5 Benefits of Having a Dog in Your Life

Our four-legged fur babies are our everything. And even though living with dogs isn't always easy—the benefits of having a dog far outweigh the disadvantages.

After all, dogs give us a special feeling that no other companion can provide, which is why they are often referred to as “man’s best friend.” 

But as it turns out, there is something more to that special bond we share with dogs—something a little more scientifics. Don’t believe us? Here’s what the American Kennel Club has to say about this. 

Read on to learn the biggest benefits of owning a dog, and why life is better when you own a dog.

1. They Provide Safety

Dogs have incredibly heightened senses. If anything unusual is going on in the perimeter of your home, then your pup will definitely know.

A dog’s piercing bark can alert yourself and your neighbors about suspicious activity. This bark can scare off any potential intruders as well. Trying to rob a house is going to be insanely difficult with a dog barking away.

But even if an intruder somehow gets in the home, then your best friend will not give up. Dogs are known to instinctually attack intruders. While this isn’t ideal, as your pet might get injured, it’s nice to know that someone’s got your back.

Even walking is safer with a dog. Larger dogs are intimidating to any would-be criminals looking to prey on vulnerable people. 

Our intelligent best friends will do everything they can to keep us safe with their natural weapons and heightened awareness.

2. Dogs Can Improve Our Social Life

One of the benefits of owning a dog is the social aspect of it. Not just with the dog, either. Studies show that about 40 percent of dog owners have an easier time meeting new (human) friends.

It makes sense, too. Dogs are a great conversation starter because everyone wants to share everything about their furry friend. Plus, dog owners run into each other all the time when they’re on a walk or at the park.

And there’s a bonus for the single owners out there. A recent study revealed that men are more likely to have a positive interaction with a woman if they have a dog with them.

Even if you’d rather light up your dating life from indoors, your pup’s still got you covered. Webbox carried out a two-week social experiment on the connection between dating app results and dog photos. On average, women saw a 69% increase on “yes” swipes, and men saw an increase of 38%. These matches were more likely to lead to a first date because of the amazing conversation starter.

3. They’re Good for Our Physical Health

Life with dogs can be hectic sometimes, especially if they’re young. Younger dogs tend to always be on the move.

But since dogs are active, their owners have to keep up. Dogs encourage owners to take them for walks and play with them. A 2019 study shows that dog owners are four times more likely to meet daily exercise requirements than non-dog owners.

Surprisingly, dog owners also have lower cholesterol and triglycerides, according to Harvard Health. 

On top of all that, some service dogs are trained to alert their owners about potential heart attacks, seizures, and panic attacks. Dementia patients who were in the presence of a dog experienced fewer aggressive outbreaks and reduced heart rates.

4. They Keep Our Minds Healthy

Taking care of our mental health can be tricky and difficult. There’s no straight answer to keeping our minds healthy because everyone’s mind is different. However, we all share the same goal: to be happy.

Dogs can help us achieve that happiness in many ways.

Firstly, they don’t have harsh opinions or critiques. Dogs love their owners unconditionally. No matter what insecurities owners may have of themselves, their dogs love every part of them.

Secondly, they distract us from everyday life. When we have a rough day at work, we can come home and see our dog waiting for us. A million little agitations suddenly go away when we look into the eyes of our fur-babies. 

Thirdly, dogs help reduce anxiety. Just the touch of a pet can calm us. A dog’s touch releases oxytocin and dopamine in the brain. These chemicals are responsible for making us feel love and joy.

Having a dog provides amazing mental health benefits since they help reduce stress levels and can improve our general mental wellbeing. Researchers found evidence of dogs helping people with a speedy recovery from a mental health illness. 

The University of Manchester conducted an experiment with 54 participants who had been diagnosed with a severe mental illness. They were given a pet to care for and about half of the participants reported that pets helped them manage day-to-day life. Pets distracted them from horrible symptoms like hallucinations or suicidal thoughts. But most importantly, it gave them a reason to keep fighting.

5. Dogs Provide Companionship

This is probably the best part of owning a dog. Dogs provide companionship like no other. They’re loyal to the bone and won’t give up on us.

This companionship can give us a sense of purpose. The responsibility that comes with owning a dog makes us feel important. It builds on our self-esteem and self-confidence.

Nothing can replicate the years of memories that come with having a canine companion. Everything from running on the beach on a warm summer day, lifelong memories of playing with your children, and going to the park to cool off. 

They even give you the opportunity to visit friends for a doggy playdate. But most importantly, coming home to a friend who’s ready to comfort you after a hard day.

Looking for Amazing Dog Grooming & Walking Services in Calgary?

Dogs treat us amazingly and try their best to satisfy us. It’s only fair that we treat them just as well.

We can’t always be there with our pets, so it’s important to look into great daycare and overnight care services. It’s also important to keep our dogs clean. A clean dog is a healthy dog.

So, if you’re ready to spoil your dog with the best dog walking and grooming in Calgary, then Barking Good is here to help. 

Barking Good offers daycare, overnight care, and grooming services. Show your pup how much you love them by giving them the best!