Why talk on your cell phone while walking the dog?
By Phyllis DeGioia
July 11, 2009
Maybe I’m just turning into a curmudgeon, but I don’t get it.
Why do some people spend their entire time at the dog park or around the neighborhood talking on their cell phones? They walk along with their heads down, chatting away, usually oblivious to what their dog is doing and what’s going on around them. I see the same handful of people doing it regularly.
Your dog’s safety requires more attention than if you were driving drunk, and scientists at Carnegie Mellon published a study a couple of months ago saying that
“…just listening to a cell phone while driving is a significant distraction, and it causes drivers to commit some of the same types of driving errors that can occur under the influence of alcohol.”
If your attention span sucks while you’re driving and talking on the phone, it’s going to suck while walking your dog and talking on the phone.
Not only that, going to the dog park is supposed to be a bonding time for you and your dog. If you’re not paying any attention to him, it’s practically a slap in the face to his needs. I don’t mean the occasional call that lasts a short time; I’m referring to the calls that last the entire time you’re walking. The difference is that a walk is the highlight of the day for most dogs – his joy and happiness are in your hands, and his joy is exponential when he is walking and enjoying your full attention. Besides, any time you spend at a park or just taking a walk is supposed to be a time to relax and enjoy being outside. I don’t know anyone who relaxes nearly as much on the phone as they do taking a leisurely stroll during which they take in the sights and sounds around them – like other cute dogs going by, or noticing how the wind moves the leaves in the trees.
Maybe it’s just that I am not a fan of cell phones (I think too many people are rude because of how they use them) that causes this attitude, but I am more pro-bonding with my dogs than I am anti-cell phones. If you’re going to truly enjoy your time walking with your dog, you have to connect with him instead of focusing on someone who isn’t there. Between the tighter connection and the safety factor of knowing exactly what your dog is doing and where he is at all times is more than enough reason to stay off the phone.
Agreed! We have dogs in the neighborhood known to charge out of their yards without warning. I need to be ready to handle the situation and I definitely need my hands off a cell phone and on the leashes!
And then there’s the reckless teenagers who come barreling down the street in their cars, music loud, on the cell phone, not paying attention (we have no sidewalks) - I need to be able to hear them coming and get off to the side for everyone’s safety.
When we walk in the MetroPark, I need to be able to hear the horses coming so we can again get off to the side and wait for them to go by (some horses are really afraid of dogs and need us to sit quietly and politely while they pass). Although last time, there was a rider ON A CELL PHONE who didn’t even notice us sitting politely on the side of the trail as she and her horse passed us - what else isn’t she seeing (both beautiful nature and possible horse hazards) because she’s wrapped up in her phone call?
No, you miss too much - both good and potentially bad. If the phone call is that important (and some are), stop and talk, then go on.
Comment by mikken — July 11, 2009 @ 6:53 am
Cell phones … don’t get me started. I was HIT at a stoplight by a young man riding a bike illegally against traffic, no helmet, no hands on the handlebars at all. He was TEXTING!
I was in a car. Fortunately I was at dead stop. He fell off his bike onto the hood of my car when he slammed into me and started swearing at ME. Idiot. He was fine, but he’s surely a future candidate for a Darwin Award.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 11, 2009 @ 7:13 am
I can’t count the number of times I’ve seen owners yakking away on their cell phones, while their dogs run around getting into trouble.
We had an incident in High Park a few years ago where the owner of black lab was sitting on a picnic table, drinking a latte and chatting on their phone, while their dog was aggressively charging a Yorkie, and growling at the Yorkie’s owner when they tried to wave it off. The owner finally got the hint when someone trying to help stormed over and PULLED the phone out of their hand and yelled at them.
At Cherry Beach, Tessa got rolled by a big dog, while their owner was texting away on their blackberry. I told them to get their dog, or I’d throw their phone in the lake.
Stuff like this is what led me to lose interest in off leash parks. Too many negligent, non attentive owners, too many out of control, unwatched dogs.
Comment by FrogDogz — July 11, 2009 @ 7:29 am
Phyllis, you said it all and said it well.
Comment by Susan — July 11, 2009 @ 7:48 am
Hear, hear! What a waste to spend your dog time on the phone. I suppose, to look on the bright side, the people who do this are at least giving their dog needed exercise and socialization, rather than just leaving him/her to “exercise” at home or in a yard. What a waste of an opportunity, though, to bond with your dog and, as you say, to relax and experience joy yourself.
