I run my dog run usually in Barre Falls Dam. Always off leash as that is legal, as I'm training the dog, and a licensed hunter, so on WMA land with the new law....its 100% legal for me to have the dog off leash, let it shit where it wants, (as long as Im away from parking area) and all that. Dog is always on a remote collar and under my control. If we are walking and see another person I've trained the dog to stop or come back to me and wait for a command/walk at heal.....until I get validation from that person that its OK to let the dog see them or sniff their dog. As that is what my dog usually just wants to stop and say Hi then go on about her business as my dog loves people and is very friendly and would not hurt anyone. But most of the time, she's running training in the woods, and she ignores people for the most part.
A lot of people don't understand the new law and think my dog needs to be on a leash, and honestly, when my dog is in the woods doing its thing and some douchebag goes out of their way to stop and tell me my dog needs to be on a leash......I'm getting f u c k i n g sick of it. Now I really get pissed off and give them a ration of shit. Like...."my dog is in the woods minding her own business.....why don't you do the same."
People say I'm wrong....so now..........I've gone to carrying copies of the new law in my pocket and handing it to them. Asking them at the same time, if they are paying use fees of walking on the
the WMA like I do with my hunting license fees. The answer is always no. And they look at me quizzically like I have three heads. So they leave educated and usually unhappy.
That all said, I carry bear spray for aggressive unleashed dogs......if my dog has been approached before by them and immediately goes back to my side, and if the dog follows she gets into protect her owner mode. If an aggressive dog comes running at me, my dog will growl and fight if the dog comes in too fast. Usually the growl is enough to deter the incoming dog. So far I've been lucky enough not to use the spray.
