Does Your Dog Actually Need a Dog Walker?

Does your dog actually need a dog walker, or can they wait for you to come home and maybe walk them? We live in a very fast-paced world where our schedules are filled with work, meetings, errands, time away from home, and more. Our hectic schedules can make it challenging for us to devote enough time to our dogs. We find ourselves squeezing in quick potty breaks for our dogs before and after our typical Monday through Friday, 9-5 workdays. Is that all our furry friends need? 

How Much Exercise Does a Dog Truly Need?

While these brief moments are essential, our furry companions do need more than quick breaks; they require ample exercise to stay healthy and happy, just like us. A general rule of thumb is that dogs should get between 30 minutes and 2 hours of exercise every day. This is where hiring a professional dog walker can make a significant difference. Let’s take a closer look at all the benefits of having a dog walker and why it might be the perfect solution for you and your pup!

Why You Should Hire a Professional Dog Walker

Hiring a Dog Walker Ensures Regular Exercise

Daily exercise is crucial for your dog’s physical health and well-being. Regular walks help maintain your dog’s fitness, preventing obesity and related health issues. Dogs also thrive on routine; a regular walking schedule helps regulate their bathroom habits and provides structure, reducing anxiety and improving overall behavior. Hiring a dog walker ensures that they get their exercise regularly. 

Dog Walks Promote Health and Well-being

Consistent activity like daily dog walks helps prevent common health issues such as obesity, diabetes, and arthritis. Walking helps keep the joints flexible and prevents stiffness. It also strengthens muscles, controls weight, enhances circulation, and improves quality of life.

Walking Offers Mental Stimulation and Improved Behavior

Walks provide mental enrichment through new sights, smells, and experiences, keeping your dog’s mind sharp and engaged. They LOVE to explore! This also helps prevent boredom and reduces the risk of destructive behaviors by enhancing cognitive function. Walks will help manage your dog’s energy levels, reducing hyperactivity and promoting better behavior at home. Exercise is a natural outlet for excess energy, which can prevent issues like excessive barking, chewing, and jumping. Our dog walkers can also reinforce training and use commands during the walk, giving your pup a mental workout, too!

Walking with Your Dog Enhances Your Bonding Time

With your dog’s exercise and socialization needs met during the day, evenings can be spent relaxing and bonding together. You can enjoy quality time with your pet without the stress of fitting in a rushed walk. Movie? Dance parties? Cuddles? The sky is the limit!

Hiring a Professional Dog Walker Relieves Your Busy Schedule and Addresses Your Dog’s Unique Needs

Balancing a full-time job and personal responsibilities can be overwhelming. A dog walker takes the pressure off by ensuring your dog gets the attention and exercise they need and deserve, giving you peace of mind during work or vacation time! Our dog walkers are trained professionals who can provide personalized attention and care tailored to your dog’s specific needs.

Do you have a puppy? We can take her out multiple times a day, reinforcing good potty routines! Do you have a short-nosed breed like a Frenchie? We’ll make sure they stay under shade and don’t stay out too long, since they have trouble cooling off in our hot climate. 

Daily Dog Walks Reduce Separation Anxiety and Loneliness for Your Dog

Regular visits from a dog walker provide your pup with companionship and attention, reducing feelings of loneliness and separation anxiety. Frequent interaction with a caring walker can make your dog feel loved and secure, even when you’re not home.

Daily Walks Promote Good Digestive Health

Frequent walks help regulate your dog’s digestive system by encouraging digestion and preventing issues like constipation and promoting overall digestive health by providing multiple bathroom breaks and constant routines. They will also prevent accidents at home, keeping them clean and hygienic.

Hiring a Dog Walker Facilitates Early Detection of Health Issues

Hiring a regular dog walker can have another benefit: an extra set of eyes to help track and detect potential health issues such as changes in mobility, issues with bowel movements, new skin conditions, or unusual behaviors. Our dog walkers are our clients’ eyes and ears- they see your pups daily and are trained to report any noticeable changes in your pup’s health. Early detection means early care and treatment, helping to prevent more serious health problems down the line. 

Dog Walkers Help in Emergency Situations

Having a dog walker can be invaluable in case of an emergency. Whether you’re stuck at work late, dealing with a personal emergency, or facing unexpected circumstances, having a connection to a dog walker can ensure your pup is cared for and gets the necessary exercise and attention. If you ever have an emergency, it’s important to have registered with us, to have your pet’s profile set up on our software, and to have your keys on file so that our dog walkers can help right when you need it!

At Equpaws, we make sure we make the process easy with our online software and meet and greet to get to know you and your dog in advance.

Still not sure if your dog needs a dog walker? Check out the signs below that demonstrate your dog is lacking exercise time!

1. Destructive Behavior: If your dog is frequently chewing on furniture, shoes, or digging in the yard, it may be a sign of excess energy and boredom. Tearing apart toys or household items can indicate a need for more physical activity, mostly walks! 
2. Reactivity: Lack of exercise can lead to frustration and increased reactivity towards other dogs or people. So, insufficient physical activity can contribute to anxiety and fearfulness, especially in high-energy breeds.
3. Restlessness and Hyperactivity/Barking: If you can see your dog pacing around the house and unable to settle down through your cameras, they might need more exercise to burn off energy. Increased or excessive barking, especially for attention, can be a sign that your dog needs more physical and mental stimulation, too. 
4. Weight Gain: If your dog is gaining weight despite a consistent diet, it could be due to a lack of sufficient exercise.
5. Excessive Energy when You Return Home: If your dog is excessively excited when you come home, jumping and barking more than usual, it might be due to pent-up energy. Frequent bursts of uncontrolled energy, known as zoomies, can indicate that your dog needs more structured exercise.
6. Lack of Focus: A dog that struggles to focus during training or disobeys commands may benefit from more regular walks to expend excess energy. If your dog is easily distracted and has a short attention span, more physical activity could help improve their concentration.
7. Poor Sleep Patterns: Is your dog waking up at 3:00 AM, wanting to play, barking, and panting? If your dog has trouble settling down at night or wakes up frequently, it could be due to a lack of sufficient exercise during the day. Please make sure to check with your vet when any sleep patterns change!
8. Obvious Signs of Boredom: If your dog frequently stares at you and whines, it might be their way of telling you they need more activity. A dog that constantly follows you from room to room could be seeking more engagement and exercise.
9. Clinginess and Separation Anxiety: Increased clinginess and anxiety when you leave can indicate that your dog needs more mental and physical stimulation.  For example, frequent yawning and lip licking can be signs of stress or anxiety that might be reduced with more physical activity.
10. Changes in Appetite: Changes in appetite, such as eating too much out of boredom or not eating enough due to lack of activity, can indicate a need for more walks. Make sure to reach out to your veterinarian any time there is a change in appetite or drinking habits.
11. Frequent Attempts to Escape: Dogs that frequently try to escape from the yard or house may be seeking more exercise and adventure. Excessive pulling on the leash during walks can also indicate a need for more regular and longer walks.

If you answered yes to most of these signs, it’s clear that your dog could benefit from more exercise and attention! At Equipaws, we’re here to help by loving and taking good care of your furry loved ones. Our professional dog walkers ensure your dog gets the exercise, socialization, and mental stimulation they need to stay fit, healthy, and happy. Contact us today to give your dog the care they deserve!

Equipaws Pet Services