BlogForPups

1. They go to the bathroom outside, not inside the house.

Whether you’re house-training a new puppy, or managing “accidents” with an older dog, routinely taking your dog for a walk is still the best way to keep the mess outside.  Going for a walk can stimulate a dog’s body to “go to the bathroom” when you need him to.

2. It improves their social skills.

How would you feel if you were cooped up in the house all day, every day?  Your dog needs to be exposed to everything outside your home: nature, people, other dogs, traffic, whatever!  The more your dog is exposed to the world, the less likely they are to act out of fear or have unreasonable phobias.

3. It’s a chance for you to reinforce your role as their master.

Does your dog follow your commands, or does he/she dominate everyone in the household?  If you’ve got a dominant dog, chances are  you need to work on establishing your role as the “pack leader”.  Over thousands of years dogs have survived in packs with a hierarchy: there are leaders and there are followers.  If dogs don’t have anyone to “follow” they will naturally take the more superior role and will tend to get into all sorts of mischief or disagreeable behavior.  You, as their master, can easily practice leadership behavior by learning how to properly walk your dog on a leash.  With your shoulders, arms, and hands relaxed, lead your dog with confidence.  Do not let them pull you, keep the leash short and make them stay by your side at all times.  Ignore distractions and your dog will quickly pick up on this and follow.

4. Your dog burns calories, and so do you!

Have you ever heard the saying, “If your dog’s overweight, then you’re not getting enough exercise”?  It’s so true!  The benefits of daily exercise are priceless–for you and your dog.  Walking not only burns calories, but promotes positive mood and general health.  Combined with proper diet and nutrition, daily walks can help you find a balanced, healthy lifestyle–which is also the key to a long, happy life!  So, get your dog and get your butts out there!

5. It makes them happy, which makes you happy.

Unless you have a super lazy or laid back dog, most likely your canine friend gets über excited when you pull out the leash.  Can’t you just imagine them thinking, “Outside??  OMG, it’s so much fun going outside!!! Let’s go, let’s go, let’s goooooo!”  What dog owner can resist that joyous feeling of seeing your dog get super excited for something?  I can only imagine the things they enjoy about going on their walks…is it the smells, the sounds, the people and other dogs they see?  Is it the sunshine, the air, or just the pleasure of moving?  Whatever it is, going on walks makes your dog happy, and you reap the rewards as well.

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This is my niece, Zoe, snoozing with her rescue Golden Retriever, Buddy.

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