Companionship – Dogs are pack animals, making them naturally sociable creatures. Some dogs are friendlier than others, so you’ll need to think carefully about just how sociable you’ll want your dog to be. Would you prefer a breed which will only have eyes for you, or a dog which wants to make friends with everyone they come across? Nearly all dogs enjoy company although to varying degrees and will look out for their owners like any good best friend.
Teach responsibility – You can’t own a dog without being responsible. The amount of work which goes into caring for a dog may surprise the uninitiated, but new owners will soon learn how to handle their new responsibilities. They can also be wonderful for teaching children how to be manage their responsibilities and priorities.
Good mental health – Dogs can help you manage your stress levels through the soothing action of petting and also by acting as non-judgemental and non-verbal therapists. Owning a dog has been known to boost self-confidence, making dog ownership an appealing option for teenagers with low self-esteem. Dogs are used the world over as therapy dogs in hospitals, children’s wards and retirement homes where they work wonders at uplifting those with learning difficulties and illnesses, going as far as helping autistic children develop social skills.
Good physical health – A knock on effect of being less stressed and more confident from owning a dog is that your physical health will also improve. Dog owners are less likely to have a heart attack and tend to have fewer health problems than those without pets. Heart health is particularly improved and owning a dog has been found to lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Improved fitness – Want a dog? Be prepared to use up a lot of energy! All that walking and play time does wonders for your fitness levels. You’ll not only be taking your dog out on at least one walk every day, you’ll also be training him and playing with him which is great exercise for both of you!
Did you know that owning a dog is good for your mental health?
Joy and Comfort – Dogs are very sensitive to their owner’s emotions and will do what they can to make you feel better from cuddling up to you to try and relax you, or acting silly to make you laugh. It’s hard to feel down when you have a dog around.
Social Life – Need to give your social life a boost? Your dog can help with that. From meeting other dog owners on your daily walks to having a conversation starter to help you break the ice, dogs are a wonderful talking point for all animal lovers. Take your pooch to obedience, training or agility classes and your social group will expand even more!
Comic Relief – A dog is the ideal friend to come home to after a bad day. Fun, charming and often hilarious, your dog has buckets of character and will manage to amuse you even when you’re in the worst of moods. Some dogs can have a wonderfully humorous streak and relish in making their owners chuckle, for example the pug, who is often referred to as the clown of the dog world.
Sense of Security – For a lot of people, owning a dog creates a sense of security that they would not otherwise have. While some breeds are more likely to make friends with an intruder than scare one away, others can be excellent at raising the alarm should they come across any suspicious activity or even defend the home physically. Getting a dog for protection alone isn’t a good idea but the added feeling of safety they can bring to a home can be a wonderful bonus to owning a pet.
Unconditional Love – The biggest and best reason to own a dog is for love. If you have love to give then your dog will love you right back, no matter what. Dogs love their owners without question, unconditionally and without judgement and it’s incredibly rewarding to love a dog, too.
Owning a dog is a great way to meet new people when you’re out and about together