Humboldt County dogs and their human companions are fortunate to have a wide variety of quality trails, beaches and open-space areas for on and off-leash dog walking. And it's a good thing, too, because if you've looked around you've probably noticed that there are a lot of dogs in our little canine wonderland! An unfortunate downside to this is that the most convenient public areas get a lot of use, not only by dogs and their people, but also by other recreational users such as equestrians, hikers, joggers, picnickers, off road vehicles, and so on. When there is a lot of room to go around and everyone shares the space responsibly we can all enjoy the natural beauty of the North Coast. Sometimes, however, problems arise due to overcrowding or conflicts between divergent uses, and in those instances someone inevitably loses out.

A recent example of this can be seen in the controversy over proposed changes to the dog walking regulations at Clam and Moonstone Beaches. As cited in the Clam and Moonstone Beach County Park Management Plan (available: http://www.co.humboldt.ca.us/portal/living/county_parks/default.asp?content=clamMoonstone.htm - see Chapter 2, pages 5-6 & 11-12), conflicts between dog walkers and some other beach users may prompt additional restrictions on dog use in these areas. Currently, dogs are allowed off leash if under the owners control, which means that the dog is within view and voice range, that the dog comes immediately when called, and that the dog does not approach other people, dogs, horses or wildlife in a threatening or aggressive manner. Suggested changes at Clam Beach would be minimal and include requiring dog owners to carry a leash at all times, and providing educational outreach to increase public awareness of the park's regulations and their purpose. At Moonstone Beach, however, the proposed changes are more all encompassing, as they restrict the times of the day when owners may allow their dogs to run off leash to before 9am or after 5pm. (Possible editions to the original plan were discussed at a recent County Board of Supervisors' meeting, held July 19th.)

If you've ever been to Moonstone Beach you know that it offers many benefits to the dog owner, including convenient access, parking, room to run and swim, not to mention a social environment for dogs that like to play with each other (and dog owners who like to share "dog stories"). It is, however, a relatively small beach area. Where the Little River empties into the ocean it essentially blocks off access to the wide expanse of Clam Beach and Little River Beach on its far side, creating a sort of L-shaped island bordered on one side by the river, on another by the ocean, and sandwiched by the entrance driveway and parking lot. Because of its popularity this small area is frequently quite crowded. The result is overlapping use where people and dogs must interact, whether they want to or not. For us dog-lovers this isn't necessarily a problem, but people that are not dog-friendly could object to the doggy-ness that inevitably comes with high-traffic dog use.

For example, let's say you stop by Moonstone Beach for a quick 'after work/before dinner' walk with your pooch. Your dog is, of course, well mannered, but he's only a year old and he's has been cooped inside all day so he needs to burn off some pent up energy. You are also sharing the beach with three families who have been picnicking and an older couple sitting on a rock watching the waves. Based on the overall geography of the beach and the trajectory of your dog's romping patterns (not to get scientific), it seems likely that at some point Fido will cross paths with one or another human beach-goer. However, this is no problem, because everyone here likes dogs, Fido is super friendly, and you are a responsible pet owner and have brought bags with which to clean up after his bodily functions.

Next scenario: Tommy is 18. He just got an 4-month old golden retriever, Sassy, and hasn't taken her to obedience classes. Sassy dashes wildly about, frolicking in the water then shaking her sandy wetness all over someone's beach blanket. Tommy figures that bodily functions are natural, and if he buries it in the sand no one will notice that he hasn't cleaned up after Sassy (he also fed her part of his burrito for lunch). Everyone feels that this out-of-control dog is a nuisance - even the other dog owners - and many people leave thinking it would be so much nicer if they could enjoy the beach in peace.

As is often the case, there are those pet owners who are unaware of (or do not care) how their animal affects others in a public setting. These negative encounters can turn the tide against animals in general, making it more difficult to come to agreement on public use issues, such as those currently being discussed for Clam and Moonstone Beaches.

Animals need exercise, and in order to continue to have the right to bring our dogs to public recreational areas we need to take responsibility for their actions, and encourage other dog owners to do the same. Dogs enjoy being around people, some like to play with other dogs. Most people enjoy being around well-behaved dogs. By taking responsibility for your dog's behavior you ensure that he or she will be welcome at public beaches, on approved dog-trails, and at your friend's yard party - giving you and your canine companion infinite opportunities to get out into the community. The more stimulation your dog receives the less likely he or she is to become hyper, and the easier it is to control their behavior - creating a positive cycle of training that leads to a healthier, happier life for you and your dog.

If you would like to hear more about proposed changes to the Clam and Moonstone Beach public use regulations and/or want to participate in the public comment process, the issue is scheduled to be reviewed again at the Board of Supervisors' meeting on September 13th.