A New Leash on Life

Greetings, All!

As Gabriel Heatter used to say (no, I’m not that old. I’m just a radio-phile), “Ah, there’s good news tonight”. Just heard from my editor at Falcon Guides and “Best Dog Hikes Alabama” is in the production line which means editing is officially underway. He tells me the material (maps, photos, the manuscript itself) looks great. Can’t wait for all of you to read it.

As you know, in all Falcon guides that cover hiking, paddling, etc., each trail we write about begins with a summary look at the trail. This section gives you a quick overview of the trip, things like distance, difficulty, trail contacts, and so forth. It also has a category called, “Canine Compatibility”. In most of the guide books, like Hiking Alabama and Hiking the Gulf Coast, this category simply tells readers if dogs are allowed on the trail or not. But it relates different information in Best Dog Hikes Alabama. For this book it tells you if a dog needs to be on a leash or can be off-leash and under voice control.

Before turning in my last draft of the manuscript for editing I noticed a trend: For most of the trails covered, the “Canine Compatibility” category says “Leash Required”. Across Alabama, and most of the country, land owners are requiring that you keep your dog on-leash. Now I’ll be the first to admit it. Years ago when I would take one of my dogs for a hike I would love to see them romp and explore off-leash. But one event can change your perspective. 

When you get down to it, keeping them on-leash and obeying leash laws, even when you think no one will know you’ve turned them loose, is a good thing and can literally be a matter of life and death for your dog not to mention the countless other problems you could face with animal and people encounters.

I want to share with you this month a list. It’s the “9 Reasons to Follow Leash Laws”. This piece was written by Jessica Rhae Williams for one of my favorite online outfitters, Sierra Trading Post. I think it sums up the need for leash laws quite nicely: 

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1. Hiking with your dog on public lands is a privilege, not a right. Most hiking trails are located on lands that are preserved, or protected, for one reason or another. The entities that manage those lands must balance the needs of the ecosystem with the desire of humans to use the space. There are many reservations about allowing dogs on those lands. Land managers try to mitigate those concerns by requiring that dogs be on leash in the area.

2. Leave no trace means your dog too. One of the 7 principles is to stick to the trail to avoid trampling vegetation and disturbing wildlife. Just because a dog is an animal doesn't mean they don't do damage when allowed to wander off trail. Off-leash dogs disturb nesting areas and damage sensitive wildlife habitat. Some trails can see up to 100 dogs a day and impacts have a cumulative effect — they occur from your dog, plus all other off-leash dogs.

3. Your dog might poop in the woods where you can't see it and pick it up. Almost all lands where dogs are allowed have a "scoop-the-poop" law. Pet waste is not natural so it's not OK to leave it on the ground. It contains bacteria and pathogens that can contaminate the water of the nearest lake or stream. Decaying dog waste also deposits excessive amounts of nitrogen fertilizer to the soil, increasing the spread of nitrogen-loving weeds at the expense of native plants.

4. Some people are terrified of dogs. Dog lovers sometimes forget that some people have had bad experiences with dogs in the past or they are afraid of them like some people are afraid of spiders. For people who are afraid or uncomfortable around dogs, an encounter with an off-leash dog can be really scary.

5. Your dog might be friendly but you don't know that the other dog is. While aggressive dogs should not be allowed on the trail, there are many normally friendly dogs who can act aggressive when they feel threatened. Imagine a dog is walking along the trail, a confined space, on a leash and minding their own business. An off-leash dog comes out of nowhere and startles them, run towards them, and violates their space. The other dog may become defensive — barking, lunging, or biting at the other dog in an attempt to get them to go away.

6. Even dog lovers don't like strange dogs rushing at them, jumping on them or otherwise interacting with them without their permission. Imagine how you feel when a stranger inserts themselves in your personal space by standing too close to you or pushing you. Most people feel uncomfortable and they think it's rude. It's no different with a dog. A dog invading someone's personal space can also make them feel uncomfortable.

7. You could ruin the enjoyment for other people. The fact is, some people don't think dogs belong on wilderness trails. While people who hike with their dogs obviously disagree, it is their duty to make sure that their dog interferes with others enjoyment as little as possible. It can also irritate dog owners on the trail when an off-leash dog runs up to their dog and makes them afraid or anxious. Encountering several off-leash dogs on one trail can make the whole hike an unpleasant experience.

8. It gives law-abiding dog owners a bad name. First, it says that dog owners think they don't have to follow the rules. Placing one dog owner's desire to not be burdened by a leash over another dog owner's right to be able to walk their dog(s) in peace can feel insulting. One or two encounters with an irresponsible dog owner can make people see all dog owners in a negative light. Allowing your dog off-leash can also give other dog owners the impression that it is okay, thus perpetuating the problem.

9. To keep your dog safe. Off-leash dogs can get into confrontations with wildlife that might harm them or they may eat something poisonous. They can also fall into ravines or off of cliffs. Last October, a dog chased a squirrel over the edge of a cliff and fell around 150 feet into a river. The dog survived but some have not been so lucky.

There are people that are set in their ways and stubborn about hiking with their dog off leash. I doubt these 9 reasons are going to change their mind. However, the polite thing when flouting the rules is to leash your dog when someone is coming, or at least hold onto their collar until they pass. It shows that, although you are not obeying the law, you are respectful of the safety and enjoyment of others on the trail.