Benefits of Exercise for the Canine and Human Mind

by Kathy McFall and Carol Yarnold

Fresh air, a walk in the woods, swimming or running through an open field are all ideal forms of exercise and often overlooked in today’s hectic lifestyle for both Man and Dog.

The benefits of exercise for the human mind are long recorded. What we are now discovering is the Canine mind and body benefits as well. Springing up here and there around the country are doggie day care facilities and dog parks offering so much for our canine friends. Entering a dog park one can “feel” the freedom of the dogs off lead, enjoying the fresh air, romping with their counterparts, running and barking without the worried thoughts of their owners, “Will they be okay? Will they come back? What if a car comes?” None of that is a concern once you close the gate behind you. Do you remember how it feels to ride in that convertible with the top down? How the day’s cares fall behind? Well, when a dog runs through the woods, jumps in a lake, or spends a day occupied by treats, petting, and unrestrained exercise it’s the same feeling.

A dog park and day care facility is often just what is needed instead of medications to “calm them down” or “occupy their minds.” A wonderful, natural alternative to these medications is fresh air, freedom of movement and socialization. The benefits of socialization in a dog’s life are often disregarded; we don’t see that interactions with others truly make up a “perfect” dogs‚ life. While having a large fenced in yard is a good place to start with exercise, it is often not enough, and does not provide the canine interaction so missing in many dogs’ days.

How many dogs sit and wait while their human counterparts work all day? They don’t have the option of going to a gym to work off the tensions of the day; oftentimes, stress in a canine’s life is misunderstood. The ability that your canine friend has to understand your moods and thoughts plays a large role in the amount of stress in their lives. If you are under a deadline at work and come home with a pile of work facing you, chances are the dog will pick up on that and take on your worries. A wonderful option to a dog home alone all day is doggie day care; it is the “gym” for your dog. A day here offers a lot of activities, new friends and fun, social surroundings. Another option is a nice revitalizing walk in the dog park. You and your dog will benefit from this magical experience.

So remember, the next time your dog stands with the leash in his mouth or a ball at your feet, the nearest dog park may be just the answer. With wide open spaces, a doggy beach or a wooded trail all in a secure setting, you may be seeing every dog’s dream and the answer to the question, what does my dog do for me?

Carol Yarnold and Kathy McFall are the proprietors of Dog Star Ranch (in Whitehall, MI), a 48 acre dog facility with wooded walking trails, fenced in play areas, grooming, training, an interactive daycare program, and a Five Star Boarding Facility. www.dogstarranch.com; (231) 766-0444.