A lot of dogs at FW?

[FWCamper]

The kennel is crates not dog runs at the outpost. My dogs got very agitated since they have never been crated. I ended up picking them up. We usually leave them in the rv , but it was out for service. My cats however were fine. I'm not sure but the magic kingdom might have runs, i have used MGM kennel as well but can't remember if it was crates.

 

[rapriebe]

The $5 pet fee is per night not per dog. Whether you have one dog or two, the rate is still only $5 per night.

RocklandRVers - totally agree on the kid situation. I see more kids out of control than I have even seen with pets. I have never seen a dog running loose and only occassionally have heard any barking. But since I have dogs, I do not get upset with barking dogs. Dogs will bark just like kids will yell and scream.

 

[John VN]

rapriebe

I have not seen dogs running loose either, however, I have seen people running with dog in tow outside of the pet loops on the main roads. Can not blame the dogs for this since I am pretty sure they can't read the "no pets beyond this point" sign at every pet loop exit. I am worried about the owners though because if they can't read the signs then they shouldn't be driving.

John

 

[tim5055]

The kennel is crates not dog runs at the outpost. My dogs got very agitated since they have never been crated. I ended up picking them up. We usually leave them in the rv , but it was out for service. My cats however were fine. I'm not sure but the magic kingdom might have runs, i have used MGM kennel as well but can't remember if it was crates.

The last time I was there FW still had about 10 covered outside runs. You have to ask for them, the CMs usually don't volunteer them.

 

[FWCamper]

Thank you for the information. I never would have know that they had runs. I learn so much insider info from these boards!

 

[tim5055]

Thank you for the information. I never would have know that they had runs. I learn so much insider info from these boards!

Now, with the information be careful. I know I wouldn't leave Natasha outside in July - very hot!

 

[bhanback]

This will be our frist trip to FW cabins, and as I was just reading over another post, I am getting the impression that there are a lot of dogs at this property. Is that the case? We are not dog lovers. Thank goodness the cabins do not allow them, I think that would be disgusting. However, I also do not want my family exposed to dogs while walking around the property, we have small children. And I don't care what anyone says, there ARE some breeds which are just plain dangerous, and any dog is unpredictable with strangers. Are there dogs being walked on the trails or near the petting zoo, pool, or playground? Is this a good property for small children if you don't want to constantly clamp onto them for fear of dogs on too-long leashes? Our kids will be 7, 5, and 2 1/2. Thanks!

I am new here, and really hesitated to make this my first post, but as a dog owner who is really excited about our "family" trip to Fort Wilderness for the fIRST time, I just had to respond to this. I am the Executive Director of an SPCA as well, so everyone please forgive me, it is my job to stand up for the animals. I own a Chesapeake Bay Retriever who is a show dog and obedience dog, we frequently stay in nice hotels when on the dog show circuit, and almost every trip we find evidence of more disgusting behavior from human beings in our lodgings than my dog could ever dream of. I won't go into the gory/tawdry details here. In addition, I am personally familiar with several dogs who SAVED the lives of their human owners at great risk to thier own.

Both my dogs (the other is an SPCA Beagle) routinely travel to classrooms to visit with children and it is so gratifying to see a child who was afraid of dogs leaning up over my big brown dogs back, exploring with delight his wavy brown fur. Statistics show that chidren who learn how to interact in an appropriate way with dogs run less risk of being bitten, even if they are not "dog lovers" per se.

Each day at the animal shelter I see more horror inflicted on cats and dogs by the human race for no reason, and yet these animals are still willing to respond to love, kindness and responsible handling. If only humans could be so tolerant and forgiving.

I guess I really feel more pity for this poster than anything else, since her family will never experience the feeling of sittng by a fire, with a dog curled up at your feet, who is gazing up at your face with unconditional love.

And lest we forget, many charcaters at Disney World are BASED on those horrible, disgusting animals, so watch out for Pluto and the gang! I don't know if "THe MOUSE" falls into the category the poster is describing, if so, she's at the wrong place!

We (and our dogs!) are looking forward to our visit! We hope to see a lot of you at the campground!

 

[rapriebe]

bhanback,

Well said, I totally agree with you. I would also like to praise you for your work with the SPCA; it's people like you that make many of our furry friends have happier lives.

 

[DMRick]

I guess I really feel more pity for this poster than anything else, since her family will never experience the feeling of sittng by a fire, with a dog curled up at your feet, who is gazing up at your face with unconditional love.

*************

Some people just don't want to own a dog, and I think she was nervous about any uncontrolled dogs that may be around. Some people don't take responsibility for their dogs, and let young children, who can't handle them be in charge of the dog. Sometimes, that is not good. While most dogs are harmless, there are dogs who are not...and for that one in several hundred, it's hard to know in advance which it would be...and someone with a fear, doesn't want to take that chance. I'm sure your animals are sweethearts, but not all are, unfortunately. I love animals, and there are some that would be brought into our practice, that made me nervous. The owners always start out with..hey, don't worry, he'll never bite you. Some of those have been brought back in because they did bite someone.

Working for the SPCA, I'm sure you have seen what I have seen. Dogs brought in to be put down, because they have been out of control and injured a human. While it may ultimately been the humans fault for not training the dog, or not treating it right, there are, as the poster said, some dogs, more agressive than others, and those seem to be the ones adopted or bought by people who do not train them or treat them right. I love animals, and have had many of my own "saves", but I certainly understand someone's fear of animals. They don't have to fear the Mickey Mouses and Plutos, since those are cartoons, and not real. I think it's only fair that we understand that not everyone likes "real" animals, for all different reasons, and may just want to know if she/he will be around them.

While it's good that you teach kids to not be afraid, and to lessen their chances of being bitten, in our area (and many other areas), the kids where not doing anything wrong or initiating anything to be blamed for being bit or mauled. Some dogs are agressive, and that's just the way life turns out. Most dogs are not like this, but for some people, the fear is there, and we may not know their reasons, and the fault may not lay with them, but because of something that happened to them. When my daughter in law comes to visit, our cat (our sweet, gentle 18 year old cat), has to be locked upstairs (not that she minds, since she is often upstairs on her own), not because SHE has ever bitten, but because of something that happened to my dil as a child. She is very fearful, and although she understands our cat would never harm her, it's something, that even with help, she has not been able to get over.

That said, the answer is no, you shouldn't see the dogs near the petting zoon, pool, etc. They are suppose to stay in their loops, although you may occasionally see them being walked out their loops.

 

[Weegie]

We have always taken our three cockers to FW. This year it will be only two because we lost one of our babies to cancer in December. We have never observed loose or out of control dogs. We have never seen any dogs outside of the pet loops. I don't recall ever seeing anyone not cleaning up after their pet at FW. I respect your feelings about dogs even if I don't agree with them. At least Disney has special camp sites for people with pets so that people who feel as you do don't have to be bothered with them. I've never stayed in another campground that does this. They really do try to please everyone.

 

[John VN]

... We have never observed loose or out of control dogs. We have never seen any dogs outside of the pet loops...

This past weekend we were staying in the 1400 loop and we did indeed see a dog being walked within the loop. Granted it was on a leash but none the less it was still in a non pet loop.

John