Sometimes, we take walking for granted. Some days we even see those walks as a chore. But the ability to get out in nature, breathe deep, and spend some quality time with our animals is actually really important! There are so many different benefits of walking your dog that it’s actually incredible what we can get from a simple stroll.
In fact, the activity has far-reaching, long-lasting physical, mental, and emotional benefits for both you and your adored beast. Here’s why walking your dog is one of the best things you can do for both of you.
Health Benefits of Walking Your Dog (For You & Your Dog)
It goes without saying that there are many good reasons to walk your dog every day. Of course, one of the biggest, for both you and your canine companion, is the physical exercise and how it helps overall health.
For both you and your animal, walking can help support so many parts of the body, from heart health (hello cardio) to brain health to digestive health… the list goes on and on. It’s valuable for weight management and is a vital part of protecting the joints and muscles. It can even help with your sleep! A walk may seem simple, but it is actually a big part of what keeps you and your dog young and healthy.
Another huge benefit of this physical exercise is the stress relief! For you, a simple walk in nature can produce a significant drop in the stress hormone cortisol. Research also proves that walking with your pet boosts serotonin and dopamine levels, which boosts your mood and reduces depression. For your dog, exploring new sights, smells, and sounds provides essential mental enrichment, preventing boredom and destructive behaviours. It can give them confidence and ease anxiety, which reduces stress.
Strengthening Your Bond
One of the other amazing benefits of walking your dog is the way that it can help build and strengthen your bond. Our dogs are our best pals, cherished family members we can’t picture life without. It goes without saying that we want to reinforce those bonds and ensure our animals know they can depend on us.
Walking accomplishes this in a variety of ways:
- Trust and Communication – Walking together reinforces training and improves mutual trust.
- Quality Time – Dedicated walking time ensures that you and your dog enjoy each other’s company without distractions. (Put your phone away!)
- Socialization – Walks provide an opportunity for both of you to interact with other dogs and people, improving social skills.
- Routine and Stability – Dogs thrive on routine, and consistent walks provide them with a sense of stability and security.
- Shared Enjoyment – Walking is an activity that both of you can look forward to, enhancing happiness and companionship.
One quick tip: be present. To strengthen your bond, you need to participate in the bonding. Put your phone away, talk to your animal, see what they see.
We have even more on how it can strengthen your bond in this post!
Making the Most of Your Walks
For most dogs, that daily walk is the highlight of their day. Walking, sniffing, and taking in new sights and sounds and smells all feed your dog’s natural instincts, which is really important. If all they’re getting as far as exercise is a romp in the backyard, they’re literally just reading the same book over and over again.
There are so many ways to help make sure your dog gets the most from each and every walk.
- Vary Your Routes – Exploring new places keeps walks interesting for both you and your dog. Maybe that means walking different streets or maybe it means travelling to a new area of town regularly. It could also mean heading out to surrounding trails on the weekend. We’re not saying every day needs to be different, but whenever possible, try to change things up.
- Let Them Sniff – Dogs take in more than we can imagine when they sniff on a walk. Allowing your dog to explore their surroundings through scent is a great way to provide mental stimulation, so let your dog sniff. We’re also big fans of the “sniffari”. That’s when we let their nose take the lead. We can promise, after one of these walks, your dog will need a good nap!
When we lace up our shoes and leash our furry companions, it really isn’t just a walk in the park. For both, the benefits of walking your dog are profound; it’s a journey towards improved health and vitality.
As walkers, we can improve our overall health and wellness, reduce our stress, and build a better bond with our buddies. As the walkees (or, let’s be honest, the ones leading the walks in many cases), its great for overall health, for building confidence, and to help ensure a fulfilling and enriched life. So, grab the leash, head outside, and enjoy the many rewards that come with this daily habit!
