About your dog.

[Meadows]

I want to add that I for one, really love the dogs at the crag except when they fight or bark or nearly trip me. I just see JH's side of the story.

[JB]

I wrote:

If I were a dog, I would bite the shit out of JH.

Then J.H. wrote:

TheMayor, eat me.

That was the whole point...

[Rain Man]

What I find interesting is how strongly people have and continue to react to J.H.'s remarks. Most people on this list already know J.H. deliberately makes inflamatory comments when voicing his thoughts, much like some others (Ho), yet he is the only one being lambasted (yes, I know, Ho jokes a lot and usually toward people he knows very well, but the intent is the same and nobody wants him to stop talking). Rather than recognizing there is a continuing problem with dogs not being controlled by their masters (yes, that's what the relationship is...pack mentality and the owner is the "alpha male" of the pack, not one of "equal ground"), some choose to focus on the delivery of the message, not the message itself. Would J.H. actually kill someone's dog if it bit him on the trail in a semi-controlled environment? Probably not. Kick the dog in the face? Sure. Kill it? Doubtful.

Now, in Tradwanker's situation, with no owner in sight, pulling out a hunting knife and eviscerating one, or both dogs on the spot WOULD be justified, because I am sure he was gravely concerned for his safety. Being attacked by a dog, especially a large one, can be a scary experience; it's not like you can reason with a dog.

I love animals; aviary, canine, feline, equine, bovine, lizard, snake, ferret, arachnid, marsupial, whatever. However, I wouldn't think twice about causing severe injury to any creature, human or otherwise, that attacked me without provocation (and no, just walking PAST a man or animal is NOT provocation).

Everyone knows this issue is not just about being snapped at by a dog, it's also about dogs that beg for food from strangers (because how's a stranger supposed to know if the dog will react calmly to being pushed away), or play at the base of a climb, or bark/whine for their owners, or pee on gear they shouldn't even be around. A domesticated dog is just that, domesticated and people should not have to treat the animal with special caution or otherwise be concerned that it MIGHT attack.

There you go, J.H., I'll redirect some of the flack my way.

Oh, and one more thing. I also find it interesting that people will change their behavior regarding their actions, or how they handle their dog if a FRIEND notes a problem, but not a stranger, even though the suggestions might be the same tone, words and ideas. Advice from friends, offense from strangers? Hmm

[Rain Man]

And just so it doesn't seem like I'm picking on dog owners, J.H., you can be just as distracting and even louder than a barking dog sometimes when you're screaming like a little girl mid-climb.

[Jeff]

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: As God as my witness; The next dog that bites me, I will kill. I will kill it in front of you with my axe or machete. After that I will whip your ass. Then I will take its head to the health department and have it tested. No shit. I will hurt you, and kill it.

To prevent your dog from dying in front of you.(1) If it bites, warn me beforehand and it will be spared. Because I will not atempt to walk by it.(2) Keep your vicious dog on a leash away from the most obvious path.(3) The next time someone stashes their dog from the casual observer under a table, log, tree or in some other way sets the dog up to ambush targets of opertunity. The dog will die and you will get a double ass whipping.

This is your first, last and only warning: I will kill your dog and man or woman, I will whip your ass,

I do not take this kind of thing lightly, and I doubt any dog owner would.

[Spragwa]

Thing is, even dog owners agree that dogs need a lot of supervision and contro. They are not to be given their head and allowed to make decisions. When I am confronted I respond. Granted, Rain Man, I ignore you when you bitch about my dog but that's just b/c it's you.

[overhung]

I wonder what the RRGCC stance on this issue will be as it pertains to the Murray Purchase? Dogs? No Dogs?

[Rain Man]

Granted, Rain Man, I ignore you when you bitch about my dog but that's just b/c it's you.

Yeah, I know. I'm not really high on your "Favorite People" list.

I've always liked Dakota, she's a very happy, friendly and playful dog. But, as you stated, even friendly dogs need to be controlled.

[StephyG]

Dakota is easy to control. . . Just give her a shove with your foot. It shows her you are dominant and she will immediately gain respect for you. Next time your around her Rain Man give it a try.


I do it all the time and she loves me!

[Rain Man]

Personally, I always got a kick out of blocking the trail while walking so Dakota couldn't rush past.