Author: Stacey Barge, RVT
Date Posted: April 17, 2020
If you are like a lot of people, you don’t have enough time or are just unable due to circumstances beyond your control to get everything done that you need to in the day. Including giving your best friend regular walks. Dogs, just like people, need consistent and regular exercise. According to Jim Berry, past-president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, he estimates that 50 to 60 per cent of the country’s pets are either overweight or obese. [1]
Being away from home for long hours can be boring or lonely for your dog. Dogs need stimulation in their life, just like you. Even if your dog has access to your back yard, they don’t receive much variety in stimulation. Having access to the yard is great for bathroom breaks but if you’re not there they may not be too interested in self-play, which may lead to destructive behaviour or they may just loaf around the house which isn’t good for anyone.
One bonus from hiring a dog walker is that after a long day you won’t feel bound to exercise your dog the moment you get home or find that you need to give them constant attention immediately. Regular exercise lets your best friend release all that extra energy they have pent up.
If you do live in a smaller home, without a yard or with a small yard and especially if you have a larger dog, the limited space can feel cramped. Having a dog walker can let your dog see new scenery, stretch their legs, and lets you know that your dog isn’t getting into trouble while you are gone. A tired dog is a good dog.
I’d like to sum up with a quote from Natasha Pupulin, HBSc, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA, a well-respected behaviour coach from Calgary, AB. “Having a dog walker as part of your dog’s care plan is wonderful for maintaining skills and confidence outside the home. Many of us work very hard to socialize our puppies at a young age, but without the opportunity for continued exposure to people, places and things, a dog’s comfort can decrease over time in adulthood. For those of us who find it hard to fit walks into our schedule, a dog walker is an excellent accommodation for our dogs. For anyone who gets their dog out regularly, a dog walker can be a wonderful way to expand your dog’s social circle and help to strengthen their existing skills and confidence.”
[1] https://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/pets/weight-watchers-canada-s-pet-obesity-problem/