My job on a walk is more than simply choosing a direction and acting as a mobile anchor to prevent the dog from running away. I'd say I do about 1/2 to 2/3 of my obedience training on walks. I'm also constantly monitoring the dog for signs of nervousness, arousal, or interest so that I can intervene.
I'm also constantly monitoring our surroundings for danger or problems. Some examples-- My dogs occasionally step on something or get a leash tangled around a leg; I need to assess the situation to determine if an injury has occurred. They occasionally want to step off the sidewalk and walk in the street; I need to ensure they stay on the sidewalk. I once encountered a bear on one walk and needed to quickly remove my dog (and me) from the vicinity. I've encountered loose dogs several times. A few years ago near my office a deranged groundskeeper, annoyed by dog poop and urine spots on the lawn he maintained, left poisoned bait out to kill dogs that stepped off the sidewalk.
I don't trust most humans to walk my dogs; my guys are too sensitive and reactive. There's no way I trust a robot to have the emotional and situational awareness to safely walk my dogs.
I'm also constantly monitoring our surroundings for danger or problems. Some examples-- My dogs occasionally step on something or get a leash tangled around a leg; I need to assess the situation to determine if an injury has occurred. They occasionally want to step off the sidewalk and walk in the street; I need to ensure they stay on the sidewalk. I once encountered a bear on one walk and needed to quickly remove my dog (and me) from the vicinity. I've encountered loose dogs several times. A few years ago near my office a deranged groundskeeper, annoyed by dog poop and urine spots on the lawn he maintained, left poisoned bait out to kill dogs that stepped off the sidewalk.
I don't trust most humans to walk my dogs; my guys are too sensitive and reactive. There's no way I trust a robot to have the emotional and situational awareness to safely walk my dogs.
