Advantages of Taking Your Dog on a Walk

According to a latest survey conducted by Mars Petcare of more than 1,011 adults, it has been observed that dogs are the only reason approximately 66% (about two-thirds) of dog owners walk every week. In addition to this, just about one-quarter of dog owners with children frequently visit parks and other outdoor spaces due to their dogs. About 44% of dog owners who are past their 60’s exercise on a weekly basis because of their dogs. This goes to show that there are lots of benefits of taking your dog on a walk.

What benefits can Dog Owners get from regular walk with their pooch?

• The World Health Organization (WHO) suggests                that for an average adult aged between 18 to 65 years a 30 minute walk can be highly beneficial.
• It has been found that adults who regularly go for a walk, have reduced risk of breast cancer by 75%, reduced risk of diabetes by 49%, reduced risk of heart disease by 35% and reduced risk of colon cancer by 22%.
• According to a popular veterinarian, it has been found that more than 60% of people in USA are obese or overweight. Hence, if they take their dogs on a walk it will not only burn their calories, but it can also build their lean muscle mass and relieve stress.
• On top of it, dog owners can also get mental health benefits like self-esteem from the regular walk with their pooches. As a matter of fact, it can reduce the psychological signs of stress like blood pressure in dog owners.
• If you take your dog for a walk you are bound to go outdoors which will help you spend considerable time outdoors in parks and on trails. It helps in connecting dog owners with Mother Nature and increases the sense of well-being if you are attuned to the natural beauty around you.
• If you are feeling lonely, taking a dog for a walk is a blessing in disguise as it can reduce loneliness, especially when you are going through a rough phase in your relationship.
• There was a study titled “Dog-walking and sense of community in neighborhoods: implications for promoting regular physical activity in adults 50 years and older.” which showcased the fact that dog owners who walked for more than four times a week had a strong feeling towards community compared to others who did not own a dog.

In short, taking your dog for a walk is the best possible thing that you can ever do for remaining fit and healthy.

What benefits does a dog get from regular walk with dog owners?

The objective is not so much to walk your dog, as it is to empty him.

Dave Barry

It has been observed that young dogs need daily exercise for an hour, but for some breeds there is a need for lot more activity. Every dog breed requires specialized attention; hence, it is very important for you as a dog owner to keep them fit and healthy by taking them for a regular walk. It also helps them to expend their excess energy which makes them to stay happy and out of trouble. Let us now look at the different benefits that your dog can derive from a regular walk with you:

• If you take your dog for a regular walk it helps them to socialize with others which makes them fit in the category of a well-rounded pet. You can keep them fit along with exposing them to different people, setting, and varied experiences which are necessary for the overall growth of the dog. It also gives them an ideal platform to learn new things and bond with you.
• Taking your pooch for a walk will help in curbing certain behavior issues like excessive barking and digging. These behaviors are caused when the dog is feeling bored. Since you are already making him occupied you are giving him a chance to feed something positive in his brain. This way you will be able to rectify behavioral tendencies of your dog which were not possible earlier.
• Training him new things on a regular basis in itself is a huge advantage for the dog. Since he will be learning new things like sitting before crossing a road or lying down quietly while you rest on the bench. This way your bond with the dog will grow stronger.
• Due to regular walking, the life of your dog gets prolonged. With age, the joints of the dog become weak; hence, it is very important to frequently take the dog for a walk. This way you can assist your dog in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and avoid diseases like arthritis.

Conclusion

According to JPAH study it has been revealed that only about two third of dog owners in USA walk their dog on a regular basis. In addition to this, it was also found that those who take their dogs on a walk about half of the dog owners do not adequately exercise their dogs with a walk of less than 150 minutes per week, while there are others who do not take their dogs for a walk at all. This goes to show that there is an urgent need for education amongst dog owners about the importance of exercise for their dogs and themselves.  It is summer time in USA and it is high time dog owners set some goals about fitness and start taking their dogs on a walk on a regular basis.

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