Dogs on Leads

High on the flat summit ridge of Blencathra I was walking with Mist and was disappointed, and actually saddened, to see a young couple approaching the summit with their springer attached to a short lead.

Great that the dog was out, very sad to see him or her straining away for the freedom that is so natural in the instincts of most dogs. There were not even any sheep around which I guess would offer some type of explanation.

This was not a one off, more and more dogs are being walked on leads in the great outdoors when, in my opinion they should be racing around much more. I suspect there are two explanations, neither which gives much credit to the owner or society at large.

• The owner has not the confidence to control the dog off a lead
• Society is increasingly frowning on ‘loose dogs’ and tut tut is something that puts off owners of dogs from releasing them as they should.

Mist is never on a lead which may be extremely unusual. Literally the only time that I put her on a lead is when a farmer specifically asks me to. The reality is that she is dreadful on a lead, pulling me in all directions, and much more likely to ‘alarm’ sheep or other livestock whilst straining away whilst on a lead. However it is fair enough if a farmer asks me to, it is his land and I am happy to oblige. More alarming for the sheep is that I may have to use my belt as a surrogate lead as I often do not carry one (I have also used a camera strap or a scarf!)

If a dog does not cover at least three times as much ground (Mist covers 5 or 6 as much)  as you do then the dog is not going to be as happy. Some breeds and advancing age may mean they stick closer to you but still allow them to sniff and explore on their own. It’s what they want.