It’s a sad fact that not all dog owners regularly take their dogs for a walk; an even sadder fact that some owners don’t take them out at all. I saw an article on this recently and I was shocked by the statistics. Here are a few good reasons why it is so important to give your beloved pooches that much needed regular exercise.
Your Dog’s Physical Health
It’s not rocket science, we all know that regular exercise is good for us so it goes without saying it’s also good for our dogs. It maintains muscle tone, regulates a healthy weight and improves their heart health.
Their Mental Health
Similarly we also now know how good releasing those endorphins feels when we exercise. For dogs it is no different: a healthy body = a healthy mind.
Digestive Health of your Dog
Exercise also aids digestion. It literally gets everything moving. It increases muscle tone and promotes regular bowel movements.
Their Social Interaction
Dogs are pack animals so the more interaction they have with other pooches the happier and healthier they’ll be. It’s a constant learning curve for dogs and they are continuously learning how to behave around other dogs and what is and isn’t acceptable.
Discipline
Dogs who are not given enough regular physical and mental exercise can become destructive, because they get bored. It can also lead to toilet accidents in the home which can become habitual. Walking your dog can also be a great opportunity to practice some training techniques such as lead walking, recall and retrieving a ball or toy.
Bonding
We now know far more about the incredible bond between dog and human. They are so attuned to us it sometimes feels like they can read our minds. Regular exercise with your dog helps to strengthen that bond.
So come on people, if you love them and want what’s best for them, give them what they deserve – because they really do deserve the very best we can give.
Beth and Winston. 🐶
