Karen K. Ho of Richmond Hill, Ontario adopted cockapoo Max in 2021 because his previous owner couldn’t exercise him enough.
He was kept in a crate for up to eight hours, which is not good for his energetic breed, she said. Ho also thought that having a dog would be a good way to increase his own activity levels.
“I wanted something that would help me establish a routine for walking, for eating, and also a companion to help me with my fitness as well as my anxiety.”
Ho and her mother, who is in her 70s, would walk Max for about 90 minutes a day: once in the morning and a longer walk in the evening. Ho was amazed at how much it benefited her mother.
“The really embarrassing thing is that my mom is healthier than me,” she said. “I remember when we went to Banff and Jasper [in Alberta] together. She was in better shape for hiking in certain places than I was. I was struggling to deal with her.”
Lee Vanderloh is the scientific director of ParticipAction, a non-profit organization that tracks the physical activity efforts of Canadians.
Vanderlo looked at international and Canadian studies and said people with dogs walk about four times a day and get an average of 160 minutes of exercise a week — that’s 10 minutes more than the recommended minimum.
Lee Vanderloh, scientific director of ParticipAction, says research shows that people with dogs walk about four times a day and get an average of 160 minutes of exercise a week. (Yannis Lempera)
“People who own pets are more active … and because of that increase in activity, they’re less likely to have problems related to diabetes, hypertension, even metabolic syndrome,” she said.
According to a study published in 2016 in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, “dog walking has been shown to promote engagement and adherence to regular physical activity.”
This research was published before the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Some Canadians say that in the past two years, having a dog has been especially important to help them stay active while working from home.
Stay active while working from home
Such was the case for Andrew Holland of Fredericton, NB. He has been working remotely since March 2020 and his golden retriever Gus has given him a reason to go out for daily walks.
“Instead of driving to a physical office, we have our morning mock commute, which is patrolling the subdivision. So it’s about a 35 to 40 minute walk,” he said.
Andrew Holland poses for a selfie with his dog Gus. Holland has been working remotely since March 2020, when the pandemic began, and says his golden retriever has given him a reason to go on daily walks. (Submitted by Andrew Holland)
Having Gus around helped replace some of the activities he would normally do at work.
“When you’re in an office, you go to meetings, you go for a walk, you warm up your lunch in the microwave or you stretch your legs, or you make tea or coffee. “Here at home, it’s hard to do that to get in your stride, so I usually try to get him out and about,” Holland said.
That “random” movement we get when we leave home and go to the office is a big part of what’s missing in many people’s lives, Vanderloh said.
Having a dog to walk ties “your motivation to get active to something that’s non-negotiable,” she said.
Pets are a powerful motivator
With the pandemic puppy boom, Dr. Philip Schott, a veterinarian in Winnipeg, has also noticed an increase in people walking dogs.
He said he’s heard from pet owners that they’re a good excuse to get out and explore the neighborhood, especially since it’s been difficult to travel.
Schott echoed Vanderloh’s comments that dogs are an incentive to get out and get active.
Dr. Philip Schott, a Winnipeg veterinarian, says looking at a dog can be a “powerful motivator” to get up and go for a walk. (Marlon Evan)
“As this dog looks at you… people feel a very strong sense of responsibility and guilt towards their pets. More than getting their spouses or kids to exercise, getting the dog to exercise … that’s a strong motivator for people,” he said.
Dogs usually need about half to an hour of exercise a day, and you don’t have to worry about going overboard if you want to do more.
“Most dogs are better athletes than most people. It’s a rare person who can outrun their dog,” Schott said.
It’s hard to resist those eyes. Holland’s dog, Gus, looks at him and wants a treat. Holland says Gus has helped replace some of the activity he would normally do at work. (Submitted by Andrew Holland)
For Holland, Gus was his “four-legged trainer” throughout the pandemic.
“We ended our gym membership during COVID. We bought a spinbike and I wasn’t as disciplined about using it as my wife was, and that’s on me. But I still go… with him.’
This was also the case for Ho with her dog Max.
“I think it’s kind of like when people really get into a sport. You go out with people who are also into the sport, you dress differently, your lifestyle changes, like how you sleep and how you eat,” she said.
“I think it’s very similar in terms of when we talk about the health benefits of adopting a dog — especially one that’s as active as mine.”
Max takes a break after playing with his ball in the park. (Submitted by Karen K. Ho)
LISTEN | How dog ownership helped Canadians stay fit during the pandemic:
Morning Edition – K-W7:17 Fit Pet, Healthy Person: How dog ownership has helped Canadians stay fit during the pandemic
While some people piled on the pandemic pounds, others found that their dog put a spring in their step and their furry friend got them exercising. CBC producer Antonia Reid looks at why every walk with your dog counts.
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