Mid-day Dog Walks - Why?
Many "city/suburban" dogs are home alone for 9 to 12 hours at a stretch on typical workdays. That is just too long for a dog to go without a bathroom break, some attention, a change of scenery, and the all-important exercise/energy burn-off. Some dogs will begin to exhibit behavior clues - chewing, miniblind-bending, and other destructive behaviors; excessive (boredom) barking, "forgetting" their housetraining, and so forth. But most dogs will exhibit none of these clues to let you know that their long, lonely days aren't so rosy.
Dogs are pack animals, highly social creatures who need stimulation, interaction, and far more exercise than most get on busy workdays. Even if you manage to find the time for a good walk before or after work, chances are it's just not possible to meet the amount of exercise that most dogs need each day. Younger dogs and more active breeds need even more. So what does exercise do for dogs?
As with humans, moderate exercise is vital to the health and well being of our dogs. Here are just a few of the benefits of daily exercise:
* Daily exercise strengthens the heart, improves lung function,
digestion, and muscle tone
* Mid-day walks provide your dog with an "acceptable" outlet for all that energy (instead of your shoes, your sofa, your...you name it)
* Exercise helps maintain a healthy weight, which is key to preventing a whole host of diseases from diabetes to degenerative joint problems;
* Consistent, moderate exercise increases joint flexibility, and can even help delay degeneration of joints affected by osteoarthritis.
The bottom line is that we all need regular exercise, and our dogs are no different. They need social interaction, relief from the boredom of long workdays, a way to burn off energy appropriately, and at the very least - a chance to pee! When you give your dog mid-day walks from Katiebear's, you're giving her all that and more. They're also getting a positive break to look forward to each day, a friendly and familiar face, consistency in their routine, and - most importantly - lots of love and affection.
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