Story and photo by Karen Dugan Holman, M.S., B.S., B.S.E.
People describe their age in several ways. Chronological, wisdom, aches and pains, retirement…. But not me. I measure my age by how many dogs I can walk at the same time.
Not to say I am not nearing retirement age, but I have always been able to walk my large-breed dogs together without incident. Then I became the proud owner of a 27-pound Tasmanian devil. Let’s meet Halo, the terrier that wiggled her sweet self right into my pack.
Lasso of Truth
I began with walking all three dogs joyously together on our sniff walks. Just like that, my faster-than-lightning terrier bobbed and weaved through all those legs. Halo wrapped the leather leash around my legs, rendering them useless. I attempted a step, and thud, down I went. I felt like a calf that had been hog-tied in a rodeo.
I looked up only to be greeted by three dogs staring down at me. I could hear their comments. “Is she hurt?” “What was that loud crashing sound?” I then locked eyes with my Halo. She panted, licked her lips, and I swear I saw a smile and wiggle.
Halo is the only dog in my life with no interest in treats or cues on a walk. She responds only to what I call “baby talk.” If I call her Princess or Sweetheart and make kissy sounds, she will relax. When I call her Wonder Woman, her tail raises, and she gets excited. Didn’t Wonder Woman have a Lasso of Truth she would wrap people up in and spin them like a top?
As I lay on the sidewalk, I felt like I had been roped by Wonder Woman herself. I began to feel embarrassment and the “agony of defeat” as I realized I could no longer walk all my dogs together. I dodged the bullet in that fall with no injuries, but my age awareness became clear. Halo now romps on long walks with me all to herself.
An Increase in Injuries
A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association shows that dog-walking injuries have increased by about 400 percent between 2001 and 2020. Women are overrepresented in the statistics, particularly those older than 65. Balance decreases with age, and the incidence of osteoporosis rises, increasing the chance of bone fractures.
Senior citizens might own dogs incompatible with their physical capabilities. Seniors also are more likely to use retractable leashes, allowing a dog to gain speed quickly, magnifying the force being transferred to the handler as the leash runs out. It is not all about the pulling; there is also a tripping hazard.
Dog walkers are reportedly more active than those who don’t walk dogs. Regular activity has been associated strongly with improved overall health, greater life satisfaction, and happiness. The Arthritis Foundation recommends dog walking to relieve arthritis symptoms.
Safety Tips
So how can people, especially older people, walk their dogs safely and decrease the risk of injury? Here are a few tips:
Make sure your dog is the appropriate size and energy level for your fitness level.
Wear flat, comfortable shoes — no flip-flops or slip-ons.
Never wrap the leash around your wrist. If your dog takes a sudden lunge or startles, it could cause you to tumble.
Equipment is important. As mentioned before, beware of retractable leashes. A harness that hooks in the front or a head halter can be very effective to help your dog pay attention to you and redirect as needed. I use a 2 Hounds Freedom Harness and a six-foot leather leash. The leather is easier on my hands and becomes pliable with use, giving me better control. However, it is important to note that all dogs and people are different, and what works for me might not be the best fit for you and your dog.
Put your phone away. Do not text, scroll, or talk on your phone. You must pay attention to your surroundings.
Reach out to a professional trainer to help you with leash-walking skills. Make sure the trainer uses positive-reinforcement training techniques. Leash walking is as much a human skill as a dog skill. It takes time and patience.
Never rely on pain to control how fast a dog walks. Don’t rely on a tool such as a prong collar or shock collar (e-collar) or other aversive methods. Correction-based methods do not teach a dog what to do, only what not to do. This increases stress, fear, and anxiety in your dog.
In the scientific data on training, it is very clear that methods that rely on positive reinforcement result in more effective learning and a stronger bond between dogs and their people. It is often more important how you are training than what you are training.
Know your limitations. You and your dog should enjoy your walks. Walking is not only great exercise, but getting outside and enjoying nature can improve your emotional being as well. Just watch out for the hog-tie and throw-down move.
One thing is certain — we are all aging. Plan accordingly.
Happy Tails, Karen
Three Oaks Animal Behavior Counseling LLC
