Share the Trail
I love dogs. I love them so much that I want them to be able to take advantage of their pack instincts and lead happy, healthy lives. Dogs want to engage in the pack power struggle, hunt with the pack, devour the kill, then come home and regurgitate it for the pups (ponder it the next time they eagerly “kiss” you when you come home).
I am a runner. I love to go out on a nice day, get a good pace going and maintain it for a healthy cardiovascular workout. It is also a time to think and plan for me. I sometimes run with friends, but most of the time it is just some good quality me time.
For the most part I have no problem with the owners of dogs that I encounter on the trails and sidewalks. But a couple of things continuously occur.
- I can’t help but think about the dogs who have been couped up all day (either in a house, apartment or even a cage) while their pack was out (working, school, etc.) only to get a short walk with the pack in the morning and evening. For a few minutes the dogs are extremely excited, but I can only feel for them as their instinctive behavior is so restricted. Then again if they are rescued dogs, I can see that it is better than the alternative and there are of course weekends. And I acknowledge that smaller breeds can roam quite a lot within a smaller space.
- I hate coming across owners who do not have control of their dogs. As a runner it is either a safety issue or a courtesy issue. If the dog is leading the owner it can be a problem of aggression by the dog or of the leash/dog cutting across the path of the runner. There is also the issue of sharing the path. This is particularly tricky when approaching people from their back. Even when you make sounds to try to warn them they often show no common sense. Thus, you may have to come to a stop or risk injury by going off the path to pass.
So, why is the second issue such a nuisance to runners. Other than the obvious safety issue, it can cause an adrenaline rush and affect the pace. This can throw off the whole run and definitely takes some of the joy out of running.
In summary, I applaud all dog owners who take responsibility for their dog’s health and happiness. I also urge them to share the trail with runners (and walkers for that matter).
