Walking Your Dog Will Provide Them Mental Stimulation, Physical Exercise, Chances For Socialization, And More!
You love your dog and want to pamper them all the time. But that does not mean keeping them away from exercise and walking. The need for exercise for dog cannot be stressed more. These little furballs need to utilize their energy effectively. Not to mention, an active puppy is a healthy puppy. Keeping your pet baby active is critical to their overall health. It will also improve your bond with them.
Physical and Mental Health Benefits
Just as regular exercise is important for your physical and mental health, the same holds true for your fur baby. Walking your dog regularly is crucial to disease prevention. Besides, regular walking helps:
- Strengthen cardiovascular health
- Improve agility
- Strengthen muscles
- Reduce digestive problems
- Maintain bowel movement
- Reduce behavioral problems
- Promote house training
- Build confidence and trust
- Increase socialization
- Control weight and obesity
The Mental Stimulation They Need
Physical activity is important to mental health. A thoughtful exercise routine can keep your puppy away from mental illness and troubled behavior, besides providing a physical workout.
Puppies naturally crave for a great deal of activity because their ancestors were bred as hunters. By providing engaging dog exercises, you are giving them alternatives to fulfil their instinct. Else, it could manifest in destructive behaviors.
Introduce your pooch to an interactive workout and put their thinking cap on. It is a good idea to introduce them to new tricks to keep their mind active.
A dog whose energy is not involved in physical activity is more likely to be part of such activities as:
- Raiding the garbage
- Too much barking
- Rough play
- Predatory behavior
- Hyperactivity
- Chewing, digging
- Scratching furniture
- Restlessness at night
- Biting or jumping on others
- Whining
- Knocking over furniture
Many dog owners report better behavior of their furry friends when they indulge in an exercise regimen. A study finds that longer duration of exercise everyday helps dogs with hip dysplasia. In fact, such pets show less lameness when they follow an exercise and walking routine.
Additionally, obesity and weight gain are the biggest health issues facing pets, which could result in serious illness. Safe, age-appropriate exercises ensure that the dog’s joints remain lubricated and muscles strengthened.
Exercise Teaches Them Socialization
The best place to learn socialization skills is the playground. Therefore, exercise can expose your fur baby to other dogs, humans, and experiences.
When you take them for a walk, you are spending more time with them. When this play time brings you closer and builds trust, they are more likely to learn to be a good dog. Their workout regimen could therefore lead to more obedient behavior.
Need for Exercise for Dogs To Strengthen Your Bond
You might be surprised to learn that exercising and walking can help strengthen your bond with your fur baby. In fact, a pet can be your best exercise companion who will never complain and be ever ready to push you to work harder. What’s more, the exercise that you can work out on your own can be done with your pet.
However, it would help to consult with your dog’s veterinarian before increasing their activity levels.
How Much Exercise Does a Dog Need?
Puppies are more energetic than adult dogs, but they do not require an equal amount of exercise as the latter. In fact, exercise needs are different from one breed to another. Too much exercise can make a puppy feel exhausted easily. What’s more, there is a high risk of joint damage too in larger breeds. Two walks per day is advisable for dogs of all breeds. It could be more for adult dogs and specific breeds.
A puppy may need 5 minutes of exercise per month of age for at least two times a day.
Exercise and walking should become integral to your pet’s lifestyle. This is the only way to help them keep physically and mentally active and strong.
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