Comment by Shari — July 11, 2009 @ 8:52 am
I love mobile phones, and treasure the freedom they give me to walk my dogs, knowing that I’m not “out of touch” for all that time — it means longer walks, and me more relaxed. Besides, idiots who aren’t tuned in to their dogs are no more tuned into them without a phone than with them. None of the incidents I’ve had with dogs in the park has been with an owner who was on a cell phone.
Still, I agree that being oblivious to your dog’s safety, or that of other people, is a HUGE issue. But I do think that this:
any time you spend at a park or just taking a walk is supposed to be a time to relax and enjoy being outside. I don’t know anyone who relaxes nearly as much on the phone as they do taking a leisurely stroll during which they take in the sights and sounds around them - like other cute dogs going by, or noticing how the wind moves the leaves in the trees
is not really up to a third party observer to judge. Maybe that chat with your girlfriend you haven’t seen in three months while you also get your dog some exercise is an important part of your mental health, too. We all have our own needs and what floats one person’s boat might not float someone else’s.
For instance, I used to live on a long, winding country road, which I had to drive around 20 minutes on to get to the newspaper office where I worked. One day I was stuck behind someone puttering along well under the speed limit who steadfastly refused to pull over into any of the many turnouts along the way, despite my repeated flashing of my lights at her (I don’t tailgate, ever). I even honked.
When I got to my destination, she stopped too, and got out of her car and said, “Why don’t you slow down and stop and smell the roses?”
I said, “Because I live here and am on my way to work, and you’re sightseeing on vacation. But hey, enjoy the roses.”
While I very rarely talk on my phone when doing anything else, whether it’s taking the dogs out or standing in line at the post office, not every dog walk has to be about enjoying quality time with your dogs. Sometimes it has to be about making sure they read their pee-mail and relieve themselves and get some fresh air and sunshine.
Again, no argument on the safety issue. But the rest, well, life is full of compromises, and sometimes multi-tasking is one of them.
Comment by Christie Keith — July 11, 2009 @ 9:04 am
***Raises hand slowly***
Totally guilty of walking the dog while on the phone. Honestly, our walks are usually short (15-20 minutes) and more about the potty break (though picking up doggy mess is a little harder with phone in hand!)than the bonding.
I look at it this way, if I get the phone call I need to make over while the dog is getting over his excitement of being outside and doing his business, then the real fun can take place when we get home (or to the park or where ever else we are going) and I give him my full attention.
Comment by Dani — July 11, 2009 @ 12:25 pm
I see your point, Christie, but I still disagree.
Love,
The Curmudgeon
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — July 11, 2009 @ 2:02 pm
My father sometimes phones me from his mobile while at the dog park he uses. Not often, but now and then. Thing is, he’s got a regular play date, where Babe meets up with his dog-friends who happen to have people attached, and the people take turns supervising the play. And it’s not like my father needs ‘bonding time’ with his dog — they’ve grown old together, my father’s retired, and Babe’s at his side almost all the time. Wherever that may be.
Comment by Eucritta — July 11, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
I can’t stand the cell phone, and when I go to the dog park with my 2 little friends it is all about them. This being said, I rather someone be at least walking their dog on the phone than someone who just does not walk their dog at all because they are always on the phone…
Comment by Laurie — July 11, 2009 @ 5:15 pm
Hate cell phones and their users. The phones should be for emergency usage only. Hey, we all managed to live and exist before the phones came along. Maybe all these phone-a-holics should try it.
Comment by VJ — July 11, 2009 @ 5:45 pm
LOL, we lived and existed without electricity, television, computers, and voting rights for women, too.
Me, I love technology. Without it, I’d be locked in an office all day long using a typewriter.
Comment by Christie Keith — July 11, 2009 @ 6:02 pm
I second that.
There are always fools — no sense in hating the tool, because idiots use it.
Comment by Eucritta — July 11, 2009 @ 6:18 pm
I find that the average dog-park dingus can be totally clocked out about his or her dog’s behavior without the crackberry or the inane shouted phone “conversation.”
The gizmo is just another mode of clocking out.
In fact, sometimes an owner who has gone by-by is preferable to the one who is “paying attention” and causing the dog to misbehave.
Comment by H. Houlahan — July 11, 2009 @ 6:42 pm
I’m with Christie — especially since talking on the cell phone isn’t the only time I’m taking my dog out for a walk.
I’m juggling a whole bunch of family health issues and the cell phone is a God-send. If it’s a nice day out and I have to discuss some really grim things with family members, it just helps ME a lot to grab Pepper, grab the cell phone, walk down to the local park and sit with my dog under the gazebo and hash out the grimness.
