Hiking with Dogs

 First, I don’t have a dog that hikes with me for she is getting up there in age and I know she wouldn’t handle the trails. But, I have walk a trail with another hiker’s dog and he was a boxer and was very friendly and listen pretty well and stayed with us pretty decent. But, I have seen other people ,who have let their dogs run loose and it can be quite frighting to have a strange dog,just come right up to you and jump on you. I wouldn’t mind if the dogs owner was right there and in full control.

 I have seen dogs run wildlife. Its not only makes the wildlife skittish but it can do the animals harm or death,if the animals were force to flee for any distances. I like to be able to see wildlife in their natural habitat and hearing dog barks just dosen’t seem natural in the woods.

 I am not condoning dogs on the trails,but I just wish the owners take a little responsibility in controlling their dogs by leashing them or have the dogs come and sit by the owner,until it is safe to pass by and if the owner don’t mind then you can pet the dog. I have been chased by dogs on the trails and felt a little apprehensive in what to do.lucky for me,I have yelled at the dogs and they either run away or stayed a safe distance until i passed the owners or the dog has lost interests.

 I have seen dogs chased deer on my farm and the deer were so exhausted and paniced so much that they done things like running into barb fences and running into cars just to get away and have been killed or injuried. I really can’t blame the dogs,just the owners in not controlling the dogs and teaching the dogs what is right or wrong.

 So, If I ever walk a trail with any dogs. I hoped that I can enjoy seeing the scenery without hearing and seeing the dogs doing things that would ruin a good day. I hope that the owners would ask first to see if it ok to have a dog with the hike.