Dogs on the trail

[GoldenTreePackGoats]

For us, in Washington we consider off leash dogs our primary concern, wild predators secondary. In my experience people fail their canine companions frequently, they set them up for failure. I've met very few dogs that have a 100% recall rate which is in my opinion mandatory for any off leash time on public lands. I truly cringe when I hear some one yelling for their dog repeatedly, and having no affect. If your dog doesn't stay at your side, and listen 100% of the time it should be on a leash. While on the trail I have been charged, jumped on, and bitten. My goats are working for me and it's my duty to protect them, when in area's of higher traffic all my goats are on leads, but often other people's dogs are not. We also hike with a human leading the string of goats and a human following the string of goats. How I deal with off leash or sometimes even on leash dogs: 

First: I yell, "Get your dog, I have livestock." Repeatedly. This is usually when the owner calls the dog and the dog continues towards me and my goats regardless of its recall command. 

Second: If it intrudes my space I pepper spray, the gel is less likely to blow back on me so that's my preference.

Third: Luckily this hasn't happened yet, but if the dog makes physical contact with me it'll be shot, and I'll feel absolutely terrible about it. 

But your dog isn't my responsibility my safety and the safety of my animals is, and by letting the dog get into that kind of situation, the owner failed their canine companion. No dog should ever put its teeth on a human unless trained to do so in my opinion. 

Too many goats lose their lives from domestic dogs, the dogs aren't to blame, their humans are. 

As far as predators, we low line our goats close to our tent and keep a firearm handy over night.