Ill sum this up. Research suggests Untrained dogs pulling causes more injuries than expected.
3/4 of injured are female and mostly over 65.
Opinion: 65+ year olds walking dogs are likely healthier than those not. So the 25m number may be rubbish.
But anyone reading this worried about a dog that pulls. The simple way to stop it.
Spend some time when every time the dog pulls harder than you like. Turn around and head the opposite way.
Dogs soon learn that pulling leads to failure to progress. Takes a few days for most dogs to learn. Then takes a rare reminder for the dog to remember you choose the direction, and it doesn’t get to assume.
No need to tell the dog off or punish in any way. Just remind it when on the lead. Trying to direct you to move at its speed will always slow its progress.
Or you know. More information shared with the public about the needs of certain pets.
Hamsters are the worst off. Most have no idea how big the cage needs to be for them to be unstressed. There already short lives are way shorter and stressed due to pet shops not advising the need a much much larger cage. RSPCA says 1mx50cm or larger. Also if you have a Syrian you likely need a larger wheel.
Pet shop worker are rarely well informed.