Q. I hear there are a lot of good reasons for walking a dog. I am picking up my pup from the shelter; can you tell me the benefits?
A. Having a new companion to share your life and love is the best. Congratulations! There are so many benefits to having a furry friend. Petting and cuddling can lower your blood pressure. Taking long walks around town and in the woods are relaxing for you and your dog. Regular walks help your pup’s digestion and urinary tract health. To reduce everyday stress and anxiety, leisurely walking and allowing your dog to sniff his way around the neighborhood will naturally calm him and boost his immune system. Walking Fido can build trust, confidence, and reinforce training.
For you the fact that you are getting out and moving is a big plus in having a dog. Like your best friend, moving keeps your joints healthy. It will build muscle and strength. Both of you will have increased stamina. Risk of potential chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis, depression, anxiety, and adrenal fatigue will decrease. You and Fido will sleep better, play better, and have better overall health.
With your new best buddy, be sure to find a good positive trainer to help each step be joyful. If you plan on walking in designated off leash areas, teach him a solid recall. Be his advocate when he is anxious or afraid. Walking with your dog will build a lasting bond that is immeasurable.
We are in the autumn season. The air is clear and crisp. It is the best time to be outside and enjoying all the great places Maine offers you and your dog. With the change of seasons also comes a change in pests, which can challenge the health of you and Fido. In the fall flying insects decrease reducing the risk of some diseases. However, we now have the rise in ticks and the diseases they can carry.
A tick’s life cycle can take two years with different hosts. We used to feel safe in the winter because Maine is so cold and ticks were dormant. However, with our winters having warm spells and less snow cover, dog guardians and veterinarians are seeing ticks all year round. Ticks like warming moist weather we see in spring and fall, but we can find them whenever the temperature is above freezing or if the summer is humid. The numbers we see are less at these times, but the concerns remain.
This does not mean you should fear walking in the woods and fields. Be smart. Protect your dog and you from tick bites. An ounce of prevention cannot be stressed enough. Besides pesticides, essential oils, vaccines, and herbal formulas, a daily tick check for you and your best friend is needed.
Judith K. Herman, DVM, CVH
Animal Wellness Center
Augusta, Maine
www.mainehomeopahticvet.com