Dog friendly camping in QLD

Yep,
a park we were in had just let dogs back on the proviso the owners cleaned up after them and kept them on a leash.

Well some didn't do that so I think that park is looking at banning them again.

I am afraid it is the dog owners that are your enemy, also with regard to dogs accessing sensitive areas, they have to make a blanket rule on all dogs as they don't know which are the well behaved and under control ones.

Our last dog looked like she would kill anything but in reality we had her under control. If I was the person deciding which dog to let in, it would not have been her just because of her looks and scars.

Blanket rule stops all problems.

Thank you all for your fast replies. I can see your concern with other dogs running up Steve. Understandable, but another dog off a leash is not my problem. If one runs up to me and my dogs (We have a sooky 4yo b**ch also) I will kick it in the face if it tries to bite me or my babies. More people need to be responsible with their pets. No wonder breeds are banned. BAD DOGS ARE NOT BORN, THEY ARE CREATED!!!!!!!!!!

TYVM For the link Steve, one of the best site's for pet camping parks going. Nice, like I said thank you very much.

We pose the same risk times by 1000% as the risk my puppies put on our native wildlife and plants.

Nigel I agree with Allen when he says "Every dog owner believes their pet to be a friendly harmless pet that would not hurt a flea. But the reality is otherwise."
We have a truly beautiful Border Collie girl (spayed) with very winning ways, and lovely manners from training by a previous owner who really knew what they were doing. BUT although she is now a mature-age girl in the company of another female canine its watch out, as fur will almost certainly fly. Outside on our rural block she will happily chase rabbits and hares - no threat to them as they can run faster. She ignores kangaroos and snakes (as far as we know) BUT if she sees a frill-neck or blue tongue lizard there is a reflex, lightning fast chomp and goodbye lizard - followed by very contrite behaviour as she knows that killing lizards means she gets scolded. She has been warned off echidnas numerous times but the nose still takes an occasional jab.

My point is that no matter how attractive or well trained a dog is, the instincts to kill and defend are still there and will kick in at unexpected moments and in unpredictable ways. We miss her when we travel but for her sake she stays at home with the housesitters.

Cheers,

Val

The wild dogs breeding in our national parks as a result of lost hunting dogs and family pets cause huge destruction. You are right about most dogs. They are harmless pets. Its the idiots who break laws and allow them into state forests, private land and national parks that laws have been introduced. My jack Russell girl was a beautiful dog that used to let birds sit on her and played with all sorts of animals. Temperament of a baby. However if I lost her in a forest I am sure she would have resorted to killing some sort of wildlife in order to survive. Agree with John and Val's last paragraph. Our dog was family and if she wasn't allowed into a site we didn't go either..

The risk to wildlife is not just the physical act of killing, or of the risk that they may escape and become feral or breed with ferals.

Just a dog's scent and its bark will make many species clear out of the area, believing their habitat to be invaded. Let it happen repeatedly and the natives will permanently go.

I love dogs, and cats, but only in the home environment. I'm sorry, IMO they have no place in our bushland even if they are leashed.

I like to watch, listen to and enjoy the wildlife in my campsite. Go to a campground where dogs are permitted (and I've been to a few), chances are you won't see or hear a thing other than dogs.

Frank.

What you say is correct,
but human scents, noise, fires and left pollution, poses the same threats.

Cheers Ken

Frank, like I stated earlier. Dogs are god's animals as well. What gives you the right to say "They have no place in our bush land." it's their's just as much as it is yours mate. I agree with some of your statements, but that is just silly.

I think Allan, Val and Frank are about right. We are a family dog owners (and dog lovers) and as much as I think our dogs are 'safe' I still don't trust them; instinct is too strong. I am always wary of owners who will tell you, 'Oh, he/she wouldn't hurt a flee' and it smacks of irresponsibility to think this way. As someone else mentioned, access to a dog (particularly by small children) should always be carefully controlled. In the same way, owners who let their dogs around other people without control are not responsible owners, not matter how good they think their dog is.

