5 Incredible Benefits of Jogging with Your Dog
Like humans, dogs need to stay active to live a long and healthy life!
Jogging with your dog provides excellent benefits to both you and your dog’s physical and mental health. Besides weight loss, some of the perks include mental sharpness, less anxiety and depression, and an increase in the strength of your heart.
If you have adopted a dog, starting a running routine with him is a great way to integrate him into your “pack” and bond with him. It will also teach him the necessary social skills he needs, along with stimulation to keep him out of trouble!
A consistent running routine for you and your dog can open the door to a more friendly dog. Consider these five incredible reasons to begin a jogging routine with your dog!
Physical benefits
Walking and playing fetch is good exercise. However, running will use different muscles and is a more constant and intense workout for your dog. Most dogs need to burn energy off regularly, though the amount will depend on the breed. The physical benefits include a stronger heart and lungs for both you and your dog! With an increasing number of dogs being overweight, a consistent running routine will help keep your dog in a healthy weight range.
Mental benefits
Studies have shown that an active lifestyle reduces stress and anxiety in humans and dogs. Even better, active dogs are shown to live longer, happier lives. When dogs are under-stimulated, they can be destructive, hyper and even aggressive. Running exposes them to new sights, sounds and smells giving them ample stimulation. It also serves as a way to socialize your dog. When you run with your dog, you meet other runners and dogs along the way. This gives them a chance to “befriend” other dogs in the area. Who knows, you may just meet a new friend, too!
Consistency in an exercise routine
It’s hard to resist that cold nose on your cheek in the mornings! The longer you run with your dog, the more she will look forward to getting out and running with you. Studies show that people who exercise with their dogs are more likely to stick with a routine long term. Excellent news for your activity goals!
If you have chosen to foster a dog, getting them into a consistent running routine will calm them and provide structure. It may also help them get adopted!
Motivation while running
A furry running partner will help you push harder and run farther giving you the motivation to keep going! Runners also find that their runs are more enjoyable with their dogs. Instead of paying attention to running time or calories burned, they are focused on enjoying the run with their companion. But be careful not to push your dog too far too fast. Gradually increase mileage until you reach an optimal distance for your dog. Investing in a GPS system will help you enjoy the workout and keep track of distance.
Jogging with your dog is a great way to bond with him. Just like we bond with family and coworkers, dogs will bond with us as we spend time with them doing activities like running. Not only will do they bond with their humans, but dogs will bond with other dogs in the family as well. Running together will encourage your dogs to work together and see each other as friends rather than competition.
Running is so fun, especially when you have a furry companion to keep you motivated! Our dogs have a way of making us stay active. We’re much more inclined to go for that jog if our dog is begging us to go and there are plenty of health benefits!
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