Camping!

[Erika]

We are leaving to go camping in Manistee on Sunday morning, and Nikki is coming with us. She absolutely loves it up there. It is so entertaining to see her play in the waves of Lake Michigan. We do have some problems with her barking at men who walk by the campsite. Do any of you have advice? Also, we put her on a retractable and a harness when we go to the beach, but she really wants to run and we dont always want to hold her. Is there a better way of letting her on the beach? Is it safe to just let her off of it for awhile? Any advice for me would be appreciated. :)

[ParNone]

Hi Erika,

Try a water pistol. Spritz her to distract her, then give her something to do like "Sit" that you can reward her for. Make sure she's quiet though, before you reward her.

I have a 30 ft nylon long line, that I'll attach to Oz sometimes. It doesn't prevent him from doing anything, but if need be there's enough line dragging behind him for me to catch up with him and reel him back in. On a beach though, if there wasn't a lot of people, I'd more than likely have him off leash. But only you can judge how good Nikki's recall is for being off leash.

You guys have fun!

Par...

[Kfamr]

Oh, sounds like fun!


I agree with what the part Par said about barking.


But... I wouldn't let her off leash on the beach. I can't tell you HOW many times i've been peacefully sitting on the dog beach, then having some moron's dog run up and ruin it all.
It happened to Valerie (DukeDogsMom) and I once. The guy was a complete a-hole too. It totally pissed me off, as it's the law to have your dog on a leash here... and Simba almost tore the dog a new a-hole.

I think getting a longer leash to allow her more room to run would be best, safest, and smartest thing to do.

[pitc9]

My hubby made the mistake of letting my parents loose in Lake Erie. She at first was just having fun sticking close to the beach, but then... she noticed a bunch of ducks a little futher out in the water so she started swiming towards them... and did not stop! She'd get close, and they would fly out further... well... Rick had to swim out after her because she would not listen to us. She was so tired by the time he got to her she tried jumping on his back, and pushed him under the water
(she is a GSD Mix about 75 pounds)
So... it was not a good experience. But if your dog is good and comes when called then it would be fun!!!

[Shelteez2]

Originally posted by pitc9
My hubby made the mistake of letting my parents loose

LOL Don't you hate when your parents don't listen...... ;) Sorry couldn't resist.....

[Erika]

Thanks for the great advice guys. I will try the squirt bottle thing. I'll just wait and see if I let Nikki off the leash at the beach. It's not the law here and there usually aren't too many people where we go. Maybe I will keep her nylon leash attached to her though. I wish those screw-in dog tie outs worked at the beach, but the sand just doesnt cooperate. Thanks again. I'll try to take pictures while I'm gone. I'll be home on Thursday. :)

[dukedogsmom]

Originally posted by Shelteez2
LOL Don't you hate when your parents don't listen...... ;) Sorry couldn't resist.....
I had to laugh at that, myself. That was a good one.