It is pretty obvious that dogs love exercise and play time, as this is what keeps them energized and their minds clear.
Owners who exercise their dogs regularly are actually exposing themselves to exercise themselves!
What better way to stay active than with your furry friend and partner in crime? In fact, many people use having to frequently exercise as a reason to get a dog.
It is easy to find an excuse to not go outside, but if you have a dog that needs to go then there is a higher chance you will find yourself lacing up those sneakers.
The benefits of dog walking or playtime on owners is so important because it plays a necessary role in the bonding between dog and owner.
I am so excited to share with you today the 34 benefits of dog owners while walking and exercising.
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Maintains Human’s Mental Health
Exercise has proven to elevate mood levels and clear brain fog.
Additionally, it can battle stress and get the mind off of anything it is concentrating on.
Taking your dog out early morning or late at night lets, you spend time on being outdoors instead of worrying about work or assignments you have to complete.
For however long you are outside for walking or running with your furry friend, it can significantly maintain positive mental health.
#1 Enhances Connection to Nature
Spending time in nature is good for the human soul.
In fact, it can help decrease stress levels according to many scientific research studies.
With the faced-paced society we live in today, it can be hard to put our cell phones or TV’s out of sight.
Dogs need to get outside and enjoy the fresh air, and going out with them allows the owner to enhance his or her own connection to nature.
Look at the trees blowing, take a deep breath of air, listen to the leaves crunch as you walk on them, or let the blades of grass graze your toes.
#2 Decreases Loneliness
Dogs are great companions that give owners a purpose.
Oftentimes, it can be easy to feel lonely especially if you are living alone.
Knowing your dog is at home waiting for you or depends on you for exercise makes the loneliness begin to decrease.
#3 Add Meaning and Purpose
Dogs offer meaning and purpose to their owners’ lives.
Not every couple will have kids or not every person will have a special someone in their life.
Therefore, a dog can provide comfort, love, and companionship to a solo individual.
#4 Stave Off Depression
There is a reason why there are therapy dogs – dogs stave off depression.
If you are feeling stressed or sad, you can hug your dog and instantly feel happier and relaxed.
Seeing your dog’s wagging tail and taking him or her out for a brisk walk can immediately clear the mind and help you feel better.
#5 Make Your Happier
How can anyone resist the big eyes, wagging tail, and panting tongue of their beloved dog?
Moreover, how can anyone resist a fun walk or run with their dog?
Dog walking, exercising, and cuddling make the world a happier place – and the owners, too!
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#6 Provides Companionship
Dogs provide companionship to those living alone or without a spouse.
Having to take time to exercise your dog or having a wagging tail to come home to provides purpose.
Even though dogs are unable to speak to us, they understand emotions and feelings well. In fact, they can sense if their owner is upset or sick.
While a dog is unable to say it cares or is worried about words, it does so by sitting or lying next to you.
#7 Teaches Responsibility
Caring for a dog requires responsibility.
For example, exercising it, feeding it, grooming it, and playing with a dog is necessary for developing a healthy and happy pup.
Making time to care for your dog each day, whether it be taking him or her out for a stroll around the neighborhood is so important and teaches basic responsibility.
#8 You Can Find Out More About Your Personality
Dogs bring out the best in humans.
Perhaps you have never been a goofy or laid-back kind of person, well a dog can easily bring that side out!
Before you know it, you will be on the floor playing tug-of-war with them, or taking them to puppy classes each week.
A dog will highlight your best qualities and let you know the ones you need to work on.
#9 Provides Safety and Peace of Mind
Dogs are great to have around because they offer safety and provide peace of mind.
If you are living alone or like to go out walking or jogging solo, having a dog your side can instantly make you feel safe and calm.
#10 They Help Us Be More Social
What do you do when you head to the dog park and your dog runs up to another owner and their pup?
Well, you can’t just walk away or not engage in any kind of conversation.
Dogs help us be more social, even if it is hard to do!
Naturally, you will feel more drawn to talk to other dog owners or people who compliment your dog or want to pet him or her.
#11 Improves Emotional Health
Keeping a healthy mind can be done through exercise. Let’s face it, sometimes getting inadequate exercise is hard.
