really have to pass a 13 question test before I can take my dog for a walk? The writer should try to focus on what is good for everyone; not just herself. Sure not all dogs are great but there are way less “bad dogs” on the trail than there are “bad people”.
And no one knows which dogs are good and which are bad when they meet them on the trail. You do realize if someone thinks a dog is being agressive they may respond in self defense? That does not usually end well for the dog. Are you OK with making a hike a fearful experience for anyone – especially children – who have had less than positive experiences with dogs? Or are just plain afraid of them?
And BTW, I am a dog owner. Mine is great to walk with, and she is nervous and at the dog park walks around with me (I don’t bother going to the dog park a block from my house much any more) but often wary. It is not good for my dog for “good”, “friendly” dogs to come up to her. It makes her nervous and unpredictable, sometimes jumping around to avoid the other dog.
Point being, it doesn matter if YOUR dog is “good” or not.
I don’t get this sense of “dog entitlement”. Where does this come from? All pets are animals and will react from instinct in most situations. Get a grip. As a former park ranger I can tell you managing off leash dogs is a nightmare because of the owners. The whole idea that nature is for your pet at the expense of the resource and the other visitors is absurd. Take your pet to the off-leash dog park or fence your yard. And yes, I’m a former dog owner and my dog was not good off-leash so I addressed it. Dogs and cats are “subsidized” predators that think chasing wildlife and people is what they’re supposed to do. All species of dogs and cats are artificially bred and are introduced species, like horses and cows. Your pet has zero rights when it comes to running free on public land. Educate yourself and stop with the anthropomorphic sentimentality.
I’ve been using a retractable leash for decades. On those very rare occasions I use a leash.
Its common sense. Don’t let your dog bother other people and keep on leash and in control. Don’t want them messing with wild animals either. BTW.. I love dogs!
I would hope for a certain amount of control over the canines. I ride horses and mules and burros and I use pack animals (equines). their innate behavior is to spook upon sight of a “threat” be it canine, other equine, or humans. anything moving, coming down the trail, or up the trail is usually registered as possible threat by equines. if ya don’t wanna control your canine you should apply for a job in the trump kingdom (which is out of control), there’s a few job openings……
Really, you needed to throw in a Trump bash in a conversation about dogs? Silly.
Dear dog owners:
If you are outside and 1) you don’t own the land or 2) have permission from the landowner or 3) there are signs that expressly permit unleashed dogs, KEEP IT ON A LEASH! It’s the law and common decency.
Meh, I am still going to play fetch in the park with my buddy if there is an open area. If there are people or dogs around, no, we’ll walk the perimeter with her leash on.
Thank you! A lot of dog owners are oblivious to the problem of their “friendly” dog. While hiking earlier this year I encountered a couple at a trailhead who had two dogs on leashes, though they had dropped the leashes and the dogs were unrestrained nearby. I approached and they initiated a conversation about the trail they were coming off of and I was beginning. I maintained a reasonable distance and we conversed for about 5 minutes. Without warning, without reason, one of the dogs launched at me and bit me on the hip. The couple and I were stunned. They pulled the dog off me and started babbling about how the dog had never done that before, the dog was such a good dog, and how sorry they were. Luckily, I was wearing jeans and the bite just gave me a lasting bruise. So, for those of you thinking your dog is such a sweetheart, think again. You have no idea what your dog is thinking. Keep them on a leash and hold on to that leash. And pick up their shit!
I always keep my pit bull Lucy on leash when hiking, but a number of times I have had other dogs that their owners were allowing off-leash run at her, and once one attacked her. She ran around my legs trying to get away and wrapped me up in the middle of a potential major dogfight. “Gee, I didn’t think anyone else was out here!” Most public trails in parks do not allow dogs off-leash, but people are always doing it anyway.
