Going to events with dogs

[Cascades]

I love dogs, but don’t love seeing them loose at an event.

In 2014, at my young OTTB’s very first event, we were walking back to the barn after stadium when someone’s golden retriever came flying around the corner barking its head off at my horse. He had us cornered (and I was mounted) and my horse was understandably spooked - trying to run backwards and half rear. It seemed like forever before someone came to get the damn dog.

I reported it to event management and they fined the owner. The same dog was loose on cross country the next day.

[Romahorse]

Love dogs. Have 2. Pay a pretty penny to a farmsitter when I compete. My husband has opened my eyes about dogs at shows. “Look how unhappy they look.” Often, he is right. Dogs will suffer through a lot to be near us. Have seen some well-behaved, well-managed dogs at shows. But at Pine Top at Thanksgiving, we had the dog barking incessantly @ 6 am while people were trying to sleep on grounds. On Sunday, there were several loose horses. One horse was chased by someone’s loose dog. & yes, the dog sh*t. Or let’s tie our growling, territorial dog near the wash stall. As wonderful as I generally find eventers to be, there is a puzzling lack of consideration when it comes to this. I realize these observations aren’t addressing the OP’s question. A cool solution might be to offer a dog sitting tent as each show, as they do at the Rolex. Until this is an option, I second the tack stall & a trial run.

[SevenDogs]

I have never brought a dog to an event.

That said, dogs and eventing go together in my mind – sorry to those that will get all up in arms about that statement. Everyone wants to point to a few incidents and declare dogageddon, but I disagree. Been eventing for 25 years and dogs are a part of the draw. In fact, there are dogs that belong to fellow competitors that I look forward to seeing every show.

Owners have to be responsible and there should be penalties for those that are not, but I would not support any rules (or specific events) that banned all dogs from the grounds.

On the other hand, I would hate to see eventers turn into DQ’s, expecting everything to be controlled so their horse can’t possibly spook. Do some homework too.

I have zero patience for those that want zero tolerance on dogs.

Similarly, I have zero patience with those that are irresponsible for their dogs and those that come to an event ill-prepared that every thing that happens “needs to be controlled” because their horse might spook.

[Ready_To_Riot]

I think dog sitting at events would be fabulous! There are humane society’s every where that lack funding. A great way to get donations is to set up dog sitting tents. They could sell products and accept just plain donations. I wouldn’t see why any organizer would have a problem with this.

[LAZ]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8482411]
I think dog sitting at events would be fabulous! There are humane society’s every where that lack funding. A great way to get donations is to set up dog sitting tents. They could sell products and accept just plain donations. I wouldn’t see why any organizer would have a problem with this.[/QUOTE]

I’m sure any organizer would be happy to have you take this on, as well as find a suitable place on the grounds and pay the associated costs with providing safe habitat for said dogs.

[dotneko]

Wonder what the liability insurer would say…

[Ready_To_Riot]

[QUOTE=dotneko;8482481]
Wonder what the liability insurer would say…[/QUOTE]

Would it be any different than them allowing dogs on the property in the first place? I honestly don’t know, nor did I consider that before offering up the idea. Lexingtons county humane society does it, so I know it’s possible. It may go through the humane society’s insurance and not the events.

[LAZ]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8482516]
Would it be any different than them allowing dogs on the property in the first place? I honestly don’t know, nor did I consider that before offering up the idea. Lexingtons county humane society does it, so I know it’s possible. It may go through the humane society’s insurance and not the events.[/QUOTE]

It transfer custody from the dog owner to the property owner/property owners agent so I will say yes, it makes a difference.

Unfortunately there are lots of things that seem like a good idea on the surface but upon further development end up being too costly or difficult to implement.

[Ready_To_Riot]

[QUOTE=LAZ;8482525]
It transfer custody from the dog owner to the property owner/property owners agent so I will say yes, it makes a difference.

Unfortunately there are lots of things that seem like a good idea on the surface but upon further development end up being too costly or difficult to implement.[/QUOTE]

Slowly I’m beginning to understand this concept

That’s a real shame. Maybe an organizer will look into it as I do feel it could be beneficial to all parties involved.

[LAZ]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8482535]
Slowly I’m beginning to understand this concept

That’s a real shame. Maybe an organizer will look into it as I do feel it could be beneficial to all parties involved.[/QUOTE]

Not to be curt, but (most) organizers would likely prefer the dogs stay home. I seriously doubt they want to add dog sitting to their list of to-do chores for a show.

If you want it to be available and think it is a good idea, research it, find a way to make it work–maybe this could even develop into a sideline business for someone. But to expect the organizer to take care of competitors dog sitting chores is asking a bit much.

[Ready_To_Riot]

[QUOTE=LAZ;8482592]
Not to be curt, but (most) organizers would likely prefer the dogs stay home. I seriously doubt they want to add dog sitting to their list of to-do chores for a show.

If you want it to be available and think it is a good idea, research it, find a way to make it work–maybe this could even develop into a sideline business for someone. But to expect the organizer to take care of competitors dog sitting chores is asking a bit much.[/QUOTE]

I understand. I just honestly wouldn’t know where to begin. I imagine insurance, but if I read your post correctly, it falls under the facility’s insurance. Or, would it be something like that of a traveling trainer. Where the trainer is required to carry their own insurance separate from what the farm has?

