Dog owners are being urged to grab that lead, put it on their pups and take their dogs for a walk each day.
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Dogs Australia president Hugh Gent said walking was vital to keep dogs physically and mentally healthy.
"During the pandemic many people purchased puppies and now that people are back at work and school, a lot of dogs are being left at home alone and are missing out on the exercise and interaction they had previously," Mr Gent said.
"Separation anxiety has become a major issue. It must be remembered that dogs are not just cuddly toys, they have their own needs, which dog owners need to take into account.
"Sadly, some dog owners rarely, if ever, take their dogs for a walk, assuming the dog will be happy just spending time in their yard."
Mr Gent said most dogs need at least 1-2 walks a day but recommended to check with your vet to be sure.
"A rule of thumb is that they should be exercised for between 30 and 45 minutes daily. Of course, senior dogs won't need as much but it's still important to give them gentle daily exercise to keep their joints moving and keep them happy," he said.
Dogs that don't get enough exercise may end up with a build-up of energy which they don't know how to release. This can bring on bad behaviour such as excessive barking, jumping, destructive chewing or even biting.
10 reasons why your dog needs to be walked daily according to Dogs Australia:
- It keeps your dog healthy and limber: daily exercise keeps joints limber and strengthens the muscles supporting those joints.
- Fitness: dogs that are walked daily stay lean and trim.
- Weight management: studies have proven that dogs that are walked regularly are less likely to be overweight, and eliminating obesity truly extends their life.
- Helps reduce undesirable behaviours, such as barking, licking, chewing, digging, and other anxiety-related and attention-seeking behaviours.
- Promotes physical health: in addition to keeping your dog fit, daily exercise/walking provides exposure to fresh air and Vitamin D from the sunshine. For puppies, Vitamin D is used for proper bone development and growth. Sunshine also speeds up healing and kills bacteria and fungi.
- Promotes emotional and good mental health - for both your dog and you!
- Helps boost your dog's confidence: a daily walking routine helps to provide structure and stability to your dog's life, which helps boost confidence.
- Provides mental exercise: physical activity is an essential source of mental stimulation, which in turn helps prevent boredom and frustration.
- Helps with socialisation: dogs need to be exposed to all kinds of things in order to be well adjusted to new situations and environments. Daily walks and exercise provide a great opportunity for you and your dog to meet new dogs, new people and see new things.
- Helps build a better relationship between you and your dog.
"In Germany, dog owners are required by law to exercise their dog twice a day for a total of at least an hour and while it's more likely to be enforced for kennels rather than private individuals, it's certainly brought the topic to the fore," Mr Gent said.
"I understand some people aren't able to always take their dogs for walks, which is why professional dog walkers can be a great option."
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