Should dogs be banned at major events? What do competition riders think?

I think all dogs at horse events should be in a harness NOT a collar, half the time these dogs get loose because they slip their collars. They can't get out of a harness no matter how hard they try!

Entry fee for dogs would be good, and also think anyone caught with a loose dog should pay a BIG fine. If you don't like it, leave your dog at home.

I for one feel very sorry for all the dogs that get dragged round the shops, getting trodden on by everyone passing by.
 
People who own horses are expected to provide adequate facilities for said horses to remain in, in comfort & without stress, whilst they are absent for short periods of time. It is my belief that if you own a dog, you ought to be able to provide the same facilities!
If I take my horse to a comp, I will unload, compete & go straight home if there is no safe, comfortable place to leave the horse (ie. I wouldn't leave it in a box on a hot day!), I wouldn't drag it round the showground with me... a suitable dog kennel, or yes, even a stable (although with most dogs, I'd want a mesh grill on the top half to avoid any escaping!) I imagine will be far preferrable to traipsing round in the sun, or the mud, or the crowds... if you're worried about your dog being alone? Get it a companion! (like you would a horse!) as I don't believe that the vast majority of owners can be with their animals for the vast majority of the day....

Do I have a problem with dogs at events? Not really. I've owned dogs. Don't have one at the minute because of where I live (rented flat) but that can't be helped. We have taken dogs to horse shows/comps - but usually for no more than 3hrs, and rarely on warmer days, and usually it would be a case of if someone wanted to look at stalls, either one person held the dog in a quiet area & the other went to look, then swapped, or we waited until it was quiet.
I don't mind well behaved dogs being at shows, and can even understand dogs occasionally misbehaving (don't all animals!) as long as the handler of the dog is actually doing something to control/train the animal that it's not acceptable. When they sit there & laugh or do nothing at all, or think that a dog lunging at horses (or people!) or barking its head off, or dragging them & itself under everyone's feet is acceptable, or shows a happy dog.... then I may find myself becoming a little worked up. Sadly, there are many people, even 'dog people' who don't have a clue & will let their dogs do all that & more! (There is a good reason I learned to avoid dog shows at a young age!)

Should dogs be banned from events? No, I don't really think so. Should they be discouraged? Yes. I certainly think that definitely at larger events, and perhaps people should be cautioned that, should they take a dog in, they are entirely responsible for its health & welfare, and its behaviour - and should they neglect to consider these things, and the dog get loose or behave badly, or for any reason become injured (ie. trodden on!) then it is their own fault, and they may be asked to leave the show or be fined in the event of a dog chasing or attacking a horse.
 
Sol said:
Should dogs be banned from events? No, I don't really think so. Should they be discouraged? Yes. I certainly think that definitely at larger events, and perhaps people should be cautioned that, should they take a dog in, they are entirely responsible for its health & welfare, and its behaviour - and should they neglect to consider these things, and the dog get loose or behave badly, or for any reason become injured (ie. trodden on!) then it is their own fault, and they may be asked to leave the show or be fined in the event of a dog chasing or attacking a horse.
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But I, as most dog owners, entirely accept that I am absolutely responsible for the health & welfare and behaviour of my dogs which is why they are well trained, well socialised and well liked dogs! My JRT's..not all JRT's that is ;)

Someone else mentioned harnesses to which I do agree as mine are in harnesses and they are JRT's so no it's not because they pull ;)
 
If I put my dog in a harness I would be towed as he chased after stuff (squirrels, horses, picnic baskets, kids footballs etc etc) He is controllable on a lead, but would be a terror on a harness :eek:
 
I think there are two issues here:
1) Going to spectate at big events eg. the 3/4*s and county shows/game fairs
2) Taking your dog when you go competing.

I never take my dogs with me in example 1. I leave them at home, possibly with someone to let them out at lunchtime if necessary, or leave them with a friend for the day. We don't have kennels any more but if we did I'd happily kennel them in the garden for the day. They're used to being shut up from time to time and would be fine.