Nigel, you claim Frank's point is silly, but base this on the fact that 'Dogs are put here by god'? Really? Even if you accept the argument that god put dogs on earth, the domestic dogs we are talking about are ENTIRELY the product of human selective breeding from wolves, not put here by god at all. So not really a part of the 'natural order' at all, regardless of how you think that order arose.

Cheers,

Matt.

"What gives you the right to say "They have no place in our bush land." it's their's just as much as it is yours mate. "

Nigel, what Frank is saying isn't Frank's rules - it's NP policy. Despite our protestations, they can and do exclude humans from areas of national parks as well as dogs to protect wildlife. At times even people don't have the right to go everywhere when they want.

Matt, does Vals' description remind you of someone ???? :-)

Nigel and Ken,

Yes, I do agree that we humans have an impact on the bush environment. And those bogans that light needlessly large campfires, play loud music constantly, crap in the bush and don't bury the doings, leave toilet paper, tissues and garbage strewn about and, dare I say it, let their dogs run unfettered, they're the ones who maximise the impact on wildlife and stuff the ambience that we all seek. And probably cause the rules that you dislike to be created.

In the issue we're discussing of restricted access for dogs to camps and CPs I feel for you and other dog-lovers, I really do. A dog as a companion animal (as distinct from one which is used as a hunting tool) with its obvious affection and loyalty can bring untold joy and comfort to its "owner". (Who owns who is often debatable!) I know - we had such a dog.

When he died we decided not to try to replace him because we were just beginning our travels and we decided that travelling and dogs are not a fair combination. I'm not knocking you for what you do or want to do, I'm just saying what position we arrived at.

A dog likes to run - look at what they do when you unleash them. Look at how they behave on a dog-friendly beach - they just run for the joy of it because the space is there and they've been allowed to do so.

So I think it is unfair to the dog to keep it leashed at all times. Yet this is what the rules are in most dog-friendly campgrounds and CPs.

This argument boils down to a matter of opinion. I do not wish to impose my opinion on you, I just want to state it and I respect yours if you differ.

If you let your friend run free it's naturally going to sniff around other peoples' campsites - that's what dogs do, they "see" and remember more with their noses than they do with their eyes - you're bound to upset someone who doesn't know your dog, or doesn't like dogs, or who just doesn't want someone else's animal wandering (or barging with enthusiasm and apparent bonhomie :-)) through their campsite. If it's a dog-friendly place, fine, everyone should know what to expect and accommodate it. And if you don't like that sort of thing, don't go there. That's pretty simple.

To be honest, I don't really care about dog policy in commercial CPs and private campgrounds. My main concern is about dogs in bushland.

If you tie them up and leash them at all times, which seems to me to be the environmental expectation, I think it's unfair to the dog.

If you let them run, their "footprint" of noise, scent and general disruption to the natural environment and its inhabitants extends well beyond the campsite. That's unfair to the wildlife and to those people who want to see, hear and enjoy it. Which is why I don't think companion animals belong in the bush, whether it be National Park, State Forest or otherwise.

On this matter, I don't think dogs (or other companion animals for that matter) have have equal or greater rights than we humans. Ie, because people are allowed access does not mean that a companion animal, whether or not it's god's creation, should be afforded equal right of access.

I, and the law, make exception for such things as seeing-eye dogs.

Just my opinion.

Cheers

Don't let the breed fool you Geoff, maybe it had something to do with its owners. I have a 4yo and a 6 mth old and the 4yo will run in the park and come on call every time, even if there is other dogs about. I am glad she is so good because she is teaching my puppy good habits. My girls play with other dogs all the time. Half the reason why I own b**th's, heaps easier to keep in line.

You are spot on .. We DO NOT love other people's dogs.

Keep your mutt away from me or you may have to come and drag it off my boot. I certainly let those dog owners in areas where I camp know my feelings if they have an animal that threatens to come over and try to befriend me. I don't like them at all. Why people feel the need to travel with them baffles me.

