Camping, dogs and kids...

[JRMora]

Boy, I must be a rarity. I enjoy the space outdoors WITH MY KIDS (don't have a dog, but our guinea pig travels with us sometimes). They aren't perfect, but we have instilled in them the values and morals to respect the rules and other peoples spaces.



Last weekend we dry camped at Bluewater state park along with tent campers, pop-ups, and a couple of Class C's. When we set up, we walked (along the roadway) and said "hi" to our fellow campers. Those who reposnded well we noted, those who just gave a curt nod to us we avoided. We had a great time as did most of the other campers there. I suppose there were those there who said (to themselves) "lookie at the city folks with their big 'ol fifth wheel - AND THEIR KIDS!", if so, I'm sorry you didn't take the time to meet us and enjoy our company (not that I would EVER force it on you).



In other words, for every barking dog or screaming kid I've run in to, there's been a grumpy old fart or an arrogant camper who wouldn't be happy if there wasn't something to complain about.



Gary (all all you others), if we ever end up in the same campground, I apologize in advance if my children bother you (my guinea pig doesn't bark). If so, I'm also sorry you didn't get a chance to meet me and find out if we share any common interests (we obviously do - camping and cummins).



Off the soap box now.



Juan

 

[DBoggs]

I agree with Gary and others in principle. Yes there are too many irresponsible dog and kid owners out there. I am a very strict parent, with two teens, who would put them on a leash if I ever found out they were trespassing in a CG. I am also a very strict dog owner who NEVER lets my dog out of the trailer unless he is on a leash and I pick up after him when he does his duty. However, I don't like the implication that because I own kids and dogs that I am supposed to leave them out of the fun. My dog is just as loved as my children and just as valuable to my whole family.



I get the impression, especially from the "older generation", that the solution would be to ban pets and children from RV'ing. I've been in a situation similar to that when I was in my early twenties and I'll tell you that it flat sucks to be told you can't live here in this trailer park because you are young and your wife is pregnant. Oh and pets aren't allowed either. I have nothing but respect for people older than me, but frankly I get tired of the "young, dumb and stupid " cliche.



Perhaps thats the best solution though, lets have parks just for the "old farts", parks for those of us that are responsible kid and pet owners, and parks for the young whippersnappers that just don't much care.



Now I don't normally get much involved in these opinion wars but I couldn't pass this one up. If I've offended anyone I apologize, no offense intended, some of this is said with tounge in cheek.



"Can't we all just get along?"



Happy camping, Duane

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

OK, comments keep being directed to or about me and this thread, so I'll respond - and on the note below, I wish to be PERFECTLY CLEAR!



"Well, there are rules in just about every campground dealing with pets. Isn't the reasonable solution to apply those rules to deal with the inconsiderate and/or antisocial individuals who don't oversee their pets rather than just "Ban all pets"? What gives YOU the right to dictate how I choose to enjoy RVing if my pets aren't coming into your campsite, aren't left barking outside my RV, etc. ?"



Rusty, reread my comments in this thread, and please quote where *I* have made ANY suggestion about dogs or kids being banned in RV parks... OR that ALL Rvers (or YOU!) fit my clear descriptions up above...



I'll just sit here and wait for that quote...



















NO, I have made it absolutely as clear as I know how that WE, and our usual RVing companions ALSO bring our dogs with us - that has NOT been the issue - and I'll just leave you to re-read my above posts, and figure what the intended issue REALLY is...



(HINT - the words CONSIDERATION and RESPECT (or the LACK of it) for others in close group settings figures quite prominently... )

 

[RustyJC]

With all due respect to those like Rusty and Bob, OUR RVing (or LIVES, for that matter!) does NOT revolve around animals, nor do I intend that their presence dictate where we will go or what we are free to do! We have had a number of "pets" in our lives - but just because we enjoy the association of our horses, cows, goats and goldfish, does NOT make us feel that THEY must automatically be included in our RVing outings - NOR does their elimination from that activity automatically dictate that WE abandon RVing - Hell, leave the horses and cows in the pasture, and find a kennel for the dogs and cats, if their presence creates unacceptable RVing problems - they are ANIMALS for pete sake, not people, and it is EXACTLY the willingness to allow those animals to dictate and control their owner's lives, and perhaps intrude on the lives of disinterested others, that is the key issue here!

