It’s often said that dogs are a lot like people. That’s absolutely true – in more ways than one. A sedentary lifestyle is bad for people, and it’s bad for dogs too. Exercise can ward away illness and disease and keep your dog looking and feeling great. In fact, exercising your dog is so important that some animal welfare organizations have proposed laws requiring dog owners exercise their dogs on a daily basis.
But not all inner city areas are dog friendly. To ensure residents have areas to walk their dogs without conflict with non-dog owners some areas will be declared restricted to dogs during certain hours and seasons, or prohibited to dogs altogether. Other areas will be open to exercise dogs at any time. Importantly, dogs must be under the effective control of a person at all times in public places.
Keep in mind that these parks are for everyone, not just for dog owners. Your dog should not rush up, jump at, or show any sign of aggression towards anyone. It should also return to you when you call it. Dog attacks aren’t just classified as dog bites – someone may feel attacked by your dog because they’ve felt afraid.
All dogs and dog owners can and should get walking. Experts recommend that we get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day and this is something that everybody can achieve, and go beyond, on a daily dog walk. Dogs’ exercise needs vary according to the breed that you have but every dog should have at least one walk a day, often two. Use any online resource to find out more about the exercise needs of your chosen breed.
The responsibility to implement a workout regime for our animals lies on our shoulders as owners. Dog owners must undertake this leadership role. If there is no leadership in the house or the life of your dog, your dog’s natural instinct is to assume its own leadership, which results in your dog running amok in the house and disobeying you because you are no longer its leader. Exercising with your dog is one of the first and foremost important activities that you must share with your pet. First, it puts you in the leadership role – when you are exercising with your dog outside the house, your dog has to pay attention to you and read your verbal or physical commands so that both of you can exercise as a unit.
Many dog owners don’t make the most of walks though. The result is that walks aren’t as enjoyable as they could be for either you or your pet.
