National Walk Your Dog Month is your New Year’s Resolution with a twist! If you’re like most people, your annual list of resolutions included goals like ‘lose weight’ and ‘get healthy’. If you’re really like most people, that resolution is fading fast, so it’s time to act.
Pet parents can take a step towards achieving these goals simply by grabbing the dog leash and asking, “Wanna go for a walk?”
OMG! OMG! WALK! GO! GO! NOW!
The sheer joy and unleashed excitement of your pet’s reaction will have you smiling and laughing while their tails are wagging.
The entire ritual of preparing for, and then going on the walk will not only boost your mood, but also help release your body cortisol and endorphins associated with positive health benefits like:
- Lower blood pressure
- Increased endurance
- Reduced pain & stress
- Strengthened immune system
All this begins before you even get outdoors! Happily, Arizona’s winter weather is usually pleasantly warm and sunny, so enjoy the time you have in cooler months – get out and explore.
Once you, Max, and Bella (Rover’s top pet names for 2017) are outside, take the time to really connect with the world around you. Dogs love to follow their noses, so try to allow them some leeway without losing control. During your journey, they’ll want to sniff out who’s been around recently, and leave a little dog graffiti here and there (don’t forget your poop bags).
Regular exercise helps burn off excess energy that can lead to undesirable behaviors like chewing, scratching or digging. A bonus is there should be a lot less whining or barking for attention. But make no mistake, they will keep you on track by reminding you when it’s time to for your walk. Dogs thrive under regular routines, and so can you.
Best of all? You’ll both lose weight and get healthier.