JD Vance, Donald Trump’s running mate, has found himself once again in hot water following a viral video of JD Vance walking his dog and giving his German shepherd, Atlas, an outing.
What was meant to showcase a down-to-earth side of Vance has got him under intense scrutiny, with questions being raised about his ability to handle his pet.
The JD Vance Walking His Dog video, upon closer scrutiny, reveals that he is holding his pet’s leash in the middle instead of the recommended wrist loop.
Vance’s pet was wearing an “EZ Walk” harness designed to manage dogs that pull, and a tight wrist loop is recommended.
Vance is trying to control with just three fingers and is not effective while handling a dog of Atlas’s size and could pose serious safety risks.
Dog walking professional Eli Yudin was the first to point out the lapse on the part of Vance and explained,
“Using only three fingers to hold the leash might not be sufficient if Atlas decides to pull or chase something. This could also lead to potential injury for Vance.”
He also added that the harness and the leash could not compensate for the lack of proper handling.
Another expert, Johnny Stoumbos, also pointed out the lapses on the part of Vance and stated that any dog owner will understand the importance of a secure grip and proper leash management, especially with large breeds.
Stoumbos, in a lighter vein, said that the video could be a political ploy to showcase Atlas as an exceptionally well-behaved pet without the need for careful supervision.
The body language of the dog in the video was also a point of concern and was pointed out by many netizens. According to viewers, the dog in the video looked uncomfortable with both his tail and ears down.
Yudin revealed that this is a sign that Atlas might not be used to being walked by Vance and that his body language revealed that Vance was not the dog’s primary handler.
Things have not been smooth since JD Vance was declared the Republican Party’s Vice Presidential candidate, and he is often perceived as being out of touch. What was intended to feature Atlas to humanize Vance had the opposite effect and questioned his dog-handling skills. It is one more challenge that he will be facing to connect with voters.
Also Read: JD Vance Posing With Three Girls In A Boy’s Bathroom: Democrats Say He Is ‘Weird’ Around Women
