Another reason to love our four-legged friends!
What if we told you that walking your dog isn’t just good for their health and happiness, it’s also amazing for your own health and wellbeing? Yes, it’s true! People who regularly walk their dog can enjoy:
- Less stress
- Improved fitness
- Lower blood pressure
- Stronger muscles and bones
- Reduced anxiety
Sounds good, right? If you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps and looking for a way to kick-start a healthy habit, grab your four-legged friend and get out and about!
Make Walks Fun!
This chore is a bore no more! Try these top tips to make your walks more interesting and fun for you and your dog:
Walk & Talk
Meet up with friends and their dogs to go for group walkies. This gives you a chance to socialise with mates – and your dog can meet new puppy pals!
Hide & Seek
Play Hide & Seek with your pooch when you’re out. Hide behind trees and call its name or hide tasty treats and snacks for your dog to find. This is super-engaging and fun for your dog and it keeps you focused and less likely to get bored.
Walking Bingo
This interactive activity means you’re more likely to walk for longer – bonus for you and your dog! Ask someone to write a list of things for you to find and do when you’re on your walk, or jot down a few ideas yourself.
Your walking bingo list could include:
- Finding an odd-shaped tree
- Spotting an animal you wouldn’t normally see
- Finding a funny-shaped rock
- Spotting a nest
- Kicking through leaves
- Jumping over a stream or puddle
Run Or Jog
Pick up the pace on your next walk and see how far you and your pooch can run. Try to beat your PB (Personal Best) each day and explore new places to keep your runs interesting. Your dog will love to sprint alongside you as you jog through the park!
No Dog? No Problem!
If you don’t have a dog, you can always ask to borrow a furry friend from a family member, neighbour or mate. Most people are happy for their dog to get extra exercise. Or you could volunteer at a local dog shelter to offer your services as a dog walker.
Did you know that you can sign up to ‘borrow’ a stranger’s dog? If you’re over 18, you can register as a ‘Borrower’ on Borrow My Doggy. You can search for friendly local dogs to borrow from their owners and find your new furry best friend!
