Dogs stepping on ropes

Hey climbers, if you're gonna bring your dogs to crags and leave them unleashed, can you at least train them not to step on others' ropes? Thanks.

Not this again.

Dogs are bad enough but I've had it with these little f__kers messing up my ropes...

You post here but did you happen to ask them politely to keeo their dog off the rooe?......probs not.

I hate dogs.

But, every test I've ever read agreed that stepping on ropes doesn't weaken them or reduce their lifespan. So if that's your only concern, don't stress. One such test actually wove a few doormats out ropes, used them for a while, and then did strength and stretch tests with virtually no harm done. I've never read anything truly scientific or with a large sample size, but still, doesn't seem to be an issue.

people stepping on my rope usually don't bother me but when it does, I bitch about their dog.

Captain Z wrote:people stepping on my rope usually don't bother me but when it does, I bitch about their dog.

fixed that for you

J. Marsella, can you switch back to your cat avatar, the "you think this is a joke" one. It made me giggle every time.

With dogs on ropes I usually say "get off the rope!!" they usually do. If not, pull out some slack and wave it around. If that fails, you can push the dog off your rope with your foot. You can do all of these things while still giving an attentive belay. Notice I didn't say kick the dog. Don't kick the fucking dog unless it attacks you!

Most dog bringers think their dog is the best fucking dog ever. They also want their dog to be the best crag dog ever, so they will usually try to help you get their dog off your rope. Just say something and remember that everyone there is trying to have a good time. Don't fuck it all up by being a dick.

Jonas Salk wrote:J. Marsella, can you switch back to your cat avatar, the "you think this is a joke" one. It made me giggle every time. With dogs on ropes I usually say "get off the rope!!" they usually do. If not, pull out some slack and wave it around. If that fails, you can push the dog off your rope with your foot. You can do all of these things while still giving an attentive belay. Notice I didn't say kick the dog. Don't kick the fucking dog unless it attacks you! Most dog bringers think their dog is the best fucking dog ever. They also want their dog to be the best crag dog ever, so they will usually try to help you get their dog off your rope. Just say something and remember that everyone there is trying to have a good time. Don't fuck it all up by being a dick.

I said the same thing, but the dog wouldn't listen. It just casually walked through whole stack of rope. And I didn't know whose dog it was since there were like 20 people at the crag, but to be fair, it was far from the worst crag dog I've seen.

limpingcrab wrote:I hate dogs. But, every test I've ever read agreed that stepping on ropes doesn't weaken them or reduce their lifespan. So if that's your only concern, don't stress. One such test actually wove a few doormats out ropes, used them for a while, and then did strength and stretch tests with virtually no harm done. I've never read anything truly scientific or with a large sample size, but still, doesn't seem to be an issue.

Thanks for the clarification, it just annoys me in general when dogs step on my stuffs, especially rope, while this could totally be avoided if the owners put their dogs on leash as the park regulation requests.

I trained my dog not to lie on my rope by having my partner take a whipper while he was lying on it. It only takes one episode of the rope getting your dog airborne and then they understand. Sadly this doesn't work on small children or crag babies.

I'd rather they step on it ...then piss on it

Dog steps cause micro-fractures in rope. YER GONNA DIE.

This post violated Rule #1. It has been removed by Mountain Project.

grog m wrote:F*** your dog. I will boot that flea-bag in the ribs if it is walking all over my rope. Im a rope nazi as is and I wont tolerate your f-ing dog grinding it filthy s*** covered paws in it. The fastest way to train a dog is with the fist and the boot. And if that bothers you then maybe I can train you the same way.

grog m wrote:And if that bothers you then maybe I can train you the same way.

I am a lion. Hear me roar! Meow.

Your dog lives in my world, not vice versa. If I want to keep my roast beast sandwich on a rock then I will. If Fluffy goes for it then its time for a lesson from the boot

People's dogs are never a problem, it's other people's dogs you have to worry about...

limpingcrab wrote:every test I've ever read agreed that stepping on ropes doesn't weaken them or reduce their lifespan.

This is true. It's a myth that stepping on the rope can damage it (just think about it: if a rope is so fragile that a simple footstep can damage it then you probably shouldn't rely on it to save your life). I've never worried about my rope being stepped on. Leader falls and rope running over rock is far more damaging to the rope than a person - much less a dog - stepping on the rope. It's nothing to worry about.

Dogs are part of our fragile climber ecosystem. Without the dogs eating all my poop, crags across the country would quickly become unbearable.

Please, think of the dogs

Tim Lutz wrote:I don't let my dogs step on ropes, and I tie them up if there is a problem (usually someone else's dogs) here is a thought though: If you leave your roast beef sandwhich on a rock the height of my dog, he may go for it when I'm not looking. Please put it in pack. Thanks.

I might eat that roast beef Sammy and blame it on your dog if the owner gets mad about his/her missing lunch :)