Walking and eating… I can’t think of 2 things my dog loves more than that... can you? The importance our dogs place on these two events generally means that they form a bond, love and connection to the person who provides it.

Walking our dogs means valuable time together, something that is shared and enjoyed. Regularly walking with our dogs helps build and develop a strong bond with our pets, one that they especially value and love you for.

Did you know that even a 30 minute walk daily can help you lose weight? Walking helps you maintain lean muscle and keeps your metabolism going. A study in the US found that having a dog not only increases the likelihood of going for a walk, but also the quality of your walk. This means, moving faster and getting your heart rate up more regularly.

Maintaining a schedule of regular physical activity can also help prevent diseases in the long term such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and arthritis. So we recommend grabbing your cute little fur ball and go for a walk at least once, if not twice, daily… they really are the best medicine!

Well you don’t have to convince me! Walking, getting outdoors and general activity is a must! We all know the strong correlation between good health and exercise, so everyone get off your bums and get moving – no excuses!

I think it would be wonderful if dogs were able to get out at least once every day. All dogs have different needs and different reasons for exercising but they all love nothing more than a change of scenery, exploring new smells and socialisation to stimulate their minds. The combination of both can help to alleviate a lot of issues which can otherwise arise… I don’t think it’s too different for humans, I always feel better after getting outdoors.

Who else has trouble sleeping!? Getting 8 hours sleep can be a real challenge in a busy world. But guess what, taking your dog for a walk each day can help you sleep at night. Amazing, right?! Getting a good night sleep is key for increased energy levels.

Having more energy throughout the day can help improve happiness, motivation and mood. When you walk, endorphins are released which helps improve the way you feel. Seems like a no brainer – time spent outside with your dog will improve your mood… that’s definitely something we want to be a part of!

Do you have a friend who owns a dog? Are you both looking for some motivation to get outside more? Why don’t you catch up each week for a walk around the park? Much easier (and healthier) than catching up over a glass of wine… right? Making plans with friends is a great way for both you and your dog to socialise. Socialising is just as important for our pups as it is for us… so mix it up and walk with a friend when you get the chance.

Or if you’re finding it hard to make arrangements with friends, the local dog park is one of my favourite places to meet like-minded owners. I will usually walk to the park, so I get my exercise in, and then let the dog off the lead to run around and make friends. It’s the perfect way to chill out after a long day of work!

Dog walking is my socialising. Every Sunday afternoon I meet up with my girlfriends and go for a walk. It is a great way to catch up on the week and finish off the weekend feeling good. My husband and I also try to make time to walk the dogs together. We purposely leave our phones at home and use dog walking as our quality time together.

Dogs are very much like humans who like to see and do different things, it's how we learn and how we find enjoyment in life. It gives them a chance to explore new landscapes and smells, as well as learn how to behave/react to different stimuli. A well socialised dog can be taken to so many different places which makes including them in your outings so much easier.