Going to events with dogs

[toady123]

OP, I think that because you will be on your own, that adds to some of the complexity because it means that they will spend a great deal of time unsupervised.

Given that, I would most definitely crate them in a stall or in a cool shady area with water. That way there is no risk of escape and causing injury or damage (assuming they can’t escape a crate!) to themselves or others.

If you can find a dog daycare or kennel nearby that offers day rates that might be even better as someone else has noted.

I just think if it were me I would not want the added hassle to an already hectic and busy day. I would pretty upset if the dogs got loose and caused havoc.

[Saskatoonian]

Oh for Pete’s sake. The drama.

You asked whether people brought their dogs: I do, all the time, and have been doing it for …hmmm. More than 20 years. I event alone. I’ve tucked her in my stall, tucked her in my trailer, tied her in the shade, tied her to my truck, and used a pen and a crate in the shade. They are /were (i only have 1 at a time)used to it and good around horses.

I love dogs at events. I love a good dog party on an XC walk when rides are done for the day or hours before they start. Yeah, you have to be respectful of the organizers and landowners, but really, in most places you can do that and bring your dog.

You can probably see what you’ve got for locking in a stall if you try it at home when there’s activity in the barn. I have known dogs that bark like fools and that’s annoying - mine haven’t been like that so not sure what I’d do about it. But yeah, that will make your neighbors crazy.

[kcmel]

[QUOTE=JP60;8478738]

When I see a loose dog at a show I don’t worry about whether it came from a rider or spectator or judge. I attempt to catch it, give it to the office and let them deal with it. I am aware that most venues, and the USEA, have actionable items if your dog causes an issue so instead of saying to some, don’t bring your dear one, say something like if you do and things go bad, be prepared to face the piper (fines, yellow card, angry competitors).[/QUOTE]

And there you have the problem. Note you said “when” not “if” you see a loose dog at a show. Dogs do get loose–and how do you filter the good dogs/owners from the bad? And a loose dog at a horse trial is so very dangerous. I’ve seen at least 2 chase a competing horse on XC. It’s very scary! In my opinion the potential cost is too high (serious injury/death). However I recognize that banning dogs completely is unrealistic.

My horse fox hunts, but that doesn’t mean he will tolerate a strange dog jumping on him while the dog owner is yelling, “don’t worry he loves horses!”. (this happened, but not at a show).

But none of this is relevant (much) to the OP’s original question, and it seems like she is coming up with some solutions. Good luck!

[bornfreenowexpensive]

Honestly…when I was on my own at a show was exactly when I WANTED to have my dog. Especially in the hotel room. My big rottie would go to all the shows with me…and as a single woman…I liked having a big dog with me even if she was super friendly.

It is just being responsible. Having a tack stall etc. But having a dog with you is less distracting than having a kid or teenager (or SO) with you! Just do what works for you, be responsible and comply with the rules.

[GutsNGlory]

Honestly OP, you sound like a very responsible dog owner with well behaved dogs and you’ve thought of several options for making things work. I agree with Saskatoonian to test them at home leaving them in a stall and also you will know more about how they are at events when you take them to Rolex.

I leave my dog at home most of the time as I am lucky to have someone who can care for him, but do occasionally bring him with me when I know the weather will be good (i.e. no wet/muddy dog to sleep with and cool enough for him as he has long hair). The few shows I do, maybe two per year, I usually either leave him in my LQ of my trailer while riding (where he happily sleeps and never makes a peep) or tie him up at my stall. The only time he barks is when he sees me coming back to the stall and he quiets as soon as I am there… not any more noise than when my horse sees me coming in the morning with his breakfast. He has his own fan following with a few of my friends and their parents, too, and often one of them will babysit him for me if needed. And I have also helped at other shows with babysitting dogs for my friends while they ride, if the timing works out. I like dogs and really don’t mind them at shows as long as their owners are responsible and follow the rules, and the dogs are well behaved.

