Dog Walking is work our that everyone can do. What’s great about it is that you can do it by yourself or with a friend. If you do not have somebody, the dog supplies great company. It’s simple to do, and requires no special equipment, apart from a dog, a lead and comfy shoes. It is also free, in fact you can make money out of it. In addition it can be done anywhere, anytime, even in London dog walking is popular.
Dog walking has many benefits. It is the key element of dog care. It uses calories, it is a weight loss aid. One hour of dog walking (you as well) will use between 200 and 300 calories, depending on your weight. The heavier you are, the more calories you burn. Walking does not strain your legs and ankles, unlike running, which can damage your joints and bones.
In fact it really helps the knees. The action of dog walking stimulates cartilage growth and the flow of synovial fluid within the knee. It also strengthens the muscles that protect the knee.
Because dog walking is weight-bearing it also helps strengthens the muscles that protect the hips. At the same time it strengthens bones therefore reducing the probability of fracture due to osteoporosis. By strengthening the core muscles of the spine and abdomen, dog walking helps reduce the chance for getting low back pain.
The increased exertion needed for dog walking helps the heart to pump more strongly. This helps reduce blood pressure with the subsequent reduced risk for stroke and heart attack.
Dog walking increases the respiratory rate (breathing rate), promotes increased flow of oxygen to the rest of the body and also helps eliminate the build up of carbon dioxide. A major plus for you and the dog is improved energy.
Studies show that exercise such as dog walking raises endorphin levels which helps relieve pain, reduces serum cortisol levels which helps reduce anxiety (as does having animals around, so a double benefit), and may also decrease the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
So how do I {kick off with} start dog walking.
Pretty simple. Start with a good pair of walking shoes. If you have a history of flat feet, you should use orthotics.
Do not try to do too much at the very beginning. Build up gradually increasing the amount you walk. A great objective is 10,000 steps per day, which is approximately 5 miles. If that seems like a lot, note, most people already walk about 3,000 to 5,000 steps a day during the course of a normal day. Please note that many dogs, who evolved from wolves still have the same characteristics, require to walk over 5 miles a day. Most have the stamina for ten or more miles a day.
Depending on your fitness, you can start from low levels. Only one issue, I don’t have a dog. Not a problem, enquire around, there are many individuals who are time starved and don’t have ~ enough time for walking their dog. Increasingly, during this credit crunch period, dogs are being given to into dog charities, so either volunteer to become a dog walker or why not take a dog home with you.
Strapped for cash, why not help out people who do not have time for dog walking and set up a business walking their dog.
What speed for your dog walking will depend on you and your dog. Start slowly. A medium pace, you can walk up to about 2-3 miles an hour. You should be breathing faster and feel your heart rate increasing but still be able to carry on a conversation. You need to make sure that the dog is not pulling you, its not good for him and it is more exhausting for you.
Remember, it’s crucial to keep up your dog walking routine, for both you and the dog! Enjoy it.