Anyone want a support system for people struggling to walk their dogs?

[Befop]

I have 3 small breed dogs all over age 6.

In the last few years my anxiety has taken over to the point I'd say Im agoraphobic.

My dogs are little and don't need a huge walk so I'm just going to try and take them out everyday.

It also doesn't help that years ago my dog was attacked and ended up getting run over after escaping from attacking dog.

So I'm scared to go parks etc now.

A few days ago I took them park and TWO separate people let their dogs run over unleashed.

And I literally shake because I think it's going to happen again.

But my dogs deserve a walk everyday. Even if it's just the streets, not park

They're so spoilt. Best raw food diets. Probiotics Toys. Snuffle mats. Licky mats. We spend all day playing and cuddling but a walk is important.

I have to try harder.

Hope you managed it. Is there anywhere that dogs won’t be off lead? That would prevent the fear of dogs running up. Dogs shouldn’t do that but most often dogs that do that are just rude. Not aggressive.
Any friends who could walk with you? Are there local dog walking groups nearby? And don’t feel bad about using Cinnamon Trust. If you can’t walk your dogs you absolutely can ask them to help.

Walk them separately and stick to paths?

At least then if you’re nervous you can just pick your dog up. And you’re very unlikely to come across a reactive off lead dog on the pavement.

Not sure if this is feasible for you. There is a dog park near us that you can hire by the hour. It is a paddock that is completely enclosed and safe where you can let your dogs run around and play for the hour. It is yours for the hour and accessed via a code on the gate so no one else can enter. There may be something similar near you. If you know someone whose dog you trust you could perhaps share the cost and go together. I think it is ten pounds for the hour.

I hope you managed to get out OP. It’s ok to take tiny baby steps - one dog for five mins up the road and back is a great start.

I think you are doing the right thing op and doing good by your dogs. I would also suggest borrow my doggy.

Can I request however as this is a supportive thread that the generalisation of 'people who walk their dogs off lead does "insert all sorts of bad things" stops.

I walk my dog offload. I have a Basset Hound and he needs scent time. He does this best off lead. If I see another dog coming towards us . I grap a hold my my dog until they pass or I clip his lead on. I at times may ask if people are ok with him off lead. (Some say yes others no. if no mine goes on a lead)
If I see a dog with an anxious /reactive lead I keep my dog away from that dog.

However once they are past I again allow my scent hound to get his scent time. 90% of the time his nose is deep in the ground and he is far more interested in his sniffing than he is in some random dog. I get a hold of him due to the other owner and their comfort.

Simply because some of us do things differently it doesn't mean we are bad dog owners. Just like OP is not a bad dog owner simply because she struggles with anxiety and due to this walking. I think you are rather brave actually op. Facing your fears is a huge thing.

@Befop My dog is well trained and gentle - I do find carrying a heavy walking stick helps to deflect other dogs - ( to use it as a fence to protect yours.)
It IS nerve racking at times , especially as so many dogs are poorly trained.
An off leash dogs should not be approaching on leash dogs for obvious reasons.

It's absolutely fine to limit their walks to pavements and paths where you are far more less likely to meet off-lead dogs. Start off with short walks and build up from there - if you're anxious then they will pick up on that, so do what's enjoyable rather than what's challenging for you and them.

You're never going to change other dog owners and it's a minefield out there, with every dog owner having a different opinion about what dogs should and shouldn't do (they shouldn't attack obviously though). All you can do is change what you do and changing your walking route seems a good first step.

I do echo what @Enko says about wishing the generalisation of 'people who walk their dogs off lead does "insert all sorts of bad things" stops though. Positive dog to dog interactions are far, far more likely to occur than attacks.

@Befop Can you not meet up with other local dog owners and walk with them?
A young woman here has a small Toy breed who is like a guardian with mine.
Dogs can feel safer when part of a known group.

It is stressful -especially if yours has been chased and hurt.

