Charging for dogs

[TR25]

I think I may start looking for those Parks. I really don’t mind dogs but, it’s mostly, the owners.

I've long said, it's the owners.
The problem is they are emotionally attached to their dog/cat/snake/spider/etc. After their dog came running out into the street to attack mine/ours and it was over, they invariably say "he's not like that" or get enraged that I kicked their dog or yelled at them. Literally, their dog ran off their lawn and into the street to attack mine....and they get mad at me.

The "service dog" can be a scam by a lot of selfish, entitled nitwits. The small ones they put in a shopping cart--something that's not allowed per the ADA..and what kind of service can a little dog do in a shopping cart again? Nothing.
"emotional support" is NOT a service btw. Again, per the ada.

Wife went to eat w/some friends of hers and the waitress eventually realized there was a 90lb dog under the table. She commented she didn't know there was a dog there. Wife told her, that's the way it should be, he's working, he's not a pet. At home, not working, he behaves differently as he's not working. put on a vest and he's a different dog. Same with mine. I show him the vest, ask him if he "wants to work" and instantly he's a different dog, not a pet anymore, but a service dog.

People with the fake service dogs are real t*rds. They are just selfish and feel entitled. If there wasn't such a big fine for doing it, they'd probably park in the handicapped spots too as they're always closer.....

 

[TR25]

I also don't go around rallying for this, I simply said what I would in the OP's place. You clearly have a disdain for dogs.

weren't you for advocating for change?

OP "I think we need to start boycotting this behavior of padding for the sake of padding."

You know nothing about me, so you might not want to tell me what I "clearly have"....or don't have.
This is an example of the emotion I run into when dealing with people and their kids/pets. And that's a huge part of why it's a problem that is unresolved.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I--and very many others, the "we" people like to use--would love it if pet owners would boycott parks. Yeah, lots of people don't pick up the feces of their dogs. Lots also don't keep their dog on a leash or tie out
Talk to them about it and of course it's like getting between a mother and her kid--they get all mad at you and whatever happened, didn't happen or if it did, it's your/your dog's fault.

2 weeks ago I was at a campground and there was a gomer on a golf cart with his dog walking around it. I was walking my dog, on leash and his dog saw mine and took off after us. The clueless golf carted dolt kept on yelling for his dog to "come here come here" and of course the dog didn't listen to him. I've had more than a few experiences with people who didn't have their dogs on a leash/tie out and of course, didn't pay their owners any mind as it took off at us.

Charging for bringing animals to a human campground would be a great way to screen out the inconsiderate, bums, whiners, freeloaders and all around bad and irresponsible pet owners.

I do find it amusing when people get all angry and demand a business "justify" their pricing. Like they are telling others how much they may charge. Have you ever owned or worked in a 'public place' where dogs are walked/played with? I don't think so as you'd know that open space will have to be walked by someone to pick up the dog feces before they mow. and that's just part of it. Charging will exclude the irresponsible owners--hopefully.

So please, boycott every rv park that charges for dogs. Tell all of the other people you alluded to who would do the same thing. Start a movement and you can lead it.

Wow! Ummmmm..... We were camp hosts for three years. I do know how it works. And here is how it is supposed to work. Those people that don't follow the rules need to be asked to leave. Pure and simple. Just like any rule, it is made for the enjoyment of others. Not having any business justify their pricing is what makes most people take their business elsewhere. Pad the price of your product and watch your sales go bye bye. Simple economics. I have just let three parks know that they have lots my business. I'm really hoping more do the same. If I get my wish you can be the sole camper with a dog in a park that charges. I'm okay with that.

 

[TR25]

I think one of the parks we go to charges $5 per dog. I've never questioned it. However, my wife and kids would never let me suggest staying somewhere else so I'll probably just keep my mouth shut about it.

You should be able to swing five bucks. I think motels/hotels go around 20 bucks. There are websites/guides that let people know hotels that do not charge extra for a pet too.
I have 2 relatives who are very allergic to dog/cat dander. I don't think they'd fare well going into a room where someone had a dog/cat in it with them over the weekend. Not like motels are reknowned for deep cleaning.....

Anyway, 5 bucks should be doable if their business chooses to do that. 5 people with pets and now you can pay a kid to walk through a field to pick up the p**p at the end of the day. Or make hosing down his lawnmower afterwards more palatable, give him that as a tip.

 

[TR25]

Like a charge to lock the site, I thought that was a reservation.

Different, but related I guess.
There are people who reserve sites and don't go to them as they had other options. I think a good way to handle this is to limit how far beforehand one can reserve a site, then as that date approaches, say, with a month or so, they have to pay in full non refundable, or maybe 50% refundable. But still, they're taking a 50% loss with the latter. Their deposit should be the full price.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

I've long said, it's the owners.
The problem is they are emotionally attached to their dog/cat/snake/spider/etc. After their dog came running out into the street to attack mine/ours and it was over, they invariably say "he's not like that" or get enraged that I kicked their dog or yelled at them. Literally, their dog ran off their lawn and into the street to attack mine....and they get mad at me.

