Did you know that for most dogs, a 30-minute walk a day is recommended? It’s the perfect amount because most doctors recommend 150 minutes of activity for your elderly loved one each week as well (30 minutes, 5 times a day) and that time can be spent with their dog, getting them both the exercise they need. The first week of October is National Walk Your Dog Week, a great time for seniors and home care providers to add dog-walking back into the routine.
Why Walking Helps Dogs
Walking is a necessary activity for many dogs. Walking is a way to not only be physically active, but it is one of the best ways they stimulate their brains as well. Walking provides the opportunity to explore the world around them through smell, sight, and sound. A dog that has had a good walk each day is better behaved at home, is healthier, and lives longer.
How to Help Your Senior Walk Her Dog
As your loved one has aged, she might find it more difficult to get her dog out for a walk every day. Due to mobility issues or health concerns, it can seem a bit daunting to get out every day to walk her pet. Weather can also be a reason why regular dog walking is more difficult for seniors.
Four Tips to Help Your Senior with Walking Her Dog
- Training. Getting a dog trained to not pull on the leash or bark at every passing car is important to keep both your senior and her dog safe on their walks. An older dog may be harder to train than a younger dog, but it can help your loved one learn some new tricks of her own for when her dog does act up when out walking.
- Proper Equipment for both. Your loved one needs good shoes and proper attire for an enjoyable dog walk. On chilly days, she needs to remember to bring gloves for exposed hands, and on hot days, she needs to have proper sunscreen and a hat. Your loved one can also benefit from having the best leash to prevent pulling. Bringing poop bags and having a sanitary way to bring them back home is also important.
- Find a Safe Path. Not all walking paths are created equal when it comes to walking a dog. Your loved one should look for paths that are away from heavy traffic and congestion that can frighten a dog and cause it to suddenly lurch when startled, possibly resulting in a fall. Finding a dog-friendly walking path can make the walk more enjoyable for both her and her furry friend.
- Enlist Support Having someone join your loved one on her daily walks with her dog is a great way to keep her motivated and safe on those daily walks. Family, friends, and home care providers can all be part of the walking party. If your loved one lives alone with her pet, she might benefit from having a home care provider join her on the walks. A home care provider can hold the leash so that your loved one can focus on her walking while the home care provider manages controlling the pet. A home care provider can also help with your loved one if you are concerned about her getting lost or confused while walking.
If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Lewisville, TX, please contact the caring staff at Ray of Sunshine Senior Care today! (940) 310-3105
Ray of Sunshine Senior Care Provides Senior Home Care Services in Denton, Lewisville, Gainesville, Keller, Grapevine, Coppell, Carrollton, Southlake, Valley View, Aubrey, Frisco, Corinth, Argyle, Roanoke, Counties: Denton County, Tarrant County, Collin County, and surrounding areas.
At the same time, she and her husband were faced with the care of his father on the west coast which presented the unique challenges of long-distance care. These events led to a crash course in the senior care industry and her unending dedication to helping seniors and families in similar circumstances. When not working Cynthia enjoys cooking, gardening and traveling with a focus on visiting State and National Parks.
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