What do you all think about dogs in the backcountry? (Terrifying experience today)

**Baconzoo** · 04-20-2006, 10:37 AM

But Dude,
me and Irie (the dog) are like Bro's. I don't need you or Peps cause she'll dig me out when I get burried. She digs it when I blow hits in her ear too. Haaugh

**Mr.Scruff** · 04-20-2006, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by bad_roo

I like it when dogs get an itchy ass and scoot along on it.

Just thought I'd share that.

I think that's one of the funniest things ever, but all dog owners get dead uptight and embaressed when their dog does it!

**Telephil** · 04-20-2006, 10:42 AM

My dog goes with me everytime in the BC, unless it's big or little cottonwood. Basically that leaves only Millcreek and one hell of a skin before you get to anything skiable. However, when she's with me, it's open terrain that presents virtually no danger to her or anyone else. If it's a day where avy danger is high, I simply don't go because I don't want her in that situation and I'm not going to go and leave her at home bored all day.

People shit just as much in the BC as dogs do. Do you pick your own up? If not, you can't really say much.

**lph** · 04-20-2006, 10:53 AM

Like some have said, it is not an 'all or none' situation. There are plenty of b/c spots, in the Lake Tahoe basin that are great places for some mellow skiing and hanging out with your dogs.

There is plenty of terrain where I take my dog without much concern for his safety or him getting in the way of others. I try to grab him by the collar when others are skiing though just in case, and he is still learning when to run and when to hang back. (that is the tough part)

I will say, that when I did crescent last year. it was a no brainer, the dog was not coming with us, as we started the bootpack up, I knew I had made the right decision. The top of the couloir was probably 50+ when we did it. He would have been a danger to myself and AKA and I was glad he was home.

It is common sense, and unfortunately, some dog owners don't have it.

**Seldom Seen** · 04-20-2006, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Baconzoo

But Dude,
me and Irie (the dog) are like Bro's. I don't need you or Peps cause she'll dig me out when I get burried. She digs it when I blow hits in her ear too. Haaugh

totally Sick 420 post, brah!

**mookie blaylock** · 04-20-2006, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Conundrum

I think that move is called the worm crawl...

The tapeworms making their exit cause the dog to itch apparently.

vet told me they got some glands or something there that sometimes fill up and makes them drag there ass across the carpet. She told me that you grab the anus between thumb and forefinger and give it some gentle squeezes. So i do that then have a little lunch

**Conundrum** · 04-20-2006, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by mookie blaylock

vet told me they got some glands or something there that sometimes fill up and makes them drag there ass across the carpet. She told me that you grab the anus between thumb and forefinger and give it some gentle squeezes. So i do that then have a little lunch

I've heard that too. So what's for lunch?

**kidwoo** · 04-20-2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by mookie blaylock

vet told me they got some glands or something there that sometimes fill up and makes them drag there ass across the carpet. She told me that you grab the anus between thumb and forefinger and give it some gentle squeezes. So i do that then have a little lunch

True true.

Glands must be "expressed".

Otherwise it's the scoots™

**chaka** · 04-20-2006, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by kidwoo

True true.

Glands must be "expressed".

Otherwise it's the scoots™

I fancy the term "rowing the boat"

**bad_roo** · 04-20-2006, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by lph

I will say, that when I did crescent last year. it was a no brainer, the dog was not coming with us, as we started the bootpack up, I knew I had made the right decision. The top of the couloir was probably 50+ when we did it. He would have been a danger to myself and AKA and I was glad he was home.

You told me you were concerned that AKA would rape the dog when you weren't looking.

**karma** · 04-25-2006, 07:44 PM

I think this is the vid...

http://powdermag.com/av/afw-crescent/

**Out_to_lunch** · 04-25-2006, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by karma

I think this is the vid...

http://powdermag.com/av/afw-crescent/

Whoa! Nice line, but yeah, the dogs were in the way for sure that time. Those dogs seemed like they needed a bit more experience in some terrain not as consiquental (is that a word?).

**Dside11-11** · 04-25-2006, 10:05 PM

I have seen this asswipe at Berthoud who brings along his dog named, "Avalanche." "Avy," as he is so affectionately called by his master had wandered into the busy road on this fine weekend day, and of course, the loving, worried dog owner had to yell quite loudly, "Avalanche! Avalanche! Avy! Get over here, Avalanche!"

