WALK THIS WAY

Take Fido for a stroll without taking a tumble. (It happens. A lot.)

- BY DANA MCMAHAN

THE LAST THING on your mind when you're getting your little buddy ready for his evening walk? Potential injuries. Because he's the goodest boy, and just look at that toofy smile! But according to research from Johns Hopkins University, dog-walking-related emergency room visits (for the humans) have quadrupled in the last 20 years, with women and older adults most at risk (thanks for nothing, lower bone strength!). Pet parents get pulled too hard or trip, then suffer from sprains, fractures, and even traumatic brain injuries.

There are a few factors behind this alarming trend. For starters, walking is America's favorite exercise. Also, high-energy breeds (we're looking at you, huskies and labs!) are very popular, says Nicole Ellis, a certified professional dog trainer with Rover, a network of pet sitters and walkers. And the U.S. population is living longer, so more older folks are going out for strolls. Yet according to some research, only 8% of dog parents enroll their pups in obedience training. Consider some classes for Snarls Barkley! And in the meantime, use these tips to keep everyone's paws planted firmly on the ground.

Do Some Basic Training