healthy things to do with your dog

You can exercise at the park, climb stairs, go running, rollerblade or go cycling and your dog will probably always be an enthusiastic companion.

From flyball to agility competition -- activity is great for your dog, and for you!

You'll find lots of games and training activities at DogPlay.com.

When you and your dog exercise, don't forget:

• lots of water for both of you
• leash & collar with i.d. tag
• poop bag
• snacks for both of you

...or if you have your own fenced-in yard, invite friends or family over with their pets for an afternoon of backyard fun.

Make sure you've got plenty of water on hand, along with bags to clean up after any messes, and keep a close eye on the group to make sure everyone plays nice.

You don't have to do a LOT of exercise, but you're moving around and out in the fresh air. A good start!

Surveys of pet owners have shown that people with pets tend to have lower blood pressure and decreased stress levels, regardless of other factors in their lives.

M any pet owners have lower blood pressure, and dog owners in particular tend to be in better physical condition than non-dog owners. Researchers have suggested that "regular walkies" with dogs are probably responsible for the generally better health of dog owners.

Other benefits of owning a dog:

• relieve depression: your dog gives you a reason to get up in the morning.


• feel less lonely: especially good for older people who live in isolated environments.


• be happier: therapists say that animals can serve as a catalyst for therapeutic breakthroughs.


• reduce psychological stress: people who interact with pets can live longer and lead more rewarding lives.

Walking at a moderate pace for 30 to 60 minutes burns stored fat and can build muscle to speed up your metabolism. Walking an hour a day is also associated with cutting your risk of heart disease, breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes and stroke.

How to motivate yourself? Easy: just ask your dog if he wants to go for a walk...chances are that just mentioning the W-word will ensure that your dog bugs you until you grab a leash and go.

According to a study by the Minnesota Stroke Institute that followed more than 4,000 cat owners over 10 years, owning a cat can dramatically reduce a person's chance of dying from heart disease.

Specifically, people who owned cats were 30 percent less likely to suffer a heart attack. Although those researchers cannot make the same conclusions about dogs based on the data they gathered, they suspect a dog study would provide similar results.

As reported by E.J. Mundell in U.S. News

"Sure, pets provide companionship and unconditional love. But research has shown that they can also help reduce stress and blood pressure in owners, increase longevity in those who've had heart attacks, and even relax and improve the appetites of Alzheimer's patients. "

As reported by Karen Springen in "Pets: Good for Your Health?" Daily Beast

Take your dog to work day in 2012 is JUNE 22

Google, Amazon and others are allowing house-broken pets into the workplace to improve morale and force employees to take breaks.

Did you know there's an official Take your dog to work Day? In 2012, the date is June 22nd. Take Your Dog to Work day was first celebrated in 1999 and was created to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption at locall humane societies, shelters and rescue groups.

"Ready for work!"

Do dogs try to make us laugh... or does it just seem that way?

Since dogs are very playful by nature, many of their actions and activities are funny, especially to us owners... my little dog for example, loves to completely wrap herself in a crocheted blanket. How does she do that? Opposable thumbs??!!




Here's little Tinker Bell. Every night she manages to completely cover herself up in the yellow blanket!

Animal lovers will be happy to know that having a pet can add years to your life.

One of the first studies in this arena, which appeared in "Public Health Reports" in 1980, showed that the survival rates of heart attack victims who had a pet were 28 percent higher than those of patients who didn't have an animal companion. "The health effects seem to be very real and by no means mystical," says Alan Beck, director of the Center for the Human-Animal Bond at Purdue University. "Contact with companion animals triggers a relaxation response," he says.

As reported by Vanessa Gisquet in Forbes Magazine

Learn DOGA, or how to perform yoga moves for you and your dog, in classes or with online yoga exercise videos.

DOGA moves include sun salutation, tree pose, the doggie twist and of course: downward facing dog. Apparently DOGA provides calming effects and a bonding experience by combining massage and meditation with gentle stretching for dogs and their human partners.

Read more: Dog Yoga Poses & Positions: Video Series | eHow Videos

Photo: The Dog Knowledge blog.

As we become more aware of our own eating habits, it just makes sense that we want better, healthier food for our dogs.

Checked out any reports lately on commercial dog food? It's pretty scary. Here are just a couple of samples:

"What's REALLY in your dog's food?"
The Truth About Commercial Pet Food
What's Really in Pet Food

To learn about making your own dog food, or even switching to a RAW diet, check out these resources:

1. Discover how to put dogs and puppies on a Raw Dog Food Diet with this complete guide. A Raw Dog Food Diet, which is made up of raw bones and meat -- is the best and most appropriate diet for dogs for them to live longer.

2. Know How To Feed Your Dog To Quickly Get Astonishing Results. Fifty years ago, Dr. John Miller wanted to improve his dog's growth. After analyzing commercial dog food formulas, he found they were (and still are) ALL loaded with unhealthy chemicals.
John developed better recipes himself and tried them on his own dogs... using healthier ingredients... He couldn't believe how fast his dog's health and behavior improved. And most important, he also he reduced his dog food expenses by 50%.

3. Dog Food for Life. Did you know that most commercial pet foods are made of trash...literally? It's true! Dog owners are frustrated trying to figure out what food is best and where to get it. Here's an excellent solution.

That's the way all our dogs should be.
But if yours is lacking... why not take a look
at the DIY Dog Training Package
from dog training expert Sharda Baker.

It's a simple and highly effective method to quickly help your dog overcome any behaviour problem, or just be a happier, well adjusted dog - guaranteed

Even if your dog just needs a bit of a refresher,
this course has it all! Click Here To Solve Those Dog Behavior Problems Fast

• potty training
• barking
• aggression management
• walking in a leash
• basic & advanced obedience training (for example, come, sit, drop, stand and heel, rollover and fetch).
• separation anxiety
• training equipment needs
• all about dog psychology and
• crate training.

...and lots more!

Click Here To Solve Those Dog Behavior Problems Fast