How Walking Your Dog Makes You Happier

We know that by walking our dogs, we both get the physical benefits of lowering stress, improving weight management, and heart health. Did you know that walking your dog for at least 20 minutes a day can make you both happier?

1) Dog Walking Improves Your Happiness

Research has proven that simply being around a dog lowers cortisol, the stress hormone. Take that face and add in physical activity. Physical activity releases endorphins responsible for increasing feelings of happiness and our mental energy! That is a powerful combination!

2) Socialization Plays A Role For Our Mental Health

How does socialization play a role in our mental health when walking our dogs? First, it is companionship. Did you know that your bond with your dog becomes stronger when you walk together? Keep in mind this is a companion who is also non-judgemental. A decrease in loneliness proves to be another huge benefit! Think of all of the interactions you and your dog may have on a walk. People may smile, say hello, or engage in a conversation. It also nurtures a sense of community as you begin to explore more, see new things, meet other people walking their dogs, etc.

3) Sources of Motivation to Walk Your Dog

To reap the health benefits of exercise, we need to get 150 minutes per week. Walking your dog for at least 20 minutes a day makes it easy for your to reach that target!

Another motivation may be the app Wolftrax. You will be walking with your dog and FOR a dog! The app will track you on your walk, and you will begin to build toward donations sent to the charity or dog shelter of your choice.

4) Get 7 Tips for a Happier Dog Walk

1. Know how long your dog can walk every day. Different breeds have different needs. For example, our husky, Special Agent Gibbs, enjoys his 4-5 mile daily walks.

2. Get a standard leash. Toss the retractable.

3. Take fresh water for your dog. Hydration is important.

4. Pack plenty of poop bags. Someone may need you to spare a square so they can clean up after their dog.

5. Pay attention to the weather. You may have to take shorter walks if it is too hot or cold. We walk Gibbs very early in the summer as Florida summer heat is intense. We want to protect his paws from hot pavement and his health from overheating.

6. Don't be a bore; explore! Dogs get just as bored as we do with usual walking routes. Check out websites like Bring Fido or Find Blue Dog for suggestions on what is around you or perhaps a short drive away to walk somewhere new!

7. Get started with giving back in your community and try the Wooftrax app.

Dog owners are not the only ones who reap the health benefits from daily walking. Consistent walks help decrease stress, fear, anxiety, and boredom, which can be destructive behavior. It helps their digestive system, urinary & heart health, plus weight management. They, too, are happier.

Although one day a year is National Walk Your Dog Day, every day is an opportunity to celebrate it with your dog!

Holiday Travel Tips for Pets

More and more people have been traveling with their pets since the pandemic. The Holiday season is no different. Travel during the holidays can be stressful enough with traffic, delays, or finding a place to stay. Here are tips to keep our pets safe, healthy and happy when traveling with them. With a bit of preparation, these travel tips will help keep your pet safe, healthy, and happy for the howl-idays.

1. Safety

Download vaccination records on your phone.

Call your veterinarian and ask them to email you your pet's vaccination records. It's good to have this with you if you need it, especially when you are traveling.

Pet ID

Even if your pet is microchipped, it is helpful to have an ID on their collar. If they get lost, the general public will know that your pet is not a stray one and can help it locate its humans quicker.

Here is what to look for with ID.

Up to date with current, accurate information?

Is the engraving or writing legible and easy to see?

Does the tag show wear and tear?

Is the tag securely in place on my pet's collar?

You are looking for durability. Features like aesthetics and tech are available for those who seek to add to the primary pet ID. The most important thing is to make sure the tag fits your dog's lifestyle ... dangle verse slide on.

Avoid retractable leashes.

They can be dangerous for your pet and others. It's tough to have control over your pet. Once your pet is curious and off to explore, the leash can drop out of your hands or pull you, causing you to drop your phone, harm your arm, shoulder, fall.

Dogs, people, kids can trip or get tangled, causing rope burns, trips, or falls. Dogs can chase something into traffic or get in the space of another dog that isn't as friendly; it's harder to reign the dog back. Retractable leashes do not teach good behavior.

Here is the solution. Get a standard six ft. leash when walking in the city, hotels, going out to restaurants, etc.

