AcrossTheWater3008
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- C Frances x 2 - 2016, 2017
C Portuguese x 2 2016, 2017
C Muxia/Finisterra x 2 2016, 17
CdM
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Hi
I am booked to fly to Seville on 20/03/2017 and had been hoping to walk the VdlP all the way to SdC from 22/03/2017..... On further reading of the forum here re this route, I am getting quite concerned ..
I am very frightened of dogs and various threads have mentioned that there were dogs as well as pack of dogs in the first stage as well as other stages on this route.I have seen what dogs can do to humans and I have worries as I will be walking alone. I know I can buy a noise dog deterrent alarm, but this is not helping me.
Whilst I was walking to Muxia in August as well as the Portuguese recently, I have had some incidents with dogs.... I was walking from Muxia and decided to walk on the road as it was misty in the woodlands, when these 2 (?Alsatian) chained guard dogs started barking.... I stood about 300 feet from them for 30 minutes before a couple came by and gave me a lift from there to about 300 feet from these dogs..... Another incident was when I was almost nearing Muxia and I wanted to stop at a little village for a drink when a group of dogs came charging towards me..... I quickly retreated back onto the main road. (I cannot remember the names of these villages atm)
Whilst walking to Casa Fernanda on the Portuguese recently, I stopped in the village about 500 km from the house and a dog snarled at me.. I had to wait at a safe distance for about 45 mins until it went home.... before I continued on my route.
I feel really anxious about these dogs. I will have a walking pole, but the sight of a dog showing its teeth at me is enough to send me running down the road the other way.
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
Don't believe those nutjobs that write books about the Camino that talk about wolf and wild dog encounters. Just so much caca.
You must be putting out negative, hostile vibes to the dogs, dude. Think positive, man.Unhelpful nonsense -- some of us "nutjobs" have had hostile encounters with dogs.
I walked for many years with a shoulder height ash plant staff, and for many years after that with trekking poles. I cannot say that I detected any difference in their deterrent effects on dogs. I do notice that genuinely feral dogs are quite unlikely to approach a walker and bark or attempt to bite - that appears to be the domain of domesticated dogs kept as guard dogs or otherwise chained up by their owners.If you worry about dogs, then use a Staff rather than poles or nothing.
Your staff should be ash, simple, and in a standing position it should be as long as the distance between the ground, in pilgrim gear, and the inside of your armpit.
Apart from being a walking aid, a main other purpose of a Pilgrim's Staff is exactly to protect oneself from dogs.
Use it to keep them at a distance rather than to strike them, except the mad aggressive ones unafraid of people with sticks.
Feral dogs are not scared of hiking poles -- they are OTOH scared of staves.
I do notice that genuinely feral dogs are quite unlikely to approach a walker and bark or attempt to bite - that appears to be the domain of domesticated dogs kept as guard dogs or otherwise chained up by their owners.
That's not something that I have seen, fortunately, although I have heard a little about this practice.The worst are some savage hunting dogs that their irresponsible owners have set loose into the wild after some years of deliberately abusing them to increase their aggressiveness.
Hi
I am booked to fly to Seville on 20/03/2017 and had been hoping to walk the VdlP all the way to SdC from 22/03/2017..... On further reading of the forum here re this route, I am getting quite concerned ..
I am very frightened of dogs and various threads have mentioned that there were dogs as well as pack of dogs in the first stage as well as other stages on this route.I have seen what dogs can do to humans and I have worries as I will be walking alone. I know I can buy a noise dog deterrent alarm, but this is not helping me.
Whilst I was walking to Muxia in August as well as the Portuguese recently, I have had some incidents with dogs.... I was walking from Muxia and decided to walk on the road as it was misty in the woodlands, when these 2 (?Alsatian) chained guard dogs started barking.... I stood about 300 feet from them for 30 minutes before a couple came by and gave me a lift from there to about 300 feet from these dogs..... Another incident was when I was almost nearing Muxia and I wanted to stop at a little village for a drink when a group of dogs came charging towards me..... I quickly retreated back onto the main road. (I cannot remember the names of these villages atm)
Whilst walking to Casa Fernanda on the Portuguese recently, I stopped in the village about 500 km from the house and a dog snarled at me.. I had to wait at a safe distance for about 45 mins until it went home.... before I continued on my route.
