Dogs at Badminton

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NeilM

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I know lots of people like to take their dogs to Badminton, and watching on TV I was pleased to see that none of them made it onto the course this year.

However, it was very noticeable that at some of the most challenging and technical jumps, where crowds naturally gather, there were a number of dogs that started barking frantically whenever a horse and rider appeared.

So why do people take dogs to a riding event that go mad whenever a horse appears? Alternatively, why have those owners not trained their dogs not to react to horses.

I am not having a go at dog owners, this is just the idle thoughts of someone who neither has the skill to ride at Badminton nor owns a dog (at present).
 
LOL - I own dogs and have always done so. But, I just cannot understand why anyone would want to take a dog to such an event? The same applies to county shows and the like - the poor dogs look so miserable stuck on a lead all day and tripped over/todeen on at every trade stand! To me it seems more trouble than its worth!
 
Have a look at my thread in dogs for some insight!! I have dogs and have taken dogs, but having done both I would now, never want to take my dogs again.
 
I watched Badminton on TV and there was constantly dog 'noise' throughout the commentary! One in particular whined and cried all day - irritating to listen to and clearly not much fun for the poor doggie either!
 
There were some very miserable dogs there today :( It makes me quite cross how cold/shivering/barking/bedraggled many of them were. I am quite confident my little one was far happier at home.
 
There is nothing that irritates me more than watching poor bedraggled dogs getting dragged around Badminton with their owners under some sort of illusion that there dogs are loving it.
I am a complete dog lover, and own a very well behaved dog myself, but I would never dream of taking him to an event as big as Badminton. If I can't arrange dog care then I wouldn't go to Badminton, simples.

As it was I'm sure my dog was far happier snuggled on the sofa while I watched all the action on BBCi
 
I have a Dobie and a Pointer and I cannot fathom why anyone would want to take a dog to an event. I have ranted (at length) about this ALL day - these are the main points:-

1. Everyone goes silent as a horse and rider approach a fence. If the dog barks, tell it off - immediately - and make sure it gets the message, with a boot if necessary.

2. It's a dog, it has a natural coat. It doesnt need a pack-a-mac. Yes it was wet, and chilly. But not THAT frigging chilly.

3. No dog requires a neckerchief. Ever.

4. Extendileads should never be extended in public places. You may think your chihuahua in a patent black mac and spotty necktie thing is the cutest thing you've ever seen - I don't, and I certainly don't want to be entangled in it's poxy 16 miles of chihuahua rope.

5. Dogs should not be allowed into the tradestands. They hate it; if they are not launching at/hiding from other dogs, they are crapping in the stands (yes really) or being stood on/tripped over.

6. If you need a papoose to carry the dog, thus implying it cannot walk, why not just leave it at home with a catflap/doting auntie?

:)
 
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My dog had a great day today he loved every minuite, got coated head to toe in mud, did a steamy dump on the floor in the lake side bar infront of an audience of tweed, and now after a bath is recounting the day flat out in bed.

He is only young ( a scottie if anyone spotted him as there was not many scotties there today ) and I thought he would tire and I would end up carrying him how wrong was I! Apart from the accident on the floor of the bar ( yes I did clear up ) he was very well behaved.

I did wonder why some of the dogs were brought several times people warned me to give their growling dog dog a wide birth ( no problem here my pups is terrified of anything remotely fierce ) surely if your dog is not social you would avoid events like this, and the same goes if it yaps at horses!

I also managed to get him microchipped there the rspca were doing it for a minimum donation of a fiver, boy did he scream the place down ( ok he didn't enjoy that bit )
 
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I was watching Mary Kings Badminton on H&C this evening and I'm sure I saw a dog go yapping after her horse. Now I couldn't tell you if it was this years XC they were showing as there are no subtitles on this channel but it was damn lucky not to get kicked by Imperial Cavalier :eek:
 
I was going to take my little dog today but decided against it with it being so wet and muddy, didnt want her getting miserable half way through the day! however I think its a lovely place to take dogs, all abiding your dog is well behaved! Some dogs love the mud and wet weather, I know my lab would have been in his element, but my little wouldnt have liked it so muc.h I did see some miserable looking dogs today, looked a little chilly, however the majority of the dogs I saw looked extremely happy! :D
 
I was standing at the colt pond today when a girl on a gray horse had a bit of a run out and then came cantering towards us before she could turn around and try again. Just as she did so...the woman in front of me was casually hanging onto a black lab who lunged at the horse before the woman grabbed a tighter hold. I kindly told her to pay more attention to her dog as that could have turned out a lot worse!

I would never take a dog there...not too bad out around the course in the open....but the numbers of tiny, cold, wet, scared half to death puppies I saw was ridiculous! And the poor dogs walking around the shops trying to navigate their way through the crowds was horrible :( I tried so hard not to squish any!

Also the numbers of dogs that DO NOT need a mac!!!!!!

If it were me I would have left my dog at home, got a neighbour to walk or at least put in kennels for a day! My dog is aggressive with others so I have to keep him at home anyway :)

I did however have a bit of a laugh when a girl tried to get though a watery ditch bit with her big dog...the dog took a lunge to jump it...thus pulling the girl into the water :D
 
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Ellies_mum2 said:
I was watching Mary Kings Badminton on H&C this evening and I'm sure I saw a dog go yapping after her horse. Now I couldn't tell you if it was this years XC they were showing as there are no subtitles on this channel but it was damn lucky not to get kicked by Imperial Cavalier :eek:
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Considering Imperial Cavalier was put down at the Express Eventing thing I think it would be a little difficult :(

I would never take my dog to Badminton as I know the number of times that I have nearly fallen over the extending lead/dog/trodden on dog - this is even when the dog is being well behaved. Amb is still quite young and would prefer to be running around rather than dragging me/being dragged on a lead all day!
 
