Hobby dogging

In a quiet suburb outside Heilbronn, a curious new trend is taking hold — people are going for walks, clutching a leash and wearing a harness, but there is no dog at the other end. This is the world of "hobby dogging," a pastime that seems absurd at first glance, but has grown so popular that local dog-trainer Barbara Gerlinger now runs structured training sessions for it.

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Gerlinger, a 65-year-old with decades of experience, recently set up a course for hobby doggers in Bad Friedrichshall. Participants move through a mini-obstacle course, complete with cones and small hurdles, calling out commands and praising their invisible companions with genuine enthusiasm. She designed her own sturdy leashes and harnesses to help craft the illusion of a real pet, and she encourages people to give their imaginary dog a name. For one woman in the class, her invisible Boxer is called Chantal — a tribute to her late real dog.