We walk our lab frequently on preserved land that is open to the public. Although we used to allow her off leash, we’d always call her back and put her on the leash at the sign of any other person or animal. One day several years ago we were walking and an off leash dog in front of us with their owners, turned around and attacked our lab, biting part of her ear off. I was busy trying to control my dog from inflicting any damage on the off leash dog, which meant the other dog had free reign, my lab couldn’t even fight back, it was as if I was holding her, choking her and getting wrapped up in the leash while trying to kick the other dog off. The owners were astonished – “my dog’s never behaved that way before” – it sucked. My dog bleeding profusely (ears have loads of blood vessels), we wrapped it up as best we could and ran the half mile home. It wouldn’t stop bleeding so off to the vet. Nearly $1,000 later she was ok but with a chunk now forever missing from her ear.
Another time, I had my dog at a local music festival, on leash. Another fellow had two large barking and lunging shepherds on leash but not in control. We kept our distance and walked way around them staying at least 100 feet away. NExt thing I know one was loose and had circled around us to corner us between it and the other dog. It ran up and starting attacking my lab. I kicked it in the face as someone else tried to grab it by the loose leash so we could get away – this is at a public music festival with kids running around!! Unbelievable.
Yet another time, I walked into a local feed mill to get some dog food and a huge German Shepherd off leash runs up to me as if he’s a K9 unit and I’m a criminal. He corners me and I’m about to take action when the owner 40 feet away smirks and says “he won’t kill ya, he just might take your arm”. What if I had been a small child? We then exchanged some other words I won’t repeat here.
Then just last week, biking with my dog down the dirt road we live on, a 3 legged Pit Bull off leash runs right up to us with the owner yelling “she’s freindly”. Yeah but now my dog whose been attacked several times is not. Then what, how does your friendly dog react when my dog takes a defensive stance?
Another new neighbor lets their PittBull mix run free around the neighborhood. The dog harrasses other dogs and cats and is over 150 pounds. When confronted about this they reply, he’s freindly. I watched the same dog chase a herd of deer across a busy road nearly casuing an accident.
I’ll end on this note. Once you or your dog have been attacked, bloodied and incurred medical bills from someone else’s lack of training or williness to control their animal that is friendly 99% of the time, your view changes. I am now always sure to leash my dog in public areas and typically do not allow any interaction with other unknown dogs. When we see another dog off leash with or without an owner, we make it clear we want nothing to do with the dog and are willing to defend ourselves. Its out of hand.
I really wish everyone had well behaved and trained dogs, and many do, but those that do not ruin it for everyone else. Please leash your dog or have 100% control and prove you’re not part of the problem.
This has been my experience exactly. I can no longer bring my dog out with me due to poor experiences with other dogs and their owners.
People don’t know how to operate their dogs. There is a large sign at every trailhead around here with both pictures and words (and often poop bags) instructing to keep your dog on a leash. Control your dog and follow the damn rules.
Retractable leashes can cause accidents. My sister (who cycled to work on the Burke Gilman trail when she was working in Queen Anne) could not see that a clear, retractable leash was stretching completely across the trail (owner on one side, dog on the other), and the leash caused her to wipe out on her bike. Luckily she was not injured too badly.
If an owner can’t make sure their dog isn’t a tripping hazard for other people, then that owner needs a new leash. Imagine tripping another hiker on a steep mountain trail, what the consequences could be. I don’t currently own a dog but I personally love dogs, but even I am uncomfortable when a big dog is running amok and I’m walking on a ridge line or a place with “high consequence” falling areas.
Also remember that dogs may be injured if not properly controlled. Google the video of the off-leash German Shepherd at Lake Ingalls who was head butted off a cliff after he chased goats. Dogs are actually prohibited in that area.
That’s a classic crash.
I’ve noticed more and more signs on MUPs that say leashes should be no longer than 6′.
It’s unfortunate that this article even has to be written. I love dogs, but they are domestic animals and have to conform (with some help from their owners) to human society and its rules. I have a 3-year old son that I often hike with. Thankfully it has never happened, but I know that if a dog’s behavior caused me to become concerned about his safety, I would protect him with complete disregard for the well-being of the dog.