I feel really anxious about these dogs. I will have a walking pole, but the sight of a dog showing its teeth at me is enough to send me running down the road the other way.
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
Hello Ginette,Dear folks
Thank you for taking your responses...... I am grateful for the kind encouragement as well as the kind advice given by all.
I had a small pet dog when I was little, and I nursed him when he was blinded after being savaged by a large dog when he ran away one day. But, sadly, a year later, he disappeared and I have never had another dog since. He was very special to me...I have had contact with little dogs 'handbag' dogs (or pocket dogs?) but these little cute dogs don't bite... they nibble and squeak.
I did go to Battersea Dogs Home a few years ago to adopt a dog.... and after an assessment, I was recommended 2 huge elderly sibling, beautiful gentle Great Danes!! These dogs were bigger than me and were almost up to my shoulder on all 4 paws but, on 2 paws, they towered over me. Hence I rejected these beautiful creatures. Until today, I wonder why I was recommended them....?
Thanks everyone for your wisdom too..... I have learned so much from reading your responses and for giving me these wonderful tips! I will also be armed with a good ultrasonic dog device... and if I could, I will walk, with another pilgrim on the VdlP for added support! I will also walk with the knowledge that other pilgrims concerned about dogs have walked safely and well every Camino routes!
So, if anyone is walking VdlP from 22 March, please, let me know!
Have a great Christmas, everyone and may all be joyful!
Cheers
Ginette
That night we saw a pilgrim who left earlier that day and he said he was almost bit by several dogs, he said "I tried to kick them away and they all then were trying to bite me."
I think I would have bit him as well for kicking me.
So as the experts say No eye contact and try to walk so they are on your side not front.
true dat....I am reminded of a quote ; attributed to many, but most likely by Alphonse-Marie-Louis de Prat de Lamartine.
'' The more I see of the representatives of the people, the more I admire my dogs ''.
Personally I fear feral people far more than their canine counterparts .
No one mentioned pepper spray. Is there a reason not to have spray? Can you purchase it?
No one mentioned pepper spray. Is there a reason not to have spray? Can you purchase it?
The reason not to have pepper spray on the Camino is that you don't need it. The thought of carrying it with me never crossed my mind. Besides, it has minimal effect on dogs. At least the small, practical sized OC spray canisters.No one mentioned pepper spray. Is there a reason not to have spray? Can you purchase it?
It is legal and you can purchase it, but I have never seen it. Try outdoor stores or hardware stores. It is not permitted as a carry on item.No one mentioned pepper spray. Is there a reason not to have spray? Can you purchase it?
A large family Lab was killed by pepper spray when someone used it to break up a fight between him and another dog. It caused him to go into respiratory arrest.No one mentioned pepper spray. Is there a reason not to have spray? Can you purchase it?
Hi
I am booked to fly to Seville on 20/03/2017 and had been hoping to walk the VdlP all the way to SdC from 22/03/2017..... On further reading of the forum here re this route, I am getting quite concerned ..
I am very frightened of dogs and various threads have mentioned that there were dogs as well as pack of dogs in the first stage as well as other stages on this route.I have seen what dogs can do to humans and I have worries as I will be walking alone. I know I can buy a noise dog deterrent alarm, but this is not helping me.
Whilst I was walking to Muxia in August as well as the Portuguese recently, I have had some incidents with dogs.... I was walking from Muxia and decided to walk on the road as it was misty in the woodlands, when these 2 (?Alsatian) chained guard dogs started barking.... I stood about 300 feet from them for 30 minutes before a couple came by and gave me a lift from there to about 300 feet from these dogs..... Another incident was when I was almost nearing Muxia and I wanted to stop at a little village for a drink when a group of dogs came charging towards me..... I quickly retreated back onto the main road. (I cannot remember the names of these villages atm)
Whilst walking to Casa Fernanda on the Portuguese recently, I stopped in the village about 500 km from the house and a dog snarled at me.. I had to wait at a safe distance for about 45 mins until it went home.... before I continued on my route.
