If you’re thinking of getting a pet dog, you’ll be excited about how they can be a great roommate to you. Many would say better than any human roommate. But it goes beyond that. Studies show that dog owners generally have lower blood pressure due to improved responses to stress, which means a lower risk of death, too.

In this article, you will learn all about the benefits of having a furry friend at home and how to create a happy and healthy living environment for both you and your dog.

Emotional Benefits of Living with Dogs

Living with dogs can be a rewarding experience, both emotionally and physically. Dogs can be amazing companions and are simply wonderful to return home to, wagging tails and all!

Having a dog around will reduce loneliness and provide you with a fluffy pal that loves you no matter what. Not to mention how this can reduce stress and anxiety, whether as a barking burglar deterrent or a therapeutic grooming season, a doggo can work wonders for your chi.

Then there’s the responsibility and purpose that a dog owner gets from having a canine friend and an obligation to take them on walks to the dog park, ensuring that they’re fed, and in many cases, training and domesticating them! Many family dogs fulfill this responsible function for their younger members too!

Physical Benefits of Living with Dogs

When you live with a dog, physical activity and exercise become a part of your daily routines, encouraging movement, fresh air, and new scenery. Plus, throwing a ball repeatedly can be quite taxing – trust us!

As a direct result of all this exercise, living with dogs can improve heart health and overall well-being. If you have children, a new dog can be good for their immune systems.

In days gone by, it was assumed that if you had children with allergies, you should avoid a furry pet at all costs. But now it seems that the opposite is true. Exposing your children to a furry friend decreases the chances of asthma and other allergies.

Creating a Happy and Healthy Living Environment for Dogs

Exercise and Playtime

To get the best out of your pet dog, you must give them regular exercise. You should walk your dog at least once or twice a day, which is super-important as many owners don’t manage to do this, and to their constant shock and horror, their dog starts acting up. You must walk your dog!

Not only are walks essential, but so is playtime. How your dog plays are unique to their personality and their dog breed. Some like chasing balls and sticks, while others play hide and seek with you. It’s all down to your dog’s unique traits and what they are most responsive to, but giving them a fun time is invaluable for their development and is rewarding in its own right.

Nutrition and Feeding

Feeding schedules are important. Generally, scheduled feeding has more pros and fewer cons than free feeding. It gets your dog into a routine, is a bonding and rewards experience, and is good for housetraining. Plus, free feeding encourages you to lose track of how much your dog consumes, which can lead to bloating and other issues.

Training and Socializing

Whether you’re dealing with a puppy or an adult dog, there is a need for training and socializing your pet to ensure a safe and happy living environment. Basic obedience training – sit, wait, and return when called – will give your dog the freedom to do the things they love, such as playing with other dogs or running without a leash, while safe under control. It can often be achieved without a dog trainer.

With training and socialization, having as few distractions as possible when teaching your dog new signals or tricks is important. Also, it’s good to train your dog in short but frequent bursts of training so that they don’t get stressed but will have it all reinforced. Remember to be patient – your dog won’t pick everything up immediately, and they all learn at different rates.

End on something your dog already knows so that the training ends on a positive note, and reward them with treats and positive body language (love!). Training is one of the best bonding experiences you can have with your dog.

Conclusion

Living with dogs, whether they are a Border Collie, a Great Dane, or any other breed, will reward you in many ways and give you a new leash of life (pun intended) and setting up the perfect home for them through training, good nutrition and socializing will make the situation as loving and as fulfilling it can be.

If you want more tips on being an excellent pet parent or an expert dog walker, you should consult our related articles about our cute canine buddies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I introduce a new dog into my household?

Do it steadily, and give your dog the necessary space and patience. If your household has multiple dogs already, it’s essential to introduce them to each other slowly and establish their boundaries.

What should I do if my dog exhibits destructive behavior?

Try and isolate the source of the behavior. If the dog is bored, it can resort to destructive behavior like chewing. Some dogs (like rescue dogs have experienced traumas in their lives that can cause aggression or fear. Understanding, patience, and professional consultation can take you far here. In the meantime, put your valuables in places your dog can’t destroy them!

How often should I take my dog to the vet for check-ups?

You should take your dog for a routine check every six months from puppyhood. They’ll hate it, but it’s for their health.