Ah, the daily ritual of walking your dog. It is a wonderful time to watch your dog sniff and pee on everything, but you’re a busy person, and while sniffing and peeing is the best time ever for your dog, you may be tempted to find something else to occupy your attention. Maybe you need to send some work emails or catch up on the latest gossip online.
You reach for your phone. What harm could it do? I mean …WATCH OUT FOR THAT PHONE POLL!!!
Yikes. That’s probably going to leave a mark.
Here are seven more reasons to get off your phone when you walk your dog:
1. You need to be mindful of other people
Not just because you might walk into them, but you need to see if they are approaching your dog inappropriately, if your dog is approaching them inappropriately, etc. You don’t want a situation where your dog feels the need to lash out because someone went to pet them before asking your permission.
2. You don’t want your dog drifting into traffic
Just the other day I witnessed a girl on the phone and her dog on a retractable leash. She wasn’t paying attention at all while crossing the street and her dog was refusing to move. She didn’t notice because the leash kept moving. Luckily she finally noticed and was able to get back to the sidewalk before the light changed.
3. Take a look around
The world is a great place, you should see it in person and not just on your phone.
4. Your dog may see something it wants to eat before you do
A stray pizza slice, some gross garbage, an unlucky squirrel that wasn’t missed by that car. If you aren’t paying attention, your dog may ingest something it shouldn’t.
5. Your dog may be trying to tell you something, so pay attention
Your dog may be showing signs of heat stroke or dehydration and if you are mid email rant to Jerry about making sure his TP reports have cover pages you could miss them and your dog could be in real danger.
6. You could hurt yourself!
Seriously, that phone poll could come out of nowhere or that crack and dip in the side walk. Do you really want to roll your ankle?
7. Your dog would appreciate it
I know, you probably think your dog is just happy to be outside smelling everything, but if you are actively engaging your dog while out on a walk, your bond will grow that much stronger.
It’s the digital age and we all love to stay connected, but some times it is just nice to disconnect and take it all in. Next time you are out with your dog, put your phone away.
