Our pets offer so much love and really don’t ask for much in return, so we all want to make sure our canine companions have the best care possible. This might extend to obtaining the help of a dog walker. Most of us can’t spend the whole day with our dogs even if we’d like to. It’s also healthy for companion animals to be exposed to other people and new situations. They become more confident, emotionally secure, and happier pets.
Here are four of the basic benefits of having a dog walker.
1. Provide You with Reassurance
Let’s start with one of the big pluses a dog walker can give. The bond we have with our pets is strong, so it’s normal to worry about them when they’re home alone. When you head out in the morning, you’ve likely done what’s necessary to meet their needs in your absence. This means giving them their first feeding of the day, enough water to stay hydrated, a comfortable place to nap, and a few favorite toys. Perhaps you’ve left a radio on so they won’t feel too lonely or even installed a “nanny cam” so you can check up on them.
Scheduling daily time with a dog walker can bring you peace of mind. Not only do you know your pooch has some time to interact with another human, but you’ll get reassuring information from the dog walker about how your pet did that day. Having an extra person experienced around dogs to keep an eye out for their general health.
2. Provide Your Dog with Exercise
Active dog breeds need at least half an hour of exercise every day, and many dogs thrive on much more than that. However, most of them are not getting it. The Association for Pet Obesity estimates that 54 percent of American companion canines are obese. This conclusion is supported by Dr. Jim Berry, president of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, who estimates between 50 and 60 percent of pet dogs in Canada are obese. One of the best ideas for preventing obesity and getting your dog enough exercise is to break walks up into 20-minute sessions throughout the day. Your doggo will look forward to getting outside, and it may reduce the number of accidents they have.
Taking several shorter walks spread throughout the day also keeps your pet active while not risking overdoing things if the weather is not great or your pet is older or has an injury. The opportunity to burn off excess energy at intervals will result in a more content animal who is less likely to be destructive at home. A professional dog walker can help take the pressure of you by supplementing the time you spend exercising your pooch before and after you get home.
3. Provide Your Dog the Opportunity to Socialize
In general, dogs are extroverts and love meeting new individuals, whether of the human or animal variety. Learning to behave well when they spend time with other people or with a group of their peers will provide your doggo with necessary socialization. Dog walkers who walk multiple animals at once are skilled at teaching their charges to walk properly and get along. This extends to knowing how to properly handle any behavioral issues.
These are opportunities to develop good social skills that will teach your pooch to be a calm, confident, and emotionally healthy animal. It’s one thing to have a play date at your house with a canine friend and it’s quite another to get along with many new dogs. The outing may involve travelling in a vehicle as other dogs are picked up and there may be some play time in a park.
4. Provide You with the Help You Need
You want to select a reputable dog walker with a good track record. Choosing the right one involves checking reviews and asking anyone you know that uses a dog walker who they’d recommend. It’s possible, too, you’ll see a dog walker in action at your local dog park and can ask them for references. Determine when you need a dog walking service and the ideal time of day. This will depend, in part, on your schedule and how long you’re away from the house on particular days. Next, match with what different dog walkers advertise in terms of their availability.
It’s important that a dog walker is willing to come to your home to meet your pooch and discuss their services. This is when you’ll see how comfortable your pet is with the person and how they interact with your doggo. You can ask them about their experience, my out if they walk dogs individually or in groups, learn how they handle emergencies and other questions.