Dog Walking - out front or behind?

Yikes.....I don't think anybody was told to shut up......

People, just walk your dogs any way you like....at least the dogs get to go out....period...

 Glenda, you walk six GSDs in town on a sidewalk?

Just so you know, I totally "get" why people walk their dogs any way they choose, whether it's in front, in back, to the side or at heel. Everyone has been quite articulate. What I don't "get" is the frustration that comes about in simply talking about walking our dogs! To each his own. Right?

yeah, but there is a faction of the dog-owning public who have been told that the only CORRECT way to walk your dog is in heel, at all times, no sniffing ever. They aren't being encouraged to make a choice about the way to walk that is best for them and their dogs. I again saw that poor GSD being marched along at heel this morning- kept there by a short, tight leash, so it's not even mentally stimulating to try to stay in position- the dog is getting really frustrated with life, not to mention never getting any exercise walking at that slow pace.

Yes, mud, that's exactly right.  There are folks who think that in heel is the ONLY way to walk a dog.  And, the link espencer provided either in this thread or the leash training one says exactly that...always beside, focused on the walk, or behind.

And yes, Snow, there have been many times I've walked all six on the sidewalk.  NOW the walking/bike path is done and most of the time we walk there, but, for a while there, they weren't clearing that path, so it was back to the very narrow sidewalks.

mudpuppy

yeah, but there is a faction of the dog-owning public who have been told that the only CORRECT way to walk your dog is in heel, at all times, no sniffing ever.

I'm not sure there's anything wrong with that as long as the dog gets plenty of exercise and other opportunities to sniff around and play... Like a dog park or a field. I don't think there's anything wrong with the idea that all leashed walks will be at heel. What's wrong with that?

mudpuppy

I again saw that poor GSD being marched along at heel this morning- kept there by a short, tight leash, so it's not even mentally stimulating to try to stay in position-

If that's the only walk GSD gets, there's a lot more of a problem there than a short leash. I certainly hope the dog has other opportunities to get out and exercise. It could be that when you see them they are "in training", but I totally agree with you about the tight leash. However one walks their dog, the leash should be LOOSE. That includes those who are pulling their owners along. It's just as bad to have a tight leash in front as it is to have a tight leash in heel position.

mudpuppy

the dog is getting really frustrated with life, not to mention never getting any exercise walking at that slow pace.

I think I might engage the person by commenting on the dog (positively)   and strike up a conversation over the period of a few days. That's the only way you could hope to give the dog a better shot at a comfortable walk. It is sad to see something like that, I know... but I don't think you can assume that that walk is the only "exercise" the dog gets. It might be...

According to the info in the link espencer provided, this IS exercise.  All that is required.

Obviously folks are going to do what they want to do, but, again, I can only say that the sort of walk that is being advocated is not going to make a dent in MY dogs energy or drive.

I can't find this link...  

Here it is.  I wasn't sure which thread he posted it in, and in fact it was in the leash training thread.

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/dogwalk.htm 

glenmar

According to the info in the link espencer provided, this IS exercise.  All that is required.

All I see about exercise in the article is this:

A lack of exercise and the mental energy a proper walk releases can cause many behavioral problems in a dog. 

Each dog is different. For some, a proper walk may be all that is required. I can provide more, so I do. But this article does not state that a walk is all the exercise a dog requires.

Poke around the website a bit and you'll find what I'm talking about.  It was 5AM when I was going through it so I don't remember exactly where it is.  But, it is there.

Carla, right after the sentence you quoted it says this:

The proper way to walk a dog is the dog walking either beside you, or behind you, never in front of you. 

I also like the pictures. The "Incorrect way to walk a dog" is a picture of someone, dogs in front, being dragged and making frowny faces. Well, yes, that would be incorrect. But there are plenty of people who manage to walk their dogs in front without being dragged, it's not an either/or proposition. In fact, I'd say the majority of people who I see walking dogs in my neighborhood have dogs who walk in front on a loose-leash, and do not attempt to drag their owners. The only dogs I see doing a good bit of dragging are young puppies, or tiny dogs who the owners never bothered to leash train because a 10 lb. mini schnauzer can't exactly pull you down. But most of the large adult dogs I see are loose-leash walking in front and seem perfectly happy that way.

well, I DO believe that espencer has a little tiny dog- walking a little dog at a human pace for an hour MAY actually be adequate exercise, which is why he doesn't believe us when we claim otherwise.

I think another reason CM is a firm believer in walking a dog correctly, and this is just my opinion which I have stated before, is because, many people don't exercise their dogs enough......just a quick potty break and that is it......and not enough training and leadership....all those things bring on a very nasty dog.....which, if I am not mistaken .....is what his show is all about......rehabilitating the rude and nasty dog....yes?

houndlove

Carla, right after the sentence you quoted it says this:

The proper way to walk a dog is the dog walking either beside you, or behind you, never in front of you. 

Yeah, I know. But that's not what I was addressing with Glenda.

And my question is ... what's wrong with people walking their dogs beside or behind them? So, somebody thinks that the only proper way to walk a dog is behind or beside you. What's the problem? If your dog is on a loose leash and you don't have behavior problems, walk him out in front! This isn't a law, just an opinion.

This thread is asking people why they walk their dogs the way they do, NOT about how professionals suggest is the proper way to walk dogs.  

Sorry, I couldn't resist.  

what's wrong with people walking their dogs beside or behind them? So, somebody thinks that the only proper way to walk a dog is behind or beside you. What's the problem?

well, my problem is that when I see people doing this usually the dog and the person both look unhappy. At least when the dog is dragging the owner along behind him ONE of the pair is clearly having a good time.  

Now and then I meet a gal I know and we "walk" our dogs.  She always scolds me for the way I walk *my* dogs....and I usually take just Tyler for this particular walk....because "with him out front, Buster thinks HE should walk that way too".  She firmly believes that her large breed dog will not be tired out from the walk unless she is rigid in where and how he walks.  Her dog lives in town, gets twice around the block, 2 X a day and is not allowed to run and play in the back yard, which is fenced, because she doesn't want him pooping all over HER yard.  She does finally clean up after him on OUR walks, only because I shamed her into doing it by doing so myself.  But I'm sure when I'm not around she just leaves it.  This is NOT a person I'd choose for a friend, and simply because of the way she treats her dog.....as if he needs to be molded to fit into her life and no allowances for his needs....but, I'm hopeful that maybe a little of me will rub off on her.......

THAT kind of person is exactly what's worng with the "proper" way to walk a dog.