Forgive me if I interpreted the above to indicate that we should leave our animals in the kennel in order not to intrude on the lives of disinterested others (i. e. , YOU).



You know, there are RV parks with 55 and over age restrictions as well as a no pets policy. You might want to check them out. Just think - no kids, no pets, peace and quiet where you and your over 55 cohorts can listen to the birds singing, the wind blowing through the trees, your joints creaking and your arteries hardening. Hey, the most exciting thing that happens is seeing who lives through the night and wakes up the next morning! (By the way, I'm 57 and my wife is 55, so we qualify but really aren't interested in that type of RVing yet. )



Insofar as consideration and respect are concerned, you might want to re-read MY posts, especially the first (#30). Despite being responsible pet owners, we're told to leave our Shelties in the kennel if we want to RV. Now, you wonder why my jaws might be tight?



Rusty

 

[CCutshaw]

Yes Gary, I get it!! As a matter of fact I agree with most of what you are saying. That some people need a lesson in manners and respect. And some people shouldn't breed or own pets. It's just the way you come across, lets just say you have a way with the keyboard. I don't see why some people would let it get them so hot under the collar. Your dog sounds like a sweet loveable pet.

Just like my 95lb Pyrenees only she sheds that's why I take the time to shave her in the spring. My offer still stands to pay for your campsite if Gina barks at you.



Calvin

 

[RustyJC]

I don't see why some people would let it get them so hot under the collar.

Because this is a major issue in the RVing community today. There is an active movement to pressure campgrounds to ban all pets rather than to enforce the existing leash, noise and clean-up regulations. A number of us "responsible pet owners" care enough to push back - just as you might on the "Ban all diesel trucks" example I cited.



Rusty

 

[CCutshaw]

Thanks, for the info Rusty. I guess being a pet owner I need to get off the fence and take a stand. My dogs behave and every where we take them we get stopped and ask can I pet your dog? What kind of dog are they? They are always on a leash. They love to go for rides and RVing. Hell I'm rebuilding a D250 short box van for them with a generator and 9KBTU ac unit so we can take them tailgating this fall.

Calvin

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Forgive me if I interpreted the above to indicate that we should leave our animals in the kennel in order not to intrude on the lives of disinterested others (i. e. , YOU).



Despite being responsible pet owners, we're told to leave our Shelties in the kennel if we want to RV.



Rusty

Rusty, you seem determined to read thoughts and limitations into this thread that have NOT been mentioned as aimed at you - I don't know who has suggested or told you to "leave your Shelties in the kennel if you want to RV" and that the parks won't or shouldn't let you in if you have pets along - nor has anyone here pointed fingers at YOU as a "pet offender" - cool off a bit, and realize this is about reasonable consideration for others around us, NOT pet banning in RV parks!



Only the pet owners themselves initially must decide if THEIR pets are properly trained and controllable in group settings, and then (hopefully!) make the proper decision on whether they (the pets) go camping. or stay home, thus my comment:



"find a kennel for the dogs and cats, if their presence creates unacceptable RVing problems"



Is that REALLY so hard to understand or accept?



And I'm sorry, but as much as WE like our own pet, I'm not ABOUT to consider selling all our RVing stuff and giving up camping simply because her presence shuts some CG doors to us. My wife, friends (2-legged!) and family might have some significant influence on my RVing activities - but allow a DOG to dictate my lifestyle and RV/travel activities?



NOT on your life! I, and my family are pretty determined to run our lives over on the HUMAN side of various issues, and NOT let the dogs and cats decide FOR us!

 

[CCutshaw]

NOT on your life! I, and my family are pretty determined to run our lives over on the HUMAN side of various issues, and NOT let the dogs and cats decide FOR us!

Once you decide to adopt an animal as part of your family. It’s your responsibly to take care, train, feed, spay, ect. If you fill like putting the animal in a kennel and can live with it, your choice. If you bring it along on vacation then care for it. I know folks that get a dog leave it in the back yard the animal has no training. It doesn’t know how to act around people. They get tired of it and have it put down. That’s not fair to the wasted life. We have socialized dog’s and cat’s they have as much rights to be with there family as you with yours. Bottom line RESPECT for your fellow camper.



