The 5 Things Walking Does For Your Dog

Many dog owners view dog walking as a necessity. The primary purpose is to ensure their dog does not relieve itself in the home. However, many do not realize that dog walking also benefits their dog.

Here are 5 ways dog walking benefits your dog:

An Outlet For Pent Up Energy

During the day, many dogs are penned up in the house or in the yard. During this time, they can build up energy that needs to be released. When you walk your dog, it's their exercise for the day. At the end of the walk, you'll find that the exercise has helped make your dog calm, even it the dog is hyper.

It Helps Reinforce Training 

There are two ways walking helps with training. The first is by reinforcing training commands while on the walk. During this time you work with your dog on training commands such as "heel" or "stay." The second way is by tiring your dog enough that it's receptive to training when you get home.

It Helps With Socialization

When you're out for a walk, you and your dog will encounter other people and animals. When a dog is allowed to meet people and other pets, they are less likely to be fearful when encountering them in the future. A socialized dog is a well-rounded pet who is more confident.

It Provides Mental and Physical Stimulation

During a walk, your dog will be exposed to new sights and sounds. While walking you can allow your dog to explore your neighborhood, using their senses. By learning your area, using sight, sound and smell, your dog will be getting a mental and physical workout.

It Can Improve Your Dog's Health

Dogs, like people, need exercise. A dog that does not get adequate exercise on a regular basis will gain weight and be prone to health issues, especially as they get older. By taking your pet for a walk, you're allowing your pet to get a good workout, and the many health benefits that go along with it.

These are all good reasons to take your best friend for a walk, but the best one may be, just to bond and spend time with it. It will enjoy the time you spend together and by taking an hour or less, each day to walk with your dog can help to build a strong, trusting relationship.

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Aggressive Dogs Need To Be Walked

Aggression has become an epidemic! I am not teasing, over the years I am beginning to see more and more cases of aggression from various causes. So what is causing it? There are several reasons that dogs are showing aggression more frequently however the cause that I want to discuss in this article is the lack of exercise, specifically walking.

Dogs need exercise. We all realize that however not everybody acts on it and provides the needed exercise to have a happy well-adjusted dog. If you just can't find time to make a daily walk a part of your dog's life then think about other types of exercise.

If your dog will play a good retrieve game then take 20 - 30 minutes and throw that ball. The goal is to exercise your dog to the point that he is relaxed and happy.

Dogs with aggression issues usually suffer from low serotonin levels. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, it works in the brain, and in the nervous system to help your dog have a feeling of well-being. In plain English your dog needs serotonin to help eliminate the aggression and exercise is the way to get it naturally.

Dogs suffering from aggression and separation anxiety may benefit from medications that affect the level of serotonin in the body. Your vet can help you determine if your dog needs one of these medications and if it will help your dog's aggression.

Of course any treatment with medication from your vet should always be accompanied by a good behavior modification program that includes some great obedience training. Obedience training helps establish the master dog relationship and allows the dog to see you as the master and leader of the pack. Dogs without training tend to assume the alpha position in the pack. Believe it or not you dog would be very happy to let you assume that role and relieve him of that responsibility.

Of course walking will not cure all your aggressive dogs problems however depending on the type of aggression walking, obedience training and some good behavior modification will go a long way to getting your dog back to being a fun loving dog and a happy member of your family.

Remember that a trained dog is a happy dog and an exhausted dog is happier so take the time to train and give your dog all the mental and physical stimulation that it needs to be happy.