Quote Originally Posted by BOBS DAD

Of coursemost children (and even very small children) are capable of physically walking a dog. Any dog - as long as the dog cooperates. And if you believe the dog is cooperative, well trained and well behaved, there will most likely not be any issues. Except for when the unexpected occurs. The dog sees a cat and wants to run after it. He swallows bubble gum he found on the sidewalk and he's choking. A car veers off the road and hits him. Someone trys steal the dog. He suddenly goes into an epileptic fit. These are all unforseen possibilities that can and do occasionally happen. An older individual will be more responsible and capable of handling an emergency or even perhaps avoiding one because of their level of maturity.


And so in short, I say Yes... a good age for responsibly walking a dog might be between 8-10 for short local walks and maybe 12 and older for longer, out of sight excursions. It's not the dog that you are worried about... it's usually the walker. I myself wouldn't let a 2 year old cross the street alone, let alone with a dog leading the way. And yes, if they wandered off together, I would be CRAZY with concern and would have the entire neighborhood and the police searching for them.
Well said Bob's Dad, I agree 100%. I've walked my neighbours dog every now and again for three years, but when I was eleven, I always went with at least one other friend. Now I'm older and always have my mobile with me in case of an emergency it's OK for me to take Bonnie out by myself.

Unfortunately, there are so many things that can happen to a little kid whilst out alone, even with a dog. You never know who's walking the streets. And of course everything you mentioned about the dog suddenly becoming ill or being hit by a car.

Every day when I come home from school, there's always a little girl who can't be more than 5 that rides on her barbie bike to the newsagents and co-op to do her mum's daily grocery shopping. Her mum must be a serious risk taker to let her cross a main road with cars going at about 40mph to get the bread and milk