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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Staying safe when out walking alone (with dog)

70 replies

WordleInTwo · 04/02/2023 14:44

I go for long walks every day with our dog.

I prefer being out in the countryside - quiet places, away from other people!

Dh doesn't think this is safe and wants us to share our location on our phones 'just in case'

I have always refused as it seems like spying rather safety. AIBU?

What do you do?

OP posts:
bozzabollix · 04/02/2023 15:43

I share my location, absolutely fine with me. I think my husband has better things to do than look at where I am.

I now walk regularly with another dog owner and we were saying this morning about how this poor lady going missing has made us feel that bit more unsafe. This is with two fairly large (though soppy) dogs in tow.

HotDogJumpingFrogHaveACookie · 04/02/2023 15:44

I don't do anything. I take our dogs out to very remote places. I have an alarm in my pocket, which would be of zero use in most cases, and I'm aware of my surroundings.

Having location switched on and shared does nothing to keep you safe. It allows your husband to see where your phone is and that's it.

acidreign · 04/02/2023 15:45

I walk my dog early morning in secluded woodland. It's rare that I feel worried about my safety, but there are occasions. My dog has a tracker on her harness, mostly so that I can see where she is at any moment - she doesn't usually stray far from me but in dense woodland in the dark it can be difficult to keep track of where she is. My husband has the app too, so he can see where dog is. It's not to track me, but dog is very loyal and would be very unlikely to be easily separated from me in the event of an attack or accident.

To be honest, though, on the occasions where I've felt a little spooked or uneasy I've just got my phone out and had a loud cheery pretend phone call with my husband telling him exactly where I am and how long it'll be until I'm home.

SweetSenorita · 04/02/2023 15:48

Nothing. I walk. On my own. I refuse to let anyone track and trace me.

WFHbore2023 · 04/02/2023 15:48

Just an FYI -
If you have an Apple Watch (or any other smart watch connected to 4g I would imagine) you can share your watch location, so it wouldn't matter if you got separated from your phone

SpotOnMyBot · 04/02/2023 15:49

I'm more worried about the dog going missing so he has a Tractive on him which has been brilliant. Maybe get that and then it's not spying on you but the dog?

SweetSenorita · 04/02/2023 15:50

Moxysright · 04/02/2023 14:52

I share my location with people. I’m never anywhere I shouldn’t be so don’t mind

I'm always bloody somewhere I shouldn't be 🤣

WetBandits · 04/02/2023 15:53

A man followed me and my dog at the beach one night in the dark, kept calling over to me to “let me say hello to your dog”, I asked him repeatedly to leave us alone and he kept advancing towards us, he got within about a metre and my boy suddenly started growling, snarling and barking at him. I dread to think what might have happened if I’d been alone or if my dog hadn’t twigged that we might be in danger. Luckily that was enough of a threat and he left us alone. I was terrified and my dog probably was too but I’m just glad he decided to pretend he was scary in that moment 😂

Lolabear38 · 04/02/2023 15:55

I always share my location with DH if I’m going somewhere alone or if I ever feel uneasy. He doesn’t ever ask me to but it makes me feel better knowing that he could find me if I needed him to and he doesn’t mind. I don’t see it as spying as it’s my choice to do it and it gives me a bit of peace of mind.

ChardonnaysBeastlyCat · 04/02/2023 15:55

WetBandits · 04/02/2023 15:53

A man followed me and my dog at the beach one night in the dark, kept calling over to me to “let me say hello to your dog”, I asked him repeatedly to leave us alone and he kept advancing towards us, he got within about a metre and my boy suddenly started growling, snarling and barking at him. I dread to think what might have happened if I’d been alone or if my dog hadn’t twigged that we might be in danger. Luckily that was enough of a threat and he left us alone. I was terrified and my dog probably was too but I’m just glad he decided to pretend he was scary in that moment 😂

It does make you think, especially if the dog didn't like him as well. I trust my dogs' judgement if they dislike someone.

LaviniasBigBloomers · 04/02/2023 15:58

I was 100% like this until DH slipped walking the dog on his own on holiday - so in an unfamiliar place that I probably wouldn't be able to find - and had to walk a mile home on a broken ankle by himself. I grudgingly allowed a find me app to be switched on then as I could see the point of it, I suppose. Still don't love that I can be 'seen' and tend not to take my phone on our super-safe, busy local walks, but if I'm anywhere unfamiliar I do think it serves a purpose.

TenoringBehind · 04/02/2023 16:00

I do what you do op.

I’m not being tracked and traced by anyone. Dh could hazard a reasonable guess where I’ve gone, if I go for a walk on foot with the dog from the house (only 2 possible routes).

Lovemusic33 · 04/02/2023 16:04

I walk alone every day in quite rural locations. I never even considered it as risky until a relative said “oh, I would be too scared to walk alone incase I got attacked”.

I do have ‘what 3 words’ on my phone, mainly incase I fall or get lost. I have GPS on my phone and watch also but I have never really prepared for being attacked,I think the chance of it happening is very very slim. I don’t have a dog but would probably feel safer if I was walking with one.

Elphame · 04/02/2023 16:06

No because like many things it gives a false sense of security. That poor woman recently who disappeared was on a call with several others at the time but no one noticed as she was not active. The chance of anyone noticing my phone is not where it should be or has suddenly stopped moving in time to be of any use to me is infinitesimal.

I walk my own dogs in woodland and the countryside and rarely see anyone other than the occasional other dog walker but I am always very aware of my surroundings and the dogs are also a deterrent.

Patineur · 04/02/2023 16:11

Untitledsquatboulder · 04/02/2023 15:00

I don't share my location and I don't really see how it would keep me safe if I did. If something happens it would be over before anyone thought to look for me. And the chances of anything happening in the first place are really small.

If you fell over and had, say, concussion, why would it be over before anyone thought to look for you? Falling over on countryside walks is sadly all too easy.

Anon132 · 04/02/2023 16:14

I personally don't see an issue with it. When I had an iPhone all of my family was on find a friends. Means we could all check on the kids.
They could also always see I was running late for family events as the caught in traffic doesn't work when they can see you still at home lol. But it never bothered me. Would do it now if we all had the same make of phone. I don't see it as an invasion of privacy but can understand why others may view it differently.

Patineur · 04/02/2023 16:15

Aurorabored · 04/02/2023 15:18

I don‘t think your DP knowing where you are in real time is going to help you in terms of safety while walking. It might help show where you were when something happened but by then it’s a bit late.

I used to walk my old dog through countryside where it was normal not to see anyone else for 90 minutes. I never felt unsafe. I stuck using only one in-ear headphone so I could always hear what was going on around me and always had my phone on me.

I don't understand why it's a "bit late"? If you've been knocked out, surely it's not at all late for rescue services to know exactly where to find you?

magpieshine · 04/02/2023 16:17

Stick an AirTag in your pocket when you’re heading out

Patineur · 04/02/2023 16:17

PaintByLetters · 04/02/2023 15:38

Sharing location would have made no difference for this missing woman - it's linked to her phone which was found where she had been with 20 minutes of the last sighting of her - it would tell the police and her family nothing more than they already know.

It does tell them that the likelihood is that something happened in that location, as opposed to anywhere else - so it's a good starting point when it comes to looking for evidence.

Octopusmittens · 04/02/2023 16:18

If your first concern is ‘spying’ OP, you have a relationship problem.

Aquamarine1029 · 04/02/2023 16:20

Your husband knowing your phone's location will do fuck all in regards to keeping you safe.

Patineur · 04/02/2023 16:22

Aquamarine1029 · 04/02/2023 16:20

Your husband knowing your phone's location will do fuck all in regards to keeping you safe.

But he also knows it will help in finding OP if she gets stuck or is injured.

Vinomummyinlockdown · 04/02/2023 16:25

I walk quiet forest paths and after news lately I’m a little anxious tbh. I have my location shared with husband and kids - we all do to put our minds at ease, not for “spying”. There’s nothing to spy. Also I have a health condition so feel more vulnerable out and about. I’d turn yours on. You can always turn it off afterwards. Better safe than sorry 🙏

Improbablecat · 04/02/2023 16:54

I've managed to retrieve my phone using this a couple of times after realising I had dropped it at some point on a walk. I don't think having it on necessarily keeps me safe other than a v small set of scenarios (e.g. trip and have head injury so can't phone for help) but I'm happy enough to leave it on. My DH likes it as he does a job where he can't let us know if he's running late at work so I can just open it and check if he's still at work in order to decide whether to go ahead and have tea without him!

Fenella123 · 04/02/2023 17:01

I share my location with my OH and he does with me, it's really handy!
From several decades of dog walking and running and cycling, I'd say the main danger is falling over. I do know quite a few people who have been significantly injured and a handful who've had to be carried back to civilization.