I've always felt horses and dogs do not mix in some situations; one is around a camp. Some horses don't like dogs, and if a dog gets too close to a tied up horse, the dog could get kicked. Dogs don't realize that not every horse likes it as the owner's horse may.  So, to avoid serious injury to a dog or a horse -- leaving the dog at home or keeping him TIED in one's own camp should be mandatory.   But there are other ways and things around camps that can harm a dog and animals you'd not think about -- specifically, coyotes.

Coyotes roan not only at night but in the day time, especially if they're 'baiting' a dog to chase 'em.  In the attached picture, this coyote would wander out of the brush along the stream and stand looking at camps a couple times a week. He'd inspect each campsite and once a dog was located, it would stand there staring at the camp to let the dog know a coyote was in the area! Sometimes it would whine as if hurt, other times it would limp. But it had the same thought in mind with each 'trick' -- getting a dog to break camp and chase it.

Once the dog came after the coyote, the coyote would dart back into the bushes and back to the stream.  In the bushes the rest of the coyote pack would be waiting and once the dog was isolated in the brush, the others would attack and kill the dog. In this particular campground, three dogs had been 'baited' out of camps over a two week period.  Two were killed and the third managed to get away but had to be put to sleep because of the injuries.

Dogs tend to suffer from 'selective hearing' when out camping. Not all dogs are 'voice trained'. Once a dog takes off after a coyote it can be almost impossible to get it back into camp. And no owner can run as fast as a coyote with a dog chasing it and no owner can save a dog from a pack of coyotes.

The amazing thing about the whole dog/coyote event is that even though owners were told about the 'baiting' and to keep an eye on their dog or better yet, "tie 'em up in camp", owners didn't. Most replied "My dog won't run off" or "My dog is voice trained" or "My dog can fight his way out". Most owners had never seen a coyote. And I guess they all considered their dogs to be 'macho' enough to take on any critter that would cross it's path!! Unfortunately, the three dogs killed didn't know they were suppose to be 'macho dogs'.

If you must take your dog camping, tie 'em in camp. Don't let 'em wander around. Keep 'em out of other peoples' camps because not everyone (including me) likes a dog roaming into camp and 'watering' hay bales, tack on trailer hitches, corners of horse blankets and even picking fights with other camp dogs. And no one wants to hear a dog being killed by a pack of coyotes........  

Keep safe......you AND your stock!!

Bonnie 

I'm one of those that when I get sick I go into bedroom, shut the door and don't want anyone to bother me. If I'm not out by Spring, then knock on the door. Even my poor dog, Holly, moves to the floor because she gets tired of me tossing and turning plus those mad dashes to the bathroom.......

Actually the reason I ventured this far was to let you guys know this is all I'm writing this week. I will make up for the lack of sense next week.  Now if you'll excuse me, back to the bathroom......quickly!!!!

Bonnie