Nomophobic dog owner? – Turn it off!
Do you walk your dog whilst you’re on your phone? If the answer’s yes, think about it. What happens when you’re distracted by your phone:
- Your mind is not on the job of walking your dog.
- You will likely not notice if he’s done a poo.
- You’re not aware of possible problems looming in the distance.
- Your dog may run off into nearby traffic.
- What if you’re walking near a river and your dog likes water…
- Your dog may find something harmful to eat.
- Your dog may be making a nuisance of himself.
When out walking your dog, your mind should be on him and what he is doing at all times. Turn the phone off and catch up later when you get home. I’ve lost count how many times I have had to inform an owner of a loose dog that his charge has just done a poo. I’ve even challenged an owner who didn’t notice his dog pooing whilst on the lead right next to him. How’s that for a nomophobic incident!
Whilst walking my dogs, I have come across:
- Countless dogs having a dump with no owners to be found. This is a serious problem in our local park, so much so that the park authorities are considering dogs should always be on the lead or worse that the park will not allow dogs at all. There are even dispensers of poo bags around the park so there’s no excuse!
- A dog necking a discarded hamburger and chips. There are a few uncaring people who will throw their rubbish anywhere. Our park has bins every hundred metres or so. There’s just no excuse for being a litter bug in this park.
- A dog jumping into a garden. Many in our area work really hard to keep their gardens looking lovely. The last thing they want is a loose dog trampling all over it.
- A dog that was actually scoffing a half eaten smellie rabbit. That dog was likely quite poorly after ingesting the spoiled carcass.
- A dog running down the A470. This is main busy road and it was just luck that this dog
was not run over and killed. - A dog swimming in a fast flowing river. Some dogs are strong enough to cope with a fast flowing stream, but after a flood, the river in our area has really strong currents and even a strong dog could succumb and be drowned or hit by floating debris.
Where were the owners?
Probably walking somewhere on their phone. Yes, I know there are many occasions where a dog gets out or gets into trouble, which is not the fault of the owner. The postman or delivery man leaving the gate open is a prime example. This has happened to us on more than one occasion.
Is it a disease?
But…being on the mobile is definitely one reason your dog can come to grief or cause a nuisance. Don’t let it happen to you. It is quite liberating to actually leave your phone turned off. Sometimes I think we have a disease. Not unlike a gambling or a drink problem. It occurs to me that some of us are absolutely obsessed with our phones. Is this you and have you got a dog?
Mobiles are a boon, but…
I know mobiles are an absolute boon, especially in an emergency and keeping in touch with loved ones. But turning your phone off for an hour or two will do no harm whatsoever, honestly! It will also allow you to relax and enjoy your walk and look around at the surrounding scenery and enjoy nature. Perhaps you can enjoy the antics of your dog or train him with a new command. You can make sure that he greets plenty of new doggy friends so he is kept well socialised.
Believe it or not!
Believe it or not, being on your phone actually decreases your communication skills. If someone sees you walking whilst on your phone, they will probably walk past you without a word. If you’re enjoying your walk and aware of what’s going on around you, you will likely acknowledge people with a ‘good morning’ or a comment on the weather. You may even stop and chat to a fellow dog owner and exchange details about your dogs.
Enjoy a coffee and cake!
How about taking your dog to a nice coffee shop that is dog friendly. There are more of these places popping up and you will surely find one in your vicinity. When you’re there…leave your phone turned off… It won’t hurt, just for a while. You may even enjoy the peace when your phone isn’t constantly asking for your attention. Just enjoy your coffee and cake and the company of your faithful canine. Why not meet a friend there and catch up with the news.
Georgie Porgies in Builth Wells
For those living in the vicinity of Builth Wells, I know of a great little coffee shop which is exceptionally dog friendly. You will meet like minded people and can enjoy the company of the 
locals. If you turn off your phone for a while, you will not be interrupted whilst having your chat.
It’s amazing how diverse the lives of residents of most towns and villages are. Builth Wells is no exception. The conversation can be stimulating, funny and sometimes really informative. Your communication skills will be renovated which will allay the fear that you will gradually become a…. ‘Nomophobic.’
Nomophobia is now in the dictionary!
Nomophobia: The irrational fear of being without your mobile phone or being unable to use your phone for some reason, such as the absence of a signal or running out of minutes or battery power. … The word nomophobia is a portmanteau made up of no + mobile + phone + phobia.
