First time Kentucky 3DE

[Texarkana]

I find it odd this conversation is so anti-dog because there are going to be a bajillion dogs there.

They usually have a doggy daycare set up by the campground I believe.

If your dog is well-behaved and reliable, it is very dog-friendly.

[SillyHorse]

I don’t read any of this as anti-dog, but as advice tending toward not to take a dog.

[f0rf31t]

I’m not really anti-dog but I do feel like K3DE isn’t the best place w/how busy it is.

Like - if you know the dog is well-behaved, won’t get in the way, etc. then sure, bring them but I absolutely remember feeling like there were sometimes dogs in the way (and I don’t dislike dogs) when I’d be there, e.g. the trade fair could get really crowded and I can remember almost stepping on a dog once and just, why do you need your dog at the crowded trade fair? (that’s a rhetorical question) Service dog is one thing, but I just don’t get the whole culture of people taking their pet dogs everywhere.

EDIT: I think the rub lies w/in “if your dog is very well-behaved and reliable,” because plenty of folks think their dog is well-behaved and reliable when the dog may not actually be that well-behaved or reliable.

EDIT 2: I also feel like if you’ve never been to K3DE, it’s probably way easier if you don’t have to keep tabs on your dog on top of taking in/enjoying the event itself. Not saying “never take the dog” but want to kind of amend my point to “if you’ve never been, it might be smartest to go dog-free (if possible) the first time, so you can get more of a sense of the event w/o your dog(s) and then if you go regularly in the future take the dog(s) if you think they’re up to it.”

[Texarkana]

@f0rf31t

EDIT: I think the rub lies w/in “if your dog is very well-behaved and reliable,” because plenty of folks think their dog is well-behaved and reliable when the dog may not actually be that well-behaved or reliable.

That is definitely true.

Believe me, no one dislikes poorly mannered dogs around crowds and horses more than me.

But I also don’t think it’s a bad place to bring your dog provided the owner knows how their dog will handle crowds and activity.

[leighbo009]

@f0rf31t

EDIT 2: I also feel like if you’ve never been to K3DE, it’s probably way easier if you don’t have to keep tabs on your dog on top of taking in/enjoying the event itself. Not saying “never take the dog” but want to kind of amend my point to “if you’ve never been, it might be smartest to go dog-free (if possible) the first time, so you can get more of a sense of the event w/o your dog(s) and then if you go regularly in the future take the dog(s) if you think they’re up to it.”

I agree 100% with this. I didn’t take my dog the first couple times I went, and I’m glad I did not! Now he gets to go, but I pick and choose when he gets to go into the park, otherwise he is in the camper.

[f0rf31t]

I think too, some of it is there have been issues with dogs getting loose on the cross country course (I want to say one year I was there I remember hearing about a loose dog on XC). That’s a hazard, and yes, stuff happens, but if you don’t take a dog, that’s one less dog to potentially get loose.

[Djones]

@Texarkana

If your dog is well-behaved and reliable, it is very dog-friendly

I have 4 dogs. All are pretty lovely guys and gals. I don’t want them to have to deal with swarms of legs and feet and little kid hands. I don’t want to pick poop and carry it around for ages until we get to a trash can. I don’t want them getting rained on while I’m watching horses jump cross country. I don’t want them getting tired of the whole thing and I’m still wanting to watch. I don’t want to watch to ensure they don’t get stepped on or tripped over. I don’t want to navigate some moron with a retractable leash letting sweetie come over to make friends.

If I were going tailgating and the dog could rest or retreat more easily, sure. Maybe.

[BAC]

@f0rf31t

EDIT: I think the rub lies w/in “if your dog is very well-behaved and reliable,” because plenty of folks think their dog is well-behaved and reliable when the dog may not actually be that well-behaved or reliable.

Exactly! These are the same people who don’t realize what brats their children are. I love dogs but there are already too many of them at the event, well behaved and otherwise. Let them stay home.