These are all great and just good common sense. I would add at least three more agreements, though. First, if the trail is posted either for no pets, or no off-leash pets, we agree to leave Fido home. These rules aren’t just there because some Park administrators dislike dogs. Rather, a dog’s scent, either live or left via marking, can discourage the presence of deer and other wildlife for whom canines are natural predators. If someone has traveled an hour or more for the joy of seeing deer or other critters in their natural habitat, it is extremely disappointing to find none in proximity because they have all been frightened away by the past or current presence of your dog, all the more so if the dog has been allowed to stray from the trail off leash. Second, if we are hiking in an area known to house rattlesnakes, we agree to have taken our dog to a properly accredited rattlesnake avoidance training program, and even then, not off leash. This could be a matter of life or death for your four-legged friend, as rattlers emit pheromones that are extremely attractive to dogs, and dogs tend to investigate things with their noses, meaning most strikes will be to their head. There, the venom causes swelling and bleeding into the brain, leading to disability and death before you can get your pet to veterinary assistance. (Even then, many dogs are allergic to the antivenin.) Third, we agree to carry water and a collapsible bowl for our dogs. Dogs, lacking sweat glands, regulate their body temps through their tongues and paw pads (might add a fourth agreement about ensuring the terrain is not causing damage to the latter). A dog that is panting heavily with its tongue distended is not telling you what a good time it is having; it is suffering and may be in danger of heat stroke.
I have taken to hiking with a tranquilizer gun. Sure, owners of unruly dogs get pissed when I send their pet for an impromptu nap, but I hike with children who are rather susceptible to those charging animals, so I never feel bad when I have to use it.
Think that’s unwarranted? My wife was charged by an off-leash dog and ended up needing knee surgery for a torn meniscus after the altercation. I’ve had stitches torn out in and altercation doing some post-op recovery hiking. And finally, when I had my child attacked by a dog on a trail, I decided enough was enough.
I know a lot of dog owners who are very respectful and responsible. I have nothing against them, and their use of the trails (just clear the poop for the love of Ned). In general I find horses on the trail to be far worse than dogs. But I have never been in a situation where a horse did significant physical injury to me or a loved one; so I won’t tranq the horses – I will curse their rider’s for leaving sh!# everywhere, and if I have a stick, will fling it in their direction – but be prepared to carry your hell-hound home if he gets aggressive with me on the trail…
That’s just dangerous, you never know how a dog is going to react to the anesthesia, some dogs even have drug sensitivities. (speaking from experience) You could be putting their lives at risks not knowing their medical history, not just giving them a “nap” They can easily have a reaction and not make it off the trail to get to a vet.
I’m all for keeping dogs on leash during hikes, i’m not even someone who really supports off leash hiking and not out of respect for other hikers, but for my dogs safety to protect him from people like you. That’s someones best friend you could have just made very ill or even killed. There are other and in fact better ways to deal with it. I’m not saying the owners are right — but you aren’t either.
I know this doesn’t really apply to me being as we stay on leash. But regardless, anyone tranqs my dog, we’re going to court.
Completely unwarranted, and a lawsuit waiting to be filed that you wouldn’t stand a snowball’s chance in hell of winning. You could be setting yourself up for severe civil and/or criminal penalties for the reasons Anon described, if you haven’t already.
Consider yourself warned.
after reading some of the stories here i’m suprised some dog owners aren’t resorting to pepper spray. it would be a non lethal way to protect your pet from unruly ones.
Both continuous barking (such as the leashed dog on the summit of a recent hike) and continuous yelling at a dog to come, heel or be quiet are also pretty annoying to others.