Here are a few statistics about you and your smartphone
- 66% of the population show signs of nomophobia
- The average smartphone user unlocks their phone 150 x per day
- Users spend on average 2 hours 51 minutes on their phones per day. (Quality time spent with families is around 45 minutes per day)
- 58% of smartphone users admit they can’t go 1 hour without checking their phone
- The average user touches their phone 2617 per day
- Over half of smartphone owners never switch their phones off
- 71% of users sleep with or next to their phones
- 40% check their phones in the middle of the night
- 75% of users have admitted they have texted at least once whilst driving!!
- 58% of teens feel that they should respond immediately to notifications
- 41% of teens feel overwhelmed by the amount of notifications they receive
- 46% of parents feel addicted to their mobiles
- 33% of teens spend more time talking with friends online than face to face
- 52% of teens admit they sit in silence with friends while using their phones for extended
periods - 85% check their smartphone while speaking with friends and family… how rude!
- 75% use their mobiles in the toilet
- 19% drop their phones down the toilet!
and last but not least
- 20% of those aged 18-24 have admitted to using their smartphone during sex!!
Turn it off and enjoy your walk!
Ref: Cell phone addiction and psychological and
physiological health in adolescents
Great post you have up here and I must say that this is really interesting and encouraging. Just like you, there were times I have challenged dog owners on mobile phones. It is not meant to be. There should be respect for the fur friends and we should just dedicate that little time for them. Nomophobia is really not an easy thing considering how dedicated we are in his generation with our smart phones and screen time. So, this is really great to see here. Thanks
Thanks for your comments Rodarrick. I’m encouraged that you obviously are aware of nomophobia and hopefully keep your smartphone under control!
Hmm, I hadn’t heard about “Nomophobia” but being distracted by things isn’t a great way to live life. The modern mobile phone is a great tool that has changed our lives in countless ways, but some things are better experienced without the added elements that using a phone will add.
Too true Aly, I quite agree. There is so much to learn and see in this world which does not necessarily include a smartphone. So much is missed by those walking the streets and parks with their head in their phone. It is a pity and for some an obsession.
This was me about a year ago, I was very found of using my phone every time even when I’m walking my dogs. It’s really a bad habit and it should be stopped as it endangers the lives of our pets, my dogs almost got killed by a truck and even I could’ve been killed but I’ve learned my lesson since then. For our safety and mostly that of our dogs, it’s good to do the right thing at the right time, if you’re walking your dog, face it squarely. Thanks.
My God DreaJay, what a way to realise your phone was taking over. I trust you’re really enjoying the company of your dogs and hopefully they are now not runaways. Some dogs will wander if they think their owners are not interested in them. I often wonder if they’re looking for another family!!
One way of keeping your dog from running off is to make his walk interesting and exciting, consequenly, he wants to be near to you all the time. Ball play, frisbies, running with him, playing hide and seek, playing ‘find it’ are just some ways of making the walk more stimulating for you and your dog.
Great post you have written here and I’m sure that a lot of people would learn from what you have written here too. Thank you.
It is really annoying when people cannot just drop their phone when they are walking their dog. It is not a good thing to hold the dog on one hand and in the other, make phone a priority without considering the dog. It is turning to a normal thing to see dogs getting loosely roaming about. I just dont get the reason anyone would do that. Thanks for writing on this germane yet tested with levity issue.
Hi Shelley and thanks for your input. I’m pleased to note that you are obviously not nomophobic. If you are, at least your know the weakness and can control it.
Thanks for this beautiful article about nomophobic cause i have been a victim of this because i used to walk around with my dog but put all my minds on my phone which i didn’t know that it may cause some dangers to me or my dog thanks for alerting me and through this article i have also got to know that walking around with a dog strengthens the relationship between you and the dog and also the other dog owners you meet during the walk but this happens if one focuses on the walk thanks for sharing
Hi there Mugalu and thanks for your input. Being always on the phone is not good for face-to-face communication. A skill which I think many people, especially the young, are not so good at. It does help with shyness if you take your dog walking, expecting to say hello to other dog walkers. Some of my best ‘chats’ are with fellow dog owners who share similar interests to me. I have made quite a few friends this way. Also the dogs are socialised which can alleviate fearfulness which many dogs suffer from nowadays.
Hi Ches
This is a very nice article. And eye opening too.
Indeed, pet owners must always take heed to keep the environment free of pet waste, and also take care of their (the pet’s) safety. However, nomophobia is a big problem.
I have found myself also a victim of this. Even right now I’m typing this comment using my phone rather than giving my 2 boys full attention as I’ve just come in. Very bad! Let me get back to them right away!
Boniface from Androidbix
Hi Boniface and thanks for your entertaining comment. I’m really glad you stopped typing and went back to your children. This means to me that you are, in fact, not so nomophobic as you think. At least you are aware and that makes all the difference.