Oh, dogs. Where would we be without them? A world without our canine friends isn’t worth imagining; they just seem to give us so much and don’t ask for all that much in return. Most people can get a little thrill from a cute dog just by seeing one out in public. But what if you took your relationship with dogs even further by bringing one into your life? At that point, you could expect many more benefits. In this blog, we’ll run through just some of the many ways that having your own dog can positively improve your life.
If you’ve been sitting on the fence about whether to get a dog or not, then this could be the list that convinces you that it’s the right thing to do!
Table of Contents
You’ll Discover Your Hometown
Most people know less about their hometown than they could do. They walk down the same streets, drive down the same roads, and visit the same places. In some cases, people don’t even walk around where they live; they just drive everywhere. When you have a dog, you’ll find that you get to know your home area much more intimately. You’ll have to take the dog on multiple walks a day, so it won’t be long before you discover new places you otherwise may not have found. Just think how much your life will improve with more exercise.
And Enjoy Early Mornings
Similarly, plenty of people try to stretch out as much time in bed as possible each morning. And that makes sense — being in bed is deeply enjoyable! But there are advantages to not being in bed, too. There’s something very special and calming about being outside in the early morning. This is true for all seasons of the year, but it’s especially lovely on spring mornings. You’ll need to go on a morning walk bright and early when you have a dog. That 10/15 minute walk is a great way to start the day which will improve your life.
You’ll Meet Other Dog Owners
It’s hard to meet new people as you get older. But we’re social creatures, and it’s important for us to have some social moments throughout the day, even if they’re only brief. When you have a dog, you’ll find that you have many of these moments. You’ll interact with other dog owners (since dogs always want to meet each other) plus strangers who want to stroke your pet. These moments can be brief and enjoyable. And if you walk the same route each day, you may eventually become friends with the people you meet too, since you’ll see them more often than you might think.
You May Have Better Relationships With Other Humans
When you get a dog, you won’t just be developing a close bond with the canine. You may also develop your relationship with the humans in your life. A study by Tufts University found that people with good relationships with their dogs also tend to enjoy improved relations with their partners, family members, and friends. Some research suggests that people that grow up with dogs are more confident and empathetic, too — and we all know how those two qualities can make it easier to get along with other people. As mentioned above, taking care of dogs will allow you to be more sociable; to provide your pet more comfort and warmth, Lucky Paws might have the best products you can give them.
Happiness Rushes
We all want to be as happy as possible. And for that reason, it’s recommended that we find ways to give ourselves as much oxytocin as possible. Oxytocin is the chemical that makes us feel happy (and love). Studies have shown that simply staring into a dog’s eyes can release this chemical. That’s right — just looking at your dog can make you happier! Also, a fun fact you may not know: dogs are happy to look into our eyes, whereas wolves are not. And that’s one of the main things that differentiates the two canine creatures.
They Can Make A House A Home
A house is more than its four walls and a ceiling: it is a home. Or, at least, it should be. And one of the best ways to give your house a dollop of homeliness is to look at adding a dog. They’ll be a positive addition that will enhance the lives of everyone in the household! Of course, some breeds are better at doing this than others. Silver lab puppies are particularly good at forming bonds with children, making them one of the best options for a family home. Some people say that a house without a dog is not a home; once you’ve got your own, you might just find that you agree with them.
They Lower Stress
In a time when people are more stressed than ever before, it’s more important than ever that we find ways to relax and de-stress. And if we can do that by adding something cute and fuzzy, then all the better! Dogs have been shown to broadly lower stress levels during acute moments of stress. The study found that people’s stress response was less active when a dog was in the room. They didn’t even need to pet the animal!
Learning the Right Lessons
Owning a dog isn’t always a walk in the park. You have to do some things, after all — it’s a commitment. But by giving your dog the things it needs, you’ll be learning vital life lessons that can positively improve your life. For instance, you’ll learn the art of patience when you’re teaching them how to behave. You’ll learn how to love when they need some of your help. And you’ll learn the value of enjoying the finer things in life, such as the beauty of a spring morning.
You Could Feel Safer At Home
We all want to ensure that we’re safe at home. While it’s highly unlikely that someone will break into your house, it’s always good to know that you’ve got a line of defense in case someone decides to try it. While it’s important to add real security measures, such as an alarm system and so forth, you might find that a dog can help protect you. For one thing, they’ll usually alert you when someone’s trying to enter. Second, someone who enters a home usually thinks twice if they hear a dog barking. You don’t even need to have a traditionally “tough” dog, either — any dog that marks a noise will do the trick.
Life Is Better!
Finally, let’s just think about this: life is better when you have a four-legged friend by your side! People with dogs always have a funny story about the hijinks their pet got up to. Plus, they get to enjoy the joy of being greeted by a loving creature when they get home and spend cold evenings curled up on the couch with their dog. These are small moments of joy that are hard to quantify. But once you’ve got them in your life, you’ll wonder how you ever lived with them.
Conclusion
A dog won’t magically make all your problems disappear. But there’s no denying that they can hugely positively improve your overall life. If you take the time to integrate your dog into your life, you’ll find that it brings all of the benefits we outlined above and more. It’ll be the gift that keeps on giving.
Featured Photo by Alice Castro: https://www.pexels.com