[Ready_To_Riot]

[QUOTE=bornfreenowexpensive;8478939]
Honestly…when I was on my own at a show was exactly when I WANTED to have my dog. Especially in the hotel room. My big rottie would go to all the shows with me…and as a single woman…I liked having a big dog with me even if she was super friendly.[/QUOTE]

This is why my dogs go with me so many places. I’m a tiny thing and travel a lot alone. I take my dogs with me in most of my travels. People tend to leave you alone when you’re walking two 80lb dogs giving them commands in German. Lol

ETA thank you everyone for all great responses. I was beginning to wonder if in the past two years that I’d taken off from riding that people just stopped having dogs!

In the Riot Barn at shows, we will have dogs, pupcicles, and margaritas! Who wants to come?!! Hehe

I’m gonna lock them in a stall today while I ride and see how they do. Or the trailer.

[ellisrun]

I set up the back of my trailer for the pups - dog beds, bowls, fans (if hot), in their blankies if cold. I do try to park far away in the off chance they bark, I am not disturbing anyone. If I am familiar with the show grounds and a tack stall with a secure door is an option I have gone that route. I have left them in the truck with a super set-up when weather permits - no problems. I also try to find dog friendly hotels, and have researched local boarding options when showing out of town - but have had trouble with Sunday pick ups (wanting to overcharge crazy amount:).

[akor]

I’m facing my own “what to do” about this - but it would be a lot easier decision of it was “just leaving the dog alone for the day” - I am gone for three for four DAYS for shows here.

[Ready_To_Riot]

[QUOTE=akor;8479093]
I’m facing my own “what to do” about this - but it would be a lot easier decision of it was “just leaving the dog alone for the day” - I am gone for three for four DAYS for shows here.[/QUOTE]

This is how I am. That’s why I was getting so frustrated when people kept repeating “they will be fine at home alone for a day”. No one wanted to hear it was for an entire weekend.

A lot of great options have been posted here. Seems like everyone is pretty dog friendly. Just a few who aren’t. Bring them to the margarita stall and drink with me! Lol

[Tiger_Paws]

[QUOTE=kcmel;8478865]
–and how do you filter the good dogs/owners from the bad? [/QUOTE]

That’s really, really easy.

Just make sure that the dog owner is on COTH. I’m not sure what it is about COTH that makes the dogs so well behaved, but I have yet to see a post on COTH where the poster’s dog barks, gets loose, or ever puts a paw wrong.

[eventer_mi]

OP - it sounds like you have a good plan. It’s hard to duplicate a show situation at home with your dogs, but seeing how they behave locked in a stall while you’re away is a good start.

The very fact that you are asking if it’s okay to bring your two pups shows that you are a considerate dog owner. The ones who let their dogs wander all over the stabling area, yelling “Don’t worry - he/she is friendly!” as their dog jumps all over me, putting its muddy paws on my clean show breeches - those are the ones who probably don’t think of asking if it’s ok to bring them

I’m a dog owner/lover. My two dogs are Delta Dog certified and have their Canine Good Citizenship award. I used to bring them to shows where they would walk the XC with me, but I always cleaned up after them (you’d be amazed at how many don’t, especially out in the xc field) and they never barked while I was gone - no one knew they were there. Now that they’re older, I keep them at home. And I always kept them at home when I was competing at a show by myself - trying to juggle two dogs and compete was just too much for me. I understand that others feel differently.

Good luck with your test run! It sounds like your two will be just fine.

[GutsNGlory]

[QUOTE=Tiger Paws;8479178]
That’s really, really easy.

Just make sure that the dog owner is on COTH. I’m not sure what it is about COTH that makes the dogs so well behaved, but I have yet to see a post on COTH where the poster’s dog barks, gets loose, or ever puts a paw wrong. ;)[/QUOTE]

Haha! Well, even though I am a COTHer… I will fully admit that while my personal dog is well behaved enough to go to one or two shows a year, I do leave the other two at home (belong to other family members) who are NOT good and would be awful at horse shows. Both bark incessantly at people, other dogs, and even unseen things; and one is an alpha female who will attack other dogs for no reason.

Actually, that reminds me of a point that should also be made. Most recognized shows are at large venues, however I do attend a few (schooling shows) at smaller venues that are owned by individuals who have their own dogs. I NEVER take my dog with me to those. Just as I never take my dog to someone else’s barn when I am visiting.