Some people are travelling a long way and don't like to/can't leave their dog for too long without company and without being fed and let out etc. I would never take my dog, purely because he would hate being stuck on a tight lead all day, or just lounging around in a car, and he barks the entire time at horses. Plus, this year, very glad we didn't bring him because of the terrible rain and mud! Instead we get our housekeeper to come in to let him out and everything. Some dogs enjoy it though, walking round, smelling new things, meeting other dogs etc. xx
 
We took our nearly 3 year old son with us to Badminton today. A big brown labrador dragged his owner through the crowd, right up to my little boy and pinched his sandwich right out of his hand!
 
I agree totally with misbehaving dogs ruining it for everyone! But I can't agree with a blanket ban!

One of my jackies loves horse shows! He loves horses, but would never bite or bark at them, he loves seeing other dogs, but would never go after them, he loves meeting people, but would never bother them. He trots along next to me on his lead more than happily.

We'd have to leave his wife at home, she hates everyone and anything that isn't my mum! But he'd have a ball!

Why should a few ruin it for everyone else?
 
I agree with Ruthnmeg, leave the dogs at home, and if people are that worried about leaving their dogs for a long peroid of time........don't go!
 
Not saying there should be a ban!

Some dog owners should not take dangerous dogs and must be able to control their dogs at all times...even the most well-behaved dog could take off after a horse if not under control.

I do think that dogs should not have to be dragged around the crowded trade stalls though!But in my own opinion...I would leave the dog at home.
 
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heather_bambi said:
Not saying there should be a ban!

Some dog owners should not take dangerous dogs and must be able to control their dogs at all times...even the most well-behaved dog could take off after a horse if not under control.

I do think that dogs should not have to dragged around the crowded trade stalls though!But in my own opinion...I would leave the dog at home.
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i agree, you cant take them to a golf tournament! i also found it annoying that the yacking of some dogs was def distracting some horses aswell as getting on my nerves as a viewer i was ranting about it at the tv lol i love dogs but sometimes u have to leave them at home sorry
 
We took our pointer a couple of years ago. My dogs come everywhere with me and I don't really see the problem if they behave and are confident/used to that kind of environment. Star dog really enjoyed herself.. sniffing round looking for half eaten hot dogs!!

It is a bit stupid if people drag them around the stalls all day, but there is sooo much space it's not hard to get out of the crowds.
 
I'm sat well and truly on the fence with this one.....

I have no real problem if:
a) owners are responsible, i.e. keep dog on short lead and don't drag the poor things round the trade stands all day
b) dogs are happy, quiet and well behaved.

However, I have two dogs (a collie and a rottie) and I would NEVER take them. The collie frets in crowds and generally gets stressed (he was a rescue) and the rottie loves everybody and is generally enthusiastic. Personally it would ruin my enjoyment of the day and I think that they would much prefer a good run around the fields or in the park.

I did see an incident at Bramham last year when a dog got off the lead and chased one of the horses on the XC. The horse didn't seem bothered but I would have been fuming if it happened to me at any event, let alone a prestigious and hard earned one.
 
I'd think it should really come down to what the competitors think. If they annoy them and they see them as a real problem then maybe their should be an out right ban. Otherwise I think people should stop complaining!
 
I wouldn't take Bradley... just not fun for him at all!

I thought it was Call Again Cavalier that was put down at Express Eventing..?
 
Jack comes with me to events/country fairs (we're off to one today actually). He's been going since he was tiny. I stay away from overly crowded places as he's a bit little and I don't want him being trodden on.

That being said I still go round the shops and he loves it. Then again I think the sharing lunch with me and fuss from lots of people helps ;) He NEVER barks or pulls.

If people are sensible, pick up after their dog (I'm lucky mines a prude and normally finds a bush to go in) and are attentive to their dog I really don't see a problem.
 
Why should the misbehavour of some dogs call for a blanket ban on all dogs!

My little fella really did love it and bar the accident in the bar ( which I cleared up ) really did behave.

We were camping so he was with us the whole duration, we did not go in the trade stands cross country day except to get something to eat as who would, when they are much quieter previous.

Maybe we should do a blanket ban on children too just for the minority few that miss behave!

Prehaps though they should fine owners if their dog causes a serious problem.
 
Agree with you. I DO take my dogs and as they come to shows, yard, friends with me, they are very used to wandering around with me on a lead all day. As they are staffies, they would rather be with me and people than left behind. They do not bark at horses or try to chase being well used to all shapes of equines. I go out carrying doggy bags and their water and they love all the attention they get. As for having a go at people whose dogs wear macs/coats - you should leave that up to the owner, its not your place to tell someone else what they should put on their dog!!. If it is pouring I do put waterproofs on - bet you didn't know that staffies have very little fur on their stomach. I will not, however, go on cross country day now with them as I do want to have a look in some of the shops and it is just too busy. We go on another day. So back off the dog owners.. those of us who are responsible to do not deserve your critisism and my friends, dogs (and the people we meet) have a lovely day!
 
If you do take your dog (and lets face it that most horsey events mean dogs are present cos the two often go together)I can recommend using the Dog Creche - especially when you are going around the trade stands.

It is run by a charity (Langdale trust) and saves your dog from becoming distressed in the crowds. This year it was bigger than last but had a lot of free spaces.
 
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