Benefits of Hiring a Dog Walker

Your pets need regular exercise, too. Here's why you should hire a dog walker.

            

OK, as a dog walker myself, maybe I’m a bit biased, but the truth is that hiring a dog walker can provide crucial benefits for your pet and you. Here are the top five reasons I believe hiring a dog walker is a good idea:

1. Walks improve pet health

Just like their human counterparts, pets need regular and consistent exercise to live long, healthy and happy lives. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, an estimated 54 percent of dogs and cats in the United States are obese.

Many pets will develop health problems in their lifetime that could easily be prevented or diminished with proper exercise. One of the absolute best ways to keep your dog healthy is to provide three or more 20-minute walks per day.

2. Walks provide socialization and stimulation

Walking not only gets your dog the exercise he or she needs, but it also stimulates his or her senses. Your dog gets to see, smell, feel and hear all types of new and interesting things when out for a walk.

This stimulation often includes meeting other people or animals, which can be an excellent way to encourage proper socialization for your pup. We often take for granted these brief encounters and stimuli, and we can easily forget that these are frequently the highlights of our pet's day.

3. Walks improve pet behavior

Simply put, a tired dog is a good dog. Regular walking helps to release excess energy in your pup, resulting in calmer behavior at home. With frequent, lengthy walks, your dog will be less inclined to engage in undesirable behaviors such as barking, chewing, biting or using the bathroom indoors.

4. Dog walkers give you peace of mind

Hiring a dog walker gives you the peace of mind that your dog is well taken care of, even when you aren't at home. With a daily dog walker, you don't have to worry as much if you need to stay late for work, or if your dog doesn't completely "finish" when you take them out in the morning.

The knowledge that your dog will get quality time outdoors during the day also helps relieve the guilt or stress held by knowing your pup is otherwise locked up alone, often for 8 or more hours every day. You can feel confident that you are doing the best you can for your pup, and that your dog is living a rewarding, happy life.

5. A dog walker saves you time

We all live busy lives, and every minute counts. Sometimes, consistent lengthy walks are difficult to fit into our schedules. We often wake up extra early, head home for our lunch hours, and delay making dinner for our families in an effort to make sure our dogs get the care they need. With a regular dog walker, your dog still gets all of the exercise and attention they deserve, while you get back a great deal of time. Everyone wins!

Original Article Found at https://www.angieslist.com/articles/benefits-hiring-dog-walker.htm