No, just no. I can’t read through all these comments, especially this one, without saying something. I know my dog more than any other person and it’s extremely offensive for someone to tell me that MY dog is aggressive. Dogs aren’t just aggressive because they’re off-leash. In fact a lot of times dogs are more aggressive or nervous ON leash. I agree that a large population of owners do not properly train their dog. They think because their dog is friendly toward them that they’re an angel with everyone else. The truth is even dog owners often can’t read dog body language. How many people think a play growl is aggressive and a wagging tail always means a happy dog? But leashes or the lack of leashes are not the problem. I’ve had more people let their lunging dog stay at the end of their leash just a few feet from my dog with only a soft “no, come on” rather than a real attempt to rein them in and correct them. Don’t just tell me you’re sorry. DO something and correct your dog. Poorly trained dogs annoy me on at least a weekly basis. But why should irresponsible owners be the reason my dog doesn’t get the physical and mental exercise that only being off-leash provides? My trail rules are to call my dog back to my side when passing others, leash her when there are leashed dogs, and watch very carefully when other dogs are off-leash. Again, leashes can cause tension and nervousness so I don’t want to leash her around unleashed dogs if I don’t need to. Don’t get me wrong, leash walking is very important. When my dog is on a leash she is at my side where she should be (how many people enforce that?), not pulling, and not stopping every few feet to sniff something. But I don’t want her to be tethered like a prisoner every time she’s outside. That’s a crappy life to lead. What we need are special licenses for well behaved dogs (received after going through training and passing a test) as “passes” on trails and strict, ENFORCED fines for out of control off-leash dogs. It’d be great if having a dog at all required mandatory training sessions but too many people think the government would brainwash their dog’s mind so that level of responsibility will never happen. Limiting who breeds dogs and finds homes for them would also be a huge step in the right direction, but again, the “government can’t tell me what to do!” people would have issues with that. In the meantime, rules always become more restrictive for the responsible owners simply because no one wants to actually fix the problem.
There’s only one thing worse than an uncontrolled dog out on the trail.
That’s an out of control human.
There’s a lot more of them than people seem to realize.
My dogs are there for my protection.
There is a huge increase of hikers on trails and many with dogs. (Colorado population is increasing about 100k a year) I was so appreciative of this article. For many years I let my dogs run and be ‘free’….to harass wild life and poop at will. Heck, they were an extension of my narcissism.
Then my daughter told me of seeing a dog fall on a 14er, so I started leashing and treating my dogs for their safety. Amazing how far a bit of training goes.
I adopted a dog that has some social issues. Training is part of our daily life. We are on trails every day. We step off to allow hikers, bikers and horses to pass. When I see off leash dogs I call to ‘please call your dog.’ If I am ignored I get out the spray (it’s only citronella, but they don’t know that.) Amazing how quickly the owner gets their dog.
Also don’t just say “he’s friendly”. I have been slammed in the knees many times by friendly labs. Just train your dog!!!
Yes please. In just the last year, I was bit by a dog at trailhead. My son was chased while on his mountain bike, I was taken out and injured by a dog on a trail run, and I had to rescue a woman and her dog, from an off leash dog attack. One person went to the hospital in the attack with injuries to her hand.
In my trail run, the dog had no intention of injuring me, but saw something interesting, and ran straight into my legs, mid stride. I went down hard on rocks injuring my knee.
This is all in addition to the ridiculous bags of poop all over the trails in the Denver Front Range.
Pretend other people use the trails, because they do.
#1 in a dog fight don’t hold your dog grab the other dog so your dog wins
#2. Bear spray is not just for bears
#3 it’s the dog owners fault not the dog. Spray them first.
Be prepared. But the real bottle is of bear spray.
+1 to this.
An off leash dog is just an aggressive animal and should be treated as such.
Anyway….
It takes a lot of courage to stand up to dog owners who think they can disregard the responsibility of being a member of the trail community. Thank you for sharing these guidelines which are cleverly described and leave plenty of room for trail enjoyment both on and off leash.
Thank you. I love dogs, but thank you. Thank you.
Dog owners just need to be responsible. I own two high energy hunting dogs that are not very good with other dogs. When in public, on trails, and even on sparsely populated public lands they are always leashed. Further more they are on a short leash with a training collar and are always heeled close by when others are around.
Accept the dog you have and act responsibly to ensure its and others safety.
Thank you for writing this. I appreciate it.
I agree with most of that, except for the part advising an owner to sprint toward their dog to round it up if it isn’t responding to a recall command – that’s a really good way to start a dog fight. Owner should approach calmly and in a manner unlikely to incite a response from EITHER dog. That might mean taking longer than is comfortable for either of the humans in the interaction, but it is still the smart play.
