Aug 21, 2007

Walking the Dog: Get Started

The month of June brought Father's Day, flawless weather and my first dog--an SPCA shelter 2-year old named Peaches--into my life. While her story is something you'll hear a bit later, I'd like to share a quick thought with anyone considering pet adoption in conjunction with walking-for-wellness: DO IT! Despite my novice status, I quickly realized that being a good and loving companion to a dog means you will:

:: Blend your walking habits with your dog's personality and behaviors
:: Engage in activities that automatically require you to increase time spent outdoors
:: Expand the ways you are physically active (including the accumulation of healthy steps) each day

Basic things you need to do for and with your dog (for her overall health and mental stimulation) will jump start a new level of fitness and personal growth for you. Think about experiences you'll share with your dog, like these:

:: Daily toileting walks
:: Attend training class
:: Reinforce training through at-home review of training exercises
:: Off-leash time
:: Playtime with you -and- time spent to teach and practice special tricks
:: Socialization with other dogs -and- exposure to a variety of practical situations

For intriguing research to get you thinking about links between dogs, walking and wellness for you, peruse:

:: American College of Sports Medicine showcases a May, 2007 study where lead author Dori E. Rosenberg observed correlation between neighborhood walkability, step counting and health of participants from high income and low income areas in Baltimore and Seattle

:: Wendy Bumgardner, the About.com Guide to Walking, reports that an October, 2005 University of Missouri-Columbia study of economically disadvantaged and disabled non-walkers showed dog walks produce weight loss

To begin a quest to find the right dog for you, visit:

:: Save-A-Pet national dog adoption database

:: Advocates for good pet parenting...Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

:: Local to Northern California...links to shelters and link to a trainer who can offer insight on dog rescue.

To see an equipment innovation and imagine plans for how you'll racewalk, power walk, Nordic walk or hike with your new dog, browse:

:: Buddy System hands-free dog leash

May There Be Happy Paws in Your Future,
Elizabeth

graphics credit - North Shore Animal League America, http://www.nsalamerica.org
disclosure - no financial interest or other relationship with Buddy System
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