After the phenomenon of therians -people who perceive themselves as animals- went viral on the networks videos of an even more curious practice.
The novelty, called hobby dogging, It takes place in squares and parks, where there is usually a guide who teaches classes to the participants.
It started in Germanyas a burlesque way of imitating walkers, but it soon spread to neighboring countries, where certain people took it as a distraction and a way to feel close to the animal world.
Walks, verbal commands and trainers: the details of the «hobby dogging»
After the controversy caused by the appearance of therians, the networks reported another practice related to the animal world, equally surprising: simulate the walk of a dog.
He hobby dogging is the activity by which people they go for a walk through public spaces wearing a leashjust as owners do with their dogs, but without an animal on the other end of it.
They usually use a stiff leash and collar, in order to appear as if they are really walking a pet.
If this seems strange in itself, it may seem even more so because some people they hire a coach to guide you through the experience.
In the sessions of these «trainers» instructions are given, pauses are marked and typical interactions of walks with real dogs are simulated.
These exercises include walking at a certain pace, performing dog jumps, stopping at specific points, and practicing verbal orders.
From parody to recreational activity: the history of «hobby dogging»
Initially, this activity originated as a satire in Heilbronna city in the south of Germanybut it soon ended up consolidating itself as a discipline with training and recreational purposes.
Its creator is the professional trainer Barbara Gerlingerwho initially devised the concept as a joke which parodied traditional canine obedience routines.
Over time, the proposal evolved. Gerlinger observed that dynamics could become a useful tool for people to practice training techniques without the presence of a real dog.
According to his approach, many of the challenges in training with real dogs lie not in the animal, but in the communication, posture and coherence of its owner. Hence its premise: the problem is usually not with the pet, but with whoever is holding the leash.
The main objective of this activity, therefore, is to improve the concentration, body language and clarity in the verbal communication of the walker, by eliminating the distraction that the presence of an animal can generate.
In addition to its educational dimension, this activity can also fulfill a therapeutic function: some people practice it as relaxation exercise, while others consider it a symbolic way of rendering Tribute to deceased pets.
There are also those who do it simply because they want to have a dog and, due to cost, place and/or lack of time, they cannot, so they find in it a way to satisfy their desire.
He hobby dogging It is not the first activity that involves relationships between humans and animals or non-real elements. Similar to it, for a long time, there has been the «hobby horsing»which involves riding a wooden horse. Another example is the world championship of Air Guitar, a competition in which people simulate playing a guitar.
