To the mountains with a dog?!
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| Guest28. 07. 2007 21:27:29 |
A few days ago, my boyfriend and I decided to go to the mountains today, specifically on a not too difficult path - from Blato hut to the hut at Triglav Lakes, since it was our first time. We also took our doggy - a German boxer. I was a bit on pins and needles because I wasn't convinced how she would behave on the mountain path with a dog, but when I saw that some others also had friendly dogs with them, I relaxed. However only for a short time, as then on the path we got some criticism about the dog several times - unnecessarily in my opinion, since the doggy is friendly, obedient and we always tied her when we met someone. So, at least in my opinion, she didn't threaten anyone. Yet, after criticisms that the dog should have a muzzle, shouldn't be off-leash, shouldn't bathe in the lake at the hut, but can drink from it if thirsty - I think the dog isn't a gazelle to just dip its head in water but will go all in if it's hot. I wouldn't say there were people bathing up there; we retreated to a secluded spot and no one was bathing in the lake! After all these criticisms I must say I felt uncomfortable and couldn't fully enjoy the beauty of the mountains.
I'm just wondering how someone who goes to the mountains can take the right to lecture me about the dog? We met horses and cows on the path too, why are they allowed there???? I believe many animals live in the mountains that can move freely too. Why are mountains something special, different from any other hill or forest where people can walk undisturbed with their dogs????
Best regards, Tijana
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| Damijan29. 07. 2007 08:16:13 |
Tijana, in my opinion it's very interesting to see a dog in the mountains, especially at higher elevations. But do you know what the small problem at the Triglav Lakes was? Triglav Lakes are protected, because they are in Triglav National Park, so basically you shouldn't swim in them, of course there are people who do it, but as a rule, no. Otherwise just take the dog with you more often
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| Guest29. 07. 2007 09:08:40 |
Tijana, read the rules of TNP!
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| Guest29. 07. 2007 10:58:58 |
I've met many hikers with their dog friends in the hills, and I've never had bad experiences at meetings or heard any unfriendly comments from others. Maybe you had bad luck that day and ran into hikers allergic to animals?
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| Guest29. 07. 2007 11:55:48 |
Well, the matter can be seen in two ways. First: The law clearly states that all dogs on public areas must be on a leash. Hills are also public space, right? True, many (most?) dog owners don't follow this, because no one has been found to control and punish it yet (except in cities, if you happen to run into a policeman).
Second: Owners probably take the dog into nature for other reasons also so that it can run around a bit "zlaufal" where there's no danger of someone running it over or something similar. That's probably understandable too.
My personal view: Let the friendly, non-aggressive dog be free, if it's well trained to obey the owner in every case and if it's not a breed that makes most people's hair stand on end upon meeting. But there's more: unfortunately I've experienced and heard several times that a dog got lost in the mountains - in the mid-mountain area it spots some animal, chases after it and forgets everything, owners don't notice right away that it's gone, as such a dog usually runs around everywhere, even quite far ahead of them and returns occasionally - then one time it's just not back.
Swimming in mountain lakes - you know what, if people can't, why should dogs have more rights?
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| Guest29. 07. 2007 13:23:48 |
Many thanks to everyone for the interesting answers.
Anyway, I have to admit that I didn't know about the ban on swimming in mountain lakes, because I read on quite a few internet pages that people do swim there if the water is warm enough - but now I've learned something new! Also I have to say that we consistently followed all TNP rules except that the little dog wasn't always on the leash. But we kept her always in sight and didn't let her get out of view, because I consider that some people are afraid of dogs and it doesn't matter to them if they meet some dog, whether big or small! Otherwise our little dog is so obedient that she comes right away if I call her, because she's trained.
Why did we take the dog with us? Because if we go on any excursion where she can run free too, we take her along and then she's the happiest - happier than if she stayed home alone. Otherwise we live in a socialized environment, where there are many areas and places where our little dog moves freely, without being tied, and we tie her only if we meet someone. I realize that we don't follow the law in this, because if we strictly followed the law then all dogs would be crazy or better to erase them from the face of the earth, because I don't know which surface in this world is not public except those few m2 around the house???? And where could dogs then exercise at all??
