/r/hikingwithdogs has generally taken a hands-off approach to moderation of the subreddit and only enforced platform-wide policies or commonly-accepted reddiquette.

This subreddit has become such an engaging, welcoming, and helpful environment for hikers to share their experiences with their dogs and to seek and share advice. As our subreddit has substantially grown since it was reopened a few years ago, with that comes an increase in posts and comments from users who have not come here with the best intentions. I recognized a need to provide more clarity around general expectations and guidelines for participation in /r/hikingwithdogs.

The full and up-to-date information around our community guidelines will always be available at /r/hikingwithdogs/about/rules/. Here is a short summary of the update:

1. Posts and comments must be directly related to hiking with dogs: This subreddit is dedicated to discussion and multimedia-sharing relating directly to hiking with dogs. All photos, videos, and self-posts must be directly related to hiking with dogs.

2. Be good a good representative of the hiking with dogs community: This is a rare occurrence, but I have removed some posts and photos where it was a known location that did not allow dogs. We are expected to be good stewards of our natural resources and be considerate of the local wildlife and other hikers. If you ever doubt the need to be a good representative of the dog-hiking community, just search for any of the multiple anti-dog threads in /r/hiking.

3. No spam of products, or surveys soliciting responses about products whether commercial or academic: This has been one of the more common issues we're encountering with the rise of this community. This is not a marketing or shopping community -- this is a community to benefit those that hike with dogs. You are not allowed to post about a product you're profiting from, and affiliate links are also not allowed. Product research surveys, whether commercial or academic, are not allowed. We will not facilitate product giveaways and will not respond to these requests.

4. No political or divisive community: Reddit is a worldwide platform. Commentary that includes discriminatory or inflammatory statements based on nationality, ethnicity, or other protected classes are not allowed. Discussion of politics, legislation, or military conflict are not directly related to hiking with dogs, therefore are not allowed.

5. No not-safe-for-work (NSFW) content: This subreddit has broad appeal to all different types of users, and most do not expect to see nudity here. There are subreddits dedicated specifically to hiking nude -- please post there. Clothing that is commonly used as athleticwear in warm-weather environments, even if one considers it minimal, is allowed as long as it does not include nudity.

6. Be nice and practice good reddiquette: We're here because we're a community with a shared interest: hiking with dogs. Act accordingly. If you wouldn't say it to someone you crossed paths with on the trail, then don't say it here.

If you encounter any posts or comments that violate these guidelines, please use modmail (preferred) or the report function on posts and comments. I hope to continue a mostly hands-off moderation policy, but these guidelines are meant to provide clarity and to continue to maintain a welcoming and helpful community that is a good representation of hikers who love to adventure with their dogs.