The regulations are a lowest common denominator thing in this context. If we held campers to the same spirit of restrictions expected of pets, the majority of hikers should not be allow to leave the TH parking lot, given their ignorance and overall lack of regard they have for the trail, other hikers and the ecology. I think more education and less marming/policing benefits all parties.
If Harlan says his dogs are restraint, I'll take his word until proven otherwise. And as long as dogs aren't allowed to roam at large over an entire basin and menace all of the fauna, I think the impact on most fauna is negligible. I'd be more concerned about introducing bug/pathogens that may harm the resident local wildlife, but that topic is above my pay grade to opine with authority.
I mainly post, however, to suggest there are things folks can do that reduce any potential bad encounters with dogs.
- Ascertain if the dog is acting defensively/aggressively. If so give it a wide berth, and wait for the owner to restrain their pet. Wide berth, as in 50 yards, not 20 feet.
- Do not make eye contact with a stranger dog - they may consider that a provocative behavior. Just the same, by all means keep them somewhere in the field of vision.
- Do not attempt physical interaction with stranger dogs until the owner explicitly assures you this is OK. Just the same if the dog acts skittish, forego any further attempts.
- If you still feel like greeting the dog, first do so verbally, and if that is well received, turn your body sideway to the animal, to protect your head, and extend the nearside hand toward the dog, held lower than the dog's muzzle. Do not thrust your hand all the way to the dog, however, let the dog close the final 18" to consummate the greeting. Avoid petting the top of their head or top of their body, as that, too, can be construed as an act to exert dominance, and elicit a defensive response from the animal.
Ed