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Choosing to bring a dog into your family is not something that should be done lightly. A dog comes with a lot of responsibility, and that includes doing more than just ensuring your new pet has food and water. Dogs need, love, affection, mental stimulation, and above all, exercise. Many dog owners neglect to take their dogs on daily walks, but this is actually a vital part of owning a dog. Here are 4 reasons why walking your dog is so important. Behavior Many dog owners out there complain about their dog's bad habits. Perhaps they bark at everything all day long. Maybe they tear up your belongings when you're away from home. They may even dig up your backyard. When these behaviors become especially bothersome, dog owners frequently turn to Seattle dog training to try to find a magical solution to their issues. However, oftentimes, the solution to their dog's behavioral issues is as simple as walking their dog every day. You see, dogs get bored, just like humans do. And when that boredom is coupled with excessive energy, they will try to find ways to entertain themselves, and those ways are often destructive to your property. Simply taking your dog on a daily walk can help to burn that excess energy, alleviate boredom, and solve many of your dog's behavioral problems. Physical Health Just like you, your dog requires regular exercise to become healthy and strong. Of course, there are many ways to give your dog the exercise they need. Playing fetch is a great way to let them run around and get some exercise if you're not feeling up to a walk, but nothing can truly replace taking your dog out for a long walk or run. Taking your dog out for regular walks helps prevent them from becoming overweight, as well as building muscles and strengthening joints and ligaments. This can lead to a longer, healthier life for your canine companion. Mental Health As already mentioned, dogs can get bored. If a dog consistently does not receive the mental stimulation that they need, they can develop neurotic behaviors, like chasing lights and shadows or chewing on themselves. These are the kinds of behaviors that your dog develops in order to alleviate boredom and try to offer themselves the mental stimulation that you, as their own, should be offering them. Some dogs can even become depressed. Taking your dog for a walk not only helps to alleviate boredom, but it gives your dog the stimulation they're craving. Every walk--even if it is along the same route--will offer them new smells, sights, and sounds to take in, stimulating their mind. Socialization This doesn't just refer to introducing your dog to other furry friends, though of course this is important and can be a great thing to do when you take your dog for a walk. It also refers to socializing your dog with different people and different kinds of experiences. As already mentioned, every time you take your dog for a walk, there are new sights, sounds, and smells for them to explore. By doing this on a regular basis, you get your dog more accustomed to strange experiences, making it less likely that they will become frightened or aggressive when expose to other unknown places or people. Take, for example, a dog who has never been introduced to children. When first confronted with a small, noisy human who wants to climb all over them, a dog can become frightened and aggressive. If, on the other hand, you frequently take your dog for walks in the park where neighborhood children often play, they will be more familiar with kids and less likely to lash out. Of course, walking your dog is just a small portion of dog ownership, but it is a very important one. If you need help giving your dog the stimulation and exercise they need, look into Seattle dog training classes. Need to get a new leash on life? You can do that here at Central Bark! Seattle Dog Training. Visit our page on http://www.central-bark.com/training.html for more info!
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