This Leash was Made for Walking

It's an unseasonably blistering-hot day here in New York City, and I thought it might do us some good to get out of the apartment and go for a walk in beautiful shady Inwood Hill Park.

Well, of course everyone had that same brilliant idea, and the park was chock full of people picnicking, playing Frisbee, and just having a good time. And there were lots and lots of people walking their dogs around the grounds. Well, that's not really accurate. I didn't see people walking with their dogs, mostly I saw people connected by leashes to dogs.

It seems that all the humans attached to dogs were either talking to their friends next to them or  were talking to their friends on cell phones. They weren't paying attention to their four-legged companions. And the dogs certainly weren't paying attention to their two-legged companions. They were straining at the leash, lunging at anything that looked exciting. The dogs were focused on anything and everything but their people.

Because my dog is set off by other dogs lunging or staring, I just knew we weren't going to be able to have a relaxing walk in the park. I can't count on these people to engage their own dogs or to even notice what their dogs are doing and redirect them, no matter how pro-active I am. So I cut my losses, and we turned around to take the sidewalk tour of Inwood.

And actually, we had a pretty nice Sunday afternoon walk. But still, I can't stop thinking about those leash-pulling dogs and their people.  Why have a dog if you don't want to interact with him or her?  For me, taking Izzy on walks is a respite from a stressful day. It's a time when it's just me and my dog. I focus on her, we practice training, we have fun together noticing our surroundings. We're a team: two for the road.

I can't imagine what it would be like to walk down a street with a dog with whom I have no connection, with a dog who is constantly straining at the leash. What's the point?  I suppose if the humans are happy with walking with their dog in a constant state of potential shoulder dislocation, I should mind my own business. To each his own, right?

But still,  it makes me sad, there's so much more to living with a dog than feeding him and taking him on obligatory walks attached by the obligatory leash. The leash is, what one trainer I know calls, "a public relations tool." You shouldn't need the leash to steer or yank the dog to you, or to pull the dog away from something.

I made sure I gave Izzy extra extra attention and praise on our walk today. I'm saddened that other dogs don't get the feedback and encouragement mine does...but maybe—just maybe—if one person sees me having fun with my dog on the street...maybe he'll be inspired to actually interact with his. Fingers and paws are crossed.