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| Guest29. 07. 2007 22:12:55 |
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| Guest30. 07. 2007 09:09:34 |
Recently a friendly dog, who does absolutely nothing and is fine at home in a socialized environment, without a leash severely bit a small child. Who is guilty? The dog? Certainly not. The owner, who thinks his dog friend is everything. I think there are more crazy dog owners than there would be dogs if owners treated them as befits an animal. A dog belongs on a leash. If people are not in danger, it can chase animals. Animal instinct. We must consider that some people are very afraid of dogs, some don't like them, others are allergic to them. Every owner has a dog for himself, so let him not burden other people with it. I also have had a dog for a few years. I don't take it to the mountains; it waits at home in the shade with plenty of water. When I come home, I always (even late at night) go on a long walk with it. Believe me, we are both satisfied.
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| Guest30. 07. 2007 10:06:11 |
Hi. I also have a dog that regularly accompanies me both in the mid-mountains and in the high mountains. Depending on the target choice, I decide whether to take the dog with me or leave it at home. Don't worry about people's remarks on how you can take a dog to the mountains, because you know best yourself what the dog can handle. I went with mine via Komarča to the Triglav Lakes and the dog also bathed in the Black Lake. Well, although I know that dogs in TNP must be on leashes and must not swim in the lake, I still allowed him to refresh a bit. Because on the other side of the lake other hikers were also soaking their feet.
The only thing I recommend from my own experience is to always take a lot of water for the little dog and
to leave her at home in severe heat. Otherwise, as much high mountains as possible for both you and her.
Best regards
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| Guest30. 07. 2007 12:54:20 |
Oh my god, and now no peace from dogs even in the mountains???? postman.
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| Guest30. 07. 2007 14:18:56 |
Not only dogs, wild game also has the right to live in the mountains, or rather it's their only "home".
Experience from two weeks ago: towards Prehodavci two foreigners with three dogs overtook me. They didn't want anything from me, but somewhere in the rocks a chamois sensed them and immediately started whistling to alert its herd... I think that says it all. Good luck!
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| Guest2. 08. 2007 20:37:04 |
We just returned from Julijce. I have nothing against dogs, we have one too, and we always have trouble where to leave it when we're in the mountains and we do that often. Our dog isn't used to mountains, because he's more content with the armchair. Anyway, the dog is in care and every time I see a dog in the mountains I feel a bit sorry that ours isn't with us. But now I had 14 days with a somewhat closer look at dogs and their owners. Today a golden retriever was happily running around Bohinj Lake, and the older couple couldn't control it. The dog was jumping in the water, among people, on the beach; all that happened 5 meters from the sign prohibiting dogs in the water!! We also had trouble with a dog of Ljubljana origin around Blejska koča. It was charging at hikers and livestock. The owner pretended not to know. At Viševnik, the dog with a chain got tangled under my feet. Again the owner apologized that it never does that at home. IN SHORT dogs aren't guilty but owners. Keep dogs AT HOME IN THE SHADE, OR PROVIDE SAFETY FOR OTHER PEOPLE TOO NOT JUST THE DOG. Ah and take care of poop too. PLEASE!
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 01:08:28 |
Hi, Tijana.
I believe those "mountaineers" managed to spoil your otherwise wonderful tour, it happens to me sometimes too, but I agree with those who think that the dog's behavior largely depends on the owner. I also have a doggy (also a German boxer, in the mountains she's off-leash, but must walk next to me (or if alone right behind me, because she likes to go ahead, if in company then in between, in front of me). Off-leash not to go wild (she walks beside anyway), but because it's awkward for me to hold the leash and hiking poles. Higher in mountains off-leash because of possible slip, it's safer that way. If we meet people, I hold her, I understand some are just afraid of dogs. I also know that my girl doesn't bother animals, last time on the pasture a cow didn't let us cross and she tucked tail between legs and didn't want to go forward... On Kriski podi she first met a chamois a couple meters away, just watched and came to me on command. Next day under Stenar we watched a chamois family for half an hour, the male approached us out of curiosity to a few meters, she fell asleep in between... That chamois whistle only because of dog... chamois whistle to alert of possible danger and I know they whistle even when I have no dog with me! As for picking up poop, yes in city, in mountains... so far she always rolled in human poop in mountains... so people - pick them up after yourselves 
More on this topic at:
http://www.pzs.si/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1701&start=30
and lots of enjoyment with friends like you already have. Mine includes my boxer too.