I never walk mine in parks, even my sensible older dog would hate it.

Buy a map, drive to the countryside and walk footpaths/bridlepaths. I’ve just been out for a 3 mile walk and seen no one.

Walking a dog (or three) is such an act of trust and you don't realise it until that trust is broken - either trust in your dog(s) or in other dog walkers or in yourself.

My 'advice' would be to see it that way, and to work on building trust.

If you try to punish or force yourself into the walks, I think you will continue to struggle.

If you see it as a programme of slowly building that trust up again, this may help.

Build trust slowly and gently and without blame or pushing too fast.

So give yourself permission to just do 5 mins of walking. Give yourself permission to walk at times when other people are less likely to be around. Or in places that are quiet. Give yourself permission to go home again if it gets too much: even if the walk has not been a long one. To walk back the other way when you see another dog or walker. To tell a few white lies ("my dog is unwell and it's contagious") to help create the distance you need. Or even to just walk one dog a day, rotating them. Anything that helps you get started and gives you the chance to build trust again.

I don't think - and perhaps they haven't always phrased it that way - that many people have a problem with dogs being walk off-lead.
What they have a problem with is people who not only don't have any control over their dog but don't even seem to think they need to have it. Their dogs are not only a nuisance and sometimes danger to others but to themselves too.
It's about having consideration for others, being aware of who and what is around you, as well as doing the best you can by your dog. Something that @Enko seems to have but many don't.
Mine occasionally goes off-lead but that is only in certain circumstances and dependent on what she is focussed on and where we are and who else is around etc. Today she didn't have a chance as she became very animated by I think it was bird making a strange noise in the undergrowth. If I'd have let her off, I'd still be looking for her now. But if she is pottering about or focussed on playing with me, she sometimes goes off.

Just to add to @JustAnotherKingCnut's excellent post, I'd say to @Befop try building that trust at home first. 'Walk' the dog in the garden or house and practice what you will do outside before venturing out on a walk. Then go for a walk without the dog but pretending one of them is with you. Then try a 5-minute walk outside with one dog when you feel able.

Could you do one dog a day, I struggle with anxiety and was agoraphobic for 10+ years, I got my dogs to try and get me out the house and it has worked very well mostly, I worry for my dogs, my strategy is to stand still get my dogs close, usually behind me and get them to stand still so we are totally and utterly boring and the approaching dog usually turns and heads off as they want to play or have a reaction, I also always have a pocket full of treats incase so I could throw the treats to distract the dog so we could make a get away, but haven't had to deploy that yet, but the few idiot dog owners seem to ruin it for the rest of us. I also found hypnotherapy very beneficial, I tend to listen to Glenn Harrold ones. hypnosis-meditation-iphone-android-apps-1.html

Isn't it awful how many of us have experienced attacks from aggressive dogs and even aggressive owners. I've owned a dog for over a decade now and have experienced one attack on my dog last year. Dogs have always had scraps of course, but I've never known anything like what we are seeing now. Almost all of my walking spots have had dogs injured or killed by other dogs in the past few years since lockdown.

Anyway, I fully empathise OP. I was never nervous walking my dog until he was severely attacked last year. Now I dread seeing big off lead dogs and my worst nightmare would be to come across an off lead bull breed. Other dog owners often make it worse, not only because they fail to control their dog but because they often retaliate with aggression if you so much as shout at their dog. I had a man threaten me and become extremely aggressive because I blocked his lurcher from approaching mine with a walking stick. That of course made my anxiety worse because I was now also worried about the responses of owners.

I don't know if it would make your anxiety worse OP but I walk in the dark at this time of the year. I can go over my local country park at 5pm and it is empty- we have the entire 200+ acres to ourselves. If I went at 5pm in summer I would come across at least a dozen dogs. I'm dreading summer :(

I agree with the above posters to stick to pavement walks at first, even just a few minutes is enough for now.

Can you go at sunrise when there are less people around.