Calvin

 

[tazzen]

I dont have a dog now. I had a husky up to a couple of years ago when she died. sad day because she was a part of the family.



Anyways we the family was camping and some sob pulls in next to us with a large dog barking and growling and not real friendly. but later in the night he goes to start a fire hmm wood paper wont start hmm he needs something more how about a whole bottle of lighterfluid and a half hour later we have a fire. took another bottle to start the grill. the guy was a real Idiot . that being said i'm sure it wasnt the dogs fault for improper training . They are only as smart as there master teaches them . poor doggys. and i am one for a quiet, peaceful campground.



ED

 

[R-N-R]

It seems to me the rant was about ignorant people that do not follow the CG rules and do not control their pets, kids, radios, etc... more so than about the pets, kids, and what-not. How about banning ignorant people instead of pets and kids?? :-laf



More and more I find myself staying home on the holiday weekends to take care of the house and whatever. In fact I am starting to prefer camping on weekdays when the real campers are at the CGs and avoiding the "weekend warrior" syndrome.



Different strokes for different folks I suppose. Go to a state campground (cheap) and listen to the radios, and kids/animals while they run through your site. Or, go to a RV park for serenity. Most KOAs seems to be a happy medium. CGs that advertises themselves as family campgrounds are typically a good bet as well.



Now if I can just get those dang loud diesel trucks to quit waking me up at Wal-Mart life would be perfect! < JOKING!! >



fwiw,

Bill

 

[SHyans]

My wife and I NEVER stay in campgounds because:

1. One of our dogs looks like a wolf and scares the s*** out of most people even though he wouldn't hurt a flea. (See my rigs pics for the beasts)

2. We take our dogs we want them to be able to roam around and not get into anyone's hair. There are enough DOG NAZI'S in the city where even on a designated park's off leash days people give you a nasty look when they have dozens of other places without dogs to take their walks.

3. Camping is for quiet and relaxation which is non-existent in campgrounds.

4. The only sound we want to hear is the breeze in the trees and the roar of the water in a stream (full of trout!).

5. My generation and younger (I'm 44) refuses to "discipline" their kids and their dogs in order to keep them in line. It's easier for them to ignore their misbehaving kids/dogs until you say something. When I do this in public places like restaurants, my wife calls it "Steve's Making Friends".

When we shopped for trailers we bought a compact unit that would allow us to avoid campgrounds and allow us access to public lands where you stick it in the trees wherever it will fit. We had enough campground "life" to know we didn't want to stay in them.

Complaining about the self centered, the word revolves around me people you encounter in campgrounds is like complaining about cellphone users in restaurants, bad drivers, bad parents who allows their kids to run wind sprints between tables in restaurants while they prentend not to notice, etc.

You do your best to find places to avoid it. It you have a mega-trailer, RV, 5th wheel etc, unfortunately you are doomed to campgrounds.

Good RANT though!

 

[juicedcummins]

An unleashed dog WILL wander,

\ whether it's adoring owner willingly admits it or not



Not all Gary.







, WILL immediately do it's crotch-sniffing routine on new strangers as they appear, as well as that "enjoyable" lick-you-all-over" bit



This one never has and never will.







- and probably jump all over you, totally mindless of the nice new pants and shirt you are wearing for the very first time. .



Not once.





It *will* bark when excited,



At 11 years he is beyond getting excited and never was his nature.









We have had the experience of watching, as uncontrolled dogs of other campers have come into OUR campite at full gallop to attack our helpless leased dog - and while the "thoughtful, considerate dog loving" owners of such delinquints were apologetic, they made NO effort to tether their "totally well-behaved" dog afterwards.





He never ever leaves the site unless we do. This in a big part has to do with the amount of excercise he gets. He is usually run 3-5 miles every morning [wife runs everyday] and then he runs while we bike anywhere from 1-3 miles in the afternoon. It is not uncommon to go for another ride in the evening.





Dogs are animals - and can usually be expected to act like animals.



Most are still animals but when you get a good one and treat it like a person they can be more of a person than some people.











as well as the potential protection good 'ol Fido would provide if Bigfoot should happen to go on a rampage in the CG



Sound like you live in the concrete jungle and would no what a gravel road was if you slid down it on your *** never mind any remote spot that had wildlife bigger than pigeon.