[fooler]

Personally I love dogs. That said the presence of dogs at events is becoming more and more annoying. Too many loose dogs, loose dogs with a short “lead” rope attached so the dog is “on the leash.”
Now one event has banned dogs completely because too many of the organizers’ cats and dogs have been injured or killed by “well-behaved” competitor dogs.

The problem is not the dogs, it is the irresponsible owners.
Great advise from others, make certain your dogs can handle the show environment without disturbing and/or endangering anyone else.

[Foxtrot_s]

Some events have a no dog rule. If they do not have one, you can feel free to take your well behaved dog and as a responsible owner your dog will be allowed.

Seems everyone here takes their dogs to horseshows and events - tons of them and very rare to have a problem.

[Jersey_Fresh]

While I personally dont bring my dog, I dont care if people bring there dogs as long as they are leashed and not free to wander the event and they are crated. There is nothing worse than being stabled next to someone with dogs and they leave to ride and their dogs bark the entire time the are gone.

I would love for events to ban dogs purely for safety reasons but I know it will never happen. Ive seen someone have a dog on a leash, not pay attention and end up with the leash wrapped around the horses back legs, horse bucking and puppy flinging in the air.

[dotneko]

I bet all those perfect show dogs are policed, too, right? No piles of dog feces on XC or in stabling. Riiigghhhtt. I think if people bring dogs to shows then they need to be cleaned up after. So tired of dodging dog crap. As a property owner I would ban them just on that basis - competitor’s, official’s and spectator’s dogs alike.

[Hunterkid]

I bring my dog to some shows with no issue. He is very quiet and can be left in a stall or car. (I prefer the car if it’s not too hot). Sometimes I can’t find a dog friendly hotel though

I also bring him to jump judge. I make sure my jumps aren’t in the woods so we can be safely away from the jump. No reason why my dog should have to stay home for a whole day when he can come with.

[crosscreeksh]

Think of the reverse scenario…who takes their horse to a dog show or dog trial?? I love my well behaved dogs…but never take them to horse shows/events…it just isn’t the thing to do. Blanket, NO DOGS rules doesn’t show favorites…just one rule. The first horse show we had at our horse center 20 years ago…a loose dog held up the start of the first class 30 minutes while people…other than the owner…tried to catch the little bugger!!

[gardenie]

I see this as an offshoot of just a cultural change in general that does not bode well for having animals in general. Humans are getting increasingly inflexible on both ends of the spectrum. Dogs and horses are going to get loose and do things they shouldn’t. On one end of the spectrum, if you want to live in a zero defect world, the horse world, which by in large is an animal friendly one, isn’t it. On the other end of the spectrum, if you want to bring your dog, don’t think the world is responsible for your dog. And though I am a fan of crating as a safety and training tool, I see too much crating and not enough exercising in general of dogs. Dogs aren’t TV’s. I have also seen a tied up dog get killed because he was laying under a neighboring vehicle unseen. Bring your dog with a plan to events that allow it, and be a good steward. Vote with your feet if its important and don’t go to events that don’t allow pets.

[yellowbritches]

[QUOTE=crosscreeksh;8481417]
Think of the reverse scenario…who takes their horse to a dog show or dog trial?? I love my well behaved dogs…but never take them to horse shows/events…it just isn’t the thing to do. Blanket, NO DOGS rules doesn’t show favorites…just one rule. The first horse show we had at our horse center 20 years ago…a loose dog held up the start of the first class 30 minutes while people…other than the owner…tried to catch the little bugger!![/QUOTE]

I understand the reasoning behind people’s distaste for dogs at horse shows. And I follow no dog policies whenever there are any. But the whole “you don’t take your horse to a dog show” argument is silly. I don’t take my horse a lot of places. But my dog DOES go lots of places. Because she’s a 65 lb dog, not a 1000lb horse.

Frankly, I’ve had more run ins and close call with kids at horse shows than dogs. I would love to see a no kids rule at horse shows (and in a lot of other places!) but I doubt that will ever happen.