As a first-time visitor to Idyllwild, one of the things I have found especially delightful is the pet-friendly atmosphere. In fact, the discovery that there were pet-friendly trails in Idyllwild was the primary reason I came here for a week’s vacation.
I too enjoyed the Ernie Maxwell trail with my dog off leash. We met many hikers on the trail with dogs. Some [dogs] were on the leash, some were off. Each time, even if there was a moment of unpredictability, the dogs and we hikers were able to work things out in a friendly way. We too met other dogs and hikers along steep, narrow trails, but our unleashed dogs were nimble enough to maneuver around each other without a problem.
I have been a dog-owner most of my life. My experiences with people who insist that all dogs be on a leash at all times are usually the ones who own dogs that would run away or become insecure if they were not on the leash. Those of us who enjoy walking our dogs off leash, usually have dogs that are reliable and well-behaved around other people and dogs.
I understand that some dog owners who have small, vulnerable dogs would be fearful around unleashed dogs.
However, it disappoints me tremendously to have found this letter in the Town Crier [the June 21 issue] when I thought I had finally found a place where people really were willing to work together to enjoy their dogs and their trails without the need to cite ordinances.
This whole incident seems so unnecessary to me. It seems to me that the hiker who needs to have his dog on a leash can always hike in places where Ordinance 630 is strictly enforced and leave the Ernie Maxwell trail to those of us who don’t need ordinances to ensure our enjoyment of what nature has provided.
Jamie Taylor
Santa Monica
I read that same letter a few weeks ago and felt exactly the same as you. And, it really sounded like a huge dramatization of facts.
I had an encounter last autumn on a dirt road that I take my dogs on every day for their walks. There were a couple of guys with their little dogs on leash and had I seen them coming I would have put my boys on their leashes but they just came up on us suddenly while we were taking a break under a shady tree. My dogs are very friendly and ran up to say hello to their dogs.
So, instead of allowing the dogs to meet each other in a normal way they turned a normal dog greeting into a very stressful incident as they raised their voices and started yelling at me and kicking at my dogs which caused my dogs to get very tense and stressed.
I got my dogs on their leash as quickly as I could but they continued to lecture me for the next 5 minutes about leash laws, etc… as they walked up the hill. Was one of the rare occasions I kept my mouth shut and just said I am sorry. But, I really wanted to say more than that!
The fact of the matter is… it is a dirt road that hardly anyone walks on due to the steep grade and other than mountain bikers I rarely see anyone else. It is one of the only places up here I feel comfortable letting my dogs run off leash. It is not a regulated trail and it is very difficult to find anywhere to take a dog off leash up here that isn't a crowded trail.
I do not take my dogs on any of the major hiking trails but I do take them on Ernie Maxwell in the middle of the week when there are usually much less people. Mostly so they can play in the creek and get some cool water. California has so many uptight people and way too many codes and ordinances that I am pretty much ready to move back to Alaska. Can't do anything anymore without feeling like I am going to end up in court with some sue happy individual.
Normally, if I see someone coming towards me with their dogs on leash then I try to get mine back on too just to avoid such conflicts. And, the tiny enclosed area that this town calls a dog park is not an adequate place to let any dog get their exercise and do their thing. But, that's just my opinion!
You guys dont get it. Watch Cesar Milan. Dog Whisperer. There is etiquette. Before your off leashed dogs charge other hikers with or without dogs, it is courtesy to first ASK if its ok to introduce the dogs. Dogs always want to defend their human owners. Even from perceived friendly visitors it will turn into a full on brawl.
Off leashed dogs poop where you dont see it. Other hikers see it. The mule deer smell it and vanish. I have seen off leashed dogs chase down a mule deer for 5 mins of chaos. Dogs disappeared in the woods, then the next 30 mins the owners were calling out for their dogs. Totally killed my mountain high zen buzz.
You think your dog is well behaved, but you dont know how the interaction will be with other dogs.
Leash them, dont be wreckless with your dogs and put other dogs in fight situation.