DISTRACTED DOG WALKERS

The distracted dog walker is commonly seen chatting on their mobile phone, wearing headphones or socialising with other people while oblivious to what their dog is doing. They have no idea how their dog is feeling or what is going on in the environment.

This may not sound like a problem to some, but it is something that many people have a problem with, even more so if you have a reactive dog.  Also you should be aware of the Yellow Dog Project. It is an education campaign that lets people in public spaces know that a dog needs space by using a clear visual aid: a yellow lead, collar, ribbon, bandana or vest.

I compare walking a dog to driving a car.  It’s not only about our driving skills, but having to constantly be aware of the driving skills of others – trying to predict what they will do, which rules of the road they will ignore and how distracted they are.  This is especially true in peak traffic times and doing the school pick up, where driving can be a stressful experience.  You really need to concentrate as there are so many more opportunities for things to go wrong.

I understand that we often need to multi task – there simply doesn’t seem to be enough time in our day to accomplish everything we need to, but walking our dogs should not be one of these times.  It can be great enrichment for your pooch and can be an amazing wind down time for you.  As well as the health benefits of a walk for you both and the added bonus of the bonding time.

Some people might say – “but my dog is really friendly, well socialised, gets on well with everyone, is well trained, knows this environment well etc. and I hear that.

But another dog might not be – maybe they need space, are reactive, are not sociable, are recovering from an illness, might be terrified of another dog racing straight towards them chasing a ball thrown from a ball launcher etc.  Also many of my clients and their dogs have had really bad experiences with other dogs and are now very fearful of other dogs even when on a leash.  An off lead dog racing towards them whether it is friendly or not can be a traumatic experience.

If distracted dog walkers have no regard for other dogs or other people, they should at least have regard for their own dogs. Walking your dog should be a time of bonding, of relationship, of seeing the environment through the eyes of your dog, of reinforcing and teaching wanted behaviours, of keeping them safe and protected from the unknown.

Our dogs need us to be focused, to pay attention, to be aware and attentive. 

Our dogs depend on us to advocate for them.