Vicious snarling dogs?

[Hermanita]

It seems that in every book I read about the Camino the author has been attacked or nearly attacked by vicious snarling dogs. I know some authors like to put a little spin on it, to add some drama to their stories, but I seriously don't want that kind of drama on my Camino.

So, my question is posed to those that have walked and had dog "experiences". Have you been threatened, menaced or attacked by vicious snarling dogs, or in any way encountered dogs that made you feel threatened? Have you even seen packs of dogs?

Rita

 

[johnBCCanada]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

The dogs that I encountered were sleepy and quiet but I did the Camino in the Fall and maybe by then they just bored with all the pilgims they had seen?

John

 

[Hermanita]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

The dogs that I encountered were sleepy and quiet
John

Thanks John, that's just the kind of dog I hope to encounter
Rita

 

[Simsonite]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

I met some of them. Usually they had a chain around their neck, so they couldn't attack me. I think some of them really wanted to do that. One dog followed me for 1-2 minutes barking and being angry. But nothing happened, the most dogs are sleepy and friendly and always hungry for pilgrim's food

 

[viajero]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

On the Camino Frances I encountered no problems with dogs. Most were on chains. A few were loose and followed for a bit but were not threatening. On the Camino Portuguese there were lots of barking dogs. Many were chained but it seemed the whole route was filled with loud,barking dogs. A small dog nipped my friend and another almost did. When we got into Spain it seemed to be better so we joked that it was just the Portuguese dogs. On neither route did I see packs of dogs.

 

[AJ]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

The dogs I encountered on the Camino Mozarabe and VDLP were mostly very large working dogs. Their job is to protect livestock. They bark, snarl and behave in a threatening manner. Usually there is a fence between you and them, though not always. I carried a stone with me which I let the dogs see and made as to throw it at them. They always backed off.

One exception was a German Shepherd which made not a sound, but merely shepherded me away from its property in a most professional manner.

 

[Hermanita]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

They bark, snarl and behave in a threatening manner. Usually there is a fence between you and them, though not always. I carried a stone with me which I let the dogs see and made as to throw it at them. They always backed off.
.

Thanks AJ, I hope all the dogs I meet are behind fences too.

I walk almost daily. I have not encountered too many dogs lately as we have a leash law in our town.

But when I was growing up our neighbors had several vicious loose dogs that would chase us kids off.
I was told that if I turned on the dogs and started running toward them while shouting and making noise that they would back off and not attack me. Well, I must say it worked most of the time. I
did however get bit once by one of those dogs.

Rita

 

[Anniesantiago]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

We didn't have any problems with dogs on the Frances.

 

[Telluridewalker]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

For what it's worth, 20 years ago when I walked the Camino the "dog problem" was the #1 warning I received from well-wishers before I set out, but I never encountered a single problem dog along my 400 mile journey.

 

[oomschluking]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

Years ago I travelled to inland Bali. I was waiting for a bus. A very nice gentleman asked me to share a coffee whilst we waited for our respective buses. We communed for less than 15 minutes before he had to run and catch his bus.He told me a story - "there are wild dogs - do not be afraid if you meet them, the locals have thrown stones at them for so long they are afraid of stone throwing. All you have to do is bend down as if to touch your toes and they will scamper. Two nights later I was walking to my hotel alone, very late at night, there was no traffic, just a long winding road. I walked and walked until I came to a bridge overhead - in front of me were 12-15 wild dogs! I kid you not. They were snarling and growling! And then I remembered my stranger's story. I bent down and touched my toes, just once. The dogs parted, on either side of the bridge, and let me pass between them!As soon as I had passed they closed ranks again and started growling! I will never forget it! I got the information I needed on the track, from a friend I didn't know!

 

[Hermanita]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

in front of me were 12-15 wild dogs! I kid you not. They were snarling and growling! And then I remembered my stranger's story. I bent down and touched my toes, just once. The dogs parted, on either side of the bridge, and let me pass between them!As soon as I had passed they closed ranks again and started growling! I will never forget it! I got the information I needed on the track, from a friend I didn't know!

WOW that is am amazing story. I never heard of such a thing.
But I don't think I will try it unless I am in Bali!!!

 

[Janeh]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

I got attacked by a dog just outside of Ruitalin - but in defence of the dog, as I walked passed I said hello to her, she jumped up and went for me. Luckily she bit my backpack and not me. I turned around and waved my walking poles in a threatening manner and she backed off. I noticed that she had just had puppies (although they weren't in sight), so she was probably just defending them. There were lots of growling dogs along the way but I didn't make eye contact with them or speak to them - felt that would be the safest way. I must admit after the dog attack I was a little nervous every time I spotted a loose dog, but didn't get attacked again so as I said, I think it was because she was feeding puppies. Lesson - no eye contact, don't speak to them, and you'll be fine!

 

[Hermanita]

Re: Vicious snarling dogs

I got attacked by a dog just outside of Ruitalin - I noticed that she had just had puppies (although they weren't in sight), so she was probably just defending them.

Hi Jane
I know that dogs can get very defensive if they have a litter. I had a sweet gentle dog who had a litter of pups and turned real mean if anyone came near them.

I don't really have a fear of dogs, but if I do encounter one, now I won't know what to do, as some people in the thread say don't make eye contact and others say make noises and wave your staff like you are going to go after them. Who knows which is best. I guess I'll just hope that I don't meet any bad dogs, and I won't have to think about it one way or the other!! :lol: