Staying safe when out walking alone (with dog)

[WordleInTwo]

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?

Ermmm how does one turn location on 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️embarrassed (50)

As someone who has ended up in A&E with injuries requiring stitches/x~rays from just normal things in the house, having a tracking device on my phone is essential when I go out of the house alone! Even with that I don’t go into isolated hiking country alone

We have share our location as a family, tbh I forget it's on most of the time. I walk the dogs in woodland and listen to podcast/music. I watch thier reactions to things. I hope if I didn't return my family maybe able to track me.

My DD was able to trace her phone and get it return due to have tracking system on. Her friends share locations and have it on, on a night out.

We don't insist the kids have it on and it's their choice. I also have an apple tag in my purse as I constantly used to loose it.

If you have iPhones @nottoday300 you can share location without having a special App

I'm now thinking of having a tracker on my phone. I'm older and live alone. I walk my dog in isolated places. If I was taken ill or fell it could be days before someone realised I wasn't at home. I haven't thought about it before but I think I should be more careful.

@toomuchlaundry yes got I phone is it something in maps

I would only walk in populated areas.

There are too many opportunistic men around

Just while you are actually on the walk would it be so bad to activate the app? I use a mapping app when I'm out in the countryside which shows exactly where I am. I turn it off when I'm finished. I also make sure someone at home knows if I'm going for a long walk and the rough area where I plan to go. I don't feel spied on, it's not something I do unless I am out alone.

we use Find my phone @nottoday300

@toomuchlaundry I've googled you can send location from a message if you tap the contact, who knew !! Well not me anyway ...😂

My partner and I have location sharing on. Not worried about 'spying' as there's nothing to hide - we'd actually say where we were if we spoke or messaged, so it's not sharing any information we wouldn't provide anyway. I don't see an issue with it.

I think it’s a good idea and I’ll be doing it. I don’t care who knows where I am.

I work outdoors alone and DH's hobbies take him out alone for hours up in the fells.

Neither of us share location.

I have sharing on and what3words app on my phone as I ride as well as walk the dog. Chances of me ending up in a ditch through my own misadventure is higher by far than anyone putting me there.

My current foster dog would probably scare the shit of of and possible go for anyone who bothered me. The lab would assess who had better treats and take sides from there.

I used to live in zone 2 London and I was in genuine peril there most of the time. Not so much in the country, but I keep an awareness of my surroundings and can channel a very effective London do not fuck with me attitude/confidence if needed.

the Hollie guard app

Doesn't share location all the time, if you trigger the emergency it will begin to video and send a link to your designated people, send location etc. I've not used it but heard good things and am an emergency contact for someone

hollieguard.com

I still follow the rules I used to follow when wild camping / hiking. In long distance walking circles you are always told to give somebody details of your route, let them know when you begin, what time you estimate to be at each stop, check in nightly, and when you plan to return.

When hiking I carried a satellite phone - overkill for most dog walkers as you will usually be somewhere with a mobile signal, but do carry your mobile

It's just safety. You are unlikely to come to harm via another person but injuries happen, getting lost happens, medical emergencies happen. It makes sense to have a way for emergency services to be able to find you if needed

I share it with my husband. It won’t prevent you from danger. But If something happens to me then he’d know when I was last seen/anything happened in case we need to go and look for them to help

Mine scares everyone away, but I th8nk your dh is right.

I wouldn’t because I worry about the thin end of the wedge, and it wouldn’t help if someone bashed you on the head, or if they kidnapped you they’d take it off you. You’d have to stick a tracker in your pants for it to be effective.

Honestly I think these crimes are so rare you are better just cracking on with life, and telling your DP you are doing him a favour by not letting either of you be ruled by anxiety. I’m assuming her you aren’t bull walking, if you are then yes I’d stick it on for that as people take lots of tumbles.

But it’s a lot less of an issue than giving up loan walks altogether like a fair few people saying they had on a recent thread. That really is tragic.

HILL walking not BULL walking, although you’d want it for that too