Harder in the winter but once you're motivated to do it it's a great time to be out.

My boy is reactive to other boy dogs so I have really changed my walks with him. I know where it's going to be quiet and fortunately he's got great recall so I can get him back if other dogs turn up. I just do avoidance as much as possible. Also as PP said pavement sniffy walks are fine and tbh my dog really likes them/ he loves sniffing. We're just 5 minutes from the beach but I haven't been there for months it's just not worth it 🙁

Would it help if you went with someone else. If so think about joining a local Facebook group. You can often post anonymously. Explain your situation, and see if there is anyone who would come with you. Someone with a small calm but confident dog could help both you and your dogs. Good luck.

Agree with this, or someone without a dog of their own just to be another pair of eyes (to reassure OP) and give moral support.

I think you need someone else to walk with, either start a small group of people with small dogs who want company or follow local FB groups where there are often students who miss their dogs wanting to walk some. Post on FB, someone will join you and it'll seem less daunting.

Could your DH go out for walks with you over the weekend? You might be able to build from that?

I run a dog park and don't think you are behaving without reason.

Zero chance if I had tiny dogs like yours I'd take them where other dogs are unleashed as behaviour from owners nowadays is so appalling hence the rise in private secure dog areas.

I've large dogs and stick to pavements where other dogs will be on lead and I can cross the road if necessary. I also always wear long boots so I can use my legs as a physical block if needed.

Remember a 20 minute sniffing experience can be just as tiring as a full hours trudge over fields.

You sound like a great dog owner.

If you lived in my small market town my DD would come over to you to walk with you. You may find a walking companion or 4 on your local facebook group.

Does where you live have a good community feel? If so post on FB.

I live in a smallish city with a lot going on and if you posted this on one of the neighbourhood or community groups you would have a small army of dog lovers offering to dog walk with you, I see it all the time.

There's so much guilt associated with being a dog owner - I had no idea there would be so much conflicting advice until I got our pup just over 2 years ago. Don't have them off lead v they must have daily off lead walks. Collars v harnesses v slip leads. They must never be allowed to approach other dogs v they must be allowed to approach other dogs. A short sniffy walk tires them out as much as a long walk. Raw food v home cooked v commercial food (that must always be checked on the All About Dogs website, natch). Crate training v let them have whatever spot they feel comfortable with. No barking at the window v barking at people coming up to your house means you have a ready-made burglar alarm. No treats v natural treats v commercial treats. No treat training v food as a reward. If your dog lunges on lead then turn and walk the other way v if it lunges then distract v relax and keep walking past quickly. And so on and on and on and on.....

I'm actually getting quite fed up of it all. Anyone else?

Not read everyone's replies but I have an anxious dog so have read lots and had a trainer for mine. She is much better these days. Also have some anxiety myself about dog walking related to this also much better these days- also related to off lead dogs!

My thoughts:
I really recommend the DTAS (dog training and support) group on FB, it's run by dog behaviourists. There is definitely advise on there for reactive dogs.

Dogs don't need walking outside everyday but they do need mental stimulation. They also don't need a certain amount of steps. When we had the behaviourist we only walked DDog to the bottom of the road. Training, sniffing, games wear out their brahs. I usually have a filled Kong in the freezer in case of days I can't take DDog out for a walk and I don't want her to be a knob in the evening. She also has an amazing repertoire of tricks we taught her when younger to help wear her out. Look up Canine Enrichment. There are groups on FB.

Where we live there are a couple of areas of grass. Could you walk there and back? Let the dog/s have a good sniff. Apparently sniffing for dogs is like "Reading the newspaper" and really tires them out.

Hope things improve. Flipping off leads dogs! I saw someone "walking" their dog off lead yesterday who can only have known it was with them by the sound of their nails on the pavement. Didn't see them turn around once! He was watching something on his phone as it was sideways!! Luckily dog didn't look like it was capable of running!

Agree @SirChenjins it is a bit of a minefield