Social distancing—to “flatten the curve” of the coronavirus pandemic—has benefits for many dog owners who have, in the past, been concerned about clueless humans who walk their dogs too close or allow their dogs (off-leash and uncontrolled) to run up to other dogs who might not react well.
No more!
Social distancing now offers dog owners and the humans they encounter while walking their dogs a timely new etiquette for interactions, one that can be stated very simply: DON’T DO IT.
I asked dog owners and dog professionals how social distancing is working for them.
Ellen Endres Peters (Washington) We’ve been walking Juno twice a day. When we do see other folks, we cross the street or change direction. That said, people have been more friendly than usual, smiling and waving hello. So not only has it been healthy for our dog, it’s been important for us to get fresh air and exercise, as well as to connect with the community, even if just through a nod.
Julie Ellingson (California) Our neighborhood already had a lot of people walking their dogs. We are lucky to be in an area with respectful dog owners. (Except for someone who lets their big dog poo in my new plants without picking up. Not exactly sure who the culprit is there.)
Timothy Page (Oregon) As I walk on the street, all seems okay. Once at the park, where it is often social—people-to-people and dogs-to-dogs—one woman had to be walking backwards all the time trying to keep proper space. Otherwise, everyone else was keeping space. Fewer people are petting others’ dogs.
Briane Green (Texas) There are a lot of healthy dogs out there. Every family is out walking their dog because there is nothing else to do and kids need some fresh air and time away from computer screens and online homework.
Caitlin Leandres (Ontario) It’s going great. I’ve been moving far out of the way with [my dog] when I pass anyone. I am keeping a significant distance and trying to walk in areas that I know are more quiet. Most of the time, I choose a quieter hour of the day; the majority of the time, I don’t pass anyone during our 30-minute walk. I go hiking during the work week at quiet hours, and I have not run into anyone at all during those hikes.
Christina Boling (Washington) I’ve been sticking to the more unpopular hiking trails. The popular ones are packed, but there are a few in my area that are less traveled because they don’t lead to as nice a view. Personally I’m just out here for the nature. Hold the coronavirus!
Nathalie Mosbach Smith (California) Not much has changed on the trails. I hike every day and I can enjoy the outdoors with my pups. The trails have become very busy. Many people are home and finally walking their dogs. That is something that makes me very happy. As usual, you have those grumpy people on the trail that should have probably skipped going out. Even the exercise is not decreasing their foul moods and willingness to lash out at other people. Exercise is good. It helps decrease anxiety and boost the immune system by [humans’] being outdoors.
Photo by Steven Cogswell
Jules Weber (Maryland) Six feet is pretty obvious to most dog owners because that’s leash length. But there are still people who want to pet, whom you have to fend off. [I say], “Please ignore my service dog,” and if they ignore that, I raise my voice to “STOP! Please do NOT interact with my service dog!” Right now, during these crazy times, their feelings are not more important than my health.
Rebecca King (Ohio) I say, “We are in special training,” and most people respect that.
Gin Hughes (Oregon) I have a service dog, so for me it is easier. People (well, at least most people) stay clear if she is vested up.
Debby McMullen (Pennsylvania) I’m seeing more people out walking in my usual safe places, such as a very well-run cemetery. But because of the guidelines, most people are doing everything in their power to keep great distances from others. It is a good opportunity to work on better conditioning dogs to seeing people/things out at a distance. I have a livestock-guarding dog, so he is aware of everything that “doesn’t belong.” That means more engage/disengage practice! Unfortunately there are still people out there who never care about anyone but themselves, letting their dogs run off-leash in some areas. I generally avoid those areas anyway (even though it’s illegal for their dogs to be off leash). What I am seeing is that in areas where people generally are better educated, most people are being very respectful of others’ space. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case in the inner city.
Susan Ewing (New York) Not doing it. More people are out walking their dogs now. I’m just giving mine more play sessions in the yard. They both love to play fetch.
Jessica Stinson Hudson (Alabama) No worries here! Fortunately we’re on 80 acres, so lots of social distancing.