The "service dog" can be a scam by a lot of selfish, entitled nitwits. The small ones they put in a shopping cart--something that's not allowed per the ADA..and what kind of service can a little dog do in a shopping cart again? Nothing.
"emotional support" is NOT a service btw. Again, per the ada.

Wife went to eat w/some friends of hers and the waitress eventually realized there was a 90lb dog under the table. She commented she didn't know there was a dog there. Wife told her, that's the way it should be, he's working, he's not a pet. At home, not working, he behaves differently as he's not working. put on a vest and he's a different dog. Same with mine. I show him the vest, ask him if he "wants to work" and instantly he's a different dog, not a pet anymore, but a service dog.

People with the fake service dogs are real t*rds. They are just selfish and feel entitled. If there wasn't such a big fine for doing it, they'd probably park in the handicapped spots too as they're always closer.....

Just so that you are aware. If you have a legit service dog, a park, or any business for that matter, can not charge a fee. A dog in public should be under control. If it is not, it's not my fault or many other dog owner's fault. You are tossing us all into the same category. Get real. I too have a problem with fake service dogs. Sadly, it is against the law to ask them to prove it. I know because as a camp hose we were told that we could not ask for proof.

I think you should run a campground for a while. What do ya think?

 

[TR25]

So the campground collects an extra $4/night and loses a customer who might have spent thousands of dollars over the next several years? Doesn't seem like a sound business decision to me.

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It's their business, so it's their decision. But you make it seem like 4 bucks is a make or break thing. Why wouldn't someone's pet be worth 4 bucks to them?

My dog was attacked by 2 dogs that look like yours...as we were walking down the street, on leash. Of course they weren't, but their dogs "would never do that". 1 wasn't on a leash (either time he did it) and neither was the other--he was showing off at a public place how obedient and well trained his dog was......

There is no 'right' to have a pet. However, there is a right to be responsible for that pet. Well, just like with kids, mebbe not. OK, there should be a right.

I just remembered another dog attack--this one at a campground with a different dog I had. I had to pull that dog off my dog's neck. I've been told I "need to learn how to break up dog fights".
Nah, how about owners just act responsible with their animals? If not, then they [can] make problems for others.
Dog Parks are the worst, but at least we know beforehand the types that will probably be there...so we just stopped going to them.

People don't want to pay 4 bucks? Take their dog elsewhere too.

Just think how all of this could be avoided if people actually picked up after their pets? And when outside, they are either on a leash or on a tie-out. We'd never had any reason to have this conversation. And businesses wouldn't have the reason for a pet surcharge.

 

[Russellvh]

you should run a campground for a while. What do ya think?

No thanks. I’m retired and have vowed to never work someone else’s schedule ever again.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

It's their business, so it's their decision. But you make it seem like 4 bucks is a make or break thing. Why wouldn't someone's pet be worth 4 bucks to them?

My dog was attacked by 2 dogs that look like yours...as we were walking down the street, on leash. Of course they weren't, but their dogs "would never do that". 1 wasn't on a leash (either time he did it) and neither was the other--he was showing off at a public place how obedient and well trained his dog was......

There is no 'right' to have a pet. However, there is a right to be responsible for that pet. Well, just like with kids, mebbe not. OK, there should be a right.

I just remembered another dog attack--this one at a campground with a different dog I had. I had to pull that dog off my dog's neck. I've been told I "need to learn how to break up dog fights".
Nah, how about owners just act responsible with their animals? If not, then they [can] make problems for others.
Dog Parks are the worst, but at least we know beforehand the types that will probably be there...so we just stopped going to them.

People don't want to pay 4 bucks? Take their dog elsewhere too.

Just think how all of this could be avoided if people actually picked up after their pets? And when outside, they are either on a leash or on a tie-out. We'd never had any reason to have this conversation. And businesses wouldn't have the reason for a pet surcharge.

I gotta say. You have totally missed my point all together. My beef is " do not charge me for something that has no merit". If you want to add a fee, justify it. If you want a one time fee for picking up doggy doo make it cost effective and tell people up front. If they can't (as is in the case of Wildrose Camping in Hope BC,) then I say screw you. I am not paying, not even a dime! There are parks that charge but provide amenities for the dog. I have no problem paying them. I just want value for my dollar. If you are okay with pi$$ing your money away, have at it.

 

[TR25]

We just went through the process to research and book sites for 8 couples at West Glacier MT

well, that's a 6 flags type tourist trap park. They won't miss your reservations I'm sure as those types of places ususally have waiting lists or well in advance required.

