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Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
Any device designed to frighten or alarm a dog is almost certain to be illegal in Spain.I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
Because there are literally hundreds of posts on here about nuisance dogs and dog attacks on the Camino.Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
That is not consistent with what I am hearing over and over on Camino forums.always with their owners and under voice control
I don’t know the answer. I seem to be a dog attractor. This beauty is named León and he was a love. I never met a mean dog along the whole Camino.I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
I guess that @isabeau wasn’t talking about a neighbourhood on the Camino Francés, she was talking about a neighbourhood in California.That is not consistent with what I am hearing over and over on Camino forums
Can you imagine how boring the average Camino forum would be if everybody who walked a Camino and didn't have a dog encounter reported it. 500,000 posts headlined "I walked a Camino and didn't get bitten by a dog".Because there are literally hundreds of posts on here about nuisance dogs and dog attacks on the Camino.
That is not consistent with what I am hearing over and over on Camino forums.
Entering dog bitten into the search field instead of dog attack yields a few more relevant posts. “”Just saying””.Oh, and a search for "dog + attack" on the forum produced about 4 relevant posts, not literally hundreds. Fear is the mind-killer.
Still ain't in the "hundreds" thoughEntering dog bitten into the search field instead of dog attack yields a few more relevant posts. “”Just saying””.
Now to my mind that is a more scary result; i wouldn't want to bump into the Pilgrim that did that!!!Entering dog bitten into the search field instead of dog attack yields a few more relevant posts. “”Just saying””.
Just thinking aloud, I would say "literally hundreds" is about correct. No, that's not hundreds of unique threads but posts, including replies? Possibly. I haven't added my voice to the chorus but I'm suddenly and inexplicably dealing with anxiety about this too. Which is strange because I grew up in a country where vicious dogs are the norm. I once opened a gate and strolled up to the front door of a property to drop off some paperwork for a sick colleague and I did this so nonchalantly and casually - even though there were danger signs saying "Guard dogs on patrol", "Keep out" and I even saw the Dobermans patrolling the place and didn't think twice. Funny thing about that story is they totally ignored me, like they could sense I wasn't scared of them? My colleague almost had a fit though. Certainly would NOT be doing that again any time soon. But if I'm ever faced with a dangerous dog in Spain I might try a nonchalant walk and see how that goes.Oh, and a search for "dog + attack" on the forum produced about 4 relevant posts, not literally hundreds. Fear is the mind-killer.
Pop open umbrellaI know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
So pepper-spray is a no-no in Spain?I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
Yes, I agree that there are probably not hundreds of posts on this forum about hundreds of cases where a pilgrim was bitten by a dog. But probably hundreds of posts in threads about this topic. I mean we are already on post #22 where the majority of us posters here points out that they had not been bitten.Still ain't in the "hundreds" though
Well, I do not see the need for a "repellent", however, there can be problems with dogs at times.Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
Why be afraid of dogs? Well In march this year I was attacked by 2 dogs on the Via de la Plata just south of Melida and bitten, I required hospital treatment. I was not afraid of dogs before this incident, but now do not trust them.Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
I definitely am afraid of dogs, and did encounter an incident back in 2018. From what I’ve read, possibly more loose canines along the route. I am concerned about that, as I make my plans for my upcoming Camino.Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
Having just completed the Frances I can say there are barking dogs in gardens or farm property but NEVER have I seen one loose. You really don't need to worry.Because there are literally hundreds of posts on here about nuisance dogs and dog attacks on the Camino.
That is not consistent with what I am hearing over and over on Camino forums.
Walking the Camino Portuguese last year I was attacked and bitten by a dog in a bar first day out of Porto...ended up in the casualty dept having stitches. Not sure about other Caminos but I came across a lot of dogs loose in Portugal and Spain and am very wary no whilst walking so I would also be very interested in anything that would reassure me!Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
I have seen several loose, not just pets, also larger guard dogs, also on the Francés.Having just completed the Frances I can say there are barking dogs in gardens or farm property but NEVER have I seen one loose. You really don't need to worry.
Whether loose dogs are a danger to pilgrims or not is another question and I don't doubt your word that you have NEVER seen one loose. Others have. And that's also the reason why you see this board and similar information posters in Spanish and/or English that ask Camino pilgrims not to allow loose dogs follow them. Apparently, this has become an issue (and apparently not all dogs and cats find their way home again).Having just completed the Frances I can say there are barking dogs in gardens or farm property but NEVER have I seen one loose.