I feel really anxious about these dogs. I will have a walking pole, but the sight of a dog showing its teeth at me is enough to send me running down the road the other way.
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
I walked for a month and do not recall a single dog.Hi
I am booked to fly to Seville on 20/03/2017 and had been hoping to walk the VdlP all the way to SdC from 22/03/2017..... On further reading of the forum here re this route, I am getting quite concerned ..
I am very frightened of dogs and various threads have mentioned that there were dogs as well as pack of dogs in the first stage as well as other stages on this route.I have seen what dogs can do to humans and I have worries as I will be walking alone. I know I can buy a noise dog deterrent alarm, but this is not helping me.
Whilst I was walking to Muxia in August as well as the Portuguese recently, I have had some incidents with dogs.... I was walking from Muxia and decided to walk on the road as it was misty in the woodlands, when these 2 (?Alsatian) chained guard dogs started barking.... I stood about 300 feet from them for 30 minutes before a couple came by and gave me a lift from there to about 300 feet from these dogs..... Another incident was when I was almost nearing Muxia and I wanted to stop at a little village for a drink when a group of dogs came charging towards me..... I quickly retreated back onto the main road. (I cannot remember the names of these villages atm)
Whilst walking to Casa Fernanda on the Portuguese recently, I stopped in the village about 500 km from the house and a dog snarled at me.. I had to wait at a safe distance for about 45 mins until it went home.... before I continued on my route.
I feel really anxious about these dogs. I will have a walking pole, but the sight of a dog showing its teeth at me is enough to send me running down the road the other way.
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
There is another side to the dog issue. On the vdlp I saw two pilgrims make a big fuss of a friendly working dog that approached them, including giving it food. The dog then followed them for 12 k into the next village where, frightened and disoriented, it was abandoned to be looked after by the local animal welfare person. Pilgrims - please don't do this...
Hello - I can only echo the advice from others and certainly do walk the VdlP! I walked this Autumn and dogs, cows and bulls were a big worry for me before I left home.
We did encounter a few dogs but they were never a problem. But I also followed the good advice above... take your time, use a pole if you have one as a visual barrier and try to remain calm. On one occasion I did lean forward and pick up a stone when we encountered a group or 4 hunting dogs... certainly one of the dogs saw me do this and pulled back. We stood a little off the path and they ran by us without incident.
I had read that coming out of Seville we should avoid the river option as there were lots of dogs on this section. We walked through the industrial estate which was a bit dull but dog free
Now cows and bulls... that was a different matter for me as I am REALLY scared of them! You can read about my worst day (and laugh at me!) here...
Having said all of this... I would pack my bag and leave tomorrow if I could walk it again... I loved it all (even the dogs and the cows) and I cant wait to go wandering again! Have an amazing walk!
...
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
Hi
I am booked to fly to Seville on 20/03/2017 and had been hoping to walk the VdlP all the way to SdC from 22/03/2017..... On further reading of the forum here re this route, I am getting quite concerned ..
I am very frightened of dogs and various threads have mentioned that there were dogs as well as pack of dogs in the first stage as well as other stages on this route.I have seen what dogs can do to humans and I have worries as I will be walking alone. I know I can buy a noise dog deterrent alarm, but this is not helping me.
Whilst I was walking to Muxia in August as well as the Portuguese recently, I have had some incidents with dogs.... I was walking from Muxia and decided to walk on the road as it was misty in the woodlands, when these 2 (?Alsatian) chained guard dogs started barking.... I stood about 300 feet from them for 30 minutes before a couple came by and gave me a lift from there to about 300 feet from these dogs..... Another incident was when I was almost nearing Muxia and I wanted to stop at a little village for a drink when a group of dogs came charging towards me..... I quickly retreated back onto the main road. (I cannot remember the names of these villages atm)
Whilst walking to Casa Fernanda on the Portuguese recently, I stopped in the village about 500 km from the house and a dog snarled at me.. I had to wait at a safe distance for about 45 mins until it went home.... before I continued on my route.
I feel really anxious about these dogs. I will have a walking pole, but the sight of a dog showing its teeth at me is enough to send me running down the road the other way.
