What are the unwritten rules about dogs in campsites?

Do people let their dogs run off leash in campsites? On BLM land?

The reason I ask is because I have a small dog but I'm really nervous about camping with other people, because I'm terrified about dog fights. 

My last dog got attacked by another dog and the other dog punctured my dog's eyeball and ripped his ear. Ever since then, I've been terrified to let my dog get near other dogs. 

I know I have to get over this fear, but I don't know how I'm going to get over this fear if other people let their dogs run loose, off leash.

I think I might have to camp away from all other people, because I'm just too terrified about other dogs attacking my dog.

Follow the laws and regulations of where you are camping.

Every established campsite I’ve seen requires dogs to be leashed.

If I am off by myself somewhere and not worried about 4 legged predators, I will let my dog have a run off leash.

My dog was attacked by a pit mix about two years ago, and I immediately tell others who want to let their dog come close that she is afraid of other dogs, will show her big teeth and snap at them.

That has always worked so far.

I have been with groups in remote areas where there are multiple dogs running loose, and always the dog pack hierarchy behaviors come into play.

Some owners understand this, others don’t, but it always occurs, in my experience.

If you are in a group, will need to work out what to do with the dogs each time.

In my experience.

dogs are a pain in the ass.
you got good people who leash and are smart and don't come up to you with a monster big dog to your little dog and say, oh he is safe and then that big dog thinks your little dog is a freakin' stuffed plush play toy and mouths it and shakes it, ugh

little dog. got one. I am you. So close to so many attacks and I saved him each time.

I am ever vigilant walking him. have to be.

I just go wtih the flow and hope. BLM and off leash, don't know.

it is what small dog owners have to deal with for sure.

Unless you are truly off and on their own NO DARN dog should be off leash.

Rare ya get the dog that is super perfect. They are instinctual and all that.

hell a little dog damn near ate my my little dog.....big or small they are all a PIA when we got to protect them against other dogs....just a simple of fact when out and about in life truly. I have to deal with it and you will be ok as long as you just see signs and keep your eyes open. What I do and still haven't killed the little thing just yet out there in the big bad world LOL

I feel your situation and that horror your dog when attacked happened is awful. I do get it!

Unwritten rule? Well I'll write it down right here:

Pepper spray works. Carry one.

Giggles said:

Do people let their dogs run off leash in campsites? On BLM land?
 . . .

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Each NP, NF, BLM district has their own rules so you need to check with the controlling authority.  But generalized:

National Parks:
Very restrictive.  Dogs must be on a <6 foot leash at all times outside.  Dogs only allowed in your campsite, on paved roads and parking lots, and some paved trails.

National Forests:
Dogs must be on a <6 foot leash in all developed campsites and on all trails.  Dog must be under your control at all times.

BLM:
Same as NF.

Wildlife Refuge:
Dogs must be leashed at all times.

States, Counties, and cities all have their own leash laws.

My beagle is leashed all the time.  If another dog comes up to it I watch my dogs body language.  If my dog is fearful the other dog better leave.  I carry bear spray.

There are no rules written or unwritten that can protect your dog from harm. Your dog's safety is your sole resonsibility, it is not up to anyone else. Other dogs and wildlife do not know how to read, they just follow instinct and inclination. Lots of people don't follow rules and you can't control their behavior or their dogs behavior.

You are the only person who can keep your dog safe so train yourself to do so. You dont need us to tell you how to keep your dog safe. The only lesson you need is a reminder that it is up to you to keep your dog completely under your ccntol at all times so that you can instantly scoop it up into your arms. It might sound harsh and it is not the answer you would hope to hear but that is the only possible as well as practical solution for a tiny, vulnerable animal in the wild or in a city.

The rules and laws are written and in place for a reason. They are there to protect everyone and their pets. People who don't abide by the rules and laws don't really consider the problems they create and need to be reported and their pets placed with people that care enough about them to insure the pets and peoples safety. One of the reasons I don't have pets anymore is I don't want the responsibilities that go along with them or the emotional pain of seeing them suffer because I can not deal with my responsibilities any more as I age. A lot of people have pets that shouldn't, sad but true.

No one has mentioned it, but how about the common courtesy of limiting one's dog's barking sessions? I can put up with it for so long and then I say something. And don't give me that BS "Oh is he bothering you? I don't even hear the barking anymore". HA!

It's like letting your car alarm run on and on to me.

No one has mentioned the poop issue either.

Guy

Pile on!

We would not go anywhere with out our doggy. But he is not a little thing that is going to get easily eaten up by another dog. He is well over 100#s and he is very much ALWAYS on his cable or leash. We have to really watch him as he is overly protective when we are out and about. I am thinking about a muzzle if I can't control him, we also always have pepper spray in our pockets and he has gotten away from me once. It happens even with the best of us.

Last year we were out for a walk and a lady with her dog jogging rounded a corner and surprised us. He decided she was a danger and ripped the leash out of my hand and lounged at her dog. We got him back before he made contact and her dog got in front of her and was ready to defend her. But that was the thing that has me thinking muzzle. I don't know if he would have done harm or just pushed the somewhat smaller dog around (his usual action). Very early the next morning a neighboring dog decided to try and steel our friends boots from outside his tent and he very quietly ran the visiting dog off. He wasn't playing then either. It wasn't his or my "fault" if the last dog had gotten bit, it was off leash and in our camp, mine was on a cable and that saved the other dog. At the same camp ground we had a very large Rotty dog show up at dinner time and ours had been put in the van so we could have a party type dinner. Had ours been out I don't know if he and the Rotty would have had a real fight or not. I can't imagine that would have been very good. Maybe the Rotty would not have come into the camp and tried to beg/steal our dinner away. I don't want him attacking with out a real reason. The problem is him knowing when and how much to be aggressive, and what is a real danger. That has been the only camp so far we've had strange dogs come into our camp, usually they are kept under control by their owners. But it only takes once and I am sure other dog owners have more stories like your little dogs to tell. Even here in our S&B home this is a reality of dog ownership.

