Question for dog owners

[bendmeoverbackwards]

When you take your dog for a walk, do you listen to music or a podcast or do you talk to your dog?

I'm trying to work out if there are similarities to taking a child for a walk...

It’s a quiet, thoughtful time generally. I would never listen to music. I chat away to him or just myself

I listen to podcasts or music while I walk, it's a bit of chill out time TBH!

Depending who I'm walking (I have 3 dogs) and where, I may only have in AirPod in and never very loud.

Walking along a beach without a dog would almost be a waste of time as you feel their joy at it all.

Herding the waves and barking at them when they won't cooperate is one of my dog's favorite pastimes.

If we’re off lead in nature then I prefer to be listening to what’s around us. In terms of chatting I may say things like ‘what a lovely poo’ or ‘let’s go this way’.

If we’re trudging round the streets on lead then I like a podcast.

I don't listen to anything. I like to hear what's going on around me and if I'm in a quiet area I love the sound of nothing but my footsteps.

Having been forced to work from home with a husband who is always on a bloody zoom call for the best part of a year I can't wait to come out and just listen to nothing.

When I’m with ddog I don’t wear headphones. It would feel a bit rude I don’t chat much to him either, but we just sort of amble along together and enjoy it. DH listens to podcasts though.

Not really, he likes to play with other dogs. I talk to him in the car and the house though.

I don't listen to anything nor do I talk that much to my dog except for this way or good boy bla bla although around here most dog walkers seem to spend their walks on endless phone calls

I chat to the dogs. They learn words that way. If I hold my phone up and say hang on a sec they both stop and wait for me to answer it. 😂

I listen to a podcast with one earphone in, and talk to the dog at the same time.

From the other perspective though. I talk at the poor dog a lot. His walks are kind of his alone time and time to catch up on what’s going on on his patch without the stupid human wittering on!

I talk to the dog.
I wouldn't have earphones in because I'm a woman, and also I'd be afraid a dog came up behind us and I couldn't react quick enough.
I enjoy just being with the dog though and having our own little conversation.
Realise I probably sound a bit mad.

I usually feel rude if I have my headphones on, just in case Ddog has anything to say. I don't think she gives a fuck but there it is.

Delatron what a lovely poo thought it was just me who said that! I often thank the dig for doing one that's easy to scoop into the poobag.

The beach is great with a dog: she chases seagulls and pigeons, she splashes about in the waves looking for the handful of sand I've just thrown in, she digs A LOT, she runs off, then comes haring back at 90mph towards me and woofs as she runs past, she chases Fiona her greyhound buddy... Never a dull moment.

Its just me and the dog. He can be lovely or a bit of an arse so I have to keep an eye on him and I like chatting to him when he's in the mood to talk.

Its when I do my best music discovering.

I also have a beagle (scenthound) who only cares about sniffing stuff on walks, so I would literally be talking to myself.

It's a bit like walking a toddler in that it's good for a dog to be allowed to sniff what they want to sniff and this can leave you waiting around a bit!

I chat to the dog.

@elQuintoConyo yes! And often he does it right by the poo bin so I say ‘what a helpful place to do a poo!’ He’s a lab though so another topic of conversation is ‘what on earth is that in your poo’? Last week some nerf gun pellets and a loom band came out intact.

Neither, but I don't get bored (not just on dog walks, I mean I don't ever get bored ). There's always something to look at or think about. My dog isn't interested in being talked to on a walk - he's too busy sniffing around!

I listen to music but only have one AirPod in so I can keep an ear on my surroundings too.

Mine is only a puppy so I spend the walk talking to him, by which I mean “Link, no, drop it” “Link slow down” “Link NO!”

Audio books for me

quiet, bird song, wind, sound of trees, and occasional conversations with the dog. Talk to myself (not out loud)

It isn't the same as walking on your own, as you have company!

I hate it when other people ask to walk with me, as it ruins that headspace time.

Yes, podcast or audiobook but I do pay attention to the dog too. I don’t chat along inanely to him as I want him to understand that when I speak to him on walks, I’m asking for his attention/giving him a command.

I'm interested to know how many of the dogs owned by the constant chatters have good recall and general obedience.