Since the owners are my best friends, and we camp and paddle together almost every weekend, I would just like to point out a few things.  First of all, those dogs are brother and sister, and tend to bicker a bit.  If you notice, even though they may be barking and/or growling at each other, they are PLAYING, not FIGHTING.  There is no biting, they don't have to be separated, etc.  I know they are big and may seem intimidating, but they DO NOT BITE- I have never seen them even growl at a person, and they always approach with tails wagging.  They are also still very young, and yes, at times, they may be unmindful of other people in the eddy or on the rocks at Slice, but they are NOT mean or aggressive in ANY WAY.  Sorry if the barking screws up your paddling chie or something, but the river is a public place, get over it.  By the way, that's my black lab that's usually with them or swimming back and forth across the river while I surf- want to bitch about how it's irresponsible that I let me dog swim across the river without a PFD or something?  Go for it, at least I read BT on occasion and can stick up for myself.

Second, did you REALLY just complain about barking dogs at AU?  Anyway, it's not like they bark nonstop or during the night.  As a matter of fact, they are usually sleeping long before the drunken fireworks ever start. Yes, they sometimes bark early in the morning, but I'll take that over 3 am fireworks any day- but I still camp at AU because I can let my dog run around without a leash.  It's camping for crying out loud.  You don't see me bitching every monday morning about loud music and fireworks- I just know it's par for the course there.  If you want peace and quiet go camp at river rats or thunder rock.

lastly, the owners are two of the nicest people you could ever meet.  these are their first dogs, and are a bit of a handful if you are not used to training dogs.  other than barking a lot (one more than the other)  the dogs are mostly well behaved- come when you call them, don't run away, sit, stay, etc.  they are friendly and not aggressive and get along with other dogs- in fact, i have seen them run away when another dog growls or barks at them.  several of our friends have toddlers and the dogs play great with them too- very gentle.  Guess what, it takes TIME to train a dog- the owners are doing their best but these dogs are still pups.  I have left my dog in the back of the truck with these two while we are all paddling, and they are very well behaved and quiet.  When they are loose and running around, they play and bark.  That's what dogs do, and the older they get the more they settle down.  If you have a problem, come talk to the owners, I'm sure they will do their best to try to keep the dogs away from you or something.  Just don't get on a public forum and bash them without their knowledge.

N