Everybody with a dog does it. Whether it’s multiple times a day or just once because you’ve hired a dog walking service while you’re at work. If you have a dog, more than likely you will be out there walking the dog!…
Not until recently did I realize even though Harley and Leo have many similarities:
- same breed
- same family
- same home
- same schedule
- same gender
They are entirely – totally – not even closely – similar (in style) when it comes to walking. I know all about the “proper” way to walk your dog – and I am NOT the poster child for it. “I” know I’m the alpha (maybe no one else does when it comes to walking), but I’m okay with that.
If you see me out there, you will stare in amazement because I have skillfully mastered two leashes, poop bags AND a camera or smart phone. I’m like a ballerina. I’ve got poise, great form like you wouldn’t believe (you should see my twists), and I’m extremely graceful.
I have this one move – when I think I’m going down, and there’s nothing else I can do. I throw my hands straight up in the air and release the leashes so I remain upright. This allows me to fight gravity like a boxer and gather myself. The Boys? Oh they don’t move an inch during my performance. Something about the leashes riding on their backs – it makes them stop immediately and wait for me!
Leo’s style is more along the lines of a “Clydesdale.” Steady, straight, with a consistent pace. He’s never one to lunge at a human or animal (other than Renaldo), and he’s learned to stop at all the corners…
He makes two stops – both for the purpose of relieving himself and then he’s just going along the rest of the way because I’ve asked him to. Slightly in front – rarely will he give me extreme tension on the leash, and always a true gentleman wherever we go…
This one?…
Different story!
A walk to him is like spending the morning with the Sunday paper. He’s going to “read” each step like a page / each block like it’s own section…
He’s hypnotized with curiosity by the great outdoors. Harley has got to see, sniff and pee on absolutely everything!
Street corners…
Mailboxes…
And not just one mailbox, try almost all that he comes in contact with…
Shrubs…
Even “asphalt’s” got a hold on my baby…
Although it’s wrong, I allow him to lead, simply because he likes to. He’s excited when he arrives at the corners first, and his tail starts wagging as he determines if we’re going to go left or right. Leo has his “Wilson” so he doesn’t mind, and I have my doodles, so I don’t mind.
Therefore, away we follow…
Thanks for reading, look for us when you’re out there this weekend…
February 21, 2014
Most people probably think my mom is nuts too because she is usually walking all three of us on leashes with poop bags and often her phone camera. Mom finds walking “properly” boring, so we are all doing our own thing, usually one behind, one next to Mom and one out front, normally 1-2 of us off road if possible. We all love it, and if we need to be close, we come back and walk close. Mom rarely goes down, but if she does, we tackle her as we think she wants to play. We aren’t walking for obedience, we walk to all enjoy the great outdoors. Glad you boys do too!
February 22, 2014
We feel you Emma – sometimes theres just too many rules… You gotta learn to live a little – throw caution to the wind, get out there and do you!!!
February 23, 2014
It’s so funny how they each have totally different personalities. But it totally makes sense! I think it is just so cute how Leo carries his Wilson around with him.
February 23, 2014
Ann, to tell you the truth for months I have dreaded what would happen if we lost Wilson – now I know. It is really important to him, and he is so sweet when he has it. He treats it like a baby sometimes, and “yes” he will take him everywhere.
February 23, 2014
Too funny. Seem like Leo is like my Jack. If I’m walking them on the short leash, he is right there by my side ‘migrating’ totally focused on the walk. If he’s on a long line, he stops and sniffs a bit more. But Maggie, short or long, she is like Harley…every little twig, blade of grass, clump of bushes must not only be sniffed, it much be examined.
February 23, 2014
Slim, I’ve accepted that it’s the little things that make them happy and if they’re happy – I’m thrilled!!
February 25, 2014
Our dogs lead me too. Of course, I’m walking 4. I tried to get them to walk next to me, but we all get tangled up, so ahead of me they go and it makes our walks a lot less stressful.
Everyone wants to stop, smell and/or mark everything on the walks which I don’t allow. We’re getting exercise – not strolling down the trail. They get to stop as a treat – I felt bad about doing this at first, but now, I have four happy, exhausted, well exercised dogs – and I lost some weight too.
February 25, 2014
Kim, I used to stress over “who’s in charge” and once I decided for me and my crew that it didn’t matter – all walks, runs, and what I call “Harley moments” have been so much more relaxed and more fun….