Dog Policy
Can I bring my dog?
At any earthskills event, we like to welcome the well-behaved canine companions of our participants, instructors, staff, and crew. We know these animals are important members of your family, so we like to make space for them. Please indicate on your online registration that your dog will be with you. We are limiting the number of canine companions at the event. There is a $75 Dog registration fee (with online registration, $100 at gate) and you will be asked to provide proof of current vaccines (Rabies, Bordetella, Distemper and Parvovirus HPPA-D, same required for local boarding facilities), name of canine, fur color and collar color when you arrive. Still, please keep in mind that having your dog attend the event with you is a privilege. If you and your dog are unable or unwilling to abide by our doggie rules, you may be asked to remove your dog from the premises and there will be no registration refunds issued. NO other companions (cats, guinea pigs, parrots) or farm animals (pigs, chickens, waterfowl) can be accommodated at this event.
Overview | Rules | Complaints | 3 Strikes Policy
Dog & Owner Rules
All of the following rules are required for all dogs and their owners to follow. Repeatedly breaking any one or more of these rules may require us to ask you to remove your dog from the event grounds. Except in the case of severe aggression, we will generally follow the 3 Strikes policy outlined further down.
- Dogs are not allowed inside any of the buildings at the Hill Forest location (classrooms, cafeteria etc.). The only exception is for registered service animals with proof of status as a service animal.
- Leash + You. Please have your dog on a leash at all times. The other end of the leash needs to be attached to a person or to a tree near their owner.
- Please stay with your dog. No dogs should be wandering around camp without their people. Only leave your dog in the care of people it knows and will readily obey.
- No howling or excessive barking. We will ask you to remove your dog from the event if it is left alone in camp howling or barking for hours. If your dog is a howler, then Piedmont Earthskills Gathering is probably not the place to bring it.
- Dog-on-dog aggression happens but should be at a minimum. Aggression includes snarling, snapping, biting, and excessive barking at other dogs. If your dog is regularly in conflict with other dogs in camp, you will be asked to keep your dog separate from the rest of the dogs in camp or asked to remove your dog from the event grounds. If you know your dog routinely has problems with other dogs, including barking, then they should stay home from this event. We reserve the right to ask you to remove your dog from the event after a first offense if it is deemed necessary by organizers.
- Dog-on-person aggression will almost certainly result in you being asked to remove your dog from the event grounds. If a person is bitten, the dog will have to go immediately and additional legal steps will need to be taken in accordance with local laws. If your dog routinely snarls at, barks at, or lunges at people, you will be asked to remove your dog from the event. We reserve the right to ask you to remove your dog from the event after a first offense if it is deemed necessary by organizers.
- Poop should be picked up immediately upon being deposited on the ground. You are expected to keep poop bags with your dog at all times. As a courtesy to event staff and attendees, if you see poop on the ground, please pick it up even if you know it is not your dog’s poop.
Overview | Rules | Complaints | 3 Strikes Policy
Doggie complaints
If your dog is bothering someone, we encourage them to come talk to you and try to resolve the issue. So please be open to people approaching you to discuss your dog’s behavior.
If someone’s dog’s behavior is bothering you, please gently and respectfully approach the dog owner and let them know how you would like to see things change. Help them help you. If that fails or if you feel uncomfortable approaching that person, then please report dog issues to the Event Coordinator or any staff member.
Overview | Rules | Complaints | 3 Strikes Policy
3 Strikes Policy
Strike 1 – Event participants have complained about your dog’s behavior and you will be asked to correct your dog’s behavior or take appropriate mitigative steps to prevent their behavior from repeating itself. If the problem is you (e.g. not cleaning up poop, off-leash issues, or allowing your dog in a building without Service Animal certification), then you will be reminded to follow the rules.
Strike 2 – If your canine companion is continuing to cause issues – whether because of the dog’s behavior or yours – you will get a final warning.
Strike 3 – You will be asked to immediately remove your dog from the event grounds. You may return, but your dog may not. There are several local dog boarding options in the Bahama/Durham, NC area, which you can hire at your cost if needed. No refunds will be issued if you are forced to miss part of or the remainder of the event due to needing to remove your dog from the space.
