You will move more and have a strict schedule when you bring a dog home.
Owning one is not just about having a pet; it requires daily work and discipline that keeps you on your feet.
Morning walks and keeping a yard clean keep you “on your feet”.
These seven changes are the result of the real work you put into caring for your companion …
Dog Care and Stress
Brushing the dog and raising puppies keeps the “hands busy” and stops the mind from wandering. You take the brush, remove dead hair, and check the skin while the dog stands still.
Between checking paws, feeding the litter, or moving dogs to the shade, there is less time to think about problems that make you nervous.
People with dogs are proven to be less tense and live calmer lives than those without them [1] [2].
Heart Health and Daily Walks
Living with dogs helps keep blood pressure stable and protects the heart.
You have to move because the dog needs to go out, which reduces the risk of heart disease [3] [4].
There is no skipping the walk when you have a job to do!
These walks also get you talking to people (improve social connections). You meet other owners or stop to chat with neighbors while you are out.
Better Than a Gym
A gym membership means nothing if you don’t go, but you cannot ignore a pet that needs to be outside.
Statistics show that dog owners are more active and stay in better shape than people without dogs [5] [6].
Instead of driving to a fitness center, you spend that time playing or running in the yard (or the local park).
When you feel lazy or tired, the dog is already at the door, waiting and ready to go.
You have to get up and put the leash on!
Mental Health
Walking into a silent house doesn’t happen when someone is always waiting at the door.
Feeding, brushing, and taking care of the dog “cuts off” those dark thoughts before they take over.
When you feel down, the puppy keeps you busy and stops you from staying in bed all day (you are looking after a living being that depends on you for food and care).
Can the dog help with depression and loneliness? Yes. [7] [8]
Childhood
A lot of people think having the dog means allergies – sneezing, itchy eyes, all of that.
But it doesn’t always play out that way in real life.
Some research shows that kids who grow up with the pet at home may be less likely to deal with allergies or asthma later on. [9] [10]
Being around dog hair, dust, and everyday dirt from an early age seems to help the body get used to it.
Of course, it’s not the same for everyone.
So the idea that pets and allergies always go hand in hand isn’t really the full story.
Immune System
Dogs may not be doctors, but spending time with them can actually give your immune system a little boost.
Hanging out with pet or a playful puppy can raise levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), an antibody that helps your body fight off infections.
When he wanders around the house, he brings in tiny, harmless microbes that quietly keep your immune system active. [11]
Spending a few minutes snuggling on the couch or taking him for a fun walk around the neighborhood is a simple way to boost your mood and keep yourself feeling healthy.
Better Sleep
Spending time with the dog can help improve sleep. He makes it easier to relax and fall asleep faster.
Many owners report that they not only drift off more quickly but also wake up feeling more refreshed thanks to the companion. [12]
A simple evening routine with pet can help make bedtime smoother.
Giving him a chance to settle down, or sitting quietly together for a few minutes, signals that it’s time for sleep.
Best Defense Against Dementia
The dog gives you a reason to get out of bed every single morning.
Living with him means you have a schedule that never stops, and for someone aging, that routine is everything.
Whether you are feeding him at 7 AM or remembering where you left the leash, these small daily tasks keep your brain working. [13]
He won’t let you just sit inside and close yourself off from the world. He stays at the door waiting for walk, forcing you to get outside and talk to people on the street.
It turns out that our furry friends can help lower the risk of dementia.
Conclusion
Bringing the dog home changes how you spend your day. It is not just about having the pet; it is about the discipline of morning walks, keeping the yard clean, and staying active.
Living with Sarplaninacs is a great joy, but I will be honest – it is not always easy.
I have seen stressful moments, like when one of my dogs “got loose from his leash” at a dog show. In those seconds, your heart stops, but thank God, it all ended well …
What is your experience? Does your pet keep you on your feet every morning, or have you had a moment where he tested your nerves?
Sources:Odendaal, J. S., & Meintjes, R. A. (2003). Neurophysiological correlates of affiliative behaviour between humans and dogs. Veterinary Journal, 165(3), 296-301.
Beetz, A., Uvnäs-Moberg, K., Julius, H., & Kotrschal, K. (2012). Psychosocial and psychophysiological effects of human-animal interactions: The possible role of oxytocin. Frontiers in Psychology, 3, 234.
Friedmann, E., Thomas, S. A., Son, H., Chapa, D., & McCune, S. (2013). Pet’s presence and owner’s blood pressures during the daily lives of pet owners with pre-to mild hypertension. Anthrozoös, 26(4), 535-550.
Levine, G. N., Allen, K., Braun, L. T., Christian, H. E., Friedmann, E., Taubert, K. A., & Thomas, S. A. (2013). Pet ownership and cardiovascular risk: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 127(23), 2353-2363.
Cutt, H., Giles-Corti, B., Knuiman, M., & Burke, V. (2007). Dog ownership, health and physical activity: A critical review of the literature. Health & Place, 13(1), 261-272.
Brown, S. G., & Rhodes, R. E. (2006). Relationships among dog ownership and leisure-time walking in Western Canadian adults. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 30(2), 131-136.
McNicholas, J., & Collis, G. M. (2000). Dogs as catalysts for social interactions: Robustness of the effect. British Journal of Psychology, 91(1), 61-70.
McNicholas, J., Gilbey, A., Rennie, A., Ahmedzai, S., Dono, J. A., & Ormerod, E. (2005). Pet ownership and human health: A brief review of evidence and issues. BMJ, 331(7527), 1252-1254.
Ownby, D. R., Johnson, C. C., Peterson, E. L., 2002. Exposure to dogs and cats in the first year of life and risk of allergic sensitization at 6 to 7 years of age. JAMA, 288(8), 963–972.
Remes, S. T., Castro-Rodriguez, J. A., Holberg, C. J., Martinez, F. D., & Wright, A. L. (2001). Dog exposure in infancy decreases the subsequent risk of frequent wheeze but not of atopy. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 108(4), 509-515.
Bernstein, J. A., Levin, L., Crandall, M. S., Perez, A., Lanphear, B., & Rea, W. (1999). A pilot study to investigate the effect of pet allergen reduction on immunoglobulin E levels and bronchial hyperresponsiveness to pet allergen. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 103(2).
Hoffman, C. L., et al. (2018). “An Examination of Adult Women’s Sleep Quality and Sleep Routines in Relation to Pet Ownership.
Friedmann, E., et al. (2015). “The role of companion animals in healthy aging.
Purewal, R., Christley, R., Kordas, K., Joinson, C., Meints, K., Gee, N., & Westgarth, C. (2017). Companion animals and child/adolescent development: A systematic review of the evidence. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(3), 234.
Confidence
Growing up with the dog builds a child’s self-esteem and confidence.
Research shows that children who have the pet are more capable in social situations than those who don’t. [14]
It helps children learn important social skills like empathy and responsibility.
So, if you want your little one to be the coolest kid on the block (and maybe even invent the next big thing), consider getting them a four-legged friend!