We’ve all had that heart-breaking moment… Your pup glances at his leash hanging on the wall, then looks at you with big eyes that say “dad, we’re going on a walk today, right?”, then looks back at the leash longingly, but you simply don’t have time for a walk. “Sorry, buddy.”
If you are a dog owner, you probably know that the benefits of walking your furry friend go beyond simply giving the pooch a chance to stretch his legs after he’s been missing you at work all day.
Dog lovers everywhere know that walking the dog is a basic and important part of dog ownership. Unfortunately, with busy schedules, jobs, kids, bills to pay, dinner to make and Seahawks to watch, walking the dog can easily get pushed to the back burner. We’re all guilty of it.
Pet Ponderosa is here will five compelling reasons to carve out time for a daily walk with your pup!
1. Bonding with Your Dog
With so much time spent at the office or at school, many dog owners miss out on precious bonding time with their dogs. According to famed dog extraordinaire, Cesar Millan, taking time to bring your dog on a walk helps establish and solidify your role as Pack Leader. Once your dog learns that he is your follower, he will know right where he stands in the pack. It will enrich all other aspects of your relationship with your four-legged sidekick.
This is interesting:
Cesar adds that “If you’re a calm-assertive Pack Leader on the walk, then you will be one everywhere else with your dog because you will have earned her trust, respect, and love. You’ve taken the pack out on the “hunt” and safely returned to the den, and your dog appreciates that.”
Who knew that walks were such a valuable bonding experience?
2. Training Your Puppy
Taking your dog on a walk is a perfect chance to train them. Not only will they learn how to heel obediently (remember, you’re the Pack Leader!), but walks are also a good opportunity to take them to a park to help them learn other commands, such as “sit” and “stay” or how to fetch.
Getting them out of the house and on to the neighborhood’s sidewalk, in the park, or on a dog-friendly hiking trail will give your beloved pup the chance to socialize. They will be exposed to other dogs and people of all shapes and sizes. This will help them learn how to behave and play nice.
Dog Owner’s Tip:
Try bringing along a couple of small dog treats in your pocket. Use them as incentive to train your dog while you’re out and about. While you’re at it, why not bring a healthy snack for yourself? Use it as incentive for going on a walk!
3. Helping Your Dog Burn off Pent-Up Energy
Is your dog running circles around you every time you walk through the door? According to the Animal Foundation, dogs need a significant amount of exercise every single day. Dogs are not always very good at entertaining themselves either, so just because they have a big yard to be in doesn’t necessarily mean that they didn’t just lay around all day.
Your dog is relying on you to help them find outlets to release pent-up energy from being cooped up all day. The Animal Foundation explains; “You’ll benefit from having a well-exercised dog, as tired dogs tend to behave better”. Who doesn’t want a well-behaved pooch?
Pet Ponderosa will help keep your pet healthy when your schedule gets hectic.
4. Your Dog’s Health will Benefit from Regular Walks
Sedentary animals (as well as humans!) are susceptible to weight gain, which generally comes with a slew of undesirable health problems attached to it.
This is shocking:
A 2017 clinical survey conducted by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention revealed that “an estimated…56% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese”. That means over half of America’s dogs (about 50.2 million dogs) are at greater risk for health problems associated with pet obesity, such as difficulty breathing, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancer.
5. Walking Improves Your Health
It’s no secret that taking a walk is good for you. Many people, especially those with desk jobs or other sedentary occupations fail to get the exercise their body needs. As with dogs, this can also lead to undesirable weight gain and ensuing health problems. Walking will help keep you active and in shape.
Too stressed to find time to walk? This is important:
The health benefits of taking your dog for regular walks can stretch far beyond physical improvements. The organization Walking for Health powerfully comments that walking “improves self-perception and self-esteem, mood and sleep quality, and it reduces stress, anxiety and fatigue. Physically active people have up to a 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed, and staying active helps those who are depressed recover.”
Pet Ponderosa Loves Dog Walking
Here at Pet Ponderosa, we do all we can to promote happiness and health of dogs and (of course!) their owners.
Make this a goal:
Why not print out this list and put it on your fridge? Every time you’re tempted to call it a day, hit the couch and get on Instagram, buy out just 10 minutes and take your sweet pup on a jaunt. You’ll feel better, and your pup will thank you with those irresistible kisses and tail wags.
Still don’t have time? No worries, we don’t blame you. Life is crazy! We’re here for you.
At Pet Ponderosa, we are more than happy to offer pet walking to our four-legged friends within a 6 miles radius of Graham, WA or South Hill.
Get in touch now to schedule your dog’s next walk!