No, don't. Just don't. Or to anyone else. They frown on that kind of thing in rural Spain.Expose yourself to dogs
Yes. Farm dogs are often alone protecting “their” property. Rarely are they accompanied by their owners. Most of the time they are behind a fence or tethered to a building. On rare occasions they can be loose and sometimes aggressive - sometimes not.Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
Just heading back home from the VdlP.Having just completed the Frances I can say there are barking dogs in gardens or farm property but NEVER have I seen one loose. You really don't need to worry.
The same for me. I suppose than the classical Caminos are safer than the less attended ones. On Frances, Primitivo, Norte, English ways I saw only dogs well used to the human presence. I cannot speak about la Plata or minor ways. Buen CaminoWalked several thousand km in Spain , never had problems with dogs.
Buen Camino
Brandy
So pepper-spray is a no-no in Spain?
I have an iWatch that can make a very loud alarm. I must insist that it is designed to frighten or alarm humans only.Any device designed to frighten or alarm a dog is almost certain to be illegal in Spain.
Honestly, if you're walking the Frances, dogs are not an issue. Its a well worn trail, and all the animals are used to seeing humans, the majority wont even lift their heads to watch you walk by. As well as dogs, I petted horses, goats donkeys, cows, and even had a wee lamb follow me. I pretty much patted every dog I met, most are very friendly. I am a dog person, and I know how to read them. If I thought I was likely to lose a hand, I wouldn't approach. I would suggest if you are concerned, just walk by, giving them some space, and pay them no attention.I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
Because there are literally hundreds of posts on here about nuisance dogs and dog attacks on the Camino.
That is not consistent with what I am hearing over and over on Camino forums.
Whether loose dogs are a danger to pilgrims or not is another question and I don't doubt your word that you have NEVER seen one loose. Others have. And that's also the reason why you see this board and similar information posters in Spanish and/or English that ask Camino pilgrims not to allow loose dogs follow them. Apparently, this has become an issue (and apparently not all dogs and cats find their way home again).
View attachment 148321
I definitely am afraid of dogs, and did encounter an incident back in 2018. From what I’ve read, possibly more loose canines along the route. I am concerned about that, as I make my plans for my upcoming Camino.
Why be afraid of dogs? Well In march this year I was attacked by 2 dogs on the Via de la Plata just south of Melida and bitten, I required hospital treatment. I was not afraid of dogs before this incident, but now do not trust them.
I carried mail for over thirty years in the US.I can report, for personal experience, of a couple who was attacked and bitten by to dogs on Via de la Plata, while they were walking the same stage as mine.
I was attacked by a dog myself, in 2019 on Camino Catalán, but managed to stay (rather...) calm and i could get far from what the animal considered to be its own property (it was the Caminos's trail, instead), finding another way to go further.
Anyway... i can't understand why a lot of users reply to minimize this problem instead of focusing on the question that has been posted.
Has anyone some suggestion to give?
And while I have never bought it let alone used it: Pepper spray is called spray pimienta in Spanish and you can buy it for example in the Armeria Castro in the calle La Rúa in Léon. The shop is right on the Camino Francés trail. You must provide your DNI (passport) and you must be older than 18.I carried mail for over thirty years in the US. I was attacked well over a dozen times. German Shepards, beagles, poodles etc. Pepper always worked. Received no joy from it but have to protect yourself. Not necessary to spray into the face of the dog, spray in the air and let them run into it. Works every time.
I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
I've been bitten at home in Ireland (drew blood, stitches etc) while out training for the Camino and it affected me psychologically for the rest of the training. Two days into that particular Camino(Salvador) two large dogs ran at me barking and growling. Bizarrely enough I didn't panic and just shook my stick at them shouting Allez! and they didn't come near me. Maybe it's a Camino thing that I'm just more relaxed there or something. I did get a nip on the backside once on the Norte but in that instance I just got angry with the owner because she didn't control her dogs. It's really a lot more about Fear I think. For example their are posts about what to do and how to avoid livestock on the road. Neither are really issues and I have walked all over Spain and Portugal many times. My only suggestion would be have a walking pile or stick and enjoy the journey. Leave the world behind and enter in to the twilight of the spirit. Buen CaminoI know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
If you carry walking sticks you have protection Buen Camino everyoneFeeling bold today, so I'll claim that on the "popular" Caminos (which includes the Primitivo) there are so many people that every dog should be well accustomed to them. This does not exclude the risk of bad luck, just like anywhere in the world.
