Benefits of Dog Walking

Walking the dog is one of those requirements every person includes on his/her initial list of dog owning responsibilities. Most people in the process of picking a canine companion promise themselves they will walk the dog at least once a day. If this was you and now you find yourself slacking on that promise, it is time to remind yourself why you committed to walking the pooch in the first place.

Dog walking has many benefits for both pet and owner. Aside from the obvious fresh air for you, walks can also make dear Frodo more well rounded. Take a look at these reasons why walking the dog is important, grab that leash and get your fur baby moving.

Provides an outlet for energy

Dogs with excess energy need a way to let it out. If a positive outlet is not provided, they will go with what they consider the next best thing - chewing up furniture, ripping up walls, digging holes, and bounding around indoors until their owners are driven crazy. Especially for young dogs and athletic breeds, providing a non-destructive means of releasing energy is extremely important for both the dog's and the owner's sanity.

Wild dog packs roam considerable distances in search of food and water (wolves travel 10-40 miles per day). While this is not a necessity for house pets, domesticated dogs maintain a natural instinct to roam and explore. Taking a dog on walks can help to satisfy this drive, giving your pup some satisfying exploration.

Exposure to new sights, smells and sounds

Dogs who have not had exposure to a vast array of sights, smells, and sounds will find the world a frightening place. Walks let a dog experience all sorts of things, from bicycles to runners to loud traffic noises. The more that a dog experiences and learns these things are not a threat, the more confident and stable he will be. The mental stimulation also fights boredom.

Walks are an excellent opportunity for letting your pup meet new friends on neutral ground. Dogs who have not been socialized may become timid or aggressive, so introduction to friendly strangers (both human and canine) from a young age is extremely important. Make sure you check with an unknown dog's owner to be sure their dog is friendly before letting the sniffing commence.

Walks provide the perfect opportunity for training your dog. Not only can you work on "heel" but you can also work on making your dog sit each time you stop. You can teach him not to bark at other dogs, not to jump on passers by, and not to take off after moving vehicles. Training a dog during walks teaches him to focus on you and obey even while surrounded by distractions.

Obesity is a huge problem in pet dogs (pun intended). In the same way that exercise helps to keep humans fit, walks can help to keep your dog more healthy. Shrink your pooch's pooch and give him some lean muscle tone with regular walking. Once around the block is not sufficient for most breeds, so walk until your dog starts looking tired. Doing so can help stave of a myriad of canine health problems.

Any time you give special attention to your dog, whether in training, playing, or exploring, you are creating a bonding experience. When the proper authority and training techniques are used during walks, a dog is able to feel more secure in his place under his owner. This can be powerfully bonding. Walks can also provide a connection between multiple dogs within one home. In the same way that wild dogs roam in packs together, domesticated dogs can feel more like a pack when walked together.