Endurance.Net Ridecamp Archives

This is actually Jennifer, not David, so please don't crucify him for my
opinions.

We have 4 dogs, only one of which we bring to rides.  She is extremely well
behaved (unlike the other 3), and rarely goes more than a few feet from me.
If I ask her to stay with me, she does.  The point is, a leash is
unnecessary for this particular dog since she minds incredibly well.  I
think instead of a leash requirement, a better requirement would be that dog
owners would have to keep their dogs UNDER CONTROL at all times.  Granted,
for 98% of dogs this means being leashed, but there are a few dogs that just
don't require this. 

Forbidding the dogs in particular areas at certain times, such as during
meetings is understandable, but I think that as long as the dog is not
bothering other people or dogs, a leash is not always necessary.  My dog
hates being leashed or tied - she thinks she's being punished, so I don't
like to tie her unless it's absolutely necessary (like when we leave on the
ride!).  

Now for the other part - she does get very, very upset when we leave her to
ride and will bark and howl.  I'm not in a position to say whether or not
this goes on all day (since my leaving is what triggers this outpouring of
misery), but I can only hope it doesn't.  I apologize to anyone that this
annoys, but I can't see shocking a dog for this.  If she were barking for no
reason all night long, my feelings would be different (especially since she
sleeps in the trailer with me and I would be kept awake too), and
appropriate steps would be taken (such as leaving her at home because then
she would not be what I consider well-behaved).  We've tried leaving her in
the living quarters of our trailer during the ride, but she freaks out so
badly and tries to get out to go with us that she's ruined 2 window screens.
She's fine if we're just going to the meeting, but if she sees us on the
horses she's determined to follow.  In her little doggie mind, she figures
that she goes on all my training rides, why is this one different?  I think
it's no worse than a horse screaming it's head off because it's buddy just
left on the 100.  It's actually easier to deal with, since the dog can be
comforted and she'll shut up, but I've never seen anyone whose been able to
comfort and shut up their screaming horse.  

In a nutshell, if you're going to bring your dog, you are responsible for it
and what it does.  If the dog is a problem and/or you are not willing to be
responsible for it's actions, leave it at home.  A well-behaved owner is a
joy to have around, a badly-behaved owner is a nightmare!! :)


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