Should Dogs Be Allowed at the Crag?

One of the hottest contested debates amongst climbers is whether or not dogs (or cats) should be allowed at the crag. Some climbers vehemently oppose having dogs at the crag, while others enjoy the company of furry friends. If you think about it, it’s a bit like debating whether kneepads are aid.

Me, personally? I don’t mind if there are dogs at the crag. I’ve been known to bring my own dog to the cliff. However, because my dog can be a handful sometimes, I know exactly how some climbers feel when rambunctious dogs detract from their outdoor climbing experience. Therefore, I have a low bar for unacceptable dog behavior.

Arguments Against Dogs

It’s hard to argue why dogs should be allowed at the crag. If I am being honest, when I think of dogs at the cliff, I mostly think about the misbehaving dogs. So, let’s start with naming a few of the arguments for why dogs should not be allowed.

• Dogs can be loud, and their barking is a form of noise pollution
• Dogs can dig holes and use social trails, which contributes to the erosion of the crag 
• Dog eat and chew on tree bark, bushes, and roots
• Some dogs are overprotective of their humans and can bite (and bark)
• Dogs are food-motivated and can rifle through other people’s food
• The scent and presence of dogs scare off some wildlife
• Dogs are distracting and can impact a climber’s focus, or, worse, a belayer’s focus

For these reasons and many more, some climbers think dogs should not be allowed at the crag. In addition, some landowners or land managers of climbing crags prohibit dogs. For example, Muir Valley in the Red River Gorge is on private property and prohibits dogs, and in National Parks, like Joshua Tree or Yosemite, dogs are not allowed in climbing areas. At my home crag of the Gunks, dogs are allowed, but there are strict rules.

Arguments for Dogs

Even though my instinct is to think about all the drama that comes with misbehaving dogs at the crag, the reality is that not all dogs are bad. I’ve interacted with countless well-behaved crag dogs who are well-trained, mind their own business, and simply want to enjoy their day outside with their human. For example, in the Gunks, we have a dog named Hank. Hank is the epitome of a well-mannered crag. He’s friendly to all but minds his own business; he sleeps most of the day and never steps or lays on your rope.

It can be super fun to lay out in the sun between burns and hang out with a cool crag dog. Dogs can boost your mood and make you forget all about how you punted on the exit sequence of your bouldering project. I know that because I’m a dog dad, and I punt frequently. Plus, when your dog is there, along with your best friends or significant others, it feels like all the family is in one place. That’s wholesome, and that feels good.

But I must admit, of all the dogs that get brought to the crag, only a very small few fit within the category of “good” or “behaved” and have the ability to improve the overall quality or vibe of the climbing day. Unfortunately, the majority of dogs tend to detract from it.

Food for Thought: Humans Are Like Dogs

Besides a dog-owning climber’s self-motivated reasons for bringing their pet to the cliff so they can spend time with it or so it’s not left at home alone all day, I don’t see what intrinsic value dogs bring to the crag.

This makes me think — couldn’t that be said for humans, too? Do we humans have an intrinsic value to being at the crag? Or are we like dogs, getting involved in places we don’t belong? Don’t worry, I won’t go there; that’s a philosophical question for another day.

So, in summary, yes, I admit, it’s fun to pet and play with a precious, well-behaved dog. But I’m biased because I like dogs. However, when I think of an ideal day of climbing, do I think snuggles with a puppy would make it better? No, typically, I don’t.

Crag Dog Etiquette and Advice From One Dog Owner to the Next

I was once a starry-eyed climber with aspirations for bringing my dog to the crag. However, now, I’m just a climber who prefers to leave their dog at home. Nonetheless, from one dog owner to the next, here is some advice to consider before bringing your pup to the cliff.

• Check local rules and regulations that might prohibit dogs
• Your dog is not as well-behaved as you think it is
• Not everybody at the crag is a “dog person” like you
• If your dog is misbehaving, be prepared to move crags or go home
• Your dog will eat other people’s food
• Keep your dog on a leash to prevent it from going to the bathroom unsupervised and greeting climbers (other dogs) who don’t want to be greeted
• Dogs dig holes to expose cooler-temperature dirt to lay in. Don’t let your dog dig holes
• Don’t bring your dog climbing until it has mastered basic obedience skills, like sit, stay, lay down, leave it, and come
• If your dog is anxious or easily over-stimulated, don’t bring it on busy days
• Bring more poop bags than you think

Humans Belong at the Crag, and (Some) Dogs Do, Too

I love climbing and wholeheartedly believe that our sport is filled with many well-to-do, reliable, and ethical climbers who are fully capable of climbing responsibly, taking care of the crag, and creating a welcoming and inclusive community.

Similarly, I wholeheartedly believe that there are some dogs out there that belong at the crag. These dogs are even-tempered, well-trained by their human, and normally older in age. However, the vast majority of dogs should not be brought to the crag. In general, dog owners should set a higher bar for their dogs regarding behavior and obedience before they bring them out.

So, if you just adopted a puppy or are only a few months (or years) into your basic obedience training with your precious Australian Shepherd– slow down and keep your dog at home until it’s unquestionably ready for the crag.