Gary your way of thinking seems to follow the logic of the anti gun nuts that are trying to infringe on our rights steady.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"Sound like you live in the concrete jungle and would no what a gravel road was if you slid down it on your *** never mind any remote spot that had wildlife bigger than pigeon. "



UMMmm - actually. the wilderness/remote spots are exactly where we do MOST of our camping - but ya know what? The careless, and inconsiderate manage to find those spots TOO - and since those areas are usually poorly hosted or patrolled, are EXACTLY why the abusers figure to get away with ignoring the rules posted down at the entrance...



"Gary your way of thinking seems to follow the logic of the anti gun nuts that are trying to infringe on our rights steady. "



Dream on - I'm a 20 year NRA member - and where "protection" is involved, will put my pistol-grip short-barrelled 12 guage Mossburg 500 shotgun that we carry with us in the 5er up against WHATEVER dog you wanna haul to a CG any day, any time!



Furthermore, "rights" of other campers end where MY CG space begins - and maybe further where unusual noises are concerned - like yapping dogs noisy ATV's or loud boomboxes...



In any event, IF you and those in your usual camping group ARE as well behaved as you insist, none of this is really ABOUT you, is it - so no reason to get your undies in a bunch...



"Complaining about the self centered, the word revolves around me people you encounter in campgrounds is like complaining about cellphone users in restaurants, bad drivers, bad parents who allows their kids to run wind sprints between tables in restaurants while they prentend not to notice, etc.

You do your best to find places to avoid it. It you have a mega-trailer, RV, 5th wheel etc, unfortunately you are doomed to campgrounds. '



YUP!



Glad to see that SOMEONE actually "gets" it!

 

[Matt400]

they allow them - and their noisy brat kids - to wander uncontrolled thru everyone else's camp?

Thats an easy fix... gotta find a new camp spot and it needs to be far away, remote.



Those kind of people don't like those kind of places.

 

[SHyans]

Thats an easy fix... gotta find a new camp spot and it needs to be far away, remote.



Those kind of people don't like those kind of places.

E-X-A-C-T-L-Y!!!!!!!!!

Been there done that!

 

[SHyans]

YUP!



Glad to see that SOMEONE actually "gets" it!

"It" is everywhere! Camping is about getting away from "it". :-laf

 

[GFritsch]

Thats an easy fix... gotta find a new camp spot and it needs to be far away, remote.



Those kind of people don't like those kind of places.

You would think so. My wife and I used to camp at a little no name lake that was barely accessible with our 2500 4x4 with 35" mud terrains. There was no water, toilets tables etc. Last time we went a group in jeeps showed up just past bed time with the dogs, radio etc. They probably went there so they wouldn't disturb the campground campers. That evening didn't end up being too great for any of us.



It still blows me away why people would travel out of the city and set up a "camp" with all of the noise and crap that the city has to offer. I guess to some they are somehow "conquering nature with their 120 power and televisions and radios and microwaves, generators etc.



Sometimes I feel that we have too much stuff with our cab over camper. Nature can be pretty dam cool if you shut down all the noise and just listen

 

[Matt400]

Last time we went a group in jeeps showed up just past bed time with the dogs, radio etc.

Sounds like a place to do some 4x4 stuff. . not to stereotype but I am getting a vibe for younger rowdy types.

 

[67guzzler]

Wow -- What a rant.



I don't think there is anything wrong with the dogs or the kids. I think that if there is a problem, it's with the parents or owners. I think that pets and children can enrich most activities when appropriate but they can't do so without some discipline and control. If parents / owners can't control their kids / dogs in such a way that they're considerate of other campers, then it's the parents / owners fault for either bringing the kids / dogs OR not properly training either to be in public.



On the other hand, when you live in a society with others, things aren't going to be perfect. If you go to a public place / campground, you're going to run into the occasional brat that's not being properly supervised or the dog that's not being leashed. Doesn't make it right & both are inconsiderate. But the issue should be kept in perspective and expectations should be reasonable when sharing space with strangers. Things will go wrong once in a while. If one is hyper-sensitive and looking for some problem, they're going to find it. There is a certain amount of "pain" when living in society.



The alternative is to camp in a secluded location.



Just my $. 02.