It can often be the case that finding an excuse to get in some worthwhile exercise can not only help you feel better, but refresh you during the day. Many of us lead lives in which we’re inside, either for our careers or when taking care of the house. Over time we can feel a little stuffy, unkempt and tired even if we’ve been taking great care of ourselves. This is where you might enjoy using any excuse to get out of the house and to try and wake up using some beautiful fresh air.
For that, it might be that walking your dog more often could be a wonderful effort. Not only can it help you enjoy your local scenery, but both you and your pet become healthier, and you get to spend more time with them. They can’t vocalize it, but they appreciate it, much as they appreciate you calling DoodyCalls Corp to clean up their business during the week. The benefits of walking your dog each day are too many to count, but we’re going to try and do that, and hopefully achieve that in the following words:
It Socializes Them
Go for a walk in the park at any time of day, and if you live in a somewhat residential area, you will likely notice many doing the same thing. This way, your dog can become socialized in the presence of other dogs, or at least not freak out when they spot another one. For some dogs that are continually kept sheltered within the home, merely the sight of another dog can send them a little around the bend, as they bark and do everything they can to try and avoid the other, or perhaps try to dominate the space. While definitely not a scientific approach, you can usually consider how your dog might approach others in the park when they see one on television. If they’re calm but interested, that’s healthy. If they go nuts, further training might be needed.
It’s also important to consider the size of your dog when walking around the park. A large dog might be harder to keep on the leash, as they dive towards their next point of interest it might end up injuring you. So consider the level of training, and the level of control you can have over them. However, for the most part, simply being introduced to other dogs and in the presence of them (especially from a young age,) can help them feel less threatened and more secure in their presence. To that end, walking your dog is excellent. Just be sure to keep an eye on other dogs, because while you might be able to control your pets behavior, there’s no telling if another person will follow the same approach.
It Exercises Them
It’s incredibly easy for all household pets to get larger than normal from a routine lack of activity. In fact, this can be very harmful to their health, and cost plenty in veterinarian health expenses. To that end, walking your dog, a free activity and one of the pleasures in life, can help you save money. In other words, it’s certainly a win-win situation, with the only cost to you your time. But at the same time, as you walk you’ll be burning off the calories and increasing your heart rate, so who knows, perhaps the dog is, in part, walking you to health as well.
Bonding
It’s important to bond with a pet, especially a new one. While you’re not going to be walking your cat around the park anytime soon, dogs are often in close connection with their owner, and despite running of curiously, desire to stay at their loving home. But it’s also important to teach them discipline and to show them who’s in charge, through various training attendances of course, but chiefly through spending time with them.
Heading for a walk, putting the leash on, walking with them, allowing them to sniff the environment, praising them, playing fetch and giving them small treats when they behave how you would like them to? That’s how bonding develops. To that end your dog will become more and more familiar with you, and this allows them to listen to you once you give an order. Be firm but fair, and most of all consistent with your directions, such as sharply calling them back from harassing a pedestrian when they’re off-lead.
With these tips, you’re sure to make a loving habit of walking your dog each day.