Going to events with dogs

[akor]

I would prefer that jump judges not have dogs, but honestly, it’s for me, not the horse so much…while I am fully aware that dogs are predators and horses are prey, so many things can happen on course that a dog barking/getting loose, while NOT ideal and likely on the “worse case scenario” end, it is what it is.

I, however, WAS attacked by a dog while on a bije and the shattered my leg and it changed my life. Some ways for the better, some not. Thus, if I am going by and a dog barks/lunges at us, “just seems” to be running at us, I tense up, and that is not good.

I’m worried about the “first time” our new dog goes to an event. Once the temp is above 0 Fahrenheit around here:D, I can work with him on many desensitizing/test, etc, but I’m not really going to “know” how we will do until the first real show, as even for us who don’t get nervous at shows, they are different. I think the worst of it will be him barking nonstop in the LQ area of the trailer while I show (we don’t plan to have him out with us when I am actually warming up showing for any phase)…again, not planning for it, but I do wonder how it will go.

And Yellowbritches, while I am so sorry for your accident, have you been reading the posts were some of us are HOURS from trials and going back and forth is just not an option? If it were only a matter of leaving the dog for 8 hours a say, again, it would be an easy decision. So, to bring up the work analogy is correct, but not in every situation.

[littlemess]

Of my 3 dogs only 1 is fit to the horse show life. I bring her to events where she is allowed. I bring along a folding kennel for her to be in. Whenever I am working with my horse or have the horse out she is in the kennel. She is the only one that can go because she is well behaved in the kennel unlike my other two. Otherwise I parade around the event with my dog on leash.

My only advice is to be very careful. I lost a dog in the past year to an incident involving my horse and dog. Horse and dog had been around each other all of there lives and never saw anything that would question having them together. Any who this hasn’t really changed or deterred me from having horses and dogs together but I think it must be done very carefully. The handler must be 100% in control at all time. Anything can happen and it can only take a moment.

[yellowbritches]

[QUOTE=akor;8489101]

And Yellowbritches, while I am so sorry for your accident, have you been reading the posts were some of us are HOURS from trials and going back and forth is just not an option? If it were only a matter of leaving the dog for 8 hours a say, again, it would be an easy decision. So, to bring up the work analogy is correct, but not in every situation.[/QUOTE]
So, you or your horse are hurt at a fence on xc (God forbid). The closest person to you is the jump judge. But the jump judge has to be sure their dog is secured before they come to your aid. Or the judge’s dog, excited by the commotion, starts barking, which sends your already angst ridden horse, who’s adrenalin is pumping and is freaked out because you or both of you have fallen, and spooks your horse into running off or making an injury worse. Or, the dog is not secured while the judge comes to check on you, gets away, and chases another competitor. Or, you don’t fall. But you have a funny, awkward jump, but your judge was momentarily distracted by their dog and counts your clear albeit awkward jump as a stop. Or a jump judge gets distracted by their dog, and fails to notice the course walkers or spectators in your path.

So, this is ok with you? A jump judge’s inability or unwillingness to make arrangements for their dog to stay at home is more important than you and your horse having a shot of a safe and fair outing?

I LOVE dogs. Can’t imagine life without them. I love having my dog at shows with me. I love taking her places. But I also realize there are proper times and places for her. And I make accommodations for her when and if I can’t get back to her at home because something is not appropriate for her. Why is that so impossible for some people? I always have friends that are willing to take her or stop in to check on her or stay with her. I have a dog walker on the occasions friends are unavailable. Hell, my landlady is happy to let her out, need be. Not sure why jump judging would be any different.