With roughly 37 to 47% of American households owning at least one dog, it’s safe to say that America is a nation of dog lovers. And although dogs have long held the title of man’s best friend, they’re more than just a friend to most dog owners. In most cases, dogs are part of the family and are treated as if they were the owner’s child.
And just like any child, dogs of all ages need regular exercise or physical activity in order to stay healthy and happy. Play is an important activity for both animals and humans alike, and serves a variety of critical functions. Not only is a play a physical activity, but it helps dogs develop or sharpen critical skills. Similarly, dog owners can also experience a number of benefits from playing with their dog including reduced stress levels.
Dog parks and playgrounds are a great way for both dogs and their owners to play and socialize with other dogs and people, but not smaller cities may not have a dedicated dog park. Luckily, you can experience the benefits of a dog park right at home by installing dog playground equipment right in your own backyard.
Dog park accessories and dog playground equipment can be a great way to switch up your dog’s exercise routine outside of their everyday walk. Just like a playground for kids, doggy playground equipment provides a variety of opportunities for both education and play. