Please help - thinking of cancelling our holiday due to dog problem

[maryjane]

Oh Thor - where art thou?   We need you

[MouMou]

Tuppy where are you staying?  We have spent a week at Komerluk and there is only one dog there and it is friendly, we have also stayed in the old part of Kalkan and although there are a couple of dogs hanging around we have not had any problems there either.

[Enişte]

I walked home from Kalamar at daft o'clock this morning and was escorted by several very well-behaved dogs.  Several others were sitting outside the grill near the Asfiya and watching the events there with some curiosity.  Others barked at a scooter but moved away from me/us.  So, IN MY EXPERIENCE, the dogs here are generally quite friendly.  Sorry if that offends anyone, but that's how I find it, if that's OK....

I have however seen two people in the last week get clipped by car wing mirrors and several more people with serious  sunburn.  What can we do to remove these curses of life in Kalkan?  And don't get me started on those darn hills

[Blackpool]

I walked home from Kalamar at daft o'clock this morning and was escorted by several very well-behaved dogs.  Several others were sitting outside the grill near the Asfiya and watching the events there with some curiosity.  Others barked at a scooter but moved away from me/us.  So, IN MY EXPERIENCE, the dogs here are generally quite friendly.  Sorry if that offends anyone, but that's how I find it, if that's OK....

I have however seen two people in the last week get clipped by car wing mirrors and several more people with serious  sunburn.  What can we do to remove these curses of life in Kalkan?  And don't get me started on those darn hills

All of the dogs we've ever encountered in Kalkan have been friendly. Until that point, and therein lies the problem. She was confident around dogs, we have dogs at home, naturally moved to stroke the animal, and was bitten for her efforts.

[Enişte]

Exactly.  I am sorry to hear of the incident with your daughter and of anyone that has experienced similar.  I hope that gradually some positive canine experiences will help her to get over the incident.  I still try to avoid any eye contact with any dog until I am more confident that it appears friendly and let them make the first move.

[efc_amy]

I also have a great fear of dogs!
Having been to Kalkan the past two years now and going again in a week, i can honestly say its not bad at all.
I have never had one jump up at me, they just follow behind you.

[alantj]

I walked home from Kalamar at daft o'clock this morning and was escorted by several very well-behaved dogs.  Several others were sitting outside the grill near the Asfiya and watching the events there with some curiosity.  Others barked at a scooter but moved away from me/us.  So, IN MY EXPERIENCE, the dogs here are generally quite friendly.  Sorry if that offends anyone, but that's how I find it, if that's OK....

I have however seen two people in the last week get clipped by car wing mirrors and several more people with serious  sunburn.  What can we do to remove these curses of life in Kalkan?  And don't get me started on those darn hills

Eniste your post doesn't offend me but I did wonder what the point of it was.

My daughter likes dogs one at a time but is scared of packs of dogs. She is not "escorted" home by the dogs but rather followed and threatened. This year the number around has definitely increased again, and after two days of walking in and out with a frightened child I gave up and opted for taxis for the rest of our holiday.

Perhaps I am meant to show her your post (and all the similar ones) and tell her she is being an idiot. Perhaps it was just intended to wind up the people to whom it is a problem, if so please get back on the naughty step with all the other WUMs



   
       

[Enişte]

alantj - it's called having a difference of opinions.  You don't have to agree with me and clearly don't, I'm just saying what I think and respect anyone else's right to do the same, even if we don't share the same views.  If aimed at anyone (not worth reading back to see who) it was at the earlier poster who sarcastically suggested that another positive post like mine was completely ignoring the perceived dog problem.  If you can read back, I have often acknowledged that there are too many dogs, but have personally been lucky with them not being a problem.  I have also sympathised with those that are afraid of dogs. 

I am sorry if you think my post was meant to wind anyone up.  It was not and I am not a WUM, even if this forum offers plenty of opportunity and is, like the town apparently is, going to the dogs.

[fidimax]

For anyone thinking off cancelling a holiday to Kalkan,in my opinion,dont,if you want to holiday in turkey you will get dogs,anywhere,you will have them,the difference is..... you will not have Kalkan,yes there are dogs,yes some are a bit nasty,but you will have this any where in Turkey,I have only had a problem with one dog ( that bloody Dalmation ) I have been to a few places in Turkey and no place has had a effect on me Like Kalkan,the people,the place is Magic,I have made friends for life in Kalkan,and no,not because they want my money,unlike other places,when/if you go to Kalkan,get involved with the local people,talk to them,have a laugh,you will get the benefit.
No,I dont live in Kalkan,and I dont own property,just a normal punter who loves the place.

[alantj]

Eniste - its not a difference of opinion for you the dogs are not a problem, for me they are because I have a daughter (and to a lesser extent wife) who get frightened when they are surrounded by lots of dogs. 

My question was why post the fact that they are not a problem for you, lots of things that annoy other people are not a problem for me but I don't feel the need to post to tell them that.

Happy to accept you did not intend it as a wind up buts that's how it came across. I was probably oversensitive as it followed a lot of snide comments that pretty clearly were intended to wind up/put down anyone who thought the number of dogs roaming around was a problem. 






 



 



































It has now reached the point where my daughter is not looking forward



I have always tried to make a game of it by getting my daughter to count the dogs to see how many we can round up on the way into town.   This year we set a new record 11 at which point  I was becoming a bit worried myself and agred to

[clarel]

hi Tuppy

This is a tricky one, and overall I would recommend you go to Kalkan and judge for yourself. Kalkan is delightful and magical.

I love Kalkan, it is my favourite place, and I HATE dogs. So, imagine I feel pretty similar to you and your wife.

The dogs are a problem, there is no getting away from that. I don't understand how they can be allowed - it baffles me. It certainly isn't ideal to have a large number of stray dogs roaming the streets of a town. I don't walk anywhere, I go everywhere by car, so the answer is to hire a car to go into town or to get a taxi. When you are actually sitting in the restaurants the owners will chase the dogs away. They 'scrunch' water bottles and the noise frightens the dogs away. You can also buy those sonar gadgets in Maplins for about £9 each which will keep the dogs away.

Why not judge for yourself as I know this sounds terrible, but believe me if I still love Kalkan I think you could too.

Remember too that you only encounter the dogs when you go out, and if you are in a car then its fine. You don't get them in your villa, you don't get them when you go further afield, eg to Patara beach. So context is important.

I'm sorry that this problem exists at all, and that it has put you off Kalkan. Its such a shame. I hope you decide to visit Kalkan as it is absolutely wonderful.

Clare

ps: I've never heard dogs barking, they are eerily quiet actually. Our villa is at the end of the Kalamar raod.

[Sulwath]

Hi Tuppy

We have just returned from our first visit to Kalkan and was a bit concerned about the dogs after reading some of the comments on the forum, but we had no problems with any dogs, one even "adopted" us during our walk from Kilsa to Kalkan and  it was very friendly just seemed to want a bit of company.

We did see a couple of dogs snapping at each other once or twice, but please, don't be put off. We are already looking for accommodation to return again, having enjoyed it so much.

Hope you enjoy your holiday as much as we did.

[Random]

Hi everyone,

Thanks again for the replies, we really do appreciate it when kind people take the time to reassure us.

We have been looking forward to this holiday so much and have decided not to let the dogs put us off at such a late stage. We have had some really positive messages from KASPA members and think that maybe we over-reacted after reading some one sided reports on the issue.

I did just want to take a minute to clarify that i am completely against the cull (although the post by Thor was funny!) of any animal, I'm not sure if this makes me two faced but i really wouldnt want healthy animals to be put down if they cause no harm to anyone - its my fear so i have to live with it.

I hope that this thread has not put anyone else of visiting Kalkan, hopefully it may have gone some way to put a few other peoples minds at rest.

Time to start reading about the fantastic food, climate, people and adventures we are going to be having in Kalkan and maybe....just maybe i will have a look on the Maplin site just incase!!

Thanks again

[Bacchant]

I have been reading all your comments and agree that no-one should yet be put off coming to Kalkan but to come without knowing just how bad the problem is simply sticking your head in the sand. If you are someone in Kalkan who is not bothered by the dogs then you are lucky to be an area where the problem is not bad. They appear to hang out in areas were dumb people feed them or leave the bins open. Don't take my word for it speak to a local who is there all year.

My wife and I have just returned from a trip to our Villa in the Kızıltaş area of Kalkan. One evening we were returning in the early hours of the morning and were attacked by dogs whilst trying to get out of our car. I dealt with the dogs by biding my time and then finding a weapon. However something like this has only happened once before in the 6 years we have owned the Villa.

The noise levels on the higher slopes are now totally unacceptable and unless your a heavy sleeper or have ear plugs you can expect to have sleepless nights until you get used to it.

This is the reality of the situation and since Kalkan exists for tourism something should have been done about it long ago. It will only take one bad incident like ours to reach the British press and then what will happen.

[popps]

I have been reading all your comments and agree that no-one should yet be put off coming to Kalkan but to come without knowing just how bad the problem is simply sticking your head in the sand. If you are someone in Kalkan who is not bothered by the dogs then you are lucky to be an area where the problem is not bad. They appear to hang out in areas were dumb people feed them or leave the bins open. Don't take my word for it speak to a local who is there all year.

My wife and I have just returned from a trip to our Villa in the Kızıltaş area of Kalkan. One evening we were returning in the early hours of the morning and were attacked by dogs whilst trying to get out of our car. I dealt with the dogs by biding my time and then finding a weapon. However something like this has only happened once before in the 6 years we have owned the Villa.

The noise levels on the higher slopes are now totally unacceptable and unless your a heavy sleeper or have ear plugs you can expect to have sleepless nights until you get used to it.

This is the reality of the situation and since Kalkan exists for tourism something should have been done about it long ago. It will only take one bad incident like ours to reach the British press and then what will happen.

Thanks for setting Tuppy's mind at rest. If I'm not mistaken there's been some kind of canine zombie attack fest since my last visit ...

Take no notice, Tuppy, judge for yourself and enjoy your holiday.

[Zorba the Geek]

When I was in Kalkan I learned that its best you don't make eye contact with the dogs, If you do, Your in their gang and will follow you  We even walked in shops hoping we could shake them , Half an hour later walking out of the shop, The trusty new friend was there waiting for us, They never gave us any bother, After saying all sorts to the dog to get rid of it , Words like SHOO ! BUZZ OFF!! ect we saw a local just say the word OOOOST!! and the dog just went  I was a bit daft speaking to Turkish dog in English, Still to this day I don't know what OOOOST ! meens but it seemed to work for the rest of my holiday 

[Enişte]

Apparently your OOOOOOSSSSHHTT works best for dogs and BIIIIIISSSSSSTT for cats

[fidimax]

yep, OOOOSSSHHHTTTT works on dogs,dont know why or what it means but dont half shift,I was told this years ago,I have even used it when dogs have been fighting and have stopped,so give it try,but you have to shout it loud so you might fell a bit of a idiot   
I now have a vision of loads of brits walking around Kalkan shouting OOOOOOSSSSSHHHHTTTTT at every dog they see,should make great viewing from the moonlight bar     

[Zorba the Geek]

  Nice one 

[HolmfirthNicky]

We'll look out for that then when we're sat watching the world go by at the Moonlight bar with a glass of something cold!!! Could be quite entertaining!!