Why do people take their dogs skiing?

[mahgnillig]

I'm a dog person. And a ski person. I love to take my dogs XC skiing... it's great exercise for all of us and they love the snow. What I don't get is why on earth so many people take their dogs to the resort, let the dog run around the parking lot while they get their boots on, then leave the dog in the car all day!

I almost hit a dog in the parking lot at Kirkwood a couple of weeks back. Some woman was rummaging around in the back of her car getting her stuff together, the dog was running around like a crazy idiot, unsupervised, and ran right in front of my Jeep. The woman glared at me like it was my fault when I honked the horn! Trouble is, this is just one time of many that I have seen dogs in the parking lots of ski resorts (or evidence of dogs!)... and invariably when I come back at the end of the day, the poor dog is just sitting in the car waiting for it's owner. In my day job, I'm an Animal Control Officer, so I'm fairly used to telling people that they can't leave their dog in the car when they go to WalMart or the casino, or the gazillion other stupid places they take their dogs. But the sheer number of dogs in vehicles at ski resorts is just boggling to me... I don't get it! There's nothing in it for the dog... it's not like someone would just pop by the resort on the way back from walking the dog like they would if they were going shopping, they must have made a conscious decision to take it with them. Does anyone here do this? And if so, WHY?

 

[gardenmary]

This is a mystery to me too. The other scary thing is, the situation you describe with the woman getting stuff out of the car and the dog running around unsupervised - I've seen peoples' kids running around like that in a parking lot too.

This is one reason why we don't have a dog, aside from the fact that my husband is not a dog person. We don't have a lifestyle that is conducive to owning a dog; we aren't home enough and we don't have the time for training. So, we have cats. (Correction: the cats permit us to live in the house with them.)

 

[Kimmyt]

I feel this way all the time in Colorado. People feel the need to bring their dogs EVERYWHERE with them. It's fairly ridiculous, I mean, does Rover have to go on a trip to the Home Depot with you?

 

[mustski]

I have a german shepherd (100 lber) and I keep threatening to make her a giant bedazzled purse. I figure if I leave four leg holes and and a head and tail hole then all I have to do is guide the "purse". People in California "carry" their dogs everywhere with them! So, if it is true that if your dog is in a purse, you can take it anywhere, then all I need is a big enough purse!

 

[SkiBam]

I'm a dog person. And a ski person. I love to take my dogs XC skiing...

I think taking a dog x-c skiing is fine, as long as it's not on track-set trails. Taking a dog on a set track (or really any trail that gets a fair amount of skier traffic) has become pretty much a no-no around here; not only do they make holes in the track, but I've had a dog leap in front of me as I'm barreling downhill – very scary. (And don't get me wrong; I LOVE dogs.)

 

[ski diva]

I feel this way all the time in Colorado. People feel the need to bring their dogs EVERYWHERE with them. It's fairly ridiculous, I mean, does Rover have to go on a trip to the Home Depot with you?

I agree. I hate to see dogs sitting in cars for who knows how long. I don't think it's fair to the dog at all, and I don't understand why people do it. Then again, I'm not a dog person, so maybe it's just something I can't comprehend.

That said, it really is irresponsible for someone to let their dog run around a ski area parking lot. It's not only dangerous for the dog, but it's dangerous for drivers, too. Just imagine if the dog was hit -- not only would the owners be devastated, but the driver would be devastated, too. I know I'd be. It's an awful scenario that could easily be avoided.

 

[Leila Zucker]

The cutest labrador puppy was wandering around the parking lot at Sierra at Tahoe this February. I had to get out of the car and hold him so he wouldn't run behind the car while we were trying to pull out. We figured he must have been left in a car with the windows cracked and he/she? (I didn't look) squirmed out. I don't get it either. But then, I don't have dogs or kids so maybe I don't count--anyone out there who has left a dog in a ski resort parking lot who can enlighten us, I would honestly like to understand.