2. Healthy

Always travel with a dog water bottle for on-the-go hydration. Hydration is just as crucial for our pets as it is for humans.

Pack healthy snacks and food.

Once you get to your destination, please do not leave dog food in the car. It can spoil, making your dog sick.

Take dog body and paw wipes to keep paws clean from dirt, pollen, mud, etc.

3. Happy

The best way to keep your pet happy when traveling over the Holidays is this; keep their daily routine, feeding times, bedtimes, potty times, socialize with them.

Be considerate of others when traveling—people in hotels, hotel elevators, restaurants.

Visit pet travel sites for places to go with your pet near your destination. Remember, you aren't the only one who may want to escape Holiday chaos.

How To Help Your Dog Safely Beat Summer Heat

The heat is on! It's on the street! The heat is on! Summer can be a dangerous season for your pet! Some of the most common health dangers include dehydration, heat exhaustion, and burnt paw pads. Here are some ways to keep your dog safe and healthy.

It's best to exercise your dog earlier in the morning or later at night. If your dog is like mine, he needs a few additional potty breaks! As the temperature & humidity rise, so does the asphalt your dog walks on. Interesting fact, when it is 77F outside, asphalt can be 125F.

It's not just sidewalks that are dangerous. Surfaces that get hot are boat docks, decks, bike paths, sand on beaches, the floor of a boat, or the back of a truck. Keep this in mind; skin destruction occurs in a fast 60 seconds!

So how do you know if the sidewalk or road is too hot for your dog's paw pads? Take the 7-second test. I'll place my hand on the sidewalk for 7 seconds. If it is too hot for me, it is too hot for Gibbs!

Your dog will let you know if their paw pads give them discomfort after a walk or exercise. Look for limping, excessive licking, or blisters following a walk on the pavement.

The first and most important type of gear you will need for your dog is a water bottle. Hydration, hydration, hydration! As NCIS special agent Gibbs says, "Grab your gear!", you are going to do the very same thing to keep your dog safe during the summer heat. Your dog requires an ounce of water per lb of body weight. When out in the heat, be sure to provide a water stop at least once every 15-20 minutes. Gibbs uses Highwave Auto Dog Mug Leak-Tight Mini. We do have a partnership with them. Make sure to use promo code GIBBS 15. This water bottle won't waste water like collapsable water trays, it fits easily into our auto cup holder, it won't leak in my backpack or on me after using it, and it can double for a makeshift food tray when we are not home for dinner time. You know how our dogs can be around dinner time!

The second type of gear to check out for your dog is a cooling vest. Cool technology. Rinse the vest in cool water. If you can, place it in the freezer for about 2-3 minutes. Take it out and put it on your dog. As the water evaporates, it takes the body heat your dog is generating with it. It boosts the cooling by offering the maximum amount of shade and thermal protection. The material has a rating of 50+ UPF protection, which blocks 98% of the sun's UV rays. Gibbs has the RuffWear cooling vest. I get almost 90 minutes outside for a walk with him wearing this gear. If you are hiking or somewhere that you will be out longer, saturate the vest in water to reactivate the technology.

If walking your dog on grass or surfaces is not possible, the last type of gear to consider is dog booties. Keep in mind that your dog has sweat glands in its paw pads, so don't keep the booties on for longer than necessary when it's hot out. You don't want them to get overheated. Fitting is important. Measure the width of the paw pad accordingly before ordering. I bought Gibbs' booties at Woof Gang St. Pete.

Finally, it's crucial to be proactive and recognize if or when your dog is experiencing heat exhaustion. Heat exhaustion happens when your pet's body temperature rises above a healthy range, and the pet is unable to regulate its body heat.

Signs of heat exhaustion are:

Excessive panting

Confusion or disorientation

Vomiting or diarrhea

Discoloration of tongue and gums

Gibbs goes with us just about everywhere. In the summer, though, that is not always the case. Although I love taking him to restaurants or walking him on the pier in St. Pete, the concrete may be too hot for him. I love how he enjoys walking or playing on sandy beaches or with other dogs at dog bars or events, yet event with the summer gear, mentioned, it could lead to heat exhaustion. I have to know when to say NO for his health and safety. After all, I'm not the one wearing a fur coat in the heat and humidity that always sizzles in the summer.