Myself as well as a friend did have an issue once (each). But that was somewhere you count the number of pilgrims passing each day on one hand and will likely have digits left. In both instances staying calm and holding the walking sticks in front (note: not frantically waving them) did the trick.
So it's up to you how much you want to worry. I wouldn't.
spray pimienta in Spanish and you can buy it for example in the Armeria Castro in the calle La Rúa in Léon.
However, anyone who uses it on a dog should be prepared to explain themselves to the dog's owner.
This is so very true.I've been bitten at home in Ireland (drew blood, stitches etc) while out training for the Camino and it affected me psychologically for the rest of the training
I can understand why someone would inquire about repellant, but my guess is it isn’t permitted in Spain. Occasionally there can be a dog that feels it’s his/her job to guard the family compound you might not realize you’re walking past. Usually dragging the ends of hiking poles along the pavement, making semi-circles, will deter them from coming closer. But especially in the countryside, a dog running free generally has an agenda and it might not include playing cute for pilgrims. Larger dogs in particular can be work dogs that don’t appreciate the presence of strangers.Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
I have always found that my attitude has been my best deterrent. With defending dogs, I ignore them. They leave me alone. With angry dogs, they still will not attack without provocation.
Best to look up a very good dog trainer like Cesar and review his methods.
If I may, consult with that same dog trainer re: secondary tools for repelling dogs. Pepper spray may not deter them. There is much on canine psychology that would help here but it would be voluminous. And personally, I have never had any difficulties with dogs at home or on the Camino except for one time where I was bitten in the butt by a yearling German Shepherd. It was a fear bite. Ask your dog trainer friend about that. When do dogs bite in fear?I assure you that there are dogs which attack without provocation and I have been subjected to this on two occasions-- both lesser caminos, as the dogs on the Francese look upon us with sheer boredom, which is how I like it.
On one, a passing motorist saved me when I was cornered by two (possibly unemployed and wandering, as it was far from any house or farm) guard dogs, pushing them out of the way and allowing me into his car-- he told me that this had happened before and he did not know to whom they belonged. On the other occasion, two Asturian mastiffs saw me from a rise on the road almost a km off, and began bounding in my direction, barking furiously. I turned tail and a nearby farmer allowed me within his gate-- he told me that the owner was unstable, and housed goats and sheep in her house, and that the dogs had attacked others before. I reported this to the ayuntamiento in the next pueblo, and filled out a denunciacion for the provincial police, which is needed before they would go around and get the owner to control her dogs.
A few years previously, I was given a mini-course by a local dog trainer who gave me some basic tips on how not to be perceived as a threat, and I have found this very useful while training on local paths. However, I will likely pick up some pepper spray for my next Camino.
I was bitten by a dog as a child, and have a deeply entrenched fear of dogs. No manner of "therapy" has helped.I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
What a sweet pup!View attachment 148514
The only dog attack on my Camino Frances. Not aimed at me but at my Coffee cake. He was trying to hypnotise the cake to come towards him
I'm afraid that I am going to be very blunt in response. When faced by two large guard dogs, aggressive and in attack mode, there is little in canine psychology that could help. It's not inconceivable that a lone dog might be persuadable, but that was not the reality with which I was faced.If I may, consult with that same dog trainer re: secondary tools for repelling dogs. Pepper spray may not deter them. There is much on canine psychology that would help here but it would be voluminous. And personally, I have never had any difficulties with dogs at home or on the Camino except for one time where I was bitten in the butt by a yearling German Shepherd. It was a fear bite. Ask your dog trainer friend about that. When do dogs bite in fear?
Good to know it’s legal. And I love the barrier on the ground idea— brilliant!I was bitten by a dog as a child, and have a deeply entrenched fear of dogs. No manner of "therapy" has helped.
So I bought an ultrasonic device called Dazer II.
I don't need it obviously if the barking dog is behind a fence or on a chain.
It has worked in nearly all situations when the dogs were stray dogs. Walking through the ramblas on the Camino Mozárabe, there often are stray dogs. I have used the device and they would scatter.
