Vance mocked for 'holding a dog leash weird' after he takes his German Shepherd on campaign in viral video

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN: A viral video of JD Vance with his German Shepherd sparked speculations on the Republican vice presidential nominee's dog-walking skills.

The video, apparently used to humanize Vance with an image that any common man could connect, backfired after concerns about his grip on the leash were raised, signaling his inexperience. The video posted by The New York Times reporter Chris Cameron on X (formerly Twitter) has garnered 11 million views in less than 24 hours.

In the 24-second long video, Vance could be seen with his German Shepherd Atlas. The Ohio Senator had the leash in his hand as the dog exited the car and boarded the campaign plane.

Atlas joined the Vance family on the campaign trail in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Friday, August 16, as per Fox News.

Professional dog walkers point fingers at the way JD Vance held his dog's leash

Dog owners usually use their wrist loops to fasten the leash. Meanwhile, JD Vance was holding to the center of Atlas' leash. The German Shepherd's harness, known as 'EZ Walk', is used for dogs that tug on their leashes. Despite this, Vance appeared to use only three fingers to hold the leash; a method experts found inadequate for managing a dog as large as Atlas.

Eli Yudin, a professional dog walker, warned that the Senator might lose his grip if Atlas were to follow something, potentially injuring his hand, as per Times Now. He also noted that the dog's leash and harness, though fastened properly, might not be enough if not handled properly.

The viral video also led to speculation about Vance's relationship with his German Shepherd. Yudin said Atlas was not checking with its owner, and the absence of eye contact signaled it was not the Senator who trained and walked the dog but someone else.

Johnny Stoumbos, another professional dog walker, shared similar observations, pointing out that if the owner was connected to the dog, he would have known how to properly hold the leash with the wrist loop.

Furthermore, Yudin said that Atlas held its ears and tail down in the video, indicating it was uncomfortable. All these lead to the conclusion that Vance was seemingly inexperienced with the German Sheperd.

The dog walking could have been an attempt from the Republican campaign to bolster his image among voters after he was labeled "weird" by his Democratic opponent Tim Walz in the past days.

Internet ridicules JD Vance over his dog-walking skills

The viral video sparked mockery online, with many netizens quipping whether the dog knew who JD Vance was.

"That dog was confused: who the heck is this guy???!!! A question for inquiring minds everywhere, already," a user quipped.

"Does that dog know that man?" another user asked.

"That dog has never seen this man in his life," added one user.

"This is a completely normal way for a guy who never walked a dog to walk a dog," read a response.

One user pointed, "JD even holds a dog leash weird."

"Doesn't look like the dog even knows him. LOL My guess is, he's secretly scared," an individual said.

"That smelt of a 'are they watching this' moment?" someone else chimed in.

"Oh look…JD Vance trying to show that since he has a dog he must be a really, really nice guy. He looks weird holding the leash though. I wonder why?" another user joked.

"The doggo is gorgeous but he ain't going to save @JDVance from the unmarried cat ladies," read a remark.

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