Jordan Walker considers dogs as one of the best pets because of their loyalty and natural gift of intelligence. He encourages other people to treat pets better through his written works for Coops And Cages and in blogs such as this one. In this article, he will be telling you how dogs are great as exercise buddies.

Exercise is for everyone. People of all ages and different sizes, whether you are size 4 or a size 10, you need exercise. Why?  For those who consider themselves healthy, it will keep your bodies working  always at an optimum level. For those who are on the heavier side, to finally  do away with the excess weight. For the adults, to keep muscles, joints and bones stronger through time. Who exercises with you? If you have been doing this alone at a gym for several years now, you may want to consider getting a real exercise buddy that can keep up with you – a dog exercise buddy.

Why Dogs Are Best As Exercise Buddies

Why a dog and not just enroll in a gym that has the state-of-the-art facility? Here’s why:

1. Friendly company. A loyal dog will always consider you his best friend. Get its leash, take it outside, and it will happily wag its tail as the two of you walk or jog around the neighborhood. It beats being alone on a treadmill or being with other people minding their own businesses lifting weights at a gym.
2. You become more motivated. Since dogs, especially the sporting breeds need exercise, you will be committed to take this out for its needed exercise. This means that you get to exercise as long as your dog is able to do so. No more missing your exercise regimen because the very thought that your dog needs to exercise its muscles will motivate you to take it for a walk on a regular basis.
3. It keeps you in touch with the environment. You will be doing most of the exercising outside, either around the neighborhood, at the yard, or the nearby park. Exercising with your dog will keep you in touch with nature and the environment as a whole, something that many people nowadays tend to miss when they choose to just stay indoors most of the time.
4. You meet other people. Dogs are cute. Take care of your dog to a point that it looks shiny or clean and you will find a person or two commenting on how this looks amazingly great. You see, there are many people out there who love pets. Walking or jogging alone may not elicit you a conversation from a stranger, but you won’t find this a problem when you are holding a canine pal on a leash. That is why dogs are considered the best weapon for the singles looking for romance. People tend to fall in love with the dog first, then notice its owner.
5. No cash needed. The best gyms will charge you unreasonable fees unless you can get discounted membership rates, usually offered when they are having promotional stints to boost their business. With a pet dog, you need not break the bank. Although you will be investing it food, toys, pet grooming treatments and for its healthcare needs, you won’t feel like you were cheated with these splurges.
6. Your emotional well-being improves too. Experts recommend getting a pet because it can make you happier and calmer. Dogs have the ability to lower your cortisol levels, the chemical that has been linked to elevated stress. Their ability to calm people has also seen them enter hospitals where they are used therapeutically to help patients recover from illnesses such as cancer. Similarly, exercise has shown to increase happy hormones in people. If you combine the two, exercise plus being with a dog, it’s a sure and quick way to beat stress.
7. It protects your brain. Even when you are not exercising with it, having a dog is still considered a great thing. Psychologically, it can keep you happy. Physically, you lessen the risk of stroke. According to the American Heart Association, owning a dog can improve your circulatory processes and this, in turn, can protect your brain from stroke.

1. Consider the breed. Choose your dog’s breed in accordance to your own exercise needs to. If you want the total workout, you may be better off buying or adopting a sporting breed. If you only want to have light exercises, breeds such as poodles love to walk but will not demand that you take them out for rigorous activities.
2. Do it with a leash. Your dog may be friendly towards you, but may react differently when exposed to other people or pets. Always use a leash when going out for an exercise as an added security.
3. Get it neutered or spayed. Dogs that have not been neutered or spayed have the tendency to mark territories. The two of you are supposed to have an exercise, not for your dog to drag you around while trying to leave its natural scent all over the neighborhood.
4. Always bring some water. Exercise will make the both of you lose some fluids in your bodies. Bring bottled water with you for hydration especially when the weather is hot. Dogs easily get hot because they do not have a lot of sweat glands like you do. Drinking water will help them cool their bodies too.
5. Keep your eyes open. If your dog is being admired by children or other strangers even if your pet is being friendly, keep close watch just in case your dog gets agitated for some reason.
6. Be considerate. Being in the outdoors is not an excuse to let others clean the droppings of your pet. Bring a recyclable plastic bag in case your dog decides to poop in front of a neighbor’s house.

You may be convinced to get one now because it is indeed good to have a dog as an exercise companion. But dogs are more than just a substitute for a stationary bike or an abs exercise machine. They are living beings that need feeding, grooming, and human companionship. Do not get one if you only want to have a total body workout. If you can’t provide all of its needs, then you may be better off saving for the gym membership.

Author: Jordan Walker

Jordan is the lead content curator for Coops And Cages as well as a couple of other pet related blogs. His passion for animals is only matched by his love for ‘attempting’ to play the guitar. If you would like to catch him, you can via Google+ or Twitter: @CoopsAndCages