Not really. I already worked at home several days a week, and I haven’t seen the number of dog walkers or solo walkers increase under our shelter-in-place order.
I live in a high-density area, lots of apartment buildings and condo complexes.
Since I moved in I have observed that no matter what time of day or night it is, you will see at least 5 people walking dogs within your field of vision, if you are out walking or driving down the street. During the mornings and evenings, you will see literally dozens of people out walking dogs.
With this current situation, I haven’t noticed any increase.
Given Chicago’s restrictions on humans walking outdoors, are they fining or jailing dog walkers?
In part of Italy you can be fined over $5,000 (U.S.) for walking your dog outside a 650 foot radius.
I haven’t noted any more dog walkers than normal. Of course I’m normally not a home in the middle of the day and now I am, so I guess I don’t really have a good baseline for what a normal amount of dog walking is.
If anything, I noticed an increase in kids out riding bikes and such for a while, since they weren’t in school. Since I don’t have kids I haven’t followed how the local schools have been dealing with the pandemic, but I did notice the elementary school across the street from me was handing out laptops in front of the building last week. My guess is the kids got a break for a while until they could get online classes going, part of which involved loaning laptops to those who needed them, and now they’re at home attending classes virtually.
I live across the street from an elementary school, and that sidewalk is a favorite with dog walkers, so I always see a lot. People walk them more during the day now, and since school is out it is easier to let them run in the field behind the school during the day.
But when I’m out walking I see more than half of walkers without dogs. But we are a very walker friendly town.
I’ve seen a lot more dogs being walked, but then I’m outside in the middle of the day to see them, not inside at work. Our city dog park is still open, and fplks are spacing themselves.
around here we have a few people walking cats
Apparently somewhere around here one of the people who works with animals ad fosters cats is known for getting the kittens’ leash trained so when you see two people walking a cat on a leash they pretty much know each other because the cats came from the same person
Same number of dogs walking in my neighborhood as always, which is tons. Frequently, I’ll see a couple walking a dog together when usually it would just be one person, or sometimes even a family with kids or a stroller. Overwhelmingly, the walkers, joggers, dog walkers, etc. are keeping at least a six-foot social distance.
Also possibly responsive to the “things I inadvertently trained my dog to do” thread, lots of dogs have started barking at other dogs and occasionally people who get too close. They seem to have quickly figured out the “keep your distance” rule and perhaps they even like it better. My dog has been the opposite. He whimpers when he can’t get close to his friends and neighbors, and he’s sad when dogs that used to be fine with him bark at him.
Same number of dogs walking in my neighborhood as always, which is tons. Frequently, I’ll see a couple walking a dog together when usually it would just be one person, or sometimes even a family with kids or a stroller. Overwhelmingly, the walkers, joggers, dog walkers, etc. are keeping at least a six-foot social distance.
Also possibly responsive to the “things I inadvertently trained my dog to do” thread, lots of dogs have started barking at other dogs and occasionally people who get too close. They seem to have quickly figured out the “keep your distance” rule and perhaps they even like it better. My dog has been the opposite. He whimpers when he can’t get close to his friends and neighbors, and he’s sad when dogs that used to be fine with him bark at him.
Same as always in my neighborhood, which is a lot.
Our HOA maintains doggie stations with plastic pages and waste receptacles - some stations also have water for dogs and benches for owners.
When I walked my dog I stayed as far as possible without looking rude, because my dog on a leash was not always a friendly dog. (Off the leash, friendly to other dogs, and certain people–but not all people.)
When walking other peoples’ dogs I just don’t know–even though some of them say their dog is friendly, it’s the old thing. “Does your dog bite?” “No. But this is not my dog.” So I keep them at a distance also.
I have never ever been a person who goes up to strangers and asks them if they want to pet my dog so that’s not happening. I have had people ask me if they can pet my dog, and that’s not happening either.
The one thing I am not doing, and it’s pretty sad, there is a dog that used to be friends with my dog. They would sniff noses, then run along the fence, then I would pet that dog, although kinda discreetly (for the benefit of my kind of jealous dog). After my dog’s demise I still walked by that house and I petted that dog, because she seemed to expect it. And now I don’t. I say hi to her and stay on the other side of the street. She looks sad. (She never gets walked, by the way. But she has a huge yard.) I’m kinda sad too.
A question occurred to me that I mentioned in another thread: what about New York City? It’s got a huge infection rate, and it’s urban. Are there extra restrictions there because of it? If so, what do dog owners do?
Your post is almost identical to my situation.
My dog is suffering the most. He’s very social. And since he’s new to us (since October last year) he loves meeting and greeting new (to him) people and dogs. It’s sad to make him keep his distance.
Virginia - Stay at home order effective yesterday. Exceptions are exercise which I believe allows dog walking but in the past 3 weeks I’ve seen no increase in my neighborhood. I walk my dog daily in the early a.m.