I guess the only thing I can say is, learn to read your dog and keep pepper spray handy. Training training training - helps if you can get your dog to come the minute you call, he will be somewhat safer.

We've learned to be vigilant, not to just protect him, but to protect other dogs and things too. An on going thing for all dog owners. Out and about and in a S&B home.

I hope you can find a way to relearn to relax a bit with your dog again. The good parts of a dog companion usually far out weighs to bad, pain in the A@# parts.

I deleted a few posts because of bickering.
This is one of the subjects that almost always leads to arguments. Please answer the OPs question without attacking other posters for any reason.

To answer Giggles question: I don't think I've ever camped with a group where all of the dogs were leased all of the time. That being said I've only seen a few dog fights and only one where a dog was injured.

I don't think this forum should give the impression that illegal acts should be encouraged. The laws and rules are usually posted but as a pet owner it is your responsibility to be aware of and follow them and those that do not should be made aware. Unfortunately many members here do not, which is one of the reasons I avoid group gatherings in many cases as I wish to avoid piles of poop, having property damaged or carried off, unwanted interaction with other peoples unrestrained pets and animals injuring each other due to uncaring owners and poorly trained pets. I for one wish there was better enforcement of the rules and laws in these areas for the benefit of the animals and the people sharing these public lands. Be aware we share these areas with wildlife and they can be a hazard as well as every year many pets turn up missing if allowed to wander. A few years back I rescued two dogs trying to stay a float in the middle of the main channel of Lake Powell with no other boats in sight seems they had fallen/jumped off a house boat without the owners being aware when we were able to contact them several days later. They were great dogs that deserved much better owners. I was almost pulled over board by them getting them in the boat. Please don't own a pet if you are not going to be a responsible owner for everyone's sake.

I would never allow a bigger dog to attack my family member.

If you even think there are other, bigger dogs in the vicinity the safer bet is to keep your little one safely inside.
To me, my pets are the same as human children....only better  :thumbsup:

Some Dogs will attack smaller dogs, bigger dogs, cats, children and even you.
A large portion of these attacks come from specific breeds so be especially wary of them.

Small dogs should NEVER ...EVER be 'Let out to potty" or roam alone.
There are equally bad humans who will take them and do unspeakable things to them.

Having worked decades in animal rescue, I could tell you things that change you forever....but I won't, here.

think about basic human nature. Very few dog owners establish themselves as pack leader/alpha. They have very little control over their animals. Just watch owners walk their dogs and you'll see the truth. So what to do? First establish yourself as alpha so your dog immediately listens to your commands. Then define a defensive strategy. Assume there's always one who will do what they want despite any rules (think of pandemic masks) i.e. you and your dog are always in danger. Stuff will happen fast and without warning. Commit emotionally to a defense strategy that will ameliorate damage in the event of an attack, e.g. pepper spray, bat, etc. and act on it.

Spaceman Spiff said:

Each NP, NF, BLM district has their own rules so you need to check with the controlling authority.  But generalized:

National Parks:
Very restrictive.  Dogs must be on a <6 foot leash at all times outside.  Dogs only allowed in your campsite, on paved roads and parking lots, and some paved trails.

National Forests:
Dogs must be on a <6 foot leash in all developed campsites and on all trails.  Dog must be under your control at all times.

BLM:
Same as NF.

Wildlife Refuge:
Dogs must be leashed at all times.

States, Counties, and cities all have their own leash laws.

My beagle is leashed all the time.  If another dog comes up to it I watch my dogs body language.  If my dog is fearful the other dog better leave.  I carry bear spray.

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And you must pick up your dog's droppings and dispose of them in the nearby dumpster. If you are on a trail or otherwise remote, pack in pack out and leave no trace applies.
-crofter

maki2 said:

your ccntol at all times so that you can instantly scoop it up into your arms. 

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and that is exactly what I do to save mine, had to do it a few times.   I can scoop mine up so fast it makes his head spin HAHA but hey it truly is the only way cause a small dog can't ever win with a big one   you made a great point truly about small dogs.

maki2 said:

There are no rules written or unwritten  that can protect your dog from harm. Your dog's safety is your sole resonsibility, it is not up to anyone else. Other dogs and wildlife do not know how to read, they just follow instinct and inclination. Lots of people don't follow rules and you can't control their behavior or their dogs behavior. 

You are the only person who can keep your dog safe so train yourself to do so. You dont need us to tell you how to keep your dog safe. The only lesson you need is a reminder that it is up to you to keep your dog completely under your ccntol at all times so that you can instantly scoop it up into your arms. It might sound harsh and it is not the answer you would hope to hear  but that is the only possible as well as practical solution for a tiny, vulnerable animal in the wild or in a city.

Click to expand...

I am very protective of my dog. At all times. I'm only asking this question because I've never done the van camping thing before. You don't have to jump my ass.

Thanks everyone, except for those people who accuse me of not being a good dog parent.

If you had any idea how protective I am of my dog, you would be astounded.

Some national forests dont mandate a leash if the dog can be controlled with voice commands?

^^^I wonder if that works for bears, wolves and mountain lions while you pet is fighting for it's life not to become a meal? That would be one really well trained pet! LOL!!! Bad Bear! As the owner grabs up their pet to protect it! I'm sorry my imagination is just running wild. LOL!!!