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
I walked this route and had no problem with dogs. In fact most were tied up to my dismay. Your fear causes them to bark at you. You may want to have a bag of treats and when you see dogs you can throw them some. Have it in a bag that seals tightly or they may smell them. You probably would not have any problems on this trip but it would be wise to deal with your fear so you don't smell of it.Thanks so much for sharing, @LesBrass !
The worst dogs are in Galicia by far. The odd one got sworn at which tends to work. [URL said:http://www.spanishdict.com/translation[/URL] is a good site to look up the few choice phrases you would probably say in English I
Hi
I am booked to fly to Seville on 20/03/2017 and had been hoping to walk the VdlP all the way to SdC from 22/03/2017..... On further reading of the forum here re this route, I am getting quite concerned ..
I am very frightened of dogs and various threads have mentioned that there were dogs as well as pack of dogs in the first stage as well as other stages on this route.I have seen what dogs can do to humans and I have worries as I will be walking alone. I know I can buy a noise dog deterrent alarm, but this is not helping me.
Whilst I was walking to Muxia in August as well as the Portuguese recently, I have had some incidents with dogs.... I was walking from Muxia and decided to walk on the road as it was misty in the woodlands, when these 2 (?Alsatian) chained guard dogs started barking.... I stood about 300 feet from them for 30 minutes before a couple came by and gave me a lift from there to about 300 feet from these dogs..... Another incident was when I was almost nearing Muxia and I wanted to stop at a little village for a drink when a group of dogs came charging towards me..... I quickly retreated back onto the main road. (I cannot remember the names of these villages atm)
Whilst walking to Casa Fernanda on the Portuguese recently, I stopped in the village about 500 km from the house and a dog snarled at me.. I had to wait at a safe distance for about 45 mins until it went home.... before I continued on my route.
I feel really anxious about these dogs. I will have a walking pole, but the sight of a dog showing its teeth at me is enough to send me running down the road the other way.
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
Hi
I am booked to fly to Seville on 20/03/2017 and had been hoping to walk the VdlP all the way to SdC from 22/03/2017..... On further reading of the forum here re this route, I am getting quite concerned ..
I am very frightened of dogs and various threads have mentioned that there were dogs as well as pack of dogs in the first stage as well as other stages on this route.I have seen what dogs can do to humans and I have worries as I will be walking alone. I know I can buy a noise dog deterrent alarm, but this is not helping me.
Whilst I was walking to Muxia in August as well as the Portuguese recently, I have had some incidents with dogs.... I was walking from Muxia and decided to walk on the road as it was misty in the woodlands, when these 2 (?Alsatian) chained guard dogs started barking.... I stood about 300 feet from them for 30 minutes before a couple came by and gave me a lift from there to about 300 feet from these dogs..... Another incident was when I was almost nearing Muxia and I wanted to stop at a little village for a drink when a group of dogs came charging towards me..... I quickly retreated back onto the main road. (I cannot remember the names of these villages atm)
Whilst walking to Casa Fernanda on the Portuguese recently, I stopped in the village about 500 km from the house and a dog snarled at me.. I had to wait at a safe distance for about 45 mins until it went home.... before I continued on my route.
I feel really anxious about these dogs. I will have a walking pole, but the sight of a dog showing its teeth at me is enough to send me running down the road the other way.
The other alternative is to bus these routes where dogs are commonly, otherwise, I guess, I will have to abandon walking VdlP altogether.
1 walked in August 16 and met only friendly, mostly retired dogs who mostly laid around. None even bothered to raise a bark.Cannot say I remember any threatening dogs either, but I walked in 2011. I have done a lot of caminos, but the only place I have been scared buy a dog was in France on the route from Le Puy. For some reason he chose me and not the people in front of me or behind me. Tried everything to get rid of him, poles, stones, but when at last I shouted the Norwegian word FY! he turned round and walked into the garden of his home. I looked back to see whether he tried to attack someone else, but he did not, so perhaps it was me or perhaps he had Norwegian owners. You have to face dogs, at home as well as on the caminos, don't let it stop you doing what you want!
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