Leash, Please! How to Avoid Dog Walking Disasters and Keep Your Walks Safe and Fun!

Spending time walking your dog does feel like an effortless joy in life. The fresh air and time spent together, with both of you basking in that exhilarating emotion when your pet wags its tail in happiness beside you, are very pleasurable.

However, as great as this sounds, the oft-regular activity poses strange risks that many dog owners neglect. Dog-walking injuries are constant, and the fact is that even seasoned dog-walkers can also fall into accidents. While you take either walk within the confines of the parks, trails, or blocks, understanding the associated risks and taking the right precautions can make all the difference The following discusses how one can ensure their dog walks are always safe, enjoyable, and free from injury!

Why Dog Walking Can Be Hazardous

Most of us think it’s simple, if not self-evident, that walking the dog could lead to injury, but research suggests that the opposite is largely true. Most of us think it’s simple, if not self-evident, that walking the dog could lead to injury, but research suggests that the opposite is largely true. In the recent two decades, walking the dog has seemed always to bode more and more accidents.

An alarming increase in dog-walking injuries has been observed over the last two decades, according to a Johns Hopkins University analysis. A study on dog walking in the US found that injury rates increased significantly from about 7,300 per year in 2001 to 32,300 per year in 2020, a more than 340% increase. Most of these injuries were fractures, sprains, and head trauma, whereas women, especially between 40 and 64 years old, seem to be the most affected demographic.

For more information on this study and its findings, you can read the full details on the Johns Hopkins website here: Walking a Leashed Dog Associated with Risk of Traumatic Brain Injury.​

So what exactly is causing these injuries?

It’s not just the sudden pull on the leash from a mischievous dog. Common dog-walking injuries include:

• Fractures: Often a result of tripping, falling, or twisting an ankle due to an unexpected dog movement.
• Sprains and Strains: These happen when the walker has to compensate for an unexpected pull or tug.
• Head Trauma: Typically a result of falling onto hard surfaces such as concrete or asphalt.

The increase in injuries doesn’t even account for those treated at urgent care centres or by primary care providers. Dog ownership is on an increasing trend; the increase was largely recorded during the pandemic, and now, perhaps more than ever, both man and dog have an immediate urgent need for more safety and awareness.

The Most Encompassing Causes of Injuries while Walking with Dogs

Accidental injuries can happen anywhere, but most events can be more hazardous than others. Some scenarios common to increased injuries during dog walks include: 

1. Sudden Leash Tugs and Pulls

Suddenly, tugs the leash with the dog when it spots something exciting squirrel, another dog, or even a strange smell. It causes the walker to lose balance and either trip or fall.

2. Running with a Leashed Dog

A lot of people like to jog their dogs with them. They enjoy it, but it may be dangerous. The dog, having been previously well trained, can get skittish by something- dashing in front of you or suddenly stopping, making your trip or coming into contact with poles or scaffolding.

3. Collisions with Vehicles

Pedestrians using the road usually have collisions with traffic in makeshift rural and non-urban areas where sidewalks are lacking-most walks take them into danger zones. Dark clothing plus the absence of reflective gear on the dog makes the walker invisible to a great extent. Really big risk and possibly life-threatening.  

4. Falls and slips on wet floors

It has summer’s perfect weather for meeting a sweet girl for such an important stroll. Good friendship can be strengthened by long walks with loved ones. Icy sidewalks can dangerously leave snow from the cool winter. Wet leaves can be hazardous since they can cause a fall. Just a slip on an icy sidewalk or muddy trail can easily turn into spraining, straining muscles, or even breaking bones. Special shoes may lessen such injuries. 

Tips to Prevent Injury While Walking With the Dog

Dog walks have plenty of risks to offer, but it shouldn’t stop you from walking your dog. You can prevent accidents by just employing a few basic strategies. We will look at some good and effective ways how you can remain safe while walking your dog.

