Best kind of crag dog?

Yukon Corneliuswrote:

Wow that looks just like the dog that I thought was cool and we hung out for an hour or two no problem and then it fucking bit me....

Sometimes dogs just know.

Lee Chandlerwrote:

Sometimes dogs just know.

Look man, I know you're probably just joking, but I have had dogs and cats my whole life and consider myself an animal lover. I'm the kind of guy who gets along better with the pets than the people at a party. I hate that the bad behavior of one or two dogs has made me feel on edge around even small dogs. Honestly I felt pretty burned about that incident and I don't really appreciate the jokes.

Edit: that same dog was actually sleeping between my feet an hour earlier as I watched its owner climb! I thought we were cool! Never felt so betrayed :(

Will Manesswrote:

Argue all you want, but objectively there's really no situation in which it is BETTER to have your dog at the crag - it's just more convenient for you.  Your dog is just another safety consideration at best, and a horrible nuisance at worst.  

I hardly feel the need to say this, but I've really fallen in love with dogs lately.  My parents have a new dog that I let sleep in my bed, something I thought I would never do.  My brother and his wife have a goofy little dog that I spend more with than them when I go to visit.  But I don't have a dog myself...largely due to the fact that I travel a lot and climb outside 100+ days each year.  

People will continue to bring their dogs to the crag though, and I'll continue to climb with people who bring their dogs...and this silly thread won't change anything.  

True. Folks who would change their minds about these things probably already have. Further talking about it isn't achieving anything.

JonasMRwrote:

...belay a dog up...

You just blew my mind open to a whole new world of possibilities. Have any tips?

Will Manesswrote:

Argue all you want, but objectively there's really no situation in which it is BETTER to have your dog at the crag - it's just more convenient for you.  Your dog is just another safety consideration at best, and a horrible nuisance at worst.  

I hardly feel the need to say this, but I've really fallen in love with dogs lately.  My parents have a new dog that I let sleep in my bed, something I thought I would never do.  My brother and his wife have a goofy little dog that I spend more with than them when I go to visit.  But I don't have a dog myself...largely due to the fact that I travel a lot and climb outside 100+ days each year.  

People will continue to bring their dogs to the crag though, and I'll continue to climb with people who bring their dogs...and this silly thread won't change anything.  

What about a crag where there are 300 routes, you are the only people there, and you have your dog(s)?  Be more open minded and  less in blinders focusing you on the negatives of crowded crags, please.

Question: What is the best type of bear?

Creed Archibaldwrote:

Question: What is the best type of bear?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bear_(gay_culture)

Detrick Swrote:

You just blew my mind open to a whole new world of possibilities. Have any tips?

https://ruffwear.com/products/doubleback-harness plus slabs.

If you go the rescue route, you might just find yourself a great crag dog but it will take some time and work. First, don't go to the local shelter--as great as shelters are, chances are the folks there don't know much about the dog beyond "he was picked up as a stray in ____". Instead, seek out a reputable rescue group that routinely sends the dogs to foster homes for a period of evaluation, socialization and basic training. The foster parent is going to know way more about the dog they've had for a few months, and a good rescue group will steer you away from dogs that are not a good fit. You just have to be honest in your application about what kind of dog you're looking for--mellow, friendly, tolerant, trainable. Once you have the dog, don't even think about taking it to the crag until the dog is settled in your home (3 months as a general rule) and you can predict how the dog will behave at the crag. 

Greta is my second rescue. Like my first, Louise, you will NEVER find her at a crag. She's the absolute worst, but damn she's pretty.

I'm enjoying all the dog pictures!

Look up the thread Some climbers and my dog for alot more.

Roy Suggettwrote:

What about a crag where there are 300 routes, you are the only people there, and you have your dog(s)?  Be more open minded and  less in blinders focusing you on the negatives of crowded crags, please.

It's not just about other people.  Do you think the base of a rock face is the best place for your dog?  I pulled the ropes on a very popular, well-traveled route the other day and a flake got knocked off and landed within a foot of my partner...could have been a dog lying there.  Just my two cents.  As I've said, I have plenty of good friends with good dogs whom they take to the crags...but is it the best option?

Learn to be a good owner and any dog can be a good crag dog. 

I think it comes down to the individual dog and how well they are trained and exercised.  We have two high energy dogs, a blue heeler and a mini aussie, who are really chill at the crag and love that it's a chance to play with other dogs.  That being said, we bring them mostly to the lower grade crags that have large base areas.  We also exercise them a lot so that when we get to the crag they can sniff around and then just veg out while we climb.   Taking time to play with them in between climbs is also important.  I can also understand why people don't like crag dogs, unruly dogs are a bit irritating regardless of setting. Personally tho, I'd take a crag with rowdy dogs over one with Bluetooth speakers everywhere.

After an entire summer of painting my house and installing windows up on a ladder I thought I got my healer "okay" with me being a little inaccessible. I would reward her every time she was nice and quite and waited when I got down. She would just sit at the bottom of the ladder for hours. But previously she would just bark up the ladder until I came back. And once she surprised me by figuring out how to get up on the roof!
She knows dozens of commands and a pretty awesome array of tricks, I can get her to do anything, but I can't get her to be relaxed when I climb a wall. I thought I had made progress but even with my wife trying to comfort her she had an absolute meltdown when I started climbing last week. This was after a 12 mile mountain bike ride the day before. She gets a lot of physical and mental exercise. She's an amazing dog, but man she can't handle me leaving.

The one you leave at home. . .

Steve Williamswrote:

The one you leave at home. . .

The one you bring with you