safety and rural dog walking.

[ditavonteesed]

I have started walking on the local common which is lovely but can be a bit isolated in places. The other day I was chatting to a lady and then I went off into the woods. I saw the same lady today and she told me that she followed me into the woods with her big dog as a man had followed me and because he didnt have a dog with him she was a bit suspicious. I was aware of this man behind me and slowed down until he had passed me. he was obviously just out for a walk (although it was a vile day as well). My dog is tiny and very soft and would offer no protection to me.
How safe do you think it is to be in these places and what measures can you take to ensure your safety.
In a year we #re thinking we will get dog number 2 and I am now thinking I would like to get a bigger dog purely for security reasons.
Also thought it was very kind of the woman who I had only that day met and shows the lovely people that having a dog introduces to you.
I could just walk in the local park but it is a much more pleasent walk on the common, more interesting for me and dog can be off lead all the time without me worrying about her jumping up at people.

Well our newest and favourite place is through the moors, but it's very secluded - and it's pitch black after 5/6pm. Definitely a bit scary when you're on your own, so for peace of mind;
I carry my phone everywhere, make sure it's well charged!
Have an emergency number on speeddial, not an emergency emergency of the 999 kind, but a family member or such.
Wear proper shoes for the terrain - there's no chance of running away if your shoes are slipping off your feet/getting stuck in mud.

Personally I don't worry too much, I have an akita and whilst he's huge, the breed isn't known to many people. But he's protective, god help anyone who tries to attack me whilst dog walking :o

Oh, and if it's going to be dark - pocket torch?

As well as having charged phone in pocket, I always take a stick - it's useful anyway as it can be muddy and slippery, and it gives extra confidence. Have done so ever since I was advised to by dog trainer.

And never listen to ipod because your sense of hearing is very important.

stick isa a good idea, I could certainly use one sometimes, am not the most balanced person.
beertricks yes of course only by size, I just think if someone was out looking for someone to murder they might think twice if you have a big dog, not even big really just not tiny, although I do adore my cherry.

I walk in a forest at dark all the time with my 2 dogs, early morning and evenings. Stragely, I am more freaked out by unseen creatures that may live amongst the trees (blame an over active imagination and too many horror films) and stalk me while I walk. Actual people don't particularly worry me.

It's actually quite unusual to meet anyone at all and on the rare occasion that I do, they are usually as surprised to see me as I am them. Plus my dogs are huge (and inevitably wet and muddy) ao all but the most die hard big dog lovers give us a wide berth.

I do carry a charged mobile and a small torch but rarely have had cause to use either. In fact, the one slightly dodgy encounter I did have happened in broad daylight about 100 yards from my front door....

I work on the basis that anyone looking for someone to assault would have a very long wait where I walk the dogs as it is so quiet and i rarely meet anyone. Surely they would hang about where there is more chance of finding a victim? Other than that i try and remember my phone.

I do feel its a bit sad that a man without a dog is immediately thought to be suspicious. perhaps he should carry a lead and whistle occasionally to allay suspicion?

you know, I havent really thought about safety while walking my dogs. I should though, but rarely take my mobile phone as the reception is usually dodgy where we live and up on the hills worse.

But I have 2 GSDs and although they are softies their presence is enough for most people.

The only time I felt vaguely 'threatened' was when a bunch of oldish teenagers were all sitting drinking at the bench in the woods one night where I usually sit having a fly ciggie-- watching the sunset and I sat further away on the hill with 1 of the dogs. They came up to me and chatted,praised my dogs obedience, asked to stroke the dog, chuck his ball and were actually quite nice. Taught me a lesson not to judge all teens the same.