If they lose money because of this, then they'll change/modify their policy.
The last campground I was at, it had about 70 sites. I'd guess there were a handful of people there who had dogs, not including the owner. It's booked until the end of the season as were the others around there.

So if it works, it works. If it doesn't, it doesn't. Why people become so fixated on demanding others cater to every one of their desires.....I dunno.

If I had a choice between a no pet and a pet allowed campground, all being equal, I'd choose the no pet one every time. So I do....and yes, I have a service dog, a real service dog. All the more reason for me to steer clear of other people's prob--I mean pets.

 

[Rollin Ollen]

you should run a campground for a while. What do ya think?

No thanks. I’m retired and have vowed to never work someone else’s schedule ever again.

I'm with you now. We packed in running a campground during COVID. Too many of those folks had no idea what camping was all about. And it became too painful to explain it to them. Now we just full time!

 

[TheLooks]

I would like to thank TR25 as he gave me a great opportunity to see how I come across many times. In general, I also agree with his dog stance and have been known to say much the same things in forums when dogs and owners come up. It is so obviously the owners that suck, other then the occasional dog that is mean and the owner wants him that way, then they both suck. As to running a campground or hosting, I have noticed that no one ever speaks to misbehaving people or animals. Period. Even when asked to by other campers. There is no point in having a host in many campgrounds. And while we are at it, your kids are just as bad as the idiots and their dogs. Since I qualify, easily, the 55+ places are looking better all the time, now to just get rid of the dogs......another reason to boondock!

 

[TR25]

Wow! Ummmmm..... Not having any business justify their pricing is what makes most people take their business elsewhere. Pad the price ... If I get my wish you can be the sole camper with a dog in a park that charges. I'm okay with that.

So a business has to 'justify' the price they charge you to you? How long have you had businesses do that? I'd love to know the secret to demand they justify their pricing to me. Sell your method and you can make a lot of money...mebbe enough to buy a tiffin AND afford the constant repair costs too. :-D

No one has to justify the price of a burger to you. Really. And if you do not like the price, it doesn't mean they are "padding" their price, whatever that is. Reminds me of a certain public figure who talked about seizing "excess profits". Never did figure out what that is, much less who decided what is profit, how much is allowed, and thus, what excess is.

This is sort of scary territory, don't you think?

So your wish is for me to be camping alone as everyone else no longer supports that business? And that business will go under. Doesn't that come off like you are punishing me and punishing the owner(s) because of something you don't approve of?

Last campground I was at, there was only a handful of the 70 or so spots where people had dogs. And yeah, one off leash didn't listen to the owner as he came running at me and my service dog.
Judging from the units there, I don't think they'd have vacancies if they charged 10-20 bucks a nite for a dog.
People don't pick campgrounds by if they let dogs stay for free. If they did, well, nebraska and south dakota would be booked up year around.

 

[TR25]

My beef is " do not charge me for something that has no merit". If you want to add a fee, justify it. If you want a one time fee for picking up doggy doo make it cost effective and tell people up front.

Again, you demand that whatever a business charges you, they have to "justify" those costs to you. And you say they have to make it "cost effective". Will you demand to see the wage and benefit packages of their workers? What their fuel expenses are? Insurance, especially liability insurance?

Sounds like you'd be OK if instead of charging the dog owner 4 bucks for his dog, you would rather have him charge everyone there 4 bucks.
Or to be fair, divide out the numbe of dogs per day, take that cost and divide it by the number of campers there on that same day, then increase all the other rates by that amount. Now that would be fair,l but not to the non dog owners.
Plus, a lot of work on the part of the employees and business...but they'd get good at math. Others may get mad that their rates go up day to day, they can justify it by justifying not paying the owner of a dog himself.

Do you see how crazy this is sounding?
And it's all based upon someone being charged extra for an extra they have, a living, non human--that can carry financial liabilities mind you.

I'm surprised every campground doesn't charge more for people with dogs. With how lawsuit happy people are these days, a lot of people are just looking for a reason to sue for cash...and the business is the one that has the deepest pockets.

 

[Jim]

Let me add this one to the list:

• WiFi upgrade fees
• Firewood fees
• Visitor fees
• Early check-in fees
• Late check-out fees
• Reservation change fees
• Site selection fees
• Extra vehicle fees
• Cancellation processing fees
• Package receiving fees
• Resort fees
• Booking fees
• Additional person fees
• Extra awning or outdoor equipment fees
• Generator usage fees
• Premium view site fees
• Golf cart fees
• Shower fees
• Laundry fees
• Propane delivery fees
• Sewer hookup fees
• Electric metering fees for short-term guests
• Trash collection fees
• Gate access fees
• Parking fees
• Seasonal storage fees
• Pet walking area fees
• Picnic table or gazebo rental fees
• Bring your dog fees

Guess I'm doing it wrong!