Being a ‘Pawrent’ feels amazing. Pet parents experience immense happiness and receive various benefits that are hard to express through words. Whether it’s the way they greet you at the doorstep or the way they sit on your lap to receive belly tickles, pets love us without any conditions and also provide us with their protection, warmth, and solace.
Because of a bad day at the office, being late on work deliveries, or a fight with a friend, sometimes we come back home frustrated and bash the door. There we find our dog, he just wags his whole body and rolls around the floor and we just rub his back and smile. Do you realize how wonderful our pet dogs are? They just turn our bad days into good ones and in front of them, those gloomy deadlines don’t matter that much.
They are not only caretakers of the home but are also natural guardians of humans. They provide us with an environment where there is no room for sadness or depression. According to research, dog owners tend to have healthier hearts and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
Going on a dog walk improves the weight, body condition, joint health, and digestive health of the dog.
Psychological benefits of dog-walking
Do you know it also provides various psychological benefits?
To both your pet and you!
Our dog demands a daily walk from us. Walking is not only an exercise for dogs but is also a mood booster for them. So every day, we leave our bed and fasten our dogs to go on a walk with them.
Helps in curing loneliness
Since the time the pandemic broke out, it made social distancing a necessity and distanced us from our loved ones. At this time, a walk with your four-legged companion can boost one’s mood immediately. The best thing about going on a walk with your dog is that it makes us explore various fields, public footpaths, and community projects.
Dogs are social beings. They love to be around living souls and also sniffing new people. Exploring new locations along with your dog gives you the chance to socialize with others. Some people share their experiences where they end up making new friends.
So, this not only cures loneliness but also prevents depression.
Dog-walking helps in managing stress
Do you know? A pet dog is an effective antidote to stress. According to experts, a dog's presence regulates the level of adrenaline and cortisol and manages other physiological processes associated with stress.
The companionship of a dog is so effective that dogs are even used to cure Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) among defense personnel.
So, just think when we combine the benefits of a dog with a daily walk, we can easily say goodbye to various stressors.
Boosts your mood and motivation level
All owners know that their dog can easily recognize their moods. If you are sad, your dog comes to soothe your mood. If you are happy, your dog is happier than you.
It has been scientifically proven that dogs can recognize the emotions of their owners and connect with their emotional state.
Dogs are our best therapists as they assure us that they are there with us. At the same time, they motivate us to get out of our reserved comfort zone and go on a walk with them, which uplifts our mood, especially if we are with our canine pal.
According to a study, there is a marked difference between the walking done by dog owners and walking done by people who don’t own a dog.
Dog-walking helps in reducing anxiety
Beagles love their owners immensely. They teach humans to enjoy and appreciate their present moments and also offer a stress-free environment.
They make us worry-free about the future. So, while spending time with them, we can become more mindful and appreciate our present moments without worrying about the future.
Enhances your self-esteem
It has been found that dog walkers were more sociable in the community. They are involved in healthy conversations, share a better bond with neighbors, and indulge in new things with their new friends.
The non-judgmental companionship of our collie pal helps us in boosting our self-esteem and develop a sense of worth in ourselves.
Dog-walking helps you establish a connection with nature
When you go on a walk with your dog, you explore new fields, new communities, and new places to walk.
We are already aware of the benefits we get from nature. Being around greenery can help us restore our attention, and just viewing nature scenes reduces our anger and increases pleasant feelings. Nature is also known to prevent various cardiovascular diseases.
So, stay attuned to the natural beauty along with your dog.
These benefits remind me of a story.
One of my friends was walking his dog ‘Barney,’ a golden lab. We all were having a party on the other side of the park. Barney appeared to look scary to some of my friends. Suddenly a group of boys came to bully us and stop the party. Barney started barking at them and chased them away. My friend was not able to control him fully at that time.
Ultimately, Barney was successful in chasing away those boys and Barney took off, jumped on the buffet table, and started eating the food. My friend ran there, and he said, “So sorry! Was the food vegetarian or non-vegetarian?” A boy said, “Non-vegetarian.” My friend said, “Well, for future reference, he prefers vegetarian food.” All of them started laughing! Since then, they have all been best friends.
How do children benefit from dog walking?
Children who grow up with pets have a low risk of allergies and they tend to become responsible at an early age.
Unconditional positive regard
Unlike their teachers or parents in some cases, pets never give children conditional love. They make the child feel secure and lovable.
Taking them on walks helps them to become responsible and enhances their confidence level.
Eliminates aggression
Spending time with the dog may help children release their repressed emotions with them.
It is often seen that a child engages in talking with their dogs more often than adults. They share with them all the things resulting in a catharsis, which further eliminates aggressive tendencies.
Enhanced relationships
Children who share a significant attachment with their pets are able to have good relationships in the future.
Studies have shown that pets tend to manage kids with ADHD and autism. A lap dog can leave calming effects on children diagnosed with hyperactivity or autism.
The best dog breed for long walks
If you feel lazy in getting out of bed, owning a dog can give you an excellent reason to go for a walk daily. Don’t rush to own a dog. You should search for the best dog breed for walkers. Make sure to choose a suitable breed according to your lifestyle.
It is necessary to research and study the breed in order to buy a “Pawfect” dog.
Let’s look at some of the best dog breeds for walking with. Beagles are always up for long walks. Labrador Retrievers have unlimited energy and a constant urge to stay outdoors, making them perfect for long walks in the mountains or around the woods.
Tips for Dog walkers
Nowadays, many students are engaged in dog-walker jobs/gigs. These are like after-school jobs where the children not only make money but reap mental health benefits too.
Interestingly, some companies like Wag have also developed dog walking apps through which dog owners can stay connected with the dog walkers.
Take charge - Stay confident, always check your non-verbal cues. Your body should be straight, head up, and ensure that your dog is walking either beside or behind you.
Carry all things - Always remember to carry a disposable container to collect your dog’s waste. You can also pack some dog food as a reward for their behavior and water for you and your pal.
To avoid any mistakes, always research your dog and find out the appropriate walking time for your dog. Always keep an eye on your pooch!
The best therapist has fur and four legs!
