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Walking Hiking and Rambling with Dogs Part 1
Doesn't a lead keep the dog safe?
Yesterday me and the dog had a excellent 4hr dash up Helvellyn, but we started the day on a downer.
On leaving the car park at Wythburn we came across a poster asking had anyone seen this lovely collie lost on the 10th of Sept around 2:00pm around Striding Edge.
Well this is were the whole thing about dogs on leads should start.
If you love your dog so much you go to this much trouble to find it .I think it should be on a lead to start with people should keep control of there dogs on high fells, not only for the safety of sheep and wild life.
Yesterday I walked on Helvellyn and some pratt was throwing stones for his poodle. Later we caught up to this idiot and he was about 300ft down from the path trying to get his ball of fluff back up to the rest of his 15 mates.
I walk a German Shepherd on a regular basis in the lakes, or depending on the risk involved I take a Schnauzer. Either way I first walk the route I want to take so I know which dog to take if any.
I always keep my dog on a lead not just for the dogs safety, but others safety to. If I fall trying to rescue my dog, I put mountain rescue at risk trying to rescue me.
Thanks for letting me winge, say hello to me and the German Shepherd any time you see me, neither of us bite [much].
Yours Rick
When wandering off into the mountains, top of my things to take list is not map, compass or boots, it is my faithful walking companion Elle, my Cairn Terrier.
When the going start to get tough, and the old legs start to burn, Elle will look down at me (She is always at the front) and spur me on to the top.
I don't think walking would be such a joy for me, if it wasn't for this little dog.
So to all the people who think dogs should be permanently on leads, spare a thought for the people who take great pleasure in taking their favourite walking partner (and sometimes only walking partner) into wild open spaces that they can roam lead free, without fear of being run over.
Regards
Rob Meadows
Perhaps hiking poles can double up as a form of self defence against aggressive dogs and thoughtless owners?
We went on a guided walk on dartmoor and giggled and asked the usual question - "Where's your skis then?" at a couple who struggled with their walking poles.
I thought they looked cumbersome and useless until being frightened by an aggressive dog while out walking one day. It growled and grumbled at us and we stood still quivering until the owner caught up with it and said the immortal words "He wont hurt you his barks worst than his bite!!"
A week later on the same walk we met the same dog and owner - and suffered the same indignity with little apology.
Next time we will be armed to the teeth with poles and intend to use them in self defence.
Sheri Ahmet, Bridport
What about the dog . . .?
I would just like to say that what bugs me is how dog unfriendly UK footpaths are. Lots of them are totally wired up so that dogs cannot get through at all.
The vast majority of people who walk in the countryside, with or without dogs are by nature decent, responsible people. I think they can be trusted to get there dogs through openings without letting out a whole flock sheep.
The best kind of openings for dogs are the lift up type that automatically drop down into place again once the dogs have gone through, although they need to be big enough for all types pf dogs, not just terriers.
This country is becoming very anti-dog and anti-everything countryside, a wishy washy nanny state, where you need permission to blow your nose.
Why not let people roam about in the countryside?
Why not let dogs have a good run around off the lead?
As I have said the type of people that want to do this aren't, exactly lager louts. Most people who go walking have dogs, don't councils realise this basic fact?
My other grievance is with farmers and other land owners, who take it upon themselves to take down footpath signs and plough up footpaths. Some even completely bar the way through. How dare they!
They should be prosecuted for doing so, they have no right whatsoever to do such things. They have not got the exclusive right to enjoy the countryside, it is everyone's right to get away from it all, to get a bit of peace and solitude.
Local councils are also at fault. Footpaths are no where near clearly enough marked out. How often do you try to follow a footpath and before long have no idea in which direction to go in to continue. You end up wandering about all over the place trying to find your way, then probably get accused of trespassing!
Louise Burton
I Love Dogs but . . .
I have to disagree with you there mate (see 'That Idiot' below). Fair enough I don't like keeping a dog on a lead either but if for any reason a dog starts to bother someone whether encouraged or not it should be 'reeled in' quickstyle as much for the dogs sake as for any other reasons. You don't want the dog to get used to haranguing people.
It doesn't sound from the story that the guy was hassling the dog, but maybe you are the dog owner in question and know otherwise?
I generally get on well with dogs but on a trip a few year ago (West Highland Way) while walking up the Devils Staircase a couple of guys were working repairing the path. One of them had a horse disguised as an Alsatian and as soon as I got within 20 feet it just looked up, saw us coming and started running and barking at us.
We both knew dogs and held our ground and it soon backed down but the owner barely batted an eyelid and returned to his work.
My point would be that as much as I love dogs and as much as I like to see them out in the countryside enjoying themselves, dogs and their owners who can't/won't control them threaten their own right to take dogs into the countryside. Some people don't like dogs and the owner of even a playful dog that jumps on or barks at someone who doesn't like dogs or is scared of them for whatever reasons could be at best re-enforcing this persons fear, at worst, subject to legal implications
So all dog owners should be especially wary when taking the dog 4awalk in the countryside.
George Forbes, Falkirk
I read the comments made by that idiot on Winter Hill (Dogged on Winter Hill).
He was clearly provoking the dog - why else would it bark like that?
Besides Winter Hill is open land and I am perfectly entitled to let my dog off the lead if I choose.
If Mr Patrick doesn't want to 'share the countryside' with dogs perhaps he should choose to walk in his local park and leave the open countryside to us true countryside lovers!
John Holter, Ramsbottom, Lancashire
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