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This is obvious if you have a dog, but cool to see it studied. My dog is a velcro dog, he follows me everywhere. If I change direction he will too. If I start
by ambivalents 6y ago
This is obvious if you have a dog, but cool to see it studied.
My dog is a velcro dog, he follows me everywhere. If I change direction he will too. If I start to run he will too. One amusing thing on our walks is he will walk confidently, determinedly in one direction, as if he is rushing to a destination. Then if I change direction, he immediately does too, as if forgetting about his original destination in the first place. Anthropomorphizing a bit I know.
This article suggests all dogs are like this, mine just might do it to a stronger degree.
- noodlenotes 6y agoDogs also spend a lot of time on leashes where they'll get yanked around if they don't pay attention to their human's movements. And many families specifically train and reward dogs to move in sync with them (heeling, agility). It seems obvious that synchrony is something that humans both train and selectively breed dogs for. I guess the point of this study is that synchrony is another way to measure social connection between dogs and humans and that this connection extends to children.
- lordgroff 6y agoIncidentally, my dog behaves and is far more synchronized off than on leash, so much so that I'm trying to train her to be leash free. She listens a lot better like that for some reason.
- vulcan01 6y ago> She listens a lot better like that for some reason. Maybe because the leash is uncomfortable for her?
- ska 6y agoMaybe she's training you to reduce leash use...
- joedevon 6y agounderrated comment
- viklove 6y agoIn a lot places, leashes are required by law. Something to keep in mind even if you do train your dog to be leash-free.
- Joakal 6y agoEven if you're 100% confident in off leash, one time they run across a road for treat / squirrel/ family / friend, its game over. We believe in off leash too but dogs don't understand dangers like we do. I wish we could have a conversation with them.
- kevincox 6y agoEven if you are right to be 100% confident others may have phobia of dogs (possibly due to traumatic events in their past) or simply can't tell at a glance how well trained your dog is so you should still use a leash in close proximity to others.