If the dog is not behind a fence, not chained (and I'm not talking about those big dogs that keep an eye on sheep), and comes rushing out of a property, then the device doesn't work. The dog is intent on defending its territory, wants to bite me, feels my fear, and the only thing that has worked in this cases is to use my walking poles, and to throw stones.
I met a pilgrim who had a pepper spray can. She would not use it on the dog, but would create a barrier on the ground with it. She said it always worked. And yes, pepper spray is legal in Spain.
Hope this helps, @Chomps
¡Buen Camino!
Yikes during our 8 caminos we've never had any issues with dogs. Hope you don't either.I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
If there is anything that is universally applicable is that all dogs will bite. Anyone who tells you that their dog doesn't is not aware that that the dog will bite, but has not yet been pushed to the limit of its tolerance by someone's behaviour. If you have a fear of being attacked, I think it is up to you to know how to avoid confrontations with working dogs, but I do concede that owners who have trained their dogs to be aggressive also have a responsibility to ensure those dogs don't threaten the safety of the public in general.What this thread is teaching me is that our experiences are many and varied on the many Caminos and it is unwise to extrapolate from our limited experience (no matter how many Caminos we have walked) to something that is universally applicable.
Yet I have walked by many dogs that did not bite, as have many others who commented above. So clearly the sentence, as written above, is nor universally applicable. Maybe if you extended it to "all dogs will bite if sufficiently provoked" but that implies what dog bites are always the result of provocations, which is also disputed by testimony above. I think I will have to continue in my belief that this thread shows that universally applicable experiences rarely are so.If there is anything that is universally applicable is that all dogs will bite.
@David Tallan, the fact that a dog didn't bite you when you walked past is not evidence that it won't bite. Some dogs might go through their lives without biting because they have never been put into the circumstances where that is their natural or learned response. Others will take a snap at every passing stranger.Yet I have walked by many dogs that did not bite, as have many others who commented above. So clearly the sentence, as written above, is nor universally applicable. Maybe if you extended it to "all dogs will bite if sufficiently provoked" but that implies what dog bites are always the result of provocations, which is also disputed by testimony above. I think I will have to continue in my belief that this thread shows that universally applicable experiences rarely are so.
I think we are using the language differently. If there is a dog that goes through its whole life without biting, in my use of the language to say that it will bite is inaccurate.@David Tallan, the fact that a dog didn't bite you when you walked past is not evidence that it won't bite. Some dogs might go through their lives without biting because they have never been put into the circumstances where that is their natural or learned response. Others will take a snap at every passing stranger.
I don't see any need to caveat my statement here. There is one universally applicable truth, and that is all dogs will bite. You just don't want to be the person that is there when they feel compelled to, whether by your behaviour or someone or something else happening around them.
For me there is a difference between saying all dogs will bite and saying for all dogs there are circumstances where they will bite.Saying all dogs will bite (as in for every dog there are circumstances under which it will) is the same as saying every human will apply aggressive and potentially lethal violence given the right circumstances. Both statements are in principle true.
For me there is a difference between saying all dogs will bite and saying for all dogs there are circumstances where they will bite.
There are circumstances where the Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup. That is true. But I wouldn't say that it is equivalent to saying the Toronto Maple Leafs will win the Stanley Cup. For the latter to be true, the circumstances have to come to pass. Clearly, the circumstances do not come to pass for all dogs, which is why many dogs live their entire lives without biting anyone.
This is what some of us have been trying to point out - you were on their territory they challenged but did not attack you. Had you used pepper spray on them, the owner could have prosecuted you. It is not the solution.To return to the original question… we had one of the ultrasonic handheld things when we walked in France last year. We knew we would be off-route at times - where most of the worrying encounters take place - and thought this might be a good answer, instead of pepper spray. Unfortunately, when we tried It out, there seemed to be no reaction by nearby dogs, so we eventually trashed it. Later we were charged by pit bulls at one farm in the middle of nowhere and they blocked our way ahead. We had to rely on our walking sticks and yells to the owners before we could continue. I doubt the thingamajig would have helped.
Sure, on most routes, especially the CF, dogs lying in the sun ignoring you remind you that you’re merely one in thousands, but when you’ve accidentally gone the wrong way or intentionally detoured, the situation can be very different. The idea of spraying the ground is intriguing.
Not saying it can't happen, but I never encountered a mean dog throughtout the entire camino. I thru-hiked it from SJPP to SDC. Now, I did make sure to never go out of my way and approach dogs to pet or feed them. I'd see them and stay clear, but I never had a dog approach me or come at me in an aggressive manner. Maybe you can get a small air horn in Spain.I know... I know....
