We almost always boondock, and part of the reason is that we don't want to leash our dogs while camping, while not bothering anyone else in the process. My wife, who's much smarter than I am, came up with a way to see where our dogs are at night while boondocking, using cheap headlamps from Costco:

Works like a charm.

Great idea. Bet it works on kids too lol lol lol

  On 12/16/2017 at 4:00 AM, Twotoes said:

Great idea. Bet it works on kids too lol lol lol

So do leashes. 

I do not care to be around anyone with an unleashed dog.  Our leashed dog has been attacked by larger off leash dogs.  I do not care how well trained your dog is, it is still an animal and has animal instincts.

Ken

  On 12/17/2017 at 9:05 AM, TXiceman said:

I do not care to be around anyone with an unleashed dog.  Our leashed dog has been attacked by larger off leash dogs.  I do not care how well trained your dog is, it is still an animal and has animal instincts.

Ken

Which is why I don't camp anywhere near anyone else, so as to not annoy those who feel the way that you do. The Western U.S. is majority public land, so it's easy to find a couple of hundred acres to call my own for a few days. If I'm remotely near anyone the dogs are leashed.

As one that boondocks nearly exclusively, I always find conceptions like this interesting. Be it generators, screaming ATV's up and down the road all day, blaring music, light strings or dogs off leash... it seems there is the general misconception that just because you don't see anyone on your way in to a campsite, or hear anyone yourselves, that you are the only souls alive for miles. Especially in heavily forested areas you may pull in to camp with neighbors only 100 yards off that you may be completely unaware of.

Dogs off leash? I quite often have vistors of the, obviously, pet variety pay me a visit. Likely attracted to my camp noise or smells. (Probably much like their owners... I had no idea anyone else was nearby and have no idea where they came from. ) I don't "especially" mind them, per se. Can't really fault the animal for following it's instincts/curiosity. I don't travel with a dog or cat so I'm not concerned about pet attacks, but in my years I HAVE had food stolen off my table by dogs, have caught them trying to tear my temporary trash baggy down and had one run off with a dish towel on one occassion.

I think the only times it's especially annoying is during hunting season, you have game hanging and they try to sneak in for a taste. Once they do they just keep coming back again and again. Even firing a shot over their heads won't keep them away for long.

Of course, even if you try and talk to the owners it's always the same. "Our dog/dogs never go further than we can see them". (Ever wondered how much ground a dog can cover in 5 minutes? Look it up. ) I can count on two fingers the number of times an owner has actually just said, "Sorry 'bout that."

One bright side of the coin though. Away from their owners (not in "protective mode") and in foreign territory themselves... they are very rarely "ever" aggressive. 

But whatchagonnado? Where others may go to greater efforts to be able to enjoy the beauty and solidute of nature... and where camping etiquette "should" be more closely observed... it seems that, for many, "boondocking etiquette" is either completely foreign to them or goes right out the window as soon as their tires break pavement.

  On 12/17/2017 at 9:48 AM, Grand Adventure said:

If I'm remotely near anyone the dogs are leashed

Thank you! Ours are always leashed when not enclosed. We also use x pens to create a safe area under our awning, not so much to keep ours in, but to keep the "never left my side before" pets, and other wildlife, out.

E vets are not cheap or plentiful, and we have a duty to our pets to keep them safe.

We have greyhounds. 40mph in a few strides... even as seniors, if they are awake. They have been rushed several times, but never attacked. We stop the rushing animals as needed, within the law.

For night walks, they wear flashing collars and leash. Always have a reflective collar on as well.

Edited December 17, 2017 by Dp26

I once had a dog owner say to me as his large, unleashed dog growled at me "he's just like family" and I replied "but I'm NOT family, leash your dog!" 

Whether boondocking or camping in more rural campgrounds, there can be critters lurking not far outside the illuminated area of your campsite checking it out for an easy meal. If the dog(s) go out of the campsite area to do their duty and it is not found and cleaned up this is another attractant to potential unwanted campsite visitors. Most dogs are no match for a coyote, bear or mountain lion. If you enjoy the sounds of the coyotes at night, you can bet they have checked out your campsite. I see coyote scat in campgrounds and boondocking sites all the time. In one RV park outside of Tucson, not far from the interstate, coyotes visited the park every night and occasionally stalked pets on a leash with their owners. A light on the dogs collar will only tell you which direction to search in for the body. There are also smaller critters like skunks and porcupines that can result in a very unpleasant experience for both dog and owner.

I have traveled with 2-3 hunting dogs for decades. They are never off leash or outside of an enclosure unless hunting or training (which is almost a daily occurrence). They are perfectly content to lay around the campfire on a picket or stay in the RV sleeping in their favorite spot. During the day, they will lay picketed where they can get in the shade of the trailer or awning if they desire. They do not need to be wandering loose.

We have two dogs who are always leashed when out for a walk.  One of them, a "lap dog," I do occasionally let go "free range" for awhile, depending on where we are, but she's always near me and within sight.  The other dog, a Basenji, is too prey driven to ever be off leash anywhere other than a secure fenced yard.  If he saw a rabbit, squirrel, deer, or other wild animal, the chase would be on and we'd never see him again.  We always tell people that a loose Basenji is a dead Basenji.

Here's my 2 cents worth. Just like the previous poster said about coyotes. They can run in packs and I've seen them in a chase after a dog.  You mentioned about all the land out here in the western states. All of those have coyotes and lots of them, so many that some states, although I strongly disagree, have coyote hunts, where hunters will shoot dozens and dozens in a single day.

I would never consider having my dogs out of my PHYSICAL control.

The issue is “control of your dog” As a dog owner you have a legal responsibility to control your dog. If you are anywhere near other people, dogs, or other animals like ,squirrels,rabbits or coyotes one should always keep your dog on a leash. If you are truly alone and your dog is trained to return to you on command it may be responsible to have your dog off leash. An important exception are service dogs who are trained not to pee or poop while on leash and must be let off leash to do their business. They are trained this way so that the owner can take them into shops and restaurants and not worry about an accident happening. They know they are off duty when off leash. 

as i type this both of my girls are gone. and i do agree, a bad dog is a bad dog.

discipline is key here,  (no not beating them, i train with love) but yes when in unknown areas i do tend to have used the leash. but when out on a walk with nobody around maybe off leash.

after a dog gets into garbage it is very hard to break them of that very bad habit. and it is not just camp raiding, some even at home.

it shows bad owners.

  On 12/17/2017 at 9:05 AM, TXiceman said:

I do not care to be around anyone with an unleashed dog.  Our leashed dog has been attacked by larger off leash dogs.  I do not care how well trained your dog is, it is still an animal and has animal instincts.

Ken

sad you feel this way, but mostly not the fault of the dog but due to bad people.

i raised two loving rotts, 9mixed). both were trained hand/sound signals, were very loyal. and did as told.

(even in the city i lived in at that time had a mandatory leash law, but the animal control saw how well behaved they were and i had great control, they left us alone even off leash).

but i do agree till i know the "new dog" i would rather they be restrained. as mine would be in some, areas. (aka: new).

so yes i understand your fear. but it should not be universal. its like saying everybody with a tattoo was in prison for drug use.

  On 2/15/2018 at 2:09 AM, packnrat said:

sad you feel this way, but mostly not the fault of the dog but due to bad people.

+1