Not only is walking your dog a great stress reducer and time to commune with nature, but it also helps to keep both you and your dog healthy.
Not only is walking your dog a great stress reducer and time to commune with nature, but it also helps to keep both you and your dog healthy. It’s a great way for dogs to burn off some energy and help with joint health, especially if they just tend to lay around all day while you’re at work. I know my girl comes running to the front door when I get home and can’t wait to get out there and go, go, go! Our time out walking is exercise for her and for me, and what’s great is that it doesn’t even really feel like I’m exercising. We usually walk for 30 minutes every morning and every afternoon, which means that I’m getting an average of an hour of exercise every day and she is, too, which is a good thing, as she is a big fan of treats and I haven’t mastered the art of saying no to her!
Another benefit of taking your dog out for a walk is socialization for both of you! When you meet up with other dog people, there is almost always some sort of conversation that happens while your furry friends check each other out. It gives you an opportunity to make new friends and possibly even make future playdates for your dogs. My dog is really friendly and will pretty much try to love on everybody she meets. There are a couple of ladies in the senior community near my apartment who are always sitting outside when Cassidy and I are out, and she runs right up to them. They get such a kick out of it and love spending time with her, while she’s loving on them. Along with socializing dogs to other people and animals, while out walking, they are also experiencing new smells and sounds and getting mental stimulation.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of taking your dog out for a walk is that one-on-one time you have with it. My dog is learning to trust me more when I say, “It’s OK, I got ya,” when she sees a bigger dog or a loud car or truck goes by and spooks her. I love when we’re walking and she’s ahead of me and stops and looks at me to make sure I’m there and then we continue on. It’s almost like she’s saying, “Come on, mom. Let’s do this together.” Taking your dog for walks every day offers the opportunity for both of you to continue to bond because you both get to spend time together each day, which helps create a strong and happy relationship. Your dog is also likely to be more well-behaved and listen to you better when you have a good, strong bond. It’s fun to watch her explore new things that she sees or smells, and I sometimes have to chuckle at her curiosity, especially when she’s looking at something and then looks up at me almost as if to say, “What’s this?” She’s made me try to look at the world with the same curiosity as she has, and it has made me think about even the simplest things a little differently. Who knew walking your dog could do so much? QCBN
By Loree Walden, QCBN
Loree Walden is the marketing manager for Yavapai Humane Society.