Are you walking the dog — or is the dog walking you?
Every year thousands of patients over age 65 are treated for injuries related to walking their dog. While dog walks provide an overall sense of well-being and fitness for you and your pet — you may be walking your dog incorrectly. Following a few simple basic rules can prevent common injuries due to improper techniques. We have several helpful tricks to help make your dog walks a healthy treat for all.
Master the dog-walk and get healthy
Dog owners are 34% more likely to fit in 150 minutes of walking per week compared to non-dog owners. A walk allows time to both owner and pet the enjoyment of the sights and sounds of nature. Exercise, in turn, promotes the lowering of a stress hormone called oxytocin, thus reducing overall stress levels. It is a win-win for both you and your dog.
Avoid these mistakes and injuries
The most common injury from dog-walks are hip fractures, followed by broken wrists and elbow fractures, mostly due to falls. Many of these falls are often improper leash-training. Owners frequently get tangled in the leash or trip over their dog.
Keep a short leash, but not a tight one.
- Choose the right collar and harness. The collar should be positioned at the top of the neck, near the shoulders. This keeps you walking your dog and not pulling you around which can lead to falls. It should be kept loose except for quick corrections to problem behavior.
- Benefits: More control.
- Helps Prevent: Injuries to Hands, Wrists, Elbows & Hips
Walk in front of your dog.
- Your dog should walk beside, or next to, you–but never in front. This tactic establishes you as the “leader of the pack” and will come in handy during training or if unfamiliar dogs have not-so-friendly crossing. Dogs have a pack mentality, and it is important that your dog obey when it needs to stops barking or calm down.
- Benefits: Establishes dominance for training and commands, prevents accidents
- Helps Prevent: Falls, Bites, Altercations
Reward with consistency.
- It’s hard for dogs to learn the rules when they keep changing. Be sure to let your dog take care of toileting needs and time to briefly explore. The end-of-walk treat also gives your dog a reason to listen to the command that walks are done.
- Benefits: Teaches routine and good behavior
- Helps Prevent: Empty treat bowls
General tips for great walkies
Although our fur-friends can’t tell us, they need time to decompress, too. Your dog-walks should be an enjoyable time for your dog as well. Give them time to sniff and explore, in addition to taking care of toileting needs. Use the time to bond and reinforce good behavior with clear commands and rewards.
- Start slow and stay hydrated. That means everyone!
- Plan your route and choose a quiet one.
- Follow traffic safety rules and use commands.
- Stay visible and avoid other dogs.
- Don’t text and walk.
- Have a plan in case of an altercation.
- Carry doggy identification.
- Prepare for the weather and time of day.