However, a dog needs daily exercise and it is not easy to come up with an excuse not to get outside when he or she is waiting at the door for you.
Owning a dog can improve emotional health significantly just through exercise.
#12 Playtime is Fun for Dogs and Their Owners
Playing is not only fun for your dog, but it is fun for you too!
Whether it be jogging in the park, rolling in the grass, or taking a dip in the lake, your dog will have fun bonding with you.
Playtime is so important for dogs and their owners because it provides relaxation time that is spent together.
#13 Strengthens Bond
When your dog sees you playing with him or her, it shows love and care.
As a result, it strengthens the bond between you and your pup.
Playing together and exercising together is a great way to spend time with your dog, especially if you were gone all day at work.
#14 Meet New Friends
Exercising with your dog allows you to meet new friends, both human and fur friends.
Going to a dog park or the beach immediately opens up the possibility of meeting new dog owners and gives your dog the opportunity to make puppy pals.
It is hard to not run into others as your dog is galloping around the area bumping into new people and dogs.
Take this opportunity to chat with other owners!
#15 Build Your Sense of Community
Getting involved in the community can be done by visiting local parks, beaches, and events with your dog.
Not only does it allow the dog to have new experiences, it opens up the possibility of you building your sense of community.
From: HealthGrades.com
#16 Boosting Exercise Motivation
It can be hard to find the motivation to exercise, especially during the winter months or early mornings.
However, when you have a dog, it needs to be exercised rain or shine, snow or sleet. As a result, dogs can help boost exercise motivation.
Once you begin to take your dog out every day, it becomes easier and easier and before you know it, you will crave exercise!
#17 Guarding Your Brain
Exercise helps the brain tremendously.
For example, it can keep it mentally clear, improve memory, and help with thinking skills.
While eating good food and taking vitamins is also necessary for guarding one’s brain, exercising and playtime with your dog is just as important.
So, get outside with your pup for your brain!
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From: GoldenmeadowsRetrievers.com
Maintains Physical Health
Walking your dog or playing with it by running up and down the stairs at home is a simple way to burn calories.
In fact, most times, you don’t even realize you are burning calories because you are having so much fun!
Regular dog walks outside can help tone the leg muscles, trim belly fat, and improve heart health.
#18 Improve Heart Health
Heart health is improved through cardiovascular exercises, such as running, walking, jogging, and skipping.
All of these things can be done with your dog!
While your pup is having fun running with you or jumping for his/her toys, you are working on improving your heart health.
It is a win-win situation for the two of you.
#19 Keep You Fit and Active
No matter how fit your body currently is, taking time each day to be physically active with your dog is important!
Don’t be one of those owners that sit on the sidelines as their dog runs around – do it too!
Plus, running or jumping around with your dog outside allows him or her to see that you love having fun with them.
#20 Helps You Lose Weight
Daily dog walks or runs can help you lose weight effortlessly.
If you pair this with good eating and drinking lots of freshwaters, owners can lose weight just by having a great time with their dog.
Before you know it, your tummy or legs will be shedding weight and you’ll feel great about yourself.
#21 Reduce Doctor Visits
Losing weight through exercise means a lot of problems stemmed from being overweight or not exercising can be reduced.
As a result, having to visit the doctor frequently may dissipate.
Not only will you feel better by walking daily, but you won’t have to take time out of your day to visit the doctor as much.
#22 Breast Cancer Risk Reduced
Did you know that science has shown the importance of exercise in fighting off and keeping away breast cancer?
If this is something you have had in your health history or in your family, it is a great reason why you need to get outside with your dog and move that body.
Along with breast cancer, many other cancers can be fought off through regular exercise.
#23 Live Longer
Undoubtedly, exercise helps you live longer, and doing it with a dog makes it fun.
Why not promote longevity in your health and your dog’s health by making exercise a priority every single day.
The way exercise can help a person live longer is by improving heart health and reducing unhealthy cholesterol levels.
#24 Boost Immunity
A daily walk can significantly improve your immune system.
This is especially important for those individuals who have a weak or compromised immune system.
Exercises energize the body and can ward off colds and cases of flu.
