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7 Reasons to Walk Your Dog
Take your dog for a leisurely walk when you’re feeling off because of your always-connected, on-the-go lifestyle. A recent survey found that 33% of pet owners rarely take their puppies on walks. Each day, only half of them pound the pavement. Even though it’s not always practicable, you should take your dog for a long walk at least a few times per week.
No commitment? Think about hiring a dog walking service to give your dog a daily walk. A daily dog walking service is often found to significantly enhance the enjoyment, demeanor, and well-being of dogs by pet parents who are short on time. Here are seven reasons to go hiking with your favorite dog, whether you’re a responsible pet owner or a skilled dog walker who works for a pet care business.
1: Improve Health & Manage Weight
Approximately 56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese, according to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Your pet is in danger of bladder cancer, skin infections, heart problems, and diabetes if he belongs to this group. According to research from the Department of Family & Consumer Studies, dog owners walk for at least four hours per week compared to just one hour for non-pet owners. Walking your dog can reduce their weight by 15% and yours by 5%. Additionally, it strengthens your bones and decreases blood pressure while enhancing cardiovascular fitness.
2: Train Your Dog
Has your dog dug up your flower bed or consumed an entire frozen turkey? If so, he is releasing stored energy. The ideal time to discipline his bad conduct and work on obedience instructions is during walks. According to Steffi Trott, owner of SpiritDog Training, “it is one thing for him to be able to sit in the midst of your living room but a completely different story in a busy park.” You can demonstrate commands to your dog and educate him that training time can be had anywhere and at any time by taking your training on the road.
Trott advises stopping your dog periodically when out for a stroll and giving him orders like “come” and “watch me.” Think about pausing at intersections. Have him first “sit,” then “down.” Use the verbal rebuke “no” and issue your directive once more if he stands up. Sick of tug-of-war on the leash? Only let your dog out on a leash that is free. Let the leash droop or change directions each time he goes in front of you. If he pulls, stay motionless and advance when he comes back to check on you.
3: Make New Friends
Dogs may let in a whole new world of people. According to Dr. Jennifer Coates, a member of the advisory board for Pup Life Today, “they’re wonderful “social lubricants” – a term that refers to anything that makes socializing with other people easier. When you go on a walk with your dog as opposed to by yourself or with other people, people are more likely to talk to you. Those who experience loneliness or sadness may find this to be extremely helpful.
Get Healthy, Get a Dog: A Special Health Report from Harvard Medical School is medically edited by Dr. Beth Frates. She began meeting with 15 other ladies and their dogs at a nearby dog park when she initially got her Goldendoodle, Reese. The women conversed as the dogs practiced their social skills. Sometimes, relationships were limited to only stating that someone was “Archie’s mum.” Occasionally, they developed into lifelong friendships.
Read More: Complete Guide for the First-Year Puppy Vaccinations
4: Strengthen Your Relationship
Dogs have undergone significant change since they were wolves, but not so much that they no longer value roaming in packs, according to Trott. He wants you to be the alpha, but you’ll have to work for his respect, love, devotion, and trust. Your bond can get stronger and deeper with consistent one-on-one time. Daily walks can provide a shy or fearful dog structure and stability. His self-confidence can soar with that degree of regularity.
already share a strong bond? Add a little surprise to your dog’s routine. He’ll understand that they must continue to communicate with you. Try new paths and vary your walk durations rather than using the same route every day. What is your dog’s preferred post-workout treat? Give him a turkey loaf or peanut butter biscuit instead. If you choose Saturday as your “walk in the park” day, shock your dog and go on both Saturday and Sunday.
5: Explore the Environment
According to Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of Pet Sitters International, “there are benefits to providing outdoor time even if your pet is unable to walk.” His senses are stimulated outside the home when you take him on a walk in a stroller because he gets to encounter the sights, sounds, and smells of nature. Are you training your dog to drive by sniffing as many different scents as possible? Or does he isolate himself and focus intently on smelling just one place?
Reasons to walk your dog beacuse breeds of dogs should take regular sniff walks. Particularly if your dog has a tendency to become too aroused, reactive, or anxious, sniffing rapidly decreases his heart rate, according to Trott.
The portion of your dog’s brain responsible for smelling things out is 40 times bigger than yours. If you make your dog “heel” the entire time or drag him away from each lamppost, it would be the equivalent of returning a suspenseful mystery book to the library without ever learning the culprit.
6: Provide a Potty Break
Typically, Reasons to walk your dog go potty once or twice a day. Try two quick walks if your dog becomes constipated or starts to urinate within the house. Because it helps with elimination, some dogs move around when having bowel motions. Toilet breaks involve more than just removing waste. They also deal with communication. Dogs leave calling cards in their excrement or urine in addition to marking their territories. Dogs emit a musky odor from their anal glands when they are afraid. Poop can therefore occasionally warn other dogs of danger. Basically, the Reasons to walk your dog is to maintain good health. Dogs like to check the popular pee spots to find out the sex, age, and health of their followers, just like you might check Twitter for breaking news.
7: Make Walking a Habit
Trott advises acquiring a step counter and establishing sensible objectives. Walk your dog for 2,000 steps every day during the first week, she advises. Walk him every day for 3,000 steps starting in week two and continuing until you have taken roughly 6,000 steps.
Is your dog obese or overweight? If so, he is more likely to develop osteoarthritis and joint damage. It results in bone spurs, discomfort, and inflammation. The American Journal of Veterinary Research reports that 90 percent of senior dogs and 20 percent of dogs in their middle age have osteoarthritis in one or more joints.
Try taking your senior dog for five-minute walks a few times a day if it’s struggling with weight. You’ve overdone it and should dial it back, Trott advises, if he starts panting, limping, or collapsing.
Fetch! Pet Care is available to assist you in ensuring that your dog receives the care he needs. Call us if you need daily dog walking or other pet care services; we’d be happy to assist you and your dog!