OBJ

Hi OBJ

I travel with my dog, to keep people like you away from me,

Last thing I need to be is camped near is some one as uncopromising and aggresive as you.

And you are right I would have to come over to get my dog off you, I doubt you could get a 60kg Mastiff, that you tried to kick, off by self.
Have a happy day.

Regards Ken

Sounds like you need all the friends you can find...

Well, Braggy, you sound like one of those dog owners that travelling is talking about ... "The majority of dog owners don't take care of their dogs correctly or don't clean up..". If there is a risk of your 60kg Mastiff locking onto my leg, it just reinforces the argument. As well as probably being an irresponsible dog owner, your literary levels are pretty poor as well, if you read your post properly. A little 1080 sorts most dogs out, as does the steel wrecking bar I keep close, even 60kg Mastiffs.

I always have a happy day. You try it!!!

OBJ

OBJ you seem to be such a charming ,friendly, guy,
please if ya cum across me campin somewhere, come and introduce yourself

Besiides alot of what hes said OBJ does have some point

and that is WHY do dog owners have no problems inflicting thier dog on you? its like they assume everyone likes thier dog

thier dog comes running up to you snuffling round everywhere and the owner just sits there watching big grin on thier face - they might say "its ok its freindly"
I certainly wouldnt kick or hurt the dog but by the same token I want them to keep thier stuff to themselves let alone people or kids that have had bad experiences and having a dog charging up scares them

OBJ mate, It baffles me why clowns like you don't see our pets as part of our family. Maybe some people can't have kids. That's not my case but who are you to judge. Mate you sound like a fool i wouldn't want to camp near anyway.

I'll be the one flick you off my boot buddy.

Your little pry bar better keep you safe OBJ, I hope some one's dog does bite you mate, KARMA will bite you on the arse.

While the camp sites may be dog friendly, the issue is the dogs and dog owners are not friendly to the camp sites. 2 of the camp sites in that list are places we left because of the uncontrolled dogs and dog doo.

Another major issue with dogs. If you go to a camp site that is no dogs the animals and birds are in abundance. Where there are dogs there is no wildlife around and few birds.

If we are in a camp site that says clearly 'NO DOGS ALLOWED' and there are dogs we take a picture and send it to the local council ranger and encourage more people to do so.

I always encourage councils to make camps 'NO DOGS ALLOWED'.

Maybe if people spoke up about these issues at the time they happen or see it happen, instead of just giving people dirty looks and crying behind their backs, these problems might not happen. Speak up and these people might feel bad for a change and change themselves, if they crack up then you have a reason to have a cry. Till then give us a go for once, Park owners should be responsible as well and get rid of these dog owners. Not all dog owners.

Travelling.

I take offence with your claim that as a dog owner I’m aggressive and nasty.

Yes I can assertive if the occasion requires it, but never nasty, I was raised to a higher standard than that thank you.

As for your comment about council rangers. I think that is a bit of a sweeping statement that was just plucked out of the air.

Read your post again traveller....Reckon you need a spray yourself....

Thank you Clive, The idea with the $100 sounds like an interesting plan. As for your golden rules. Mate I couldn't of said it better myself. Like I said mate thank you very much.

Clive

Good on you. You choose to camp away from others. Others choose to camp at places without dogs. All choice.
Also good to have your golden rules. Problem is that the majority of dog owners do not follow those rules, thats the problem. And I am a dog lover mate, just telling it like it is. You can follow those rules, but it takes only one that doesn't that camp there before you rock up,
that don't will spoil it for you every time
CJ

Yes CJ I know what you mean, I really do.

Clive.

You hit the nail on the head Motherhen, I'd rather be out bush anyway. Then I wouldn't have to deal with OBJ. Can any one suggest any spots.

Laughed so hard Tony, You are a funny bloke. We cause heaps more damage then any dog would.