A few of us are conducting research on backpacking. You can access the survey at www.hikes247.com/survey
Thanks in advance for any assistance.
Tripper & the Crew
Please pass the URL on to anyone you feel would be interested in participating.
Tripper
Looks more like a survey about dogs on the trail than a survey about backpacking. And, no, dogs don’t belong on the trail!
Bear Bag Hanger
Maryland has been added to the survey, thanks for the heads up on that one Ginny.
I should have the results online by the first of the year.
Bear Bag Hanger, I respect your opinion about dogs on the trail, tho you are by far in the minority in that regard.
Tripper
Tripper, I was interested in the survey, but I have to say that the way some questions were written is quite biased/leading. For example, I can’t imagine that many dog owners will report that their dog negatively impacted other hikers’ experiences. I’m not sure they’d recognize it even if it did happen.
As a vet, and a dog owner, I can attest to the fact that many owners have very large blind spots where their own pets are concerned. I’ve been told by owners of growling, plainly aggressive dogs, “oh, he’s just happy to see you and saying hello!.” Yup. Big 'ol blind spot. 
As for hikers telling dog owners that the dog is behaving badly… well, that doesn’t happen very often, either. I know I never said anything when I was growled and barked at by a shelter-protective dog on the AT, or when I was barked at by dogs going the opposite direction on the trail, or when I saw dogs off leash where they were required to be on leash. I didn’t want to be rude myself. I thought the poor behaviour was self-evident, but somehow I don’t imagine the owner did.
Also, prehaps “neutral” might be a better option in the agree/disagree with certain situations section. I chose the middle option “undecided/unsure” quite a few times, but what I really meant was “it depends on the circumstances/neutral.”
Good luck on the survey.
Chipper
I forgot. I also never said anything to the owner of the dog who jumped into and started drooling into/drinking from/kicking mud around in the spring I was trying to filter… especially after the owner came over and dipped his greasy head in the water, too. eeeeeeek!
I was too shocked to say a word!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:
Sorry, just had to share that story! It still makes me laugh.
Chipper
As far as dog owners not recognizing that their dog may have negatively impacted the experience for other hikers, the same can be said about the vast majority of people on the trail. Everyone whines and complains about dogs, litter, alcohol, drugs, etc on the trail yet I’ve never seen a single person acknowledge that they may have negatively impacted the trail experience for someone else.
I know every time I head out on the trail, there are going to be things I don’t agree with, such as people smoking cigarettes, litter, loud & obnoxious people. But I choose to not let it impact my experience. I simply move on down the trail and find my own peaceful spot.
TwoCan
Chipper, I appreciate your feedback on the survey. As we mulled over the survey, we felt we had a fair selection of answers to the questions. I completely understand your comments! We addressed each one ourselves and the thing started to spiral out of control. The answer choices were just getting too specific and it would have made the data crunching a nightmare. So we narrowed it down to its current format, and stuck with more general responses as opposed to a more specific answer for each possible situation.
We’re also on a deadline go get the survey completed and the data processed. We should have the results online no later than the first of the year.
Just a quick thanks to all that have completed the survey. Your participation is greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!
Tripper
TwoCan, you’re absolutely right. Rude people are rude, in large part because they don’t recognize their impact on other people. Unless they have some epiphany, they won’t change, and the only answer is distance, mental or physical.
Chipper
As Michael Moore says in his most recent movie, “SiCKO”, we need to think “we” not “me.”
Conan
Conan
There is a simple remedy for aggressive dogs. Lynch 'em. That’s right, hang them high. That will put an end to mutts who think they’re superior to humans.
Bud