Exercising your dog goes without saying, it’s part of ‘Owning a Dog 101’. Why you should exercise your dog may not be as obvious. While there are a multitude of reasons for exercising your dog, continue reading to find out the top 3 reasons why regularly exercising your dog can lead to a happier dog, help maintain your dog at a healthy weight and help burn your dog’s excess energy. As they say, a tired dog is a happy dog.
Happiness
Just like humans, dogs release endorphins - serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine - that lead to a ‘natural high’ and a greater level of happiness after exercising. Not only that, but dogs will also be more mentally stimulated while out on walks. According to Understanding Animal Research, dogs have over 220 million scent receptors (humans have around 5 million). Dogs learn everything through these scent receptors and take great pleasure in learning about the world around them through smelling. Dogs ‘see’ the world through their nose and a single sniff outside can provide your dog a long story about what has happened there in the past.
Top Tip: Mix up your routes - dogs will enjoy the variety of smells they encounter on different walks.
Weight Maintenance
Again, just like humans, dogs have to watch their weight! According to the Kennel Club, obesity is now the most common nutritional disorder seen in dogs. A dog being overweight can lead to diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and a whole range of other health problems. Regularly exercising your dog through walks, runs and playing outside can help maintain a dog’s weight. Taking more frequent or longer walks is an easy way to help your dog maintain its weight. The best part? You will be helping to maintain your weight too! Top tip: If you’re still training while out on walks, use freeze dried meat or cooked chicken as a very tasty (but lower calorie and healthy) treat!
Energy Out
This might be one of the best reasons to regularly exercise your dog – especially if your dog is a puppy! We all know that dogs that have too much energy will release that energy in a variety of ways: ways that are not welcome. A dog with too much energy will likely exhibit behaviours such as: chewing, barking, whining, rough play or just downright being annoying to the humans and other animals around them. Allowing your dog to release some of their energy through long and/or frequent walks will benefit everyone in the household – not just your dog. Top Tip: Dogs benefit greatly (and release that pent up energy) from a range of different exercises, such as swimming, agility or obedience training.
As you can see, the benefits of exercising your dog are clear. Your dog will be happier, healthier and will exhibit less of those dreaded destructive behaviours. Not only that, but you will also be happier and healthier right alongside your four-legged companion when you join them for their exercise. However, we understand that there are only so many hours in the day and sometimes life gets in the way and you’re not always able to provide the consistent level of exercise that you want for your dog.
Click here to find out how Cooper’s Canine Services can help provide your dog with quality, regular exercise that suits you and your dog’s needs – we even offer obedience training!
Just love this article! It makes me realize why dogs get so happy before heading out on a walk. I am going to volunteer at a local shelter to walk dogs in need so they can experience the benefits above!