Every time you go out to take your dog for a walk you are helping your immune system.
#25 Feeling Calmer
Exercise can reduce stress and therefore result in feeling calmer.
If you wake up worried about the day ahead or come home after a busy day, taking your dog out for a walk or run can reduce nervousness ad stress and leave you feeling like a whole new person.
#26 Rehabilitation
Dog walks are great for rehabilitation, whether it be for accident recovery or after surgery.
Start off slow and a short distance and build up to longer distances.
Your dog will be happy to join you as you start your journey of recovery and they can play an important part in the motivation in doing so.
#27 Dogs Help Lower Blood Pressure
The presence of your dog can help calm you down, but it can also help lower blood pressure.
Additionally, the lowering of blood pressure occurs when an individual regularly exercises.
Walking, jogging, or even chasing your dog around at the park can help to keep blood pressure at a healthy level.
#28 Relieves Joint Pain
Joint pain can occur from prolonged sitting or not moving the muscles and joints regularly.
Walking your dog every day keeps joints lubricated and flexible so that you can reduce any pain.
#29 Walking Improves Management of Joint and Muscle Pain
Daily walking, no matter how fast or slow, can help improve the management of joint and muscle pain.
It is important to wear comfortable shoes and train your dog from when it is a puppy to walk with you confidently and at a good pace.
Typically, most dogs do well in harnesses that take the pressure off their necks and let them walk with ease.
#30 Dogs Force Their Owners to Get a Bit of Exercise
Dogs need to go outside every day, so it is hard as an owner to not exercise!
Taking your dog out every day gets rid of the excuses people have that they have no time to exercise.
A short walk around the block is better than nothing and will provide you with a start at incorporating exercise into your daily routine.
#31 Keep Your Exercise Routine on Schedule
When you have a dog waiting for you to take them outside, it is pretty hard to say no! After all, providing your dog with exercise is a must.
When you only have yourself holding you accountable to exercise it can be easy to say no or hit the snooze button.
However, with a dog wagging its tail waiting to go outside, an owner is kept on schedule.
#32 Diabetes Risk Lowered
Frequent exercise can improve sensitivity to insulin and allow the body to control blood sugar levels better.
In order for diabetes risk to be lowered, it is important to get outside and move every day with your pup at your side!
#33 Colon Cancer Risk Decreased
Cancer and exercise do not go hand in hand. In fact, exercise can stave off cancer if performed regularly.
Walking your dog each day is beneficial in cancer prevention, such as colon cancer, and maintaining perfect health. It only takes a little bit of exercise to see a difference.
#34 Walking Improves Balance
As people get older, their sense of balance can deteriorate.
Therefore, getting plenty of exercise and incorporating balancing type workouts can help improve one’s balance.
If you head to the park with your dog, try playing on some playground equipment if no one is around.
You can practice balancing on the various equipment and combined with walking, you will be on your way to perfect balance!
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Which Benefits You Like Most?
With all this in mind, I hope you can see the many amazing benefits of dog walking on owners.
Which benefit did you enjoy most, or was there one that you already knew about? I would love to hear what you have to say.
It is so important that dog owners realize how dog walking is not only meant for their dog, but also for them!
Dog walking can totally change how owners feel and look – just from a few simple walks per day!
Let me know in the comments below what you thought about this article and share it if you really enjoyed it.
I would love to hear from you if you know of any other benefits out there for dog owners who exercise with their pup daily.
Further Readings
https://sitstaygoco.com/blogs/blog/benefits-taking-dog-for-walk
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/the-10-health-benefits-of-dogs-and-one-health-risk
https://canineweekly.com/the-mental-health-benefits-of-dog-ownership/
https://www.wileypup.com/health-benefits-of-having-a-dog/
https://www.livescience.com/seven-surprising-health-benefits-dog-ownershil
https://www.healthywomen.org/content/blog-entry/benefits-walking-your-dog
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/minding-the-body/201404/dog-walking-has-psychological-benefits-you
https://wagwalking.com/daily/does-walking-my-dog-really-count-as-exercise
https://www.lifelearn.com/health-benefits-of-dog-walking/
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