Dog Injuries Due To Leash Straining

Dog Injuries Due To Leash Straining

"Who is walking whom?" This question pops into my mind whenever I see
owners being dragged down the street by their dogs. Leash pulling usually
becomes a complaint only after a large dog has finally succeeding in pulling its
owners off their feet, with resultant injury or embarrassment.

Most cases of leash pulling involve dogs that have accommodated to the
discomfort of a choke chain, pinch collar or even a leather collar. Some of them
cease pulling only long enough to cough, some even regurgitate or take a few
deep breaths, then continue struggling forward.



Most dog owners have no idea that their frustrated leash-pulling dog might
actually suffer physical injury during their daily tug-of-war. However, in a
Swedish study by the noted behaviorist Anders Hallgren, of 400 dog owners who
agreed to have their dog's spines X-rayed, 63% were found to have spinal
injuries. Of the inured dogs with neck (cervical) injuries, 91% had experience
harsh jerks on the leash or were serious leash strainers! Among aggressive or
overactive dogs, 78% had spinal injuries.