Dog walking
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/51/Dog_walker_-_Buenos_Aires.jpg/220px-Dog_walker_-_Buenos_Aires.jpg)
Dog walking is both a pastime and a profession involving the act of a person walking with a dog, typically from the dog's residence and then returning. This constitutes part of the daily exercise regime needed to keep a dog healthy.[1] It also provides exercise and companionship for the walker.[2]
Description[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Free_bags_for_dog_walkers_to_pick_up_waste.jpg/170px-Free_bags_for_dog_walkers_to_pick_up_waste.jpg)
In the UK, The Kennel Club conducted a survey of 1,000 dog owners and found that one in five did not walk their dogs on a daily basis.[3]
Dogs are walked with a collar around their neck, or a dog harness,[4] or by following their owner by familiarity and verbal control. Commonly the dog is walked by the owner, or another family member, but there are also professional dog walkers.[5]
Health benefits[edit]
A study by Michigan State University showed that people who walk their dogs are 34% more likely to meet expected levels of exercise, with a recommended level of 150 minutes of activity such as dog walking per week. Matthew Reeves, the co-author of the study said, "There is no magic bullet in getting people to reach those benchmarks but walking a dog has a measurable impact."[6]
Professional dog walkers[edit]
![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/29/Dog_walker_on_skates_with_six_dogs_cropped.jpg/220px-Dog_walker_on_skates_with_six_dogs_cropped.jpg)
Professional dog walkers, both individuals and businesses, are paid by dog owners to walk their dogs for them. Some dog walkers will take many dogs for a walk at once, while others will not.[5] Also growing in popularity is dog running. Dog runners are professionals who will take your dog running, usually between 1 and 10 miles for a set fee, usually not more than 2 dogs at a time.[7] In some jurisdictions dog walking businesses must be licensed and have animal first-aid-trained employees. Professional dog walking services can be obtained locally or through online referral services.[8]
In the United States, the first professional dog walker is believed to have been Jim Buck, who in 1960 launched his dog walking service in New York City.[9]
See also[edit]
References[edit]
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- ^ Wendy Bumgardner: Script error: No such module "Vorlage:Internetquelle". About.com, 13. November 2008, abgerufen am 30. Mai 2010.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2058: attempt to index a boolean value.
- ^ Lorrie Shaw: Script error: No such module "Vorlage:Internetquelle". AnnArbor.com, 5. Mai 2010, abgerufen am 30. Mai 2010.
- ^ a b Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2058: attempt to index a boolean value.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2058: attempt to index a boolean value.
- ^ Script error: No such module "Vorlage:Internetquelle". Abgerufen am 30. November 2011.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2058: attempt to index a boolean value.
- ^ Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2058: attempt to index a boolean value.