Comment by Dorene — July 11, 2009 @ 7:04 pm
Cellphones? Dog parks?
I’m just a neo-luddite in the country who feeds chickens, weeds the garden and relaxes in the hammock while my “potentially lethal” dogs run loose.
I have never texted anyone and I don’t have a facebook account.
Comment by Janeen — July 11, 2009 @ 8:17 pm
I have to agree with Christie on this one. Though I’m (unfortunately) dogless at the moment, there have been many times when I’ve been cramming for exams, finishing up a last minute paper, or dealing with some family emergency while exercising the cats with a toy-on-a-stick or laser pointer gripped between my toes.
They get the exercise they need in order to not destroy my house/ wake me up at three in the morning/ be excessively bored and decide to “help” me with whatever it is I happen to be doing. They’re happy. I finish the stuff that needs to get done. I’m happy. It’s all good.
I get the safety concerns. You have no business taking your dog to the park if you don’t intend to watch him. But if we’re not talking about a safety issue, I’d rather see somebody multitasking than skipping the exercise/interaction altogether.
And this is coming from somebody who abhors cell phones!
Comment by 3FabulousFelines — July 12, 2009 @ 12:24 am
Interesting. More people who regularly respond to this blog seem to dislike cellphones than I would have expected. I suspect my personal dislike of cellphones is age related, and has a lot to do with being able to create my own entertainment without being dependent on the inane babblings of other Homo sapiens in order to fill the void. While I can see the value of such a device for emergencies and for dealing with family crises such as Christie has been experiencing, I don’t feel the need of being connected 24/7. Hell, I don’t even like my land line phone invading my privacy. I do however love my answering machine and my computer, but I don’t feel the need to be permanently attached to them either.
Comment by Anne T — July 12, 2009 @ 4:13 am
First, keeping a corner of your attention on your dogs at all times is a habit that can be learned. I’m all in favor of training class instructors periodically springing on their class “Right now - without looking at your dog - tell me where he is and what he is doing”. It IS possible to keep your radar on your dog whether you obviously appear to be watching him or not - it just takes more practice for some people than it does for others, and some people are more (or less) capable of successfully multi-tasking than others are.
That being said, I’m with the “I hate how rude people can be when they’re on their cellphone” crowd. I had a dispute with my landline provider a couple of years ago and said to heck with it and dumped my landline service in favor of cell only (it’s actually costing me FAR less via a corporate discount) but I TREAT it as though it’s a landline the vast majority of the time. I hardly even ever take it out of the house unless something about the situation warrants it.
That was true the other day when I was in the midst of trying to coordinate treatment for a hand injury I’m currently recovering from. I’d been playing phone tag with the hand therapy center, so when my phone rang while I was having my purchses being rung out at a store, I looked at the caller ID, groaned, apologized to the cashier, took the call only long enough to establish that this was going to take more than 10 seconds, then told the person on the phone that she was going to have to wait while I tied up the transaction I was in the middle of.
Even then I apologized PROFUSELY to the cashier, pointing to the brace on my hand and saying I’d have never accepted the phone call if not for that, and he was very gracious, telling me that it happens to him all the time. Which I am absolutely certain that it does. It just made me unhappy to be among that number.
Then I walked over to an out of the way spot and concluded my conversation with the hand therapist who was fortunately not offended by being put on “hold” (even though I’d simply set the phone down and I’m sure she could hear it all).
So it’s do-able. People with their cell phones don’t HAVE to be rude. But they DO have to care about that as an issue, because it takes an extra moment of care and effort and sometimes explanation, and unfortunately for a lot of people, I guess that’s just too much work to put into it when just answering the phone is so much easier.
They are a mixed blessing indeed . . . . . . . . . . .
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 12, 2009 @ 6:19 am
Now that “the other Pat” would be classified under an “emergency”. Good for you the way you handled it and if say others were waiting in line, they also heard your response to the clerk and the caller. Not that if they just happened to be one of those idiots, would it have made any difference. It’s the ones who just have to gab and gab about nothing that irk me.
Comment by VJ — July 12, 2009 @ 6:45 am
I dunno: seems just a bit, how you say, judgmental to me.
People who are inattentive to their dogs don’t need cellphones to be inattentive to their dogs.
Comment by EmilyS — July 12, 2009 @ 7:31 am
I sometimes think people are talking to themselves until I see the cell phone in their hands.