Everyone says do the pick-up-a-stone trick or wave your poles at them....
...or yell "NO" in Spanish (umm??...)
But I want the bestest high-tech dog repellent that there is.
Flexible on weight.
Much appreciation.
I think I would want to brush my teeth afterwards.Now to my mind that is a more scary result; i wouldn't want to bump into the Pilgrim that did that!!!
As someone who has walked more than one pilgrimage, so not a first timer, and having walking places other than the Iberian Peninsula with its almost unique dog culture, I find it disappointing that what are quite legitimate concerns are dismissed like this.Viscous dogs on the Camino is largely an imaginary problem some Camino first timers freet about completely needlessly.
I might not agree with all the methods being proposed in this thread, but if the circumstances arose where a dog was close enough to be fended off with a walking pole, and exhibiting aggressive behaviour, I wouldn't hold back. I'm not going to go chasing a dog like that, but I'm not going to just let it keep coming at me either.You certainly don't want to hit dogs with your poles or throw rocks at them if I am around or else I would be your problem...
Exaggerated maybe, but imaginary certainly not. Just because something has not happened to you does not mean it has not happened to others.Viscous dogs on the Camino is largely an imaginary problem
I would actually say bed bugs are a bigger problem, but while there are many friendly dogs on the Camino you may have bad luck. So probabilities are lower than some first-timers might think, but the issue is real. It is a combination of sometimes careless dog owners or even those owners who push their dog to be overly aggressive by undermining the dog‘s trust in humans one one side and sometimes careless or outright wrong behaviour of pilgrims who know little to nothing about dogs and their psychology.I've never had an issue with dogs in six Camino's. Met so many friendly ones looking for an ear scratch I've lost count.
Viscous dogs on the Camino is largely an imaginary problem some Camino first timers freet about completely needlessly. Kind of like bed bugs.
You certainly don't want to hit dogs with your poles or throw rocks at them if I am around or else I would be your problem...
That does not mean there are hundreds of attacks. In 7 caminos I have rarely met with an aggressive dog. Chill...there is little to be concerned about, especially walking tbe Francés.Because there are literally hundreds of posts on here about nuisance dogs and dog attacks on the Camino.
Very exaggerated.Exaggerated maybe, but imaginary certainly not. Just because something has not happened to you does not mean it has not happened to others.
There are some places where dogs are known to have been problematic (like near Barxa on the Invierno)
Just curious… why would one need dog repellent on the Camino? Are you afraid of dogs? We come from a neighborhood of many dogs, but whether on or off leash they are always with their owners and under voice control. And we have our own dogs so personally wouldn’t be fearful. Am I missing something?
The difference between a terrier and a terrorist?Little Dog says she is afraid of humans. Apparently they act irrationally: they do fear or flight stuff when she’s just trying to say hello and they do attack lunges at her when she is just ignoring them. She is puzzled because after somewhere near a million years of close association she thinks that if we were anywhere near as clever as we appear to think we are we would have got an, at least tenuous, grip on homo/cana relationships.
She will never bite a human. Even that 18 month old nightmare that thinks she likes being dragged around the kitchen by her ears. Except that human whose smell she doesn’t recognize moving to quickly towards the nightmare.
Sorry Doctor.
Ah, I remember now. Big bad dog repellent: get a bigger, badder, dog. Or a Terrier. The Terrier is likely the more effective
That's why people need luggage transfer.By the time you’ve added pepper spray for dogs and humans, a camera for flashers, a security chain for backpack theft, a phone with 911 (or 121 in Europe) on redial tightly grasped in your hand, a RFID (God help us) wallet for your cards and so on you’ll only have room for a change of underwear.
There's a general tenor of fearfulness about many aspects of walking a camino that's predominant and unnecessary. And it seems to be getting worse. If it's not dogs it would be something else.
@VNwalking isn’t that the saddest part of what is happening to our beloved Camino. It was always supposed to be a challenge, it was always supposed to be a bit scary. A long walk in a country of which we knew little or perhaps too much if we’d ever paid any attention to European history. A long walk; down to the chemists is a long way as the blessed Douglas Adams had it.There's a general tenor of fearfulness about many aspects of walking a camino that's predominant and unnecessary