Wish more of us remember to be responsible puppy campers

[PJ]

So far our 2 terriers are enjoying their 1st WDW tirip, and we're delighted to have them with us! . But we've only been here 24 hours and in our loop alone I've already spottted 2 dogs off leash, and encountered another on the pet walk whose owner mentioned he lets his dog run there because its so well behaved.

I think people are missing the point - no matter how well behaved, if dogs are seen off-leash it increases the risk that the policy will be changed back to what it used to be - no furbabies allowed - which would be really sad.

Hope I don't get flamed for offering this opinion, and I don't want to instigate any rants - just want to make sure all of us remember to do what we can to preserve the privilege of camping with our "kids".

 

[Born 2 Fish]

PJ, I'm with ya on this ,

some people shouldn't have pets.



or kids for that matter.

 

[Disney Bunny]

We learned early on that our generally well behaved German Shepherd mix was NOT a good camper and did everyone the courtesy of boarding her during our vacations. It truly was best for everyone concerned. While we missed her, we knew that she was in good hands with people who loved her (our vet ran a boarding facility and everyone there loved Angel). Even the best behaved dog can act totally out of character when not in familiar surroundings.

 

[tmbrea]

I fully agree, we just got a camper two weeks ago and am looking forward to camping with our furbabies. We always take leashes with us when out with them. Not always because i'm worried about what they may do but about what people coming up to them may do.

 

[WDW1979]

we've only been here 24 hours and in our loop alone I've already spottted 2 dogs off leash, and encountered another on the pet walk whose owner mentioned he lets his dog run there because its so well behaved.

I know that some dog owners push the envelope of rules (for example in my city dog owners ignore leash signs at parks - and they ignore the "no dogs" signage in playgrounds on school grounds), but I was hoping that there would not be instances of dogs off leash in Fort Wilderness loops, until I read what you wrote. If I had seen anything like that I would have called the front desk/security immediately. I for one hope they go back to the old rules of no pets in Fort Wilderness, though I understand that others have a different opinion.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Yup, the one draw back to the Fort is , it's open to the public, so even the rift-raft rule breakers, and dare I say it, ( low life) are allowed to visit. So we end up hav'n folk who think they are above the rules.

 

[Mmketeer]

Just my opinion....
But, it scares me to death that the Fort will have to go back to way it was back in the mid 90's when they first started allowing pets, because people can't be responsible. Back in the day you got a site in the 1600, 1700, 1800 or 1900 loops only and their was no dog park or even a possibilty of walking your dog anywhere outside of that loop area. Period.

While I didn't see any dogs off leash last week, I did see at least three dogs tied up outside alone. Not even in a harnesse, just by a collar. Don't these people know they can get loose? And what really breaks my heart is the dogs always look miserable. One time I was hoping that their was still someone in the camper as and I am not kidding about 5 people loaded onto a golf cart and rode off, leaving the dog tied up outside. I watched the dog go through the emotions as I walked by to the Meadow Trading Point from happy to see everyone and hoping to get to go too. To watching them all ride away. And he watched the golf cart til it was out of sight and then laid down on cement poutting. Now, not that my fur-kids don't go through that same emotion if hubby and I even just go for a quick bike ride there, but our fur kids are inside with all their toys, water, food and all the comforts of home.
I also saw a big dog tied up outside that had no visiable water and he seemed to be barking alot and his tongue was hanging out of his mouth and he looked very stressed.
The worst I saw was on my own loop (loop 800) their was a mid-size dog tied up outside a 5'er that was dark inside and dark outside. They hadn't even bothered to leave a light on for the dog of any kind. It too was barking. Very sad...it seems people just don't care.
As a dog lover it breaks my heart to see people treat their animals this way. In my opinion, if you don't have time to deal with your pet because your at Disney where their is tons of other things to do, either bring a pet sitter that would be willing to do nothing but sit back and relax and take care of the dog. Leave them at home with someone who will take care of them or gee Disney just built a really nice pet resort where you can keep your pet with you when you have time or take them to the pet resort where they will get care until you do have time to be with them again.

It's strange I have been to other rv resorts and I have never seen this many people at one place treat their animals this way nor have we had to deal with so many incessive barking dogs.

I sure hope a bussel of bad apples, don't spoil it for the rest of the bunch, so to speak.

 

[North of Mouse]

Mmketeer, if I see some of the same situations that you described when we go there, they will definitely be reported and I will not give up until some action is taken That is definitely mistreatment of animals, also very inconsiderate of other campers. We ourselves request the no-pet loops because I don't like to hear barking dogs. One year someone brought a large dog in the 100 loop where we had to pass it on way to boat and it started barking (was loose outside with owner) and scared me to death. I called security and they took care of it - seemed they were trying to avoid the per day pet rate. The security came to us personally and apologized, also told us that the camper next to them had a large crate hidden on side and they nabbed them too and made both pay the pet rate and make other arrangements. They DO enforce the rules when it is brought to their attention. I can understand people wanting their pets and respect that, but I would also like to be respected when I go on vacation without pets.

 

[Disney Bunny]

We were in the 800 loop a couple of years ago. There were folks there with a pop up and a dog that just would not stop barking whether it was inside or outside regardless of people being there with it or not. We didn't report them, but either someone else did or security happened to come by and hear the dog. Anyway, after we saw security over there we never saw or heard the dog again. They had Florida plates on their vehicle, so maybe they were local and took the dog home or they took it to the kennel. Either way, we were all much happier not to have to hear the incessant barking.

 

[Christymarie222]

I completely agree with you. We are booked to stay at the Fort this summer! I was debating whether or not to bring our ridgeback along for the fun. I decided between the hot weather and us visiting the parks, pool, playground, etc....he would be much happier at home with grandma and grandpa. We will miss him dearly , but at this stage of our life, with three girls who will want to be in the parks a lot....it is really in his best interest! When we plan a trip where we will be in the campground more...I will bring him! I love that the Fort welcomes pups and I hope that is not ruined by those who won't follow simple rules!

 

[Mmketeer]

I completely agree with you. We are booked to stay at the Fort this summer! I was debating whether or not to bring our ridgeback along for the fun. I decided between the hot weather and us visiting the parks, pool, playground, etc....he would be much happier at home with grandma and grandpa. We will miss him dearly , but at this stage of our life, with three girls who will want to be in the parks a lot....it is really in his best interest! When we plan a trip where we will be in the campground more...I will bring him! I love that the Fort welcomes pups and I hope that is not ruined by those who won't follow simple rules!

Good for you ChristyMarie! You are right he will be much happier home being spoiled with Grandma/Grandpa. I wish more people would consider their pet's needs and wants like you just did. I know I make my mother stay with our two fur-kids whenever we go somewhere we'll be busy or on a cruise for that matter. We don't do the parks anymore, so we bring them with us to the Fort since we don't really leave them there. Not, to say I won't bring a pet sitter along for a relaxing camping trip if hubby and I do decided to do the parks again. Thank you for being a GREAT pet parent!!

 

[Christymarie222]

Good for you ChristyMarie! You are right he will be much happier home being spoiled with Grandma/Grandpa. I wish more people would consider their pet's needs and wants like you just did. I know I make my mother stay with our two fur-kids whenever we go somewhere we'll be busy or on a cruise for that matter. We don't do the parks anymore, so we bring them with us to the Fort since we don't really leave them there. Not, to say I won't bring a pet sitter along for a relaxing camping trip if hubby and I do decided to do the parks again. Thank you for being a GREAT pet parent!!

Thanks mmketeer!!!