I hope nobody’s brain gets “fried” from using a hand held device. Some research seems to suggest that such phones could alter things in the head when said device is held that way.
I am no expert, but when I am outside with the cats, all calls will have to wait. Nothing is worth getting my brain altered—I have enough trouble thinking without that. Good luck to others who do not have that trouble!
Comment by Colorado Transplant — July 12, 2009 @ 7:50 am
I did not write post #15, which has my name on it, and repeats #14, which I did write, with two sentences added.
WTF?
AHA! It is a spammer trying to sell cell phones by posting bogus name links!
Comment by H. Houlahan — July 12, 2009 @ 8:56 am
I wondered about that. Didn’t exactly seem like the kind of convoluted humor you’d use.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 12, 2009 @ 9:17 am
Thanks for the catch, Houlie. The imposter has been sent to the inner circle of spammer hell.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 12, 2009 @ 9:42 am
The brain-frying thing is something I worry about too.
So I use a corded headset with one fat padded earpiece. With an arm that brings the microphone from the earpiece to my mouth.
That way I have two hands free to weed, steer, redirect the bunny running loose in the yard, swing my arms while I walk, dry dishes, fold laundry, etc.
I love LOVE my cell phone. I’m in leadership positions in two nonprofits, am self-employed, have a fragile elderly mom and have lots of people I like to stay in touch with. The cell phone lets me be so much more productive and unchained to the house.
I think like everything else, some people are better at multitasking than others. My friend can’t wash dishes and talk on the phone at the same time. Myers-Briggs anyone? She is a Sensing Judger. I am an iNtuiter Perceiver. I envy her focus, but I do appreciate my ability to do 12 things at once. OK, maybe three things.
All that said, I would not let a dog in my care run loose at a dog park unless I was paying full attention to him/her. But when I’m walking a dog, as I do many times a year when petsitting? Most of the time I am on the phone, on my headset. Both hands free.
Even when I’m walking alone in silence, no dog, no phone, I am so busy inside my head I don’t notice the roses anyway.
It does amaze me how strongly anti-phone some people are. However, I do get annoyed with people talking at 200 decibels in public places. And I really hate to see people driving with a phone plastered to their head. Both hands on the wheel!!
Comment by Mary Mary — July 12, 2009 @ 10:14 am
Re: the age thing… I’m in my 20’s, and I’m a total luddite.
As far as I’m concerned, technology often just provides a litany of extra expenses I wouldn’t have had to worry about twenty years ago, and an opportunity for things like work and school to intrude on my life in new and increasingly irritating ways.
Now, instead of being done with school the moment I drive off-campus, I have to periodically check WebCT or my college e-mail throughout the day for any “new and interesting articles!” or afterthought assignments my professors might expect me to read and/or crank out before the next class. You’re never truly “free” anymore.
As far as the cell phone… when I’m out of the house and in the middle of doing something, I generally don’t want to be bothered. I usually carry a phone (parental mandate) in case of emergency, but I don’t leave it on unless I am expecting an important call.
If I had my way, I wouldn’t own a cell phone, and probably wouldn’t have much to do with computers. Unfortunately… that’s not how it works anymore.
/ end rant.
(Admittedly, I’m a little more bitter than usual, having recently spent an inordinate amount of time in the company of tech-obsessed relatives (severely lacking in the cell/blackberry/computer etiquette department), and having been run off the road by some kid who appeared to be sending text messages while driving.)
Comment by 3FabulousFelines — July 12, 2009 @ 2:23 pm
I have to confess that I have a secret desire to own an i-phone.
I am quieted partially by telling myself I would probably not use many of the functions.
The longing is there, nontheless.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — July 12, 2009 @ 5:12 pm
Considering the quality of pics taken by an Iphone, I must admit it’s tempting. However, I’d rather have a flat pocket camera with fabulous resolution that I can download from! Got that you techies who may be reading this blog?
Comment by Anne T — July 12, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
I want one, too! I’ve been holding off, but probably not for much longer. Currently I am without a cell at all, waiting for my contract with Sprint to expire so I can get an iPhone (which requires AT&T).
Comment by Gina Spadafori — July 12, 2009 @ 7:42 pm
Gina, if you are a cell phone addict/user, you will adore the Iphone! Take it from a non cell phone person with a good friend who has one. lol! If I liked any type of phone better I would have one in a heartbeat. :)
Comment by Anne T — July 12, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
Comment by Anne T — July 12, 2009 @ 6:24 pm
However, I’d rather have a flat pocket camera with fabulous resolution that I can download from!
