As a dog owner you probably have questions about health and the benefits of walking your dog daily.
You clearly love your pooch if you’re asking this question! The fact that you are here reading this is assurance of that!
Leading your fur buddy on consistent walking adventures not only saves you from being plundered by vet bills in the future but can also improve your physical health.
A Dog Without Activity Is An Unhealthy Dog
Dog’s naturally are active creatures. They instinctively like to explore and need external stimulation. Remember, dogs are all descendants of wolves! So the reality is when your dog isn’t active it goes against his body’s natural inclination.
Just like humans, dogs can get bored. Muscles grow weak. Fat begins to build up when there is inactivity. Dogs need to get out and exercise for their physical, mental and emotional health.
The Health Benefits of Walking Your Dog Daily
Here are some of the more important physical benefits that your dog will begin to experience as he walks:
- Improved cardiovascular fitness (healthy heart)
- Stronger muscle tissue and bones
- Lower blood pressure
- Decreased stress levels
On the flip side, here’s what you can begin to expect with enough time if you don’t get your dog out walking or being active consistently:
- Osteoarthritis (debilitating inflammation of the joints)
- Cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
- Liver disease
- Insulin resistance (diabetes)
Is Walking Your Dog Important for YOU?
At the very least, all or some of the same physical benefits that your dog gets from these walks will happen for you while you walk with him.
Plus consider that you are building a stronger bond with your doggy with each walk you take. The two of your grow closer together as you walk with each other. It’s a way of building trust and affection. Your doggy comes to love your for it..
Walking is an opportunity for socialization and training experience for your pooch. This leads to a better relationship with your dog, indoors and outdoors. What does a better relationship with your dog mean? Happy doggy, happy you!
Methods of Daily Dog Walking
How long you walk your dog daily really depends on your dog. If you need help knowing how long to walk your dog each day, here’s an article that can help.
If you don’t have time for a long walk, it’s best to give your pooch at least 30 minutes of daily walking. If you don’t have all that time at once, break it into sections. At the very least, give your dog two 15 minute walks a day.
Rest assured, you lose a lot more out of your days if you don’t take care of your dog’s health. In the long run, it will cost you and your fur buddy a lot more to put this key part of his happiness off for later.
So why not spare a few minutes a day and give your pup the walk he needs?
Consider making a habit of taking your dog on a short 15 minute walk before getting yourself ready for work.
How about another 15 minute walk when you get back from work? Now you’re at 30 minutes a day of walking.
If you can fit a third 15 minute walk after dinner, or maybe an hour before bed, you’ve succeeded in doing 45 minutes of daily walk time. Use this time as a way to get out and calm your thoughts. Here’s a chance to take your dog on a short walk knowing you are caring for your own health as well as those of your furry compadre.
Tip! To maximize the amount of exercise that your dog gets, try using a longer leash. A longer leash gives your dog more range to run free, so he actually gets more exercise! It’s not cheating! It’s just being efficient, and your dog will appreciate the extra freedom.
(Note: Only do this if your doggy is well trained, or if you are in a remote location. Losing control of your dog can turn into a nightmare pretty fast if something should happen. Make sure that the environment is safe, or that your dog is prepared for this kind of freedom.)
Look at Your Walks Together As A Training Opportunity
These healthy walks that you take your pooch on are a great opportunity to do some training! Use these necessary times to teach your pup socialization skills. Utilizing this as training time becomes rewarding for both doggy and you. Your walks together will become more and more enjoyable the more sociable your dog becomes.
Is Daily Dog Walking Beneficial?
Here’s a quick recap on the benefits of walking your dog daily:
Pros:
- Healthy doggy. Providing him with a happier lifestyle.
- Healthy you. More fit and able to relax your mind while out walking.
- Better relationship with your dog. Building trust and affection.
- Save yourself from expensive veterinarian bills due to inactivity
- Increased socialization for both you and your doggy
- Extra opportunities for training
Cons:
NONE! Walking your dog is never a bad thing. It’s a great way to get outdoors and share some joy with your happy doggy.