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Ready to lace up your sneakers and prepare your pup’s paw pads? There are many physical and mental health benefits that come along with walking your dog on a daily basis. Here are four of the most “pawsitive” benefits of a neighborhood stroll together:
1. Increases physical activity.
Ever have those days you can’t seem to motivate yourself to work-out and dread getting up off the couch? Look no further than your canine pal for motivation. Your dog happens to be the perfect exercise partner. They’ll never bail on you at the last minute and will always be excited to get outside and get moving.
According to a 2017 study published in BMC Public Health, dog owners on average walk 22 more minutes per day compared to those who don’t own a dog. The more active you and your pup are, the healthier you’ll both be. Regular exercise together will help the two of you maintain healthy hearts, joints, muscles, and waistlines.
2. Provides mental stimulation.
Walking exercises the mind in addition to the body. Exploring new trails, meeting new furry and human friends, sniffing the grass all provide your pup with mental stimulation that’s almost impossible to replicate indoors.
Now is the perfect time of year to get outside with your dog; the weather is beautiful and dogs love smelling the new aromas that only come about from fall. Letting your dog stop and sniff that fire hydrant or pile of leaves they’re pulling you towards will make their walk even more enriching.
DID YOU KNOW? Sniffing a particular scent and then interpreting the information is a dog's version of a mental workout. How's that for a fun fact of the day?
3. Relieves stress…for both of you.
When dogs aren’t given the opportunity to explore new sights and smells, they become bored…very quickly. Just imagine how quickly you would get bored of the same environment day in and day out. Bored dogs are unhappy dogs and often show their frustration by chewing, barking, defecating indoors, and destroying furniture. Taking your pup on daily outdoor adventures helps prevent boredom and gives them an outlet for pent-up energy and emotion.
And walking can help lower your stress levels, too! Going for even just a quick stroll around the neighborhood is an easy way to take your mind off of work- or home-related tasks that may be stressing you out. One look at your enthusiastic pup’s wagging tail will make you smile. The less anxious you are, the less anxious your dog will be — and vice versa.
4. Strengthens the bond between you and your pet.
Our mission at Kradle is to bring you and your pet closer together, so we’re all about any activities that do just that. Your dog craves your attention and a walk together is one of the best ways to give it to them undivided. Any one-on-one time you spend with your dog is a chance to deepen your connection. Walking can especially help you build trust with your dog if they tend to be shy, fearful, and timid.
What better way to show your dog how much they mean to you than setting aside time out of your schedule just for them!