I’ve spent tons of miles on the trails with my, German shorthair pointer, over 12k miles in his lifetime. We run trails leash and off leash. We respect the trails and wishes of other hikers/runners. A common problem we run into, unfortunately, is the aggressive breeds out on the trails. Majority of the time we have an issue, trying to attack my dog or me. My dog is focused on the trail, not other dogs or people, but other people are not aware of that. So we respect that. The issue I have is that if you know your dogs aggressive, why bring out on the trail as well as off leash!?! Those dogs/owners should unfortunately find another activity somewhere else. In today’s “legal” world we live in, they are just open to a life changing lawsuit… This was a great article.
I am a member of a large Greenway that I pay a lot of money to be a member of so I can hike. I quit today even though I will lose money. Why? Because There are so many idiots out there hiking with off leash vicious dogs. The club could care less. I don’t have a dog with me, in fact I had to put her down at 17 1/2 years old. But I am just trying to hike. I’ve been pushed down bumped have had food taken out of my hand that I was eating While hiking. The sad thing is there is a dog park in this huge greenway, that’s 1000 acres just for them but they want to come over there to our side. The reason that people are doing this and not worrying about Law suits if their dog attacks or kills someone is because these people don’t have anything. They don’t have to worry about being sued because they have nothing. I have actually driven 15 miles to hike in a more affluent area and every dog there is on a leash and is well behaved. Why? Cause the owner knows they can be sued and they actually have something to lose. Wow I think I just solved my own problem. I’m moving to a nicer area!
Colorado State Parks has a rule now: on State Park trails, owner must keep on 6’ leash, but has NO obligation beyond that. Dog free to lunge at you. Also, since dogs are visitors to park to, and have equal rights to enjoyment, they are free to come up to you and smell you. So if you don’t want your crotch sniffed by a dog, don’t hike in Colorado State Parks.
I just got bit by an off leash dog. I love dogs. I was slowly riding my bike past, aware of the dog, not really thinking anything of it when the dog lunged and bit me on the leg. The two girls just stood there in shock. They tried It calling back but it wouldn’t come. It wasn’t still attacking me but it was just running around. They were profusely apologizing and not grabbing their dog. I said “don’t worry about me, I love dogs, but you need to grab his collar because there are a group of little kids not far behind me” they then ran over and grabbed his collar. It was an off leash area but here’s the thing, if you love your dog and he’s a sweet heart but pretty inconsistent with voice commands, for the dogs sake, keep him/her on a leash. He loves you and might act unpredictably and bite someone because he got startled or just to protect you. As I rode away I just kept thinking “poor dog, he is going to bite someone who won’t be as chill as me and the dog will be put down because of the owner’s irresponsibility (or maybe just inexperience, they were college aged). I was so sad. Train your dogs because you love them. If they never train well, or you don’t have time, or they are just scrappy and never get consistent with recall, keep them on a leash. They don’t know the rules but you should.
So I go hiking off leash with my dog and I find that most have the expectation that their dogs should greet any dog that passes. As a result, it’s very difficult to train my dog not to greet other dogs. I am always in training mode, but I feel like off leash trails come with the expectation that dogs will sniff each other. A 5-10 second sniff and move on. What does everyone think of this?
You have off leash trails? Really or are you just letting them off leash? Are you in a dog park?