 

[Downunder Diva]

Guilty as charged as my DH takes our schipperke skiing with him (we have rarely skiied together due to family and work commitments - I'm talking about DH and self not dog and self). Ella Bella (dog) accompanies DH everywhere. She started off her life with us sleeping on the bed and guess what she's still there (that's a no brainer). DH spends between 4 to 7 weeks skiing each year (we alternate) with Ella plus one of our cats "Rags" who stay up at our high country hut with him (or me). On a ski day Ella goes skiing with him and does a 5 km xc trail before snoozing down in the carpark while he skis for 5 hours. She is not allowed out of the car at the resort and in fact dogs are banned at Mt Hotham unless you have a residents permit. When I'm up there I leave Ella at home as I like my snow camping but DH even takes Ella with him when he xc tours and camps (I will hunt up a pic). Ella does make this easy as she is a small dog, for those that don't know a schipperke looks like an ultra mini black shorter haired Samoyed. Why does he do it? Because they are mostly inseparable and enjoy each others company immensely. As long as the dog is really well exercised before being left in the car then I don't have a problem with this practice as long as the dog totally stays in the car whilst in the car park.

 

[2ski2moro]

First let me say that I have never taken my dog to a ski resort. Second, I would NEVER allow my dog to run off leash in a parking lot. One reason that someone might leave the dog in the car is that you often are not allowed to leave your dog in a hotel room alone.

I am not one of the dog people who lets their little darling sit on their lap when they drive, nor do I put the dog in a purse to take into the store. I do, however, consider my dogs to be a part of the family pack. I am the leader, and they know it. Golden retrievers and a Hovawart, all of the dogs were more than 70 pounds. Big dogs have to be trained well, and I think I have done a good job.

I have travelled with my dogs a lot, though. Three of my 4 dogs were "Car Dogs." When I get my keys out, the dogs are at the door dancing around as if to say, "Oh boy, a ride in the car! Take me, take me. Please, please, please!" Dog #2 got so carsick that she would slink off in a corner and hide. If I had to take her along, she laid flat, chin down on the carpet, legs spread out to keep herself still. When we stopped, she jumped out, vomited, wagged her tail, and went on her way. Poor baby, I did my best to leave her at home whenever possible. The other dogs love the car.

If I am gardening in my yard, and the tailgate of my SUV is open, my dog would rather jump into the cargo area of my SUV than nap on the grass. The car is a place of safety for her and she associates good times, like hikes and swimming in the lake, with the car.

Many people think it is cruel to crate a dog, but I disagree. I think it is an important part of training. After training, I leave the crate door open and the dogs go in there to sleep. It is their safe spot.

The back of my SUV is bigger than a crate, the dog likes to be there, and as long as the dog is not in danger from cold temps or the excessive heat of a car, I don't see the problem. She is fed, doesn't need to toilet, and is not a destructive chewer. She has her toys to chew on and water to drink. She sleeps on her pillow most of the time, waiting for me to return. My dogs are well-behaved in public and I will take them anywhere they are allowed.

 

[geargrrl]

Some dogs love it. I skied with a gal recently who set her pooch up very comfortable with a big dog bed. He sits in the car and watches the people go by all day.The dog loves to people watch . Really.

 

[pinto]

Yeah, that's funny, I never thought of it as a problem, probably because I grew up here and people do take their dogs lots of places. If I have to be gone for a ski day, say, 10 hr all told, and the dog can be in the car with me for 4 hr of travel and maybe 1 hr of lunch, then another 45 min or hour of outside playtime at the end of the day, he would prefer that to being home all alone for 10 hr.

And yes, depending on where you are, it's probably better to leave the dog in the car than in someone else's house or condo or hotel ...

 

[2ski2moro]

Yeah, that's funny, I never thought of it as a problem, probably because I grew up here and people do take their dogs lots of places. If I have to be gone for a ski day, say, 10 hr all told, and the dog can be in the car with me for 4 hr of travel and maybe 1 hr of lunch, then another 45 min or hour of outside playtime at the end of the day, he would prefer that to being home all alone for 10 hr.

Exactly.

