Walking a Dog for Human’s Well-being

According to an English survey in which about 2 thousand dog owners were questioned, most dog owners see walking the dog as a while they have for themselves and relax. What other benefits do walks with dogs have?

In England, dog owners were asked about how they see walking and if time spent outside with a dog has any other benefits for them. The results have shown that 8 out of 10 people sometimes take their dog out just because they want to enjoy some peace and relax. 73 % of the surveyed even considers outdoor activities with their dog as an important tool for reducing stress. 

The overwhelming most of the questioned agree that walking provides them with valuable time for thinking. Almost half of the owners see this “time for themselves” as the best aspect of walking the dog. Every fifth person have even come to an important life decision on a walk – it concerned moving, changing jobs, ending a relationship or starting a family. 

Walking a dog is one of our most important duty with regard to taking care of a furry friend and even though this activity is mainly done for dogs, it becomes clear that it also brings many benefits to us, humans, as well. And it doesn’t only concern our physical condition. 

Forgetting about everyday worries and spending time with a man’s best friend can clear our heads. Thanks to it, we enjoy some time for ourselves which is badly needed. Many of us use walks to think through an important decision well or to relax. A bonus is that long walks together even strengthen our relationship with our dog companion. 

During the survey, the participants were also asked to take their dog for 8 half-hour-long walks within a week and then to share their impressions. Two thirds of them said their mood and mental health improved. And almost all of them stated that they liked going on walks. More than one third of the participants were disappointed when they couldn’t find time for a planned walk.

It is clear that each person has different reasons for walks. It might be about spending some time with one’s family or to spend time with ourselves. Some people enjoy the peace during the walk, some walk the dog to get in a better shape. So it becomes clear that only a few people see walking the dog as a pure duty. It is sure that walking together has positive effects on us.

What about you, do you enjoy walking your dog and take it for long walks as much as you can? Or do you only go outside with your dog so it can pee and go back home?

 

Related articles

Diarrhoea in a dog

Every one of us has for sure encountered diarrhoea in our fuzzy friend. Usually, there’s nothing to fuss about, the body reacts to food that it isn’t capable to digest or that didn’t do it good. However, it is good to know, when we are capable of...

Dog history I: cosmonaut Laika

I have been sharing with you my experience with dogs and other animals for quite some time now and it occurred to me to wander a little bit into history as well, but into an interesting one! I’d like to introduce you to several well-known dog...

Even dog can have an allergy

Allergy is a disproportionate reaction of the immunity system to common stimuli. It cannot be cured, but we can suppress its manifestations. In the last years, allergies in pets and dogs especially are on the rise. Currently, about 10% of house-dogs...

FIP, the cat killer

Today, we are going to take a look at the Feline Infectious Peritonitis - FIP, an utterly exceptional virus illness that always has a fatal end. Most of the cats get into contact with the viruses that cause FIP in their lifetime, even though the...

Dog in bed

We can divide dog owners into two groups. The ones that allow the dog in bed and those that feel that this is no option. Let’s take a look at what such bed sharing with a dog actually entails.

Geocaching with a dog

If you like going on treks with your fuzzy friends, geocaching is something precisely for you. This way, you will liven up your trips and maybe you even discover places that you wouldn’t have found otherwise. I and my pack can’t get enough of it.

Moving with a cat

Contrary to dogs, cats have a strong bond with the place where they live. That’s why moving is very stressful for them and this stress may cause a number of diseases. It’s a good idea to plan everything well, so that you could make the situation of a...

Dog Instincts

Even though the dogs went through long years of domestication, they still retain fundamental instincts as we do. They might not be as strong as in wild dogs, but they still play a very significant role in the life of a dog and in their behaviour. So if...

Dog rescuers

It is no news that the dog isn’t only a pet and that it can also help saving human lives in various catastrophes. But have you ever thought about what it means for dogs to become rescuers? You haven’t? Well, then it’s the right time to set off together...

What to do when your dog queen is pregnant?

The usual pregnancy period in female dogs is indicated at about 58 – 65 days, the average is 63 days. In case of the nutrition of a pregnant female, possible changes in diet can be likened to the changes in diet of pregnant women. Pregnant female dogs...