[MR] Dogs at events

[Lady Rhiannon of Berra]

I think there are more problems with dogs at events than people
realize, the autocrats are just too nice to say anything.

I have been to events and seen dogs in crates beside the list field
barking their fool heads off while their owner/caretaker/etc was no
where to be found.  The people nearby can't carry on conversations and
you can't hear anything over the din of the doggie barking.

I have had to sidestep "road apples" quite a few times.

I have brought my dogs to events.  I stopped bringing one because
she's not all that into children (she's never bitten anyone, and I
don't want there to be a first time); but there are children who don't
know how to approach a strange dog so they see a little dog and think
"puppy" and start screaming and running towards her, which scares the
you know what out of her (she's only 13 pounds).  Then the game of
scream and run away starts and she just sits there completely
confused.  The other one barks at everything and everyone (he's not
high strung, he just wants to play and strange noises tend to make him
bark an alarm (imagine 3AM and my tent is near the porta potty...every
slam of the door set him off like a siren).  He was at the kennels by
4AM when we realized that it was no fun for us, him or those around
us.

People try to be gracious and courteous at events; so they're not
going to tell you you or your dog is a nuisance or disturbing others.
As a dog person it's your responsibility to make sure the dog isn't
creating a "hostile" environment and that includes steering clear of
those who aren't animal people; not letting them jump on people and
keeping them away from danger.

On the flip side, it's up to others to ASK before they approach your
dog for ANY reason.  Unless you live with that animal, it may be
skittish in a different surrounding and not be its normally happy
self.    Children should be taught not to approach strange dogs
without asking the owner first.  When asked if either of my dogs bite,
the only honest answer I can give is "they never have, that doesn't
mean they never will".

Different circumstances bring out different behaviors in animals and people.

-- 
Gina MacNeill
AKA Lady Rhiannon of Berra, CP

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