The perks of a pet walk
From excessive tail-wagging to the ‘zoomies,’ dogs make it known how much they love a walk.
Walking provides much-needed stimulation and benefits to their physical health, such as weight management, joint and digestive health, and improved fitness. It also offers important bonding time with owners, and an opportunity to socialise, especially at community dog parks.
Without such exercise, your dog may suffer from obesity, wasted muscle, lethargy, increased stress, and boredom. They may develop naughty or destructive traits if energy isn’t released through physical activity.
Plus, taking your dog for a walk exercises the mind as well as the body. Dogs get mental stimulation, from meeting other dogs and their owners, wildlife scents, and fresh sights and sounds, which use up energy. They also create a ‘scent map,’ of their surroundings, to get them home safely if they end up lost. Research suggests switching up your route often to keep things new for your dog.
Not only for your pup, getting outside daily offers multiple personal benefits from exercise and
fresh air.
It can become a mundane task, yet remember that it is probably your dog’s favourite part of their day. To shake the monotony, explore different paths and areas in your suburb, walk with friends and their dogs, practise obedience during, or take a ball or toy.