Great article, great discussion. I could probably write entire books about how I feel about the situation. I am not a dog hater or anything. I just happen to love hiking and feel that hiking should be a path to freedom and a spiritual experience. But unfortunately mostly what hiking has become is just something that leads me to dissapointment and disgust at the sight of numerous off leash dogs every time!! at trails that are clearly marked as Leash areas. Also I am always disgusted at the colorful poop bags of course! And then there is the little detail that I have been bitten 2 times while hiking both by unleashed dogs whose owners could care less. Usually I carry spray and walking poles. But why should I have to be put in this situation?? Suppose I spray a dog and the owner is a psycho who has a gun?? By trying to protect myself I will be essentially risking my life right? Even when I go to national parks I see dogs on clearly marked trails where it is strictly forbidden to bring pets! I saw 2 yesterday at the grand canyon. I have been hiking for decades in many states and countries where 90% of the time there are laws about leashes and usually only about 30% of the owners use the leashes. Sad sad world. it seems that those of us that just want our peace in the wild can no longer have it.. The world has just become a big overcrowded selfish arrogant doggie toilet where I have to feel threatened instead of enjoying my wild places… Sad sad world..
Thank you so much for writing this. I feel just about the same way. I have walked all of my life. I grew up on an Island, and we had a trail and biking trail around the whole Island. If one of our dogs got loose we would have been cited and eventually paid a large fine. It was a pleasant growing up experience, because you knew you were safe. Rules. Fast forward to Adult hood I moved to a Southern State & there is no place to hike no bike trails no walking trails. So I joined this 2500 Acre Greenway. They have a dog park they have all sorts of places for dogs and then areas for just hikers where you can hike for miles and miles. Each Walk way was designated for hikers but some were designated for hikers and bikers. so if you stayed off of those trails you were pretty much okay. Just stuck with the hiking trails. Fast forward to this 2020 & I don’t know if it’s the pandemic or what, but now piles of people are on the hiking trails with loose dogs. I Know all about dogs, We have field trialed boykin spaniels, we have owned all sorts of dogs. My deceased husband was a trainer and I have known many trainers and the first thing that a trainer will tell you is that they have been bitten many times. It has nothing to do with being a dog whisperer. Also Dogs run in packs that’s how they evolved. Ever hear of pack mentality? Watch when there are two dogs loose running together. They are now domestic animals and have no business out scaring wildlife it’s crazy to me. Especially with a huge dog park available to them. But yet, now they are allowing people to bring dogs off leash to the hiking trails. Today I had to stop and wait a full 3 minutes for the owner to catch up with her dog that she had let run ahead of her off leash. A large Boxer, which I love dearly.. BUT don’t these fools realize that these dogs think they are protecting them. The dog stopped between me and her I had to just stop and wait on her. I have had this situation before and I finally told her “Look if you are going to let him off leash, which you aren’t supposed to do, then you need to let him get to know me” I petted him but didn’t feel much better. Here is the thing people don’t realize the reason these people have these dogs off leash is so that THEY can enjoy a fun hike without having to worry about other people. It’s their protection. What happens when they decide a toddler is a threat? And it happens. I carried mace for a While but it’s real liberal where I live I think it would be an issue. my guess is eventually something will happen someone will get hurt or killed and they will do something about it. So for now I will have to go to a paved commercialized crowded place that is actually for walking but they have strict leash laws and someone that rides up and down the trail making sure there are no loose dogs. But it’s very crowded and commercial. You are right it is very sad. I can’t believe it’s happening either. Back in the 90’s if you had a lose dog they would come and get you and the dog off of the trail and cite you anywhere in this country especially if there were signs. So sad. Thanks for letting me unload. I’m just depressed I didn’t get to finish my hike.
