Still Not Walking Your Dog?

It seems that having a dog is becoming more and more popular amongst the young professional crowd, particularly for those in relationships. Dogs make great companions for young professionals, providing us with something to come home to, to love and care for, to receive love from, but requiring far less work and responsibility than taking the big step of having a child. That said, dogs do require a certain amount of daily care. Due to our busy YP lifestyle however, one of the most important responsibilities required of dog owners can often become easily neglected: the daily walk. 

Times have changed
Many of us grew up with family dogs: dogs that lived in the backyard, laid silently under the kitchen table, were merely pets and did their own thing. What we now know about keeping pets, however, has changed drastically since those days. Much research has proven that in order to have a happy and well-behaved dog, much more of a connection and commitment is required of us as owners. Dogs are no longer simple animals that we share our space with, but members of the family who require daily activity and enrichment just like the rest of us. Many busy YPs still believe that letting their dog out to run around the yard for a few moments before work, or that a quick ride down the elevator to the green patch outside the building is sufficient; it’s not. So rid your mind of the old-school mentality and learn just how important daily walks really are for your favourite furry friend.

Not just a toilet break
Dogs are pack animals. Walking with their pack is the most natural, instinctual thing they can do and you are their pack. Many YPs living in condos or apartments tend to take their dogs for walks merely for bathroom purposes. For dogs of regular health, this few minutes of walking is not nearly enough. In fact, your dog may begin to catch onto your routine and you may notice them taking much more time to finish up their business. If your dog knows that once they go, that they are then whisked back inside and left alone as you carry on with your day, they will have no problem drawing the process out and making you late for work. If you take the time, however, and turn the daily walk into a time of exercise, training, and fun, the business end will just happen naturally. Walking with your dog provides a great time to bond, as well as to help maintain your dog’s weight, and to socialize them with other dogs – all very necessary components to a dog’s health and happiness.

A simple solution to your doggy troubles
Many of the most popular dog trainers, behaviourists, and psychologists count daily exercise as the number one most important factor in promoting good doggy behaviour. That’s a big deal. If you have a dog that chews up your house when you’re away at work, barks for hours after you leave, or jumps all over you when you get in the door, these are all signs that your dog is extremely bored. How would you feel if you were left home for hours on end with nothing to do each and every day? Dogs have a lot of energy and they need to expel it one way or another. Daily walks can relieve your dog of this destructive energy and can create a much better behaved dog.

If you can’t do it, hire someone that can   
We know you are busy, and that as a YP this is very crucial time in your career. There are times when it can just seem impossible to make your dog a top priority. Thankfully, as keeping dogs grows in popularity and as new knowledge regarding the care they require comes to light, the resources available to dog owners have also increased. Dog walking services, day cares, and sitters are popping up in cities all over Canada. If you are unable to make daily dog walks fit into your schedule, hire someone that can do it for you. Your dog didn’t choose to be adopted by someone too busy to give it the important care it requires, so do right by your furry friend and provide it with daily walks even if you aren’t the one to do it.