[LAZ]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8482620]
I understand. I just honestly wouldn’t know where to begin. I imagine insurance, but if I read your post correctly, it falls under the facility’s insurance. Or, would it be something like that of a traveling trainer. Where the trainer is required to carry their own insurance separate from what the farm has?[/QUOTE]

This would be things one would need to figure out, eh?

[jen-s]

[QUOTE=Ready To Riot;8478553]
I’d love to find someone who could stay in my home with them. I’m sure I’d save a ton and they would be happier.

Maybe one day!!![/QUOTE]

I’m surprised that no one picked up on this. For dog sitters, you can always start by asking at your vet’s office. Likely some of the techs will offer dog sitting, including over night stays. Also, talk to your other horse- or dog-owning friends. They will surely have someone that they use and can recommend. If that fails, post an ad in your local area FB page.

I farm/dog sit regularly, but don’t advertise–no need to. I have more clients than I can handle and can be very selective about who I’m willing to sit for. That said, I’m happy to follow any/all rules, show up on time, and go the extra mile. And I’m not cheap, but I think they would all agree that I’m worth it.

[Ready_To_Riot]

Penny oaks in May is going to be my first horse trial of the year… Anyone know how the stalls are there? It doesn’t say anything about tack stalls either, are they available?

ETA: or how close trailer parking is to everything else?

[Winding_Down]

[Ready_To_Riot]

@Winding Down;8482991

That’s my favorite quote. Lol

[yellowbritches]

[QUOTE=Romahorse;8482393]
Love dogs. Have 2. Pay a pretty penny to a farmsitter when I compete. My husband has opened my eyes about dogs at shows. “Look how unhappy they look.” Often, he is right. Dogs will suffer through a lot to be near us. Have seen some well-behaved, well-managed dogs at shows. But at Pine Top at Thanksgiving, we had the dog barking incessantly @ 6 am while people were trying to sleep on grounds. On Sunday, there were several loose horses. One horse was chased by someone’s loose dog. & yes, the dog sh*t. Or let’s tie our growling, territorial dog near the wash stall. As wonderful as I generally find eventers to be, there is a puzzling lack of consideration when it comes to this. I realize these observations aren’t addressing the OP’s question. A cool solution might be to offer a dog sitting tent as each show, as they do at the Rolex. Until this is an option, I second the tack stall & a trial run.[/QUOTE]
I find that a lot of people are just plain clueless when it comes to dogs. The most extreme example being the video that was circulating recently on social media of the little girl hugging and kissing a dog who was OBVIOUSLY unhappy with the situation. So many dog owners don’t understand dog body language, and so many refuse to put any freaking manners on them. Instead of teaching a dog not to pull on a leash, they just buy the latest and greatest anti pulling gadget (sound familiar?). Often, they don’t think there dog is bad or ill behaved at all, and just can’t see what others see. Hell, one of my dearest friends who I consider a damn fine dog owner, doesn’t seem to get get that not everyone wants her dogs saying hi to them when they are eating on a patio (drives me insane).

So, in many things dog related, it’s the people. Maybe we should just ban the people.

[Ready_To_Riot]

When I first started training dogs, I was forced to take any and all dogs (much like being a horse trainer starting out). Time and time again, I would get dogs whose owners just refused to punish the dog for bad behavior. The typical response is something along the lines of “well I just love Fido too much to get on to him/her” no. If you loved Fido you would train Fido! Typically these people would send their dogs to me then pick them up 4 weeks later and start ruining all good behavior taught.

I didn’t expect horse people to be this kind of dog owner. I suppose I am wrong.

[crosscreeksh]

When a show or event is held on a privately owned farm/facility…I think it is very rude to impose a dog upon their land!!! There is no way to separate “good” dogs and owners with “bad/thoughtless” dogs and owners. Please enjoy your dog on YOUR farm/property!! At the end of a four day event at our farm…as people were packing up to leave, one dog owner turned his dog loose to run around after being confined for the previous days. The dog promptly ran into our private stable and killed one of my favorite barn cats!!! Not one word of apology from the dog owner, either!! I LOVE dogs and appreciated the fact that people want their dogs with them, but give some thought to other people’s rights!!

[fooler]

[QUOTE=crosscreeksh;8483134]
When a show or event is held on a privately owned farm/facility…I think it is very rude to impose a dog upon their land!!! There is no way to separate “good” dogs and owners with “bad/thoughtless” dogs and owners. Please enjoy your dog on YOUR farm/property!! At the end of a four day event at our farm…as people were packing up to leave, one dog owner turned his dog loose to run around after being confined for the previous days. The dog promptly ran into our private stable and killed one of my favorite barn cats!!! Not one word of apology from the dog owner, either!! I LOVE dogs and appreciated the fact that people want their dogs with them, but give some thought to other people’s rights!![/QUOTE]

This is is exactly why another event, on private property, has banned dogs. Not after one animal death but after multiple injuries and deaths.
“We” depend on organizers to put on events for us, should we not respect them enough to keep our animals under control?