When I go eventing I generally do take the dogs unless it is going to be either very hot or extremely muddy. They even come to 3-days. I have a slightly different scenario in that my dogs come with me to work - I'm based in my car - and they often spend 12hr days out and about in the car with me. They're quiet, well-behaved and generally treat my car like their kennel.

If I'm walking the course the day before and the schedule doesn't prohibit it (most do) they walk the course off the lead and if we're away overnight they potter around a bit off lead once the competition's over for the day and whilst we're sitting in the sun (!) cooking tea or having a drink. They're not particularly used to being on a lead but if them's the rules then we generally stick to them.
 
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MadisonBelle said:
But I, as most dog owners, entirely accept that I am absolutely responsible for the health & welfare and behaviour of my dogs which is why they are well trained, well socialised and well liked dogs! My JRT's..not all JRT's that is ;)

Someone else mentioned harnesses to which I do agree as mine are in harnesses and they are JRT's so no it's not because they pull ;)
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Sadly though, a lot of people would be quite quick to lay the blame elsewhere! :( And a lot of people DON'T socialise their dogs, at least not to the extent that they should do, which is a shame - mostly for the animals that end up frightened or being punished as a result.

I always have to giggle at people who use harnesses on dogs that pull anyway :p 'here is an object designed for pulling things... that I will put on my dog to teach it NOT to pull' I see some flawed logic here! So I could see this going either way... perhaps less loose dogs, but more owners being towed across tracks by their dogs (when combined with the bad habit of sticking a hand through the loop on leads!) hehe. Definitely harder to wriggle out of though!
 
I've only seen one dog creche and all it was rows of cages for the dogs to stay in. Are all creches like this? There is no way I would be happy putting my dog in there.

As for dogs being miserable at big events, we have two dogs, one is happy and content staying at home having the run of the house and garden but the other loves attention and adores coming to big events with so many people making a fuss over him. Both are rescue dogs but with very different lives before they came to us.
 
A fine is all that is needed!

As a dog owner, who takes her dog to shows when competing or spectating, I would fully support the Fining of loose dogs as my own dog is well trained.

I know I'm biased but I can honestly say she is. She is on a lead (not harness) and will sit when asked, she does not pull, and as a responsible dog owner i pick up the poo even when walking the xc (I would not like to fall off and land in poo and would be mortified if my dogs poo was left and someone ended up in it - or a horse slips because of it)

At Hutton last weekend, someone's dog had poo'd beside the score tent which we identified when myself and my friend stood in it!!!!!

I also own a Viszla who does not attend shows - this is due to the fact that she is disobedient!! she stays behind with the border collie.

Bring out a fine I say!!!
 
I am not too bothered but at my last showing show there was a man who had a loose dog which followed my lad into the ring and proceeded to really wind him up he was really carrying on, the dog did not go back to the owner, ran away from people trying to get it, and only after the two rings were suitably wound up was the dog eventually caught. Now if that dog had been kicked being that he is a member of the GP there is no way I would have got away with nothing, my horse would have killed that little thing... So whilst I am not bothered at events so much as eventing tend to be slightly more savvy (agree on the fines though) showing is a difficult one as so many numpties with dogs... ;)
 
Ah yes of course harnesses won't suit all..... I have to say that one of mine did get out of his too!!!! Not at a show I hasten to add but at home when he was a pup. He was tied up whilst I was lunging and he simply walked backwards out of it! It's one of those string ones that only tightens if they pull so for big events he wears a fixed one.

I really do think big fines are the way. I mean the Owner has to find his/her dog if it has gotten lose. We all have to get tickets for the big events and county shows etc so it could be printed on them.

I'd hate to see them banned because the minority aren't careful enough/responsible.
 