 

[mustski]

We take our dog on all our road ski trips. I do leave her at the cabin/condo we rent. She is very used to staying inside all day while we work or ski. She does not need to potty during the day and is very well behaved indoors. She just goes to sleep until we get back. Normally, we ski straight through without breaks and knock off for the day around 1:30-2:00 so it's really not that long alone. I don't leave her in the car much - probably because it's too hot in summer in SoCal so it's not our habit. I do leave her inside the RV when we camp and go for a hike ( on trails where she's not permitted) but only in the AM and before the heat of the day hits. In my mind, dogs are like kids ... if they're well behaved bring them anywhere. If not, well...!

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

I haven't seen this dog in the car phenomenon skiing here in VT or NH. Perhaps it is more popular out west?
I suppose it would depend on the dog-- perhaps some are happier in the car than they would be left at home. As long as it is not too hot in the car. But I agree-- they really should not be running around loose--esp in the parking lot.

 

[mahgnillig]

I think taking a dog x-c skiing is fine, as long as it's not on track-set trails. Taking a dog on a set track (or really any trail that gets a fair amount of skier traffic) has become pretty much a no-no around here; not only do they make holes in the track, but I've had a dog leap in front of me as I'm barreling downhill – very scary. (And don't get me wrong; I LOVE dogs.)

Dogs are banned on most of the tracks around here, so we only XC with them in the backcountry. Kirkwood XC centre has a couple of trails that are dog friendly, and you can even buy a doggie season pass! Luckily there are many great areas to XC around here where we can make our own trails & we don't mind if the dogs run in them

I didn't even think about people leaving dogs in their car because they're not allowed to leave them in the hotel... I guess that kinda sorta makes sense. But then again on the couple of occasions I have taken my dogs on a ski trip I have also taken their crates and they were perfectly fine being crated in the hotel room (with the hotel's knowledge of course - we paid extra for doggie rooms). If the dog is well behaved and trained then it's a bit different, but it really irks me to see badly behaved dogs out in public, running amok and barking at everything.

 

[deannatoby]

I've seen the dog-in-the-car here in NH. Never thought it was a problem. Gunstock is also on Lake Winnepesaukee, one the biggest vacation spots in New England, so many people who have a ski condo actually live fairly far from the slope because it's really a summer lake condo. The other side of the lake is 45"-1 hr away, and those people often ski at Gunstock. Makes their condo a 4 season vacation home, pretty nice. I know somebody who had their dog in the car and they said going back to the condo/home after skiing would put the kids in bed very late by the time they got home. Dog was happy, well-behaved, not running around the parking lot, and got to have some fun car time with the fam. Other option was a kennel all weekend, or being with another family. I say give 'em some slope car time! I'm with the people who don't see them being in the car as a problem. I totally get the crate/car safe thing, too. Our dog was crate trained as a puppy from birth (not by us) and we were encouraged to let her sleep there at night. But, DH feels guilty not letting them lounge the night away on the bed, so out went the crate training. My German Shepherd has had to be pulled from the car on some ski mornings. She's such a devoted sweetie, she'd LOVE to wait in the car if it meant getting to go for a ride with us.

Cars are bad when they overheat. No dogs in the car in Georgia, but a winter NH day in the car, no problem!

 

[canadianjem]

has anyone here ever run over dog S&*t while skiing back to the lodge?? I have...not pretty!! It makes me furious when people walk their dogs around the lifts "off leash".

 

[mustski]

has anyone here ever run over dog S&*t while skiing back to the lodge?? I have...not pretty!! It makes me furious when people walk their dogs around the lifts "off leash".

As a dog owner ... that is RIDICULOUS! I have encountered it at the beach and it drives me nuts! On leash or off leash is not the problem in that situation ... it is a dog handler who PRETENDS not to notice!

 

[litterbug]

I've never seen dogs in the parking lots here. However, I've been startled to see someone seem to be walking their well-behaved dog near the base--before I realized these were probably patrol or S&R (avi) dogs in training; of course you'd start a dog off just getting used to strangers zipping around on skis!

 

[B-Tele]

I take my dogs a lot of places...I try to combine running errands with taking them to the dog park. Since I live about 7 miles out of town, it saves gas and trips back and forth to get them some exercise. They are people dogs and enjoy car rides, so I feel good about taking them with instead of leaving them at home.