To be scared to walk the dog alone

[PeachyT]

I'm thinking of getting a rescue dog. My family have always had dogs and I've longed for one for many years, but my lifestyle hasn't allowed it until recently. I'm now settled, own a home, and work mostly remotely with 2-4 days a month in the office. (And my office allows dogs).

However, I've been thinking about where we'd go for walks. There's some great countryside nearby, I love hiking, but always go with friends. I'd love to be able to take my dog out for long walks, but thinking about it, I'm worried about safety and quite nervous about going out alone every day, walking along country roads/trails by myself. Aibu? How do you feel about walking your dog alone? Any tips or advice? (Except getting a big, scary looking dog).

I walk ours alone all the time. The only place I’ve ever felt unsafe is in some isolated woods and I’ve never been alone there since.

And I have a tiny 5kg Jack Russell who wouldn’t scare anything bigger than a rabbit.

I avoid the countryside if the paths are isolated and I never go into woods. I generally stick to public paths and parks . I just feel safer .

Are there more open places you can walk ? Also take sensible precautions, mobile with what3words on it so you can identify where you are if you ever need to phone for help. An attack alarm maybe. A cheap body spray, cheaper the better as apparently sting like hell if you spray in a face.

I walk mine alone including late at night. My DD's walk him alone too. He's a border collie and I pity the person who touches us, if he's lucky he'd be in a&e, as a box, permanently is a possibility. My ddog is as calm as it comes but would protect me with his own life.

I never even think about it being unsafe. Most people are just like you, exercising their dogs. I have some great chats with other dog walkers and the dogs tend to enjoy it too.

The dog is likely to pick up on your nerves so that could be an issue, but aside from that to make you feel safer - is there someone/some people who you could ask to track you on an app or WhatsApp so that at least someone knows where you are and where you're due back? That was my thing when I lived alone and walked the dog - no one knew if I wasn't back so wouldn't be looking or know where to look if something happened.

I walk my 3 in woods, fields, riverbanks, all sorts of places. It’s never occurred to me to feel unsafe.

I'm sure there will be appropriate safety measures you can take, and it must be safer to walk with a dog than to walk alone.

I’ve only been walking a dog in the city, but I lived for years in a village and walked all around the countryside by myself for twenty miles around on isolated field paths at all hours of the day and night. I never felt at risk. There was no one around. Occasionally another walker, once a (very) lost Duke of Edinburgh hike group. Any nutters, perverts, potential attackers would have had to walk miles from the nearest road and hang about in the hope that someone might pass, which mightn’t happen for days.

We live very rurally in the Scottish Highlands. It never occurs to me to be scared even in winter when I wear a head torch to walk our dogs. We have many tourists visit to walk and climb our mountains, I often come across random camper vans wild camping. If you’re going to be scared walking in daylight how will you feel in winter? If I go up the hills (which I do most days) I make sure I head back before the light draws in in winter. Be sensible if you plan on going more remote walks.

I walk my dog every day alone.

Its never crossed my mind to be worried about walking her.

Im guessing you never spend any time on your own out of the house going for walks etc

I live in a rough part of London and I've never felt scared walking my dogs. I just walk them in the busy local park.

Can you choose anywhere busier to walk them?

Also, is there a particularly high rate of crime in your area? If not, you might just be worried because it's something you're not currently used to, rather than anything else.

I walk my dog alone all the time, but admit there are a few places I avoid.

You can carry a noise making device, and bring your cellphone in case of emergency.

I walk my dog and DH dog too if it's my turn and I usually go around a lake near us because it's 2km and lovely to walk around in different seasons. Sometimes DH and I both go but sometimes I take them alone. I tend to do morning and DH late evening but I sometimes go too. My dogs are Lhasa Apso so could bark for England. When DS walks them he has an alarm on his phone.

I have a big and scary looking dog and I stick to well lit, public routes if I am walking him alone. I find in the summer, there’s beautiful and busy countryside routes that are fine alone but in the winter it’s pretty much shorter urban walking when alone. It suits my dog though as he doesn’t like the mud/cold/rain 🙊

That's lovely you're able to adopt a rescue dog. I'd say stick to laces you feel comfortable, you'll see loads of other dog walkers too I'm sure, you can also get a tape alarm or such to take with you.
What breed dog are you considering?

@SerenityNowInsanityLater blimey that must have been scary. Glad you were ok. I broke my foot in some dense woodland and the dogs took off after rabbits. 2 hours I never want to go through again. I rarely venture off the beaten track alone now.

I love it but i’m happiest on my own generally.

I walk my dog alone every day, and find new routes is one if my joys. I'm never scared. I'd be more nervous in a city!
Now I'm pregnant (25weeks) I've lost my nerve for longer, wilder walks but that's purely on a health basis (what if I hurt myself etc, or the dog gets hurt and I can't carry her), plus I don't have the stamina. But I can't wait to get back out there when I can because walking in the countryside really is one of the most therapeutic and glorious things I know.

I walk ours alone all the time. One of ours is only 6 months so I try to find less popular places to walk so she can continue practising recall. Never thought about it being a problem. I’ve got a dog walking bag so I always have my phone.

I should add we live in a village with no street lighting too so winter walks are with a head torch! Still isn't an issue, I'm very lucky to love and feel safe where I live.

I don’t think you’re being unreasonable. I would also like a dog but would be nervous about going out on my own in the dark.

You wouldn't be alone, you'd have your dog. Even the most gentle dogs protect their owners. My mum's old dog was the gentlest thing ever, but she did go on a walk through some woodlands and he put himself in front of her and wouldn't let her go down one track, barked, growled, jumped up on her until she turned back. Sadly another woman was attacked at that location at a later date.
You could also have a look locally for a walking group, or set one up.