6 Ways to Prevent Dog Walking Injuries

1. Build resilience

You can make yourself more resistant to accidents by taking proactive measures in consultation with your doctor, Maxson says. If you’re at high risk for falls and fractures, your physician might prescribe supplements or medications to help with bone strength.​ ​

Your doctor also can help you create an exercise plan. “Older dog walkers, specifically, should consider performing resistance and balance exercises to build muscle and improve coordination,” Maxson says. “Both of these have been shown to reduce the incidence and severity of falls in older adults.”​ ​

2. Choose the right dog

Though it’s never a good idea to judge dogs solely based on breed or appearance instead of individual behavior and temperament, it’s important that older adults consider getting dogs that complement their lifestyle and physical abilities, says certified veterinary technician Kait Hembree, head of training at online dog training company GoodPup.​ ​

“I think it really comes down to the energy level of the dog in front of you. If you’re going to get something energetic — whether it’s smaller or larger — you need to make sure you have the resources to give it extra exercise and extra mental stimulation,” notes Hembree, who says older rescues might be more manageable than puppies for some people because they tend to be less hyper and often require less training.​ ​

3. Be strategic

Walks are safest when they’re carefully considered and planned, according to George Melillo, cofounder and chief veterinary officer of Heart + Paw, a veterinary practice with 28 locations in 10 states. “Being mindful and taking a few precautions can be very helpful,” he says.​ ​

According to Melillo and Hembree, important considerations include:​ ​

• Footwear: Wear solid shoes with good traction — no sandals or flip-flops, which can easily slip.​
• Route: Routinely walking the same path helps orient both dog and owner. The more familiar the route, the fewer triggers there are for your dog and the fewer tripping hazards there are for you.​
• Time of day: If you have poor vision, avoid evening walks in poorly lit areas. Likewise, if you have an anxious or excitable dog, it might be best to walk when there are fewer noises and distractions, such as early morning when others are in bed or midday when neighbors are at work.​ ​

Because tired dogs are typically easier to handle, another strategic move is scheduling playtime before walks. “People think walking the dog is the only way to expend their energy and get in their daily exercise needs,” says Rover.com veterinary medical adviser Rebecca Greenstein, chief veterinarian and practice owner at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital in Toronto. “But playing ball in the backyard or playing with them around the house also can tire them out so they don’t start out a walk with a lot of pent-up energy.”​ ​

If you don’t have a yard, you can rent one using apps such as Sniffspot, which allows you to reserve private spaces — yards, fields and indoor dog parks — by the hour for safe, off-leash fun with your pet.​ ​

“If there aren’t Sniffspots available near you, get creative,” suggests Hembree, who says church parking lots (which may be empty during the week) and unused tennis courts can be good places for off-leash exercise if the area is fenced and your dog will come when called. However make sure you have permission to use those spaces and be mindful of how others might perceive your activities. ​ ​

4. Buy the right equipment — and use it correctly

The right leash and collar can make a big difference, according to Greenstein, who advises against retractable leashes. “As convenient as they are, they’re not ideal for safety or for training your dog because they allow them too much freedom,” she says. “Stick with a nonretractable, traditional 6-foot leash. It discourages pulling, and you are a lot less likely to get tangled.”​ ​

Grip also matters. “Holding the leash in the palm of the hand and instead of wrapped around the fingers or wrist allows for greater control of the dog and the ability to loosen or tighten one’s grip if the dog begins to pull away,” Maxson says.​ ​

Instead of a collar, Greenstein recommends a harness. “Walking a dog on a standard collar puts a lot of traction on their neck,” she says, adding that you should attach your leash to the front clip of the harness instead of the rear clip. “The front clip helps discourage pulling the most, whereas the back clip can inadvertently encourage pulling because it allows them to leverage their own body weight.”​ ​

Because they use negative instead of positive reinforcement, Hembree discourages shock collars, prong collars and choke chains. For dogs who are especially stubborn or easily startled, she says owners might consider a martingale collar that discourages lunging by getting comfortably tighter when the dog pulls.​ ​

5. Invest in training

Dogs can learn to be good walkers, according to Hembree, who says owners can work with trainers virtually or in person to teach their dogs basic commands such as “heel” and “watch me.” The former encourages dogs to walk calmly at your side while the latter gets them to focus on you instead of distractions.​ ​

For owners who lack the time and resources for training, Hembree offers several walking “hacks.” If your dog loves fetch, for example, consider carrying a ball; if you encounter a distraction, holding up the ball can encourage the animal to focus on you. You can also carry treats and toss them on the ground periodically to engage your dog’s natural foraging instincts, which will simultaneously slow it down, calm it and distract it from external stimuli.​ ​

6. Stay off electronic devices

Try not to focus on your cellphone, a fitness tracker or a smartwatch while out walking your pet. If you’re looking at a device, it’s easy to trip on uneven pavement, not realize another dog is headed your way or fail to realize the leash has gotten tangled in your pup’s feet.

Focusing on your dog — and only your dog — is crucial, according to Greenstein. “Make sure your cellphone isn’t a distraction,” she says. “If you’re texting or on the phone, you may not see the squirrel dart across the road that your pup may lunge for, or notice other potentially hazardous situations.”

It’s always best to keep your phone in your pocket and dedicate attention to your pet, Greenstein says.

Given the risk of injury, older pet parents might be tempted to take fewer walks. What’s often healthiest, however, is actually more walks, according to Melillo, who says dog walking done safely provides dogs and owners alike with much-needed physical exercise and social engagement.​ ​

“Some of the behavioral issues dogs can have is because they’re under-exercised and under-stimulated,” he says. “So if you can take walks in a way that’s safe for both of you, that’s ideal for everyone.”​ ​