1. Choose the Right Gear

You and your dogs need suitable equipment. The subsequent list can be a plea to promote a secure walking endeavor: 

• A leash: As far as the leash of your dog is concerned, the fittest leash is made out of a well-built slit track and is not a retractable one. Although retractable leashes are very handy, they leave injuries or accidents that are caused due to fast retraction of leashes. A 6 to 8-foot leash dials enough control but gives your dog a defined area of movement without moving ahead too much.
• Harness: A no-pull harness with a front clip gives better control over the dog and reduces strain for both. The dog can then be free to pull by attaching a leash at the back of its collar, which can result in injuries whenever it pulls. 
• Reflective Gear: Wear reflective vests, collars, or clip-on lights for you and your dog so you aren’t invisible to each other. This is extremely important when walking in the dark or low-light situations.

2. Wear Proper Footwear

Wearing improper shoes may make any trip dangerous. Outsole shoes, or better still, boots with non-slip soles, provide grip for walking across slippery surfaces without falling. In snow or ice walking, shoes with spiked soles will give traction and decrease chances of slipping when walking. 

3. Avoid multitasking

Walking will be interrupted by checks with your phone, listening to music or talking with a friend. This may be dangerous, but it does increase accidents. Maintaining full attention during the walking activity and the environment surrounding you will surely help spot hazards before they become an issue. Seeing an approaching cyclist, how he is getting near or even a pothole, can prevent falling or injury.

4. Train Your Dog Well 

A well-trained dog is a safe dog. Basic commands like heel, sit and stay are vital in controlling dogs during different situations. If your dog lunges towards passing cars, dogs, and even wildlife, hiring professional dog training would certainly make your walks a lot safer for both of you. 

5. Strengthen Your Body

Most injuries that occur while walking dogs are due to falls or missteps. Strengthening exercise, especially balance and stability drills, plays an important role in controlling an individual in finding balance. Other conditioning exercise like yoga and tai chi focuses on flexibility, posture, and balance; they can prevent serious falls while walking. 

There are usually outdoor enthusiasts who take their dogs out for a turn around the leash, but they also put themselves and their canines at risk. Research by Johns Hopkins University shows an increase in dog-walking injuries over the last few years. Emergency room visits related to dog walking increased from 7,300 in 2001 to 32,300 by the year 2020, accounting for a gigantic growth of 343%. The majority of those injured were women (75%), and adults aged 40-64 made up almost half of the cases​.

Extra Tips for Rural and Urban Walkers

Dog walkers face different challenges depending on where they live. Here are a few additional safety tips for both rural and urban dog walkers:

• Rural Places:

Most of the time, there are no sidewalks in the countryside. There are occasions when you have to walk on the actual road. Wear reflective clothing at all times, and make sure your dog’s leash is illuminated or reflective. If at all feasible, walk on the side of the road opposing the traffic. Steer clear of places where traffic is always moving quickly, especially at night.

• Urban Areas:

Encounters in urban settings usually include congestion of sidewalks, a construction site and other people. Try and avoid taking your pet out during peak hours if s/he gets jittery from a crowded setting. A noisy route would also do good. There are also construction sites where extra caution is needed because of scaffolding and other hazards attached to it.

Dog Walking Mishaps: Incorporating Realistic Comedy into the Mishap

However simple it sounds, dog walking is utterly unpredictable, as it was learnt by the one who dares to try it. 

• The Goose That Did Not Fly Away: A pit bull owner recounts how a goose flapped its wings and surprised his dog, causing him to fall and break his ankle. A yoga instructor was hurt after her pet lunged after a squirrel, bending her finger that required surgery. 

• Rib-Cracking Zoomies: One dog walker broke two ribs when his dog suddenly darted off and he crashed into a scaffold. 

Indeed, funny and, at times, painful, but that is the reality of how things can turn disastrous in a second. But they also point toward the fact that some caution with awareness can sometimes save a serious injury. 

Conclusion: Smarter Walking, Not Harder 

Look for a company that will help you train your dog properly, and get advice on the best gear for your furry friend? Look no further – Petsfolio is here to assist you with a wide array of professional dog training services, advice on top-quality pet gear, and customized tips for Pet and owner well-being. Just as with any enjoyable bonding experience, with the right safety precautions put in place, walking a dog can be turned into a very rewarding adventure for both of you.

So grab that leash, throw on some sneakers, and have a safer, happier walk with your best buddy!!