Writing as someone who works at both Show jumping and Eventing....in the stables mostly....the problem we have, is that competitors arrive at event, and whoosh, away go the dogs. this is fine, UNTIL the competition starts, our worst experience, was at Weston Park some years ago, it was so sad, a young junior at her first three day event, went for hack on A (roads and tracks) her horse was frightened by a loose dog barking and running at her, the horse went sideways, and ended up being badly cut, and having to be withdrawn from the competition, can you imagine how she and her family felt. At Weston, Janet Plant always says please keep your dogs under control at all times, this is due to the fact that they are raising game birds, and we have also had dogs disappearing into the woods, the gamekeeper is not amused... Dogs there have also disrupted the dressage...By all means bring your dogs, but please please keep them on a lead, and not an extending one.
 
Henley Rider said:
Where do your dogs wee and poo? Don't they chew things? My dogs love going to shows. Though I have to admit, one time I came back to the horsebox and they were howling for me. Embarrassing!
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Much like when we're at home, they go when they're on walks (3 a day), because they spend the rest of the time snoozing or playing with each other and their toys. They're pretty well-trained and have toys they can play with- as long as shoes are kept off the floor they never chew stuff that isn't theirs... Even the puppy.
 
Ali16 said:
Sorry, but I couldn't do that to my dogs. We are often gone for the entire day, and quite often stay away, this is just not an option for me. Also, my dogs have been taught NOT to do their business in stables! Imagine if a livery came up to see a dog pooh in their horse's nicely made bed?! :eek:
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Why wouldn't you use your own stables for your own dogs, I certainly wouldn't put mine in a livery's box, that's unfair?
What happens IF horsey do'd did ban dogs altogether then, how would you cope? It's quite simple, if you stay away then surely you either need to put them in kennels for the duration or get someone to let them out and take them for a run a few times each day plus feed them when necessary. They honestly don't die just because they are kept in a stable or kennel as long as they have a bed and water you know, even toys if they play with them.

Bestdogdash said:
If you think it ok to leave a dog on its own locked up in a stable from 6.00am til 8.00pm (my standard event day) the you really shouldn't have a dog. If I have to explain it to you, you really should have a dog. Try a cat!
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I know I really should have a dog - oh wait, I actually have six and if we do go out for the day they are put in a stable (with a deep bed) which is 13'6" x 11'6" so plenty of room for them to move around, stretch out and go to sleep - which they do for most of the day anyway. They have a bucket of water and their bowl of food which is always ad-lib anyway. I think you'd be hard pushed to say they were stressed out and they certainly don't come to any harm. If we go away which is very rare as we hate to leave them, the same thing happens but son will come 3 times a day to take them out and feed them. I'd far rather they were at home in their own surroundings than in the stress of kennels.. - where the treatment would be exactly the same.

Henley Rider said:
What about 3 day events - you can't keep farming your dogs out to other people. Plus keeping a dog in all day is cruel, especially for dogs that are used to being active during the day.
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So you don't go away on holiday or for a short break - ever?

Baggybreeches said:
Knowing Maesfen this has me in absolute stitches!!!
What a ridiculous thing to say, my dogs stay at home when I go to horse things because they are going to find it stressful. A dog will be fine left in a stable for a day or 'shock horror'
a day and a night if need be.
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Lol, yes, you know our whole gang of course and how badly they're treated! :D
 
I don't think we would go if we couldn't take the dogs. We usually go for five days and camp. At Burghley we didn't camp on site (it was so much better!). For us it is a UK holiday with the dogs. Our dogs both have harnesses (as an extra, un needed precaution) and we always carry loads of water and rest them often. They love it. Their tails wag away all day long. On the dressage days we checked them into the creche for a couple of hours (they just slept while everything else barked!). On the SJ day they sat on the bank with us and lazed. I enjoy seeing the thousands of dogs that are taken there. Its pretty rare that I've seen a dog looking unhappy. Two spring to mind - one at Badminton was too old and was being dragged along by a woman talking and not paying attention to her dog. Another was a toy dog at Bramham, that was being carried along by a smoker, who was holding her cig inches from it's face without realising.

We are also guilty of leaving them in a stable when we ride out (its our own yard) and tying them on the trailer to happily watch everything when we are at shows! Perhaps the fact that they do come places with us so often is the reason that they aren't any trouble?