**Hacksaw** · 04-25-2006, 10:56 PM

Originally Posted by Dside11-11

I have seen this asswipe at Berthoud who brings along his dog named, "Avalanche." "Avy," as he is so affectionately called by his master had wandered into the busy road on this fine weekend day, and of course, the loving, worried dog owner had to yell quite loudly, "Avalanche! Avalanche! Avy! Get over here, Avalanche!"

I think I've seen him too.... And heard him yell "Avalanche." But, then again people yell avalanche all the time at Berthoud Pass.....

**ridefree** · 04-25-2006, 11:26 PM

I have seen the helmet cam footie and I found it very disturbing. Doggie tomahawks are not cool! My dog loves the BC. But NEVER, I MEAN NEVER, GO TO DO CRESCENT WITH any DOG!!!!!!!!! (Except Fritz or maybe buddy!) Yes I have been down that several times and even with the huge snowpack it is not OK for a dog. Period.

**jonnyquest** · 04-25-2006, 11:50 PM

Dogs and skiing don't mix. I have only heard of bad experiences with dogs and skiers (unless that dog is digging your butt out of avie debris).
Coming out of a short tour I saw a dog with a rather large gash in his leg from the owner's ski edge. Luckily I had a couple of clean rags that we used to clean up the wound. He looked like he needed 10+ stiches.
If you really care about your dog, you might think twice before you bring him into a place where he can get hurt or killed.

**Lostinthetrees** · 04-26-2006, 12:02 AM

Originally Posted by Baconzoo

... I'd come unglued if a dog ...

I'd come unglued if I hit a fresh pile with my skins.

Loss of traction, stink following you uphill, putting them away in your pack, etc.

Subject for Tech Talk: best way to clean skins soiled w/ dog crap.

**summit** · 04-26-2006, 10:23 AM

I take my dog on all sorts of runs.... but she is smart and obedient. If I tell her to stay, she stays.

Ever notice that almost all dog owners seem to have high opinions of their animals training, obedience, and instincts whether or not the dog is the worst behaved you have ever encountered? They loved their pets so they are biased. The problem comes when these people, who may be very good skiers, refuse to listen to others about bringing the pooch into the thick.

**Viva** · 04-26-2006, 10:41 AM

Wait 'til you people start getting illegals in "your" backcountry. That's been going on in San Diego for well over 10 years.

**climb2ski** · 04-26-2006, 10:45 AM

Originally Posted by Hacksaw

I think I've seen him too.... And heard him yell "Avalanche." But, then again people yell avalanche all the time at Berthoud Pass.....

Saw the same thing - not a good name for a Dog you take skiing...

**Hacksaw** · 04-26-2006, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by climb2ski

Saw the same thing - not a good name for a Dog you take skiing...

My Grandfather named one of his dogs, "Dam it." As kids we loved to call the dog in for the night.........

**truth** · 04-26-2006, 12:06 PM

Dogs have their place in the backcountry, but to me putting them on a hanging snowfield where slough management is required is just fucking stupid. Dogs, no matter how well trained, are a wildcard and a luxury in the backcountry/ The add one more element of unpredictability and that's something that should be weighed with every other variable when planning a tour.

**skiing-in-jackson** · 04-26-2006, 12:31 PM

Dog shit everywhere...

I'm really tired of it. My daughter just tracked a fresh heaping pile of dog shit into & all over the house. It wasn't her fault- she's only four, I didn't catch it as I was out the back door. got nicely ground into the carpet too...

I'd come unglued if I hit a fresh pile with my skins- Lostinthetrees

Well I became unglued a few minutes ago.

Ever notice that almost all dog owners seem to have high opinions of their animals training, obedience, and instincts whether or not the dog is the worst behaved you have ever encountered? They loved their pets so they are biased.- Summit

I'm tired of lame ass dog owners telling me great their dog is while they let them out to go crap on somebody's lawn. Whatever.

Dogs in the backcountry are a problem. Dude- If I have to pack my shit out while I'm climbing in Grand Teton National Park (specifically Garnet Canyon) dog owners should be forced to pack out dog shit left in the National Forests

**Telephil** · 04-26-2006, 12:53 PM

So a question for everyone that's so opposed to the idea. Have you considered that there might actually be a few dog owners that do pick up after their dog, whether it's national forest or not? And what about those who only take their dogs on days where avy danger is low and the terrain is moderate. I realize they may be the exception rather than the rule, but they do exist.