[f0rf31t]

I will say most of the dogs I encountered as a spectator the years I went did seem well-behaved but, reading your point - yeah it’s probably exhausting for both dog and owner. (I’ve had a cat for years, so, he just stays home with his food and water dish enjoying a full human-free day the years I’ve gone)

[pony_grandma]

@f0rf31t

I think too, some of it is there have been issues with dogs getting loose on the cross country course (I want to say one year I was there I remember hearing about a loose dog on XC). That’s a hazard, and yes, stuff happens, but if you don’t take a dog, that’s one less dog to potentially get loose.

Years ago didn’t Buck Davidson have a dog chase him? Actually at his horses heels?

[stargzng386]

I think a lot of the comments about dogs is because as a spectator who leaves my dog home it sucks to see hundreds of exhausted, miserable and painful dogs all day long. Especially puppies who are literally being dragged back to the cars at the end of the day. Especially cross country day. A vast majority of these dogs are not in shape enough for the day, even farm dogs. I’ll walk 20k steps and am absolutely dying by the end of cross country day. If you’d like go and find a spot to camp out at a few jumps and stay relatively still that might be ok. Also consider it might be pouring it might be blazing hot and sunny it might be windy. It might start out cold and then get very hot.

It is a total blast! Bring money to spend. Bring a backpack and snacks. If they’re still available preferred parking is 100% with every penny. You won’t get stuck in long car lines and can stop back at your car to drop off shopping purchases.

[jcc813]

I have 4 dogs. All are pretty lovely guys and gals. I don’t want them to have to deal with swarms of legs and feet and little kid hands. I don’t want to pick poop and carry it around for ages until we get to a trash can. I don’t want them getting rained on while I’m watching horses jump cross country. I don’t want them getting tired of the whole thing and I’m still wanting to watch. I don’t want to watch to ensure they don’t get stepped on or tripped over. I don’t want to navigate some moron with a retractable leash letting sweetie come over to make friends.

This is a pretty close description of why we decided not to bring our toddler this year LOL (including the carrying around poop, at least when he was still wearing diapers).

We’ve taken him every year since he was 1 but after being absolutely exhausted when we got home last year after chasing him around, dealing with tantrums, potty accidents, randomly timed hunger pangs, and an unexpected ER visit due to a random allergic reaction to the grass? the air? I decided this year we’re inviting the grandparents and they will watch him away from the venue.

Not much else to add that hasn’t been covered but here are a few more tips:

• Pack a lunch/snacks for XC day as there aren’t really food vendors on course (though at least last year there was a beer vendor)
• Definitely agree with earlier advice about getting stadium seats that are in shaded. That sun gets HOT. And for SJ, I aim for seats toward the East side of the stadium to get ahead of the crowd more quickly once it’s over.
• It doesn’t seem to matter if you arrive early or late on XC day, you could be parked right by the entrance or way out in the boonies depending on how they’ve decided to direct traffic. Just avoid the entrance/turn that takes you to the Alltech arena parking. Made that mistake one year and regretted every minute of the long walk back.
• If you’ve enjoyed yourself and think you want to go back next year, scan the QR codes posted around the venue to get the best priced tickets, which go on sale the day after the event.

[f0rf31t]

Yeah I think so, I remember that video clip going around.

[Djones]

We camped in our LQ and our tiny doggo was delighted to be left inside with the radio on

[blue_heron]

Definitely spend an early morning at Keeneland. Can get breakfast at the track kitchen and watch racehorses breeze. In the past I have aimed to get there around 6 am.

[NaturallyHappy]

@Djones

I don’t want to navigate some moron with a retractable leash letting sweetie come over to make friends.

This everywhere😀!

[pony_grandma]

You do not want to be this dog owner.

Rolex 2009 - Buck Davidson's ride ruined by dog at the Sunken Road

[SillyHorse]

I’d be willing to bet that dog’s owner would have told you before that happened how well-behaved and reliable it was. Yessir.

[Texarkana]

@SillyHorse

I’d be willing to bet that dog’s owner would have told you before that happened how well-behaved and reliable it was. Yessir.

[NaturallyHappy]

Oh my gosh! How awful!