best,
alja
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 09:28:52 |
I myself have some quite unpleasant experiences with dogs in mountains. On the path from Vršiča to the ridge I experienced a real dog parade. Some dogs were really on leashes, quite a few free running. Those were running on paths that are usually quite narrow in mountains, obstructing hikers, among whom there were quite a few children. We all know how quickly a slip can happen if a dog is under your feet, even faster. Also, when we climbed Veliki vrh in Polovnik this spring hoping for a peaceful idyllic tour, we were unpleasantly surprised by a group of four people with a pack of six dogs that were going crazy, frolicking, sniffing us. Crazy! We let the group go ahead to have peace, though we heard barking in the distance all the time. I don't know what happened to them later, if the dog was guilty or not, one of the girls was later rescued from Polovnik by helicopter.
Otherwise I don't advocate the opinion that dogs a priori aren't for mountains. After all we shouldn't forget rescue dogs!!! But... responsibly to the mountains! For yourself, for fellow people and for the environment. This applies to dog owners as well as those who aren't!
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 12:42:13 |
Hello Tijana,
I also have quite a bad experience with mountaineers (mountain rescuers) who yelled loudly at me because of my dog. Basically I agree that dogs should be on leash and we are responsible for them, but I can't believe that people allow themselves to yell at others and take that as their weapon and even threaten. I'm convinced that such people have many problems themselves, so they take it out on others. I can't imagine that in one moment a mountain rescuer yells at you, in the next the same unbalanced person rescues you in the mountains. I think they should check the mental state of mountain rescuers more often.
LP
Tanja
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 12:48:24 |
Exactly so that this "unbalanced person" doesn't have to rescue you in an hour or sooner, she warns you and believe me, she knows very well why she warns you
, so listen VERY WELL to this UNBALANCED person and pray that you never need her help, because you never know how UNBALANCED she is.
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 14:39:09 |
All dog shepherds, please graze and walk your dogs where it doesn't bother other people. Respect signs and pick up poop. Thanks. P.S. A dog sprinkled me when it came out of Lake Bled; it shakes off water happily, the owner acts as if the dog isn't his. What kind of love? Dog love. And to Tijana. If you had the dog on a leash and followed all the rules, you surely wouldn't have had a conflict with the "unbalanced"???? person. How did you let yourself be rescued at all? If you master everything, you would have rescued yourself, rescued by yourself, or rather the accident wouldn't have happened. Otherwise, we rescuers also have such tests, and some other different ones, so much for your general ignorance. Dog one too.
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 15:04:30 |
Dog lovers! Do you go to mountains barefoot? No, you put on sturdy boots also so not to injure your feet. Your pet though with pads on sharp and hot rocks without protection. You protect your head from heat with hat, eyes with glasses. What about your pet? Love is like that. Ask your vet for advice, if your dog friend even has one.
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 15:07:32 |
In the mountains also supervisors (in TNP), nature guardians, mountain wardens advise, not only mountain rescuers. Otherwise they warn too little given the equipment of hikers and their arrogance and number of accidents. Dog scares mainly small game and birds that live there. Because it has to flee - the rock partridge doesn't know which dog attacked it, wastes hardly gathered energy. So dogs obligatorily on leash if you can't leave them home at all. Mountain lakes have small water flow, if any, so let's rather preserve them and not bathe in them. Mountains aren't only for us but for our descendants.
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 15:13:26 |
I also have a dog and it goes with me to the mountains several times too, but where it's suitable for him and always on leash. Comments like some have about dogs, like for example one here on this forum, like that we are dog shepherds etc., with such a person we could have quite a lot of work in institutions suitable for them. I don't know what you who got sprinkled by the dog are doing on this forum, what you do in nature at all, when probably all the animal world bothers you, not just dogs. And if you still don't know as you are so smart, people share this planet with animals and it's not only ours!!!
Oh, the dog has no towel when coming from water and can't dry off, but you can. The dirt in Lake Bled is various human excretions not from dogs because dogs pee outside water, such as you probably in water. For you it would be more suitable to stay between four walls. Because they say WHO DOESN'T LIKE ANIMALS DOESN'T LIKE PEOPLE EITHER. NICE GREETINGS
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| Guest3. 08. 2007 15:50:33 |
Actually dogs are not guilty at all, but their uncultured owners. They take them "to chase" into the mountains if they happen to go there. They care little about nature, animals and other people.
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