Off Leash Dogs and Nature: Your Opinion, Please

I spent the weekend near Camp Sherman in Central Oregon’s glorious Metolius Recreation Area.  At the Camp Sherman store on Saturday, in addition to Stephen Shunk’s (http://www.paradisebirding.com) van full of birders, the parking lot bulged with dog-filled vehicles. Lengthy tongues dripped with the anticipation of companions’ returns, and another chance to leap into the cold river.  Along the river, off leash dogs careened uncontrolled with excitement up and down the bank, looking for anything that moved…insect, mammal or another dog until exhausted, the dogs dropped into the river for a cool swim.

I thought about what effect our off leash dogs have on the wildlife.  Not that I’m concerned about the effect of a few dogs on a particular Saturday during the “busy season” on the river, but in general, what should those of us with dogs and a love of the trail do about protecting the places that we love.

My dog, Onyx, chases every creature that skitters through the brush and up trees. I don’t bring her to the east side of the Cascades during the summer moths as she would find her first rattlesnake an intriguing toy. Before the summer came, I brought her to the area, but I strapped on her dreaded, despised muzzle.  Hers is one made for Dobermans, consisting of a stainless steel cage over the nose and mouth and leather straps that fit the device to her skull, so that she can’t remove the muzzle. There are no words to describe how much she hates this device; without it, she’d dispatch one squirrel and chipmunk after another to wildlife heaven.  So I use the muzzle.  She’s elated with the opportunity, on days when no one seems about, to be allowed to run and romp for hours. The exercise is great for both of us. And she can’t end the lives of animals she would kill but not eat.

My question is, what do you think about dogs in the wilderness?  What should dog owners do when they allow their dogs to run off leash?  Should muzzles be standard to protect the wildlife, or in your view is this overkill (pun intended).

Please let us know your thoughts.  As the summer travel season heats up (and aren’t we ready for more sunny days?), Onyx and I are panting to know your thoughts. 

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Comments
  • 1.

    I’m a dog lover & would love to let my doggies run off leash too; but, walking and hiking trails are there for a reason: so the delicate under-brush of the forests and fields are protected. Is your doggie staying on the trail? Personally, I think all dogs should be on leash in any public place not designated as dog friendly. It’s for their protection and the environment’s. There’s more at stake than just the wildlife critters.
    There are enough dog friendly parks and trails where your partner can get her exercise and the stimulation she needs. That way she wouldn’t need a muzzle!
    Of course these are just my thoughts.I love that you’re concerned enough to post, asking for opinions. Good luck, and may you have many years of happy walks together!
    Wendy

    Wendy | July 2008 | portland, or

  • 2.

    Thanks Wendy.  Anyone else?

    Carol | July 2008

  • 3.

    i live on the beautiful coast & i only wish dogs off leashe’s were the problem,  My city has installed boxe’s with bag’s to clean up after your pet on the beach @ all entrance’s. great idea, but what about the horse’s allowed to give ride’s to tourist’s all summer long??  i watched kid’s dodge huge pile’s all 4th of July week end & didnt seem to bother the city father’s much,but those darn dog’s must be picked up after,to bad they cant be rode & made money off of.

    lin jaynes | July 2008 | lincoln city or

  • 4.

    Hey folks.  Lin has a point.  What about those off-leash horses?  How can the beach be kept clean?

    Carol | July 2008

  • 5.

    I like the idea of the muzzle, and not just for the wildlife, but also those off-leash kids that always seem to come charging up to pet my dogs. With one of my pups that’s no problem, but I do have a doggy that is super shy around kids. I always manage to pull her back before the kids get to her and try to frequent areas with few kids, but I’m terrified I won’t react in time and something awful will happen. Now I realize my dog isn’t kid-friendly, and, I try to go places where there aren’t any, but sometimes that’s impossible. What’s with the parents that aren’t teaching their kids that not every dog is nice? A little manners before they come charging over to my dogs would be nice! So, actually I was wondering where I can get a muzzle like yours?

    Kelly | July 2008 | oregon coast

  • 6.

    I have a American Red nose Pitt Bull that even though he’s close to nine is very protective and I must take great care to watch out for other animals as well as people.We take him out during the week on savies island or fort Stevens.I do let him run loose but keep a watchful eye.I don’t mind other pet owners taking this privledge but I wish they would pay more attention to what there animal is doing.Cleaning up after your pet is part of the job as well as keeping him or her out of trouble. The T.Man

    Tom Drew | August 2008 | P.D.X.,Oregon

  • 7.

    I am an animal lover period!! Needless to say I have two rescue dogs in my “zoo”.  Bear is a Golden Lab/Golden Retriever mix and Jackpot is a Black Lab/Rott mix. I personally don’t see the harm in letting your dogs be off leash as long as the owner knows what their dogs will do.  You know that Onyx will catch little critters, so you’ve taken steps to keep her and them safe.  I feel that we have gone overboard concerning the environment where our pets are concerned.  But if a persons dog is sociable and they take precautions to protect others I see no harm and it’s good for them.

    Jeanne | November 2008 | Salem

  • 8.

    Do you ever watch “The Dog Whisperer” with Ceasar Milan on National Geographic channel? My well behaved, obedient, balanced, well socialized German Shepherd does not need a leash, ever. I use one because the law requires it. I am her pack leader and she resists her natural instincts to hunt and chase prey, even ignores the nosey little ground squirrel at my direction. She’s five, healthy and agile. That being said, not all dogs are equal, just look at their persons. Most dogs are friendlier and non- aggressive with each other when off leash. Maybe we could have an off leash certification program, if your dog passes the course (at doggie owners’ expense)  you get an “off leash certificate” kind of like a drivers’ liscense which gives you off leash access to designated areas.

    VelmaB | February 2009 | Fallbrook, CA

  • 9.

    Our local dog park contains a blue heron nesting site. Efforts to restore a lagoon’s eel grass and the heron site mean that much of the off-leash area is (poorly) fenced. My golden retriever will still find a way under or around the fencing. She hasn’t flushed any birds, but she’s drawn to all those great smells. Is there any way I can let her run off-leash while respecting the ecosystem?

    Christine | September 2009 | Bellingham

  • 10.Velma, I like your idea. It will allow only responsible owners to have off-lease animals. I cannot tell you how annoying it is to have a dog, of any size and any breed, come running up to you on a hike. It scares me and it scares my dogs. Twice I have had to use my hiking poles as a 'weapon' because of a lab that was off leash. The lab had run around the corner and suprised my two leashed dogs. My dogs are usually good with other dogs but this animal was so excited and full of energy that he was charging my two dogs head on. My male reacted defensively.
    I started 'hearding' the dog away with my poles and when he didnt respect my space or my dogs space, I pushed him away on the ribs.
    Where was the owner during all of this? Watching from about fifty feet away! I was obviously irritated and stressed by his dog and kept telling him to get control of his pet. The man came running at me once I touched his dog. I am sorry but I was feeling threatened, my dogs were feeling threatened and you did not take control of the situation. If I need to spray, hit, kick, push, tackle or correct your dog in anyway, I will!

    I am perfectly fine with unleashed dogs but only if they ignore people who pass by (not even sniffing since this can make some people uncomfortable) and ignore passing dogs. I really appreciate owners who call their dogs when they see people and even go as far as grabbing their dogs collars, even if it is just to make other people more comfortable.

    The 'permit' to walk off-leash would be a GREAT way for rangers and other hikers to have confidence in owners. I would quickly participate! I do feel that the requirements should be strict and the test should have alot of distractions because lets face it, dogs may pass a class in the building but they may not pass that class outside.

    Goeden | February 2010 | Fargo, ND

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