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Defensive Dog Walking
For years I was viewed as the lone eccentric dog walker in
my neighborhood. And I admit I liked it that way. Every night I set out with my
Chinese Cresteds in tow, and strolled peacefully for miles without encountering
a single dog. Many of my neighbors had dogs, but they also had lovely backyards
considered perfectly adequate for their exercise needs.
That’s all changed. In part, I am inclined to hold Cesar
Milan responsible for this problem. The “Dog Whisperer” is undoubtedly the most
controversial figure to grace the dog training scene since Barbara Woodhouse led
the battle cry for “Walkies”. Love him or hate him, he has raised awareness
about some valid points. Amidst his many debatable recommendations he definitely
got one thing right. Dogs love going for a walk. Young and old, big and small,
most would happily trade a lushly appointed backyard full of toys for a person
with a leash. Cesar has got them marching. The dogs are ecstatic, but it has
caused substantial complications in my daily routine.
Between 7:00 and 8:00 AM and PM, my local streets become
gridlocked with dog walkers and dogs of every make and model. Pairs of walkers
with one dog, single walkers with multiple dogs and occasional unmanned dogs.
It’s about as much fun as the westbound lanes of the LIE on a Friday night in
July. But I’m trying to think positive and look on the bright side. My aimless
rambles have now become a daily learning experience.
Cesar has not yet put me on the payroll but I will share my
dog walking insights.
Dog walking etiquette is second nature to anyone who spends
time navigating dogs around shows. We take this for granted. The grounds are
crowded, fraught with overt dangers like careening golf carts and baby strollers
(and dog strollers, in some cases). And less obvious hazards like a lethal dog
encased in a nylon mesh crate a few feet away. In this type of environment, we
very quickly develop a “defensive driving” mentality. No one teaches this course
or enforces these rules, but we all know and obey them instinctively. We keep an
eye on other dogs at all times, maintain safe space, anticipate behavior and
notify others of our impending intentions. This is why dog related accidents,
injuries and fights are a rarity at dog shows.
My first major revelation was that pet owners have no
concept of these safety rules. Their dog walking methods are equivalent to
driving through red lights and parking on the sidewalk. They walk their dogs as
if they own the road. Regardless of whether they are escorting one, two, or many
dogs, they feel no compulsion to rein them in, maintain safe distance or steer
clear of potential dangers. More often than not the alleged person in charge is
plugged into a cell phone or ipod and the dogs are basically driving the car.
Needless to say, the biggest dog-walking hazard is the
sudden approach of an unexpected canine or human. This sort of surprise can
bring out the worst in any dog, and many don’t require any extra motivation to
turn on the charm. There is something about wearing a leash (probably the reason
why dogs love it) that encourages their nastiest social impulses. Dogs that are
normally docile and respectful get rude, pushy, and aggressive. Out on the
street they want to tag everything and fight to the death for absolutely
meaningless territory. One of mine has dedicated his life to defending a nearby
bus stop from intruders. This remains harmless fun for the dogs as long as there
is an adult in charge.
But many owners are oblivious to this transformation in
their pets and take no steps to curb the resulting behavior. Snuppy may indeed
be the sweetest dog at home. However, his bus stop demeanor can be something
else altogether. To make matters worse, many owners rigidly adhere to a tacit
canine visitation code requiring all passing dogs to meet and greet. The
relative sizes or intent of the dogs is immaterial. Attempting to distance
yourself from these situations can be a challenge. Determined social organizers
unfurl the flexi-lead, follow you across the street and occasionally order you
to halt - because the dogs must play! Although it is my policy to flagrantly
disregard this rule, it does liven up the drudgery of dog walking. . I hate to
admit it but I watch, like a voyeur at an accident scene. I’ve observed the
owners of a Fox Terrier and a Schnauzer attempt to orchestrate a fulfilling
social interaction. Also a Rottie and a Ridgeback. I fled the scene when the
Chow and the Peke got introduced.
I’ve also realized that although dog owners heartily
embraced Cesar Milan’s advice about going for a walk, they turned off the TV
before watching his lesson about “heel”. Regardless of the size of their dog,
many owners are completely unable to control them on lead. Often this is due to
mere lack of motivation, but when the occasion arises and they want to, they
really don’t know how. I’ve watched people on crowded sidewalks trying to reason
with their crazed, lunging dog. Or making matters worse by yanking and yelling
to exacerbate their pet’s adrenaline-fueled frenzy. I’ve seen the occasional Toy
dog flying through the air thanks to a panic-stricken yank on the leash. And
this is scary. Because I know that if one of these dogs happens to break free,
we will have “big trouble in River City”
Whether they are wearing a leash, harness or halti, they
get loose. And the behavior of a loose dog on a busy street is impossible to
predict. Placid dogs panic, frightened dogs become aggressive and frisky dogs
bound mindlessly into traffic. Well meaning onlookers usually make matters worse
trying to help. Participating in these incidents has taken years off my life.
A couple months ago, I assisted in the recapture of a
maniacal Yorkshire Terrier. Burt was safeguarding his owner’s trek from SUV to
front door when we happened to come around the corner and invade his territory.
Summoning all his Terrier fury Burt slipped his lead and raced down the block
intent on taking us down. My first impulse was to drag my dogs across the
street, but it was pretty likely he would follow us headlong into traffic. When
he got close enough I scooped up the raging Burt and held him at arm’s length
until his owner got there to corral him.
That incident was amusing and it had a happy ending. Over
the years I have become adept at grabbing three little dogs on a moment’s notice
and making a mad dash from a fugitive Bouvier or Am Staff. And we have all heard
stories of dogs and owners who don’t manage to safely dodge runaways.
Many of these incidents are the result of dogs wearing
equipment that is too loose, too lightweight or faulty.
Lin Randolph is the kind of puppy buyer every breeder
dreams of. She did her homework to PhD level before deciding on a black Pug.
From the day he arrived in New York, Lenny was trained, socialized and
thoroughly acclimated to city sights and sounds. He was streetwise and he was
hit by a car on Friday, November 11, 2005. Lin’s explanation for the accident
makes it all the more horrifying.
“The reason Lenny was even able to reach a car filled highway was due to a faulty latch on his LEASH! The latch itself opened up enough to slip off his harness and he
began running home after his usual walk. We are encouraging everyone we know to NOT use leashes with the standard thumb spring latches. There are three other leash
options out there:
1) carbine clip type latch,
2) cross-over thumb-release latch and
3) 1-piece harness/leash combinations. While we are NOT saying that this will definitely happen to you, it IS a distinct possibility!”
Lenny’s vet bills exceeded $10,000 and he ultimately lost
his leg but not his life. Today, he is happy, healthy and enjoying his daily
walks around the Big Apple. His owner unfortunately learned a hard lesson about
the importance of sturdy equipment. Owners are usually advised to forego
martingale or choke collars and fit their dogs with safe, comfortable
lightweight buckle collars. Improperly fitted, many dogs can slip their heads
out of these. Equally often, owners assume that a harness provides totally
secure restraint. It is hard for a dog to get out of a harness IF it is well
designed and properly fitted. And the best collar or harness is useless paired
with a flimsy leash.
Many toy breed puppies are destined to live their lives in
an urban environment, which will include daily walks on busy city streets.
Breeders conscientiously provide new owners with detailed advice on every other
aspect of care and safety but rarely provide any guidelines on this subject. A
minor oversight can translate into tragedy for even the most diligent owner.
Breeders can prevent many of them simply by talking with their puppy buyers
about defensive dog walking.
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