Paula Shimko (Pennsylvania) Good! I live near a 2,000-acre park.
Cynthia Gordon (Florida) Enjoyed a long walk through our local park today. Everybody is being respectful of distance and waving and smiling. Felt like walking through Mayberry.
Alisha Ardiana (California) I live in San Francisco. Dog walking has been amazing because no one is on the streets. It’s very easy to cross the street if someone is coming, because there are no cars.
Bronwyn Belling (Maryland) Fine. Love the fresh air and keep a safe distance from approaching strangers or neighbors.
Claudia Black-Kalinsky (Georgia) Since I don’t let my dogs do on-leash greetings, the smile and wave from a distance is our normal routine.
Kim Rinehardt (California) I feel like I never walked my dog any other way.
Jill Gibbs (Montana) It is what I have been wishing for in all the years I have walked my dogs. I am forced to talk to people for my job, when I walk my dogs, I don’t want to talk to anyone but them.
Barbara Miller (Missouri) I was forced to cross the street to avoid people. No human was social distancing here, but my formerly reactive dog was easy to maneuver. No small irony there.
Sarah Magnan (Ontario) I love it. We’ve been on consistent 2 to 5K runs, which I wasn’t able to deliver every day at school.
Karen Lawe (United Kingdom) Had to ask several dogless folk not to touch the dogs; other folk with dogs didn’t even try. Where we walk, there were most definitely more folk out and about getting exercise.
Lauren Fetterman (California) My poor extroverted puppy is so sad and frustrated. More to work on. We were already socializing and raising up using social distancing but he used to be able to greet people with permission and he had a group of well-mannered buddies to play and hike with. We’ll be doing a ton of training and socializing from a distance. Also working on developing a CER (conditioned emotional response) to his mat, and taking it out and about.
Sherry Al-Mufti (California ) Had to go to Pet Food Express today to pick up a muzzle for my remaining board-and-train dog and food for Jacques. Staff are greeting people at the door, finding out what they need, and having employees accompany them to pick up their items for them, then hand the items to the person at the cash register. They are wiping down the credit card thingy and counters after each customer. Good for them! Crowds at most stores around here have been sparse, and, when necessary, they are limiting the number of people in the store at one time, so I grab a handful of cart wipes (something I have never used before) to wipe the cart, my hand, anything I pick up and put back (am trying not to do that, but sometimes you have to read the label), and I wipe hands before touching car handle, steering wheel, etc., after returning to the car. Also, I am trying to consolidate errands as much as possible to minimize trips.
Ann Dupuis (Massachusetts) I had one person ask, “Is he friendly?” when she saw my (very handsome so everyone notices him) dog. I responded “Yes, very, but we’re practicing social distancing!” And that was instantly understood and accepted. I stood about 20 feet from them (a couple sitting on a bench) and had a nice conversation. On the other hand, I am NOT shy about saying “NO!” when necessary.
Kathryn Horn (California) We started out for a walk today, unsure of whether the park would be loaded with people and dogs. It was not. For a short time, we had it all to ourselves, which meant off-leash time for Knap! I have been so pleased with the way my neighbors have given dogs and people plenty of space. If we appear to be moving on paths that will cross, one of us inevitably stops and, usually silently, indicates the desired direction. The other accommodates. No rhyme or reason who chooses and who follows. And, because people are also concerned about spreading the virus through touching dogs, I have not seen a single off-leash dog who was not recalled long before the distance was too tempting for the dog to heed that call. (This includes my dog, who can get excited about stuff a long ways away!) I am hoping that one of the good things to come of this horrible situation is a new respect for both human and canine boundaries.
Have you run into anyone who is not respecting the social distancing boundaries?
I enjoyed this simple solution, suggested for someone who is not paying attention!
Kathy Smith (North Carolina) I was out walking Indy the other night and encountered someone not paying attention to her dog or surroundings. She was more focused on her phone. As I own a reactive dog, having space for him is always on my radar. To get her attention, I coughed twice. Her reaction was hilarious. She practically ran the other direction! Problem solved.
Are you walking your dog more now while we’re all quarantined at home?