I do agree that there should be fines for those that let their dogs escape. There was a PA one day at Burghley saying that someone had lost their 10 week old puppy - completely baffled me - how careless do you have to be to lose a puppy!!
 
This is not such a problem in Dressage events, then i leave my dog at home as I won't be out for such a long day as I would if I evented.

I sometimes take my dog with me if going to Badminton, Burghley or Gatcombe if not too hot, its an opportunity for her to have some fresh air and be exposed to busy environments and horses. Charlimouse, I would happily pay an entrance fee to take her - especially if it deterred the inconsiderate owners from bringing theirs ;)

It does make my day harder work than if I don't take her, mine is always on a lead attached to harness and collar, I stand so far from the fences I practically need binoculars and she always goes in the doggy creche whilst I go shopping. rather than drag her around the shops and deal with the crowds - plus the creche's are often run by dog charities so it is a great way to support them.
 
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They were not allowed at the Olympic XC and it was great! No looking to make sure you didn't stand in dog muck and not getting in the way when trying to watch at the fences!

The one comp I have managed to get to was Eden Valley 1 and there was dog dirt on the approach to quite a few fences.

I have a dog but he stays at home when I compete/ spectate.
 
Maesfen said:
Why wouldn't you use your own stables for your own dogs, I certainly wouldn't put mine in a livery's box, that's unfair?
What happens IF horsey do'd did ban dogs altogether then, how would you cope? It's quite simple, if you stay away then surely you either need to put them in kennels for the duration or get someone to let them out and take them for a run a few times each day plus feed them when necessary. They honestly don't die just because they are kept in a stable or kennel as long as they have a bed and water you know, even toys if they play with them.
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I didn't say that I would put them in a livery's box, but if I shut them in one of MY stables they would learn that it's OK to pooh in stables and probably not be able to differentiate between my horse's box and a livery's box in the long term. They can't read the name on the door after all :rolleyes:

And I didn't say that they would die if they were left in a stable either, I simply said that I COULDN'T do it to MY dogs. Big difference. You do with your dogs what you see fit, I do with my dogs what I see fit.

I'm positive that all horsey events will not ban dogs anyway. There would be a huge fall out from competitors. I enjoy taking my dog with me to events where I'm competing and she also loves to come to the larger events, although we avoid the tradestand areas and would never shut her in the car.
 
I love taking my dog to events (inc the big ones) but I am paranoid about him getting loose (he's a lurcher so would stay with any horse he chased) so I have two leads on him; one on his headcollar and one on his collar, with the ends loop over my wrist, not held in my hand. I'd also be mortified if he barked and put off a horse and rider, so right from the start he's learnt not to utter a peep. As a result he is a pleasure to take to things. I agree that hefty fines and reminders from commentators would help put off the irresponsible dog owners who don't take basic precautions.
 
Its not the dogs, its the stupidity of the owners. I do think people need toucher penalties if their dogs are in a dangerous or they are irresponsible! Maybe a licence??!!! My youngster was attacked by a dog at solihull riding club because the dozy owner had an expandable lead and it jumped away from her, horse is now scared of dogs which is a bl***y pain. Recently a fence judge, also at solihull had her dogs and cage outside the car lined up next to the fence. It was too close and I couldn't get horse near it.
When I was at the bundeschampionate it germany it made me realise how bad the dogs owners in the uk are. The dogs were better behaved and well mannered in germany.!!
 
Re German dogs, it's the same at many big European shows - dogs everywhere, mostly loose, and very little trouble. Mind you, people are much less tolerant of dogs barking etc and not shy about telling people off. And owners seem to be more careful - they won't bring all their dogs, for instance, if they won't all behave well.

Having been on the other side, as an organiser, what annoys me is the common feeling that people have the RIGHT to bring their dogs, however they behave, and that no one else has the right to get annoyed if the dog behaves badly. It can't be a shock to anyone that dogs are a big responsibility!
 
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