INTERESTING
One of the few positives of COVID-19 has been the record-breaking increase in dog adoptions from shelters around the country. With summer around the corner, having a dog can be a great motivation for getting outside and being active. While having a dog offers so much to a family or individual owner, including unconditional love, affection, and motivation to maintain an active lifestyle, most dog owners need little time to recall a time they experienced or came very close to experiencing a dog-related injury. Here are some simple tips to help you stay safe this summer and enjoy your four-legged friend without an unwanted injury:
What’s the right way to hold a leash? Use a strong grip, DON’T wrap the leash!
• Do not wrap the leash around your hand, wrist, and/or fingers! It does not allow for a quick release in case of emergency. Don’t get dragged by an excited dog, or even worse, don’t be like my friend who almost got pulled over the wall in Narragansett, RI, because his dog wanted to swim.
• Avoid wrapping your dog’s leash or collar around your fingers, even during small transitions like getting out of the car. I will admit this is one I struggle with as my hands are usually full and I am trying to make only one trip… but I have treated several finger fractures from patients whose usually calm and obedient dogs unexpectedly lunged at the most inconvenient times.
RIGHT WAY:
WRONG WAY:
What’s the terrain?
• It may seem obvious, but a shorter leash gives more control and can prevent a dog from building up speed and pulling you forward. This, however, cannot be overstated enough when considering uneven terrain, such as hills, roots and rocks in the woods, curbs, and material on the street. Protect that rotator cuff in your shoulder and keep your arm and elbow by your side for more strength and control when navigating uneven, inclined, or novel terrain.
Not the stairs!
• Dogs that like to follow their owners around pose a risk for tripping throughout the house. Stairs, however, pose the highest risk for a very serious injury. A fall is almost guaranteed if a dog were to try and run through your legs or accidentally push you down when you are going up or down the stairs. Options for safe maneuvering on the stairs include having the dog go first or training the dog to wait for you to go. In either case, make sure you have railings available for support in case of the unexpected. Similarly, dogs can be trained to wait for their owner to first walk through doorways, hallways etc.
Beware of burns
• A fast-moving leash can cause a painful burn on the skin. Be mindful not to let the leash get too close to or wrapped around your legs or the legs of others around you.
• Retractable leashes are great for giving your pup a little more freedom on walks, but be extra careful as these leashes can be harder to control, and therefore pose more potential for the leash to get wrapped around or brush the legs of those around you. When it comes to retractable leashes, always grab the handle and never grab a moving leash.
Some of the charm of having a dog is their excitability, even over the simplest things. This characteristic, however, means that even a usually calm dog can be unpredictable at times. Keep the enjoyment going by staying safe and healthy this summer, planning ahead, and using good strategies when traveling with your dog.
HAVE FUN AND DON’T STOP RETRIEVING!!!
