Pet owners are more likely to live longer, happier lives than their pet-less counterparts. There are many reasons for this, and one of them is the additional exercise people get when they have a dog. Dogs need to spend some time outside every day, and not just running around in the yard. Dogs need to be walked, and your family gets to walk them. Depending on the type of dog your family has, they might be more energetic and aggressive if they’re not walked regularly to get the exercise they need. Regular walks also provide children with important bonding experiences with animals. It’s just one of the many reasons walking your dog is so important as outlined right here for your knowledge.
It’s Exercise for Everyone
Everyone needs at least 20 minutes per day of moderate exercise, and walking the dog a few times a day is a great way to incorporate that into your family’s daily routine. The dog needs the exercise too, and it’s always a great way to encourage everyone to get out and go for a walk.
Spending Time Outside is Healthy
Natural sunlight provides the body with some much-needed Vitamin D, and that’s what walking the dog provides. Getting outside to smell the fresh air and soak in the sunshine not only makes you feel good, it also improves the mood. It lessens symptoms of depression, increases good mood, and makes you happier.
It Forces Kids to Slow Down
Your dog needs your family to spend some time with him, and walks force your family to slow down. You can’t play on the phone, clean the house, or do anything else that’s distracting you from your dog while you’re walking. Your child and the dog will both slow down and really learn to enjoy one another’s company and the beauty of the great outdoors.
It’s Good for Social Interaction
Your dog must learn how to properly interact with people outside your home, and walks are a great way to do just this. Your dog gets to learn to behave around neighborhood dogs on their walks, how to accept other people petting him or her, and how to remain well-behaved. It’s a good opportunity for your children to do the same running into other dog owners.
It’s Healthy
Regular walks will get your kids in a better mood, they’ll sleep better, and they’ll have more strength. You have more energy when you exercise, and you’re more willing to eat a better diet when you feel good about your physical activity. It’s an all-around healthy concept for both your family and Fido.
Exercise is the reason dogs need walks, and it’s the reason your family should walk your dog. Don’t let the fenced-in lawn become the dog’s babysitter. Remember that the dog gets just as much out of going for a walk as your family does. They need it as a way to calm down, use energy and interact with others. You don’t want to run the risk of your dog becoming bored and getting aggressive with others or even attacking them unprovoked. According to Abels & Annes, “a dog walker, groomer, sitter, veterinarian, or any other person in control of a dog at the time of an attack can be liable.” And this is especially important when children and pets live together.
Don’t allow that to happen, both for your sake and your dog. They deserve to be loved and provided for. Get them out, go for a walk as a family, and you’ll all learn to enjoy life at a slower pace. It’s a chance to disconnect and unwind, which is always helpful to your kids and your dog.
Tags: Active, Pets, Walking the dog