1)More Exercise
Studies show that dog-owners are significantly more likely to get their 30 minutes of recommended daily exercise than those who don’t care for a dog. Dogs need daily walks and play sessions and for some breeds this can be as much as 3 hours a day! But, if caring for a lively Border Collie isn’t for you, even a daily 30-minute stroll has been shown to dramatically reduce the risk of heart problems and obesity.
2) Better Social Life!
Think of your dog as a conversation starter! You will meet many new people out and about on your walks and many dog-owners meet groups of friends to explore the countryside together as a pack. Dogs can give us more confidence and a common-ground to strike up conversation with new people.
3) Companionship
It’s not just physical health that dogs can boost. Mental well-being is becoming increasingly recognised as an important aspect of an individual’s health. For some people, perhaps those who live alone, suffer with a mental health problem or are retired, dogs can combat feelings of loneliness and isolation and provide love and companionship that has been shown to equate to human friendship. Dogs are some of the most loving and accepting creatures in the animal kingdom and can offer a real boost to mental health just by being there for a cuddle!
4) Stress Relief
It takes as little as 15 minutes interacting with a dog for your brain to release a hormone called Dopamine that is associated with feelings of pleasure, relaxation and tranquillity. Perhaps there’s something in the unconditional love and eternal optimism of a dog that makes you focus on the good in your life and leave life’s little stressors at the door. How can you feel stressed when a gorgeous bundle of fur wants a cuddle and a play?!
5) Better than Medicine!
Dog carers have lower levels of cholesterol, blood pressure and fewer incidents of heart attack than those without a dog in their lives. Scientists have concluded this is due to a range of factors including the boosts to mood and increased exercise, but also due to dogs bringing in bacteria that your body then builds immunity to meaning you’re less likely to become ill!
All in all, there are many, many reasons for wanting to care for dogs. From the addition of new-found doggy friends to stress relief and physical health benefits, caring for dogs for even short periods of times can do wonders for your well-being.
Many people love the idea of owning a dog but don’t want to commit to the full-time responsibility.
Why not consider caring for family-friendly dogs for a weekend or a week at a time, whilst their owners are away?
The Digs for Dogs holiday home boarding service provides our pooches and their owners with the perfect alternative to kennels and has become so popular that we urgently need to expand our network of hosts now.
Become a home boarder today.
- A dog is the perfect fun loving friend to keep you company
- Walking a dog gives you a great reason to get out and exercise in the fresh air
- If you’re already a dog owner, having a dog to stay can provide companionship for your own dog
- Having a dog around the home is proven to reduce your stress levels
- Taking a dog to your local dog walking spot can improve your social life