Here’s one I found on the CNET reviews page:
http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-p.....ontentBody
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 13, 2009 @ 5:00 am
Just to clarify here - I own a cell phone because I can get lost in a paper bag. Also, no one driving alone in winter should be without one, and for women it’s a safety issue to have one.
I used my cell phone to call the vet from the dog park after Ginger was attacked, and was incredibly grateful for it. I tried to call the vet from the dog park when Dodger boinked into a picnic table and got a nasty cut on his eyelid (thankfully his eye was not affected) but my battery was dead because I usually forget to charge my phone. I use it when I travel. I use my cell phone - I just don’t carry on lengthy conversations past “I’m lost, how do I get there?”
My point, partially, was that I see the same people at the dog park who use a cell phone the entire time they are there. They use the time to catch up on calls, and they do not pay attention to what their dog is doing. That’s my concern.
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — July 13, 2009 @ 8:31 am
Here ya’ go, Phyllis!
http://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Si.....d_sbs_hi_3
Comment by The OTHER Pat — July 13, 2009 @ 9:00 am
Funny you should bring this up now, as I did something STUPID in this regard the other day. The ONLY time I use a flexi is when I think the chance of meeting other people or dogs is very remote. I was in the middle of a field with Kasey working on recalls, I got a text message (about where I probably should have been instead of in the middle of a field), and was trying to respond. Kasey saw a squirrel and BOOM there he went with the (luckily) locked flexi bouncing 26 feet behind him till he met up with the creek and got caught in some weeds.
I felt like the biggest moron—there probably went all the recall work…yep, OK, I WAS the biggest moron. I won’t be texting-phoning while walking again anytime soon.
Comment by Original Lori — July 13, 2009 @ 10:11 am
oh my, thank you OTHER Pat…I *need* that! When Dodger boinked into the picnic table I stopped off and phoned the vet from a land line…can’te tell you how often my cell battery is dead. Thanks!
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — July 13, 2009 @ 10:17 am
I have my own dog park, so I can restrict entrants (limited to my clients and my own dogs) and I have a business involving dogs, and I have a Blackberry.
I am dependent on my crack-berry for business, and I have it nearby from 6:30 am til’ 6:30 pm in the absence of access to my computer.
I do resent the fools who seem to think that their device is more important to their impact on the roads I drive on, the stores I shop in or the places I frequent. My device is decidedly off in these circumstances.
But, I am not above taking a call on the cell, or answering an email whilst I am working with a dog, in the privacy of my training yard or while training afield. No harm, no foul, and other people being present is never an issue.
That is what voice mail is for.
I have been known to bitch about traffic while stuck behind some fool who caused an accident in front of me because of inappropriate communications device use.
I have not attempted texting while driving or while riding the motorcycle, which I have seen.
I am simply not that brave, or that stupid.
Comment by Linda Kaim — July 13, 2009 @ 11:00 am
OMG… HUGE fan of this post. It saddens me to see people on the cell in the dog park or walking their dogs paying no attention to them. Dogs are social animals and NEED companionship and leadership. why bother having a dog if you’re not going to give it some attention daily? Even the most well-behaved dog needs leadership in public. The worst is people who stroll into the dog park with their toddlers and dog(s) and talk on the cell as if its safe for their dog or their toddler. Ugh. but the bottom line is cell phones/texting make it easier to be distractable even with among dogs, kids or other people. I feel that cells should be used for quick informational purposes while “multi-tasking” like a dog walk or watching your kid’s baseball game. (such as “meet me at the restaurant at 6:30”) It should not be a device to have long drawn out in-depth conversations while your physical body is present with someone who needs your full attention. Its just bad manners. Dogs learn their good manners from their leaders. and cell phone addicts wonder why their dogs don’t respect or listen to them.
Comment by Wild Dingo — July 15, 2009 @ 11:32 pm
I interrupt this column for some breaking news:
In today’s Denver Post in the business section
is a column entitled
“Pet airline hits ground running”.
Animals fly in the main cabin and even get snacks and at each stop and a potty break. Stops are at N.Y., Baltimore, Chicago, Roucky Mountain Metro, and Hawthorne Municipal near Los Angeles International Airport—eventually there will be 24 more destinations.,
It is called Pet Airways. Here, pets are no longer LUGGAGE!
The writer is Ann Schrader and July 16, today, the article appeared, as a stated previously, in the Business section. Check it out folks.
If my pets fly, that is the way they will go.
No longer hiding them under the seat or worse.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — July 16, 2009 @ 7:14 am