I’m sorry, I am just not following all the hysteria. I and my wife are avid hikers, and I am an avid mountain biker. I’m pretty sure I can match my trail mileage with most folks on this post. Any time I have come across an unleashed dog on a trail, I try to call it to me (sorry, I like animals). About half the time, I can get them to come to me. The other half, they shy away, distrustful. Yes, you heard that right, I ENJOY running into unleashed dogs on the trail. I have never had one attack, or even take a nip at me. I realize this may mean I have been very lucky, but, I find some of the stories here to be statistically questionable. How can I, having hiked and biked much of the US, as well as several foreign countries, never had this experience, while so many here seem to have it once, or more, a month? Based on my above stated habits, I would consider it fair and acceptable, to be bitten at least once every 18 months or so; but I am near 60, and it hasn’t happened at all?! On a separate note, I have encountered hundreds of “aggressive” dogs. However, almost all of these are restrained. Leashed, chained, or fenced. In my experience, once the leash, chain, or fence is removed, they seem to quickly lose their “aggression”. Not sure why, but it appears they no longer are being asked to protect something? Two leashed dogs meet on a trail=fireworks. Same two dogs released in an open field or woods, they meet, snap at each other once or twice, then both start looking around for something to sniff. Dog parks can sometimes have the same result, but they are usually too small and contained to completely rule out the “fenced animal” instincts. The most frequent accident I have seen on hiking trails, with dogs, are when an owner falls, and hurts themselves, while trying to traverse a trail feature while still holding a leash. There are certain terrain features that just should not be attempted while being tethered to another being. The second most frequent accidents are when someone falls down or gets hurt trying to prevent two leashed dogs from snapping at each other. The only “incidents” I have seen, involving an unleashed dog, is when I’ve seen some unleashed human find and berate the owner of an unleashed dog. (I’ve noticed this anger, from either sex, is far more often levelled at women than men. hmmmm.) In summary, I am NOT saying everyone should unleash all their dogs (although I do not think this would result in the Armageddon that folks imagine) I am simply saying that, in my humble experience: 1. Statistically, in hiking trail scenarios, (i.e., not top secret gov facilities or junk yards) leashed dogs are actually more dangerous than unleashed ones. 2. Rabid leash law supporters cause more trail incidents than the dogs they are complaining about. 3. Good news! I mostly don’t see ANY of the above problems, because far and away, my experiences on the trails are that the leashed, and the unleashed, mostly respect each other, and are very nice to each other. It is a very rare day that I see any animosity from anyone on the trails. I hope it stays this way. I would sure hate to see a world where pets are all successfully caged, leashed, and fenced; and I have little chance of ever running into a pooch, except in a “designated area”.
This is pretty good article but it does leave out some things.
As for “Danny” you obviously don’t have the trail milage that you think you do. I’ve been harassed by dogs for years on trails. I’ve been a ranger at various National Forests all over the country and an avid hiker for years. I am so tired of entitled people letting their dogs run the trails uncontrolled. I don’t get up in your face shouting when I see you on the trail, so why should I let your dog close to me, lunging and barking?
I’ve tolerated it for years, but now that I have a young child I am done. I bring pepper spray, specifically for dogs. I’ve lived and hiked in Montana bear country, for years, and have never worried about bears as much as I do someone’s untrained dog. Today someone’s dog harassed me and my child on the trail for about 5 minutes before the owner even showed up, and then she acted put out because I told her to leash her dog, which was viciously barking at my kid.
I’ve had dogs, so I know what it takes to have a good trail dog, and that is actually caring about someone other than yourself.
Bravo! This article says exactly what I feel. I love dogs and have no issue with unleashed dogs, IF the owners have actual control over them. If you can’t control your dog, do yourself and everyone else on the trail a favor and keep them leashed! If you do hike with an unleashed dog, then please, at the very least be able and willing to leash them when necessary. It’s just common courtesy. Not every other person/dog/biker/horse wants to be approached. Side note: the trail is not the place for off-leash training!
Just this morning my hike was ruined by two young, untrained, reckless German Shepherds and two owners that did little more than yell at their dogs while my dog and I were circled. In the heat of the moment, fending off two big dogs was terrifying. I was just glad my small child wasn’t there too! When the dust settled, I advocated for my safety and politely said that the dogs needed to be on a leash. One owner stayed silent while the other told me to shut up and mind my own business. What?!? It became my business when I was forced to protect myself and my dog when ambushed. I don’t understand how someone can refuse any responsibility like that. She didn’t even ask if we were okay.
While most off-leash encounters are fine, I’ve had a handful of bad experiences with loose dogs. One especially bad experience ended with getting thrown off my horse and an ambulance ride to the ER.
Leash laws are there to protect dogs and people. If you want your dog to run free, please train them AND be aware of your surroundings on the trail. Above all, be considerate to others. Fido’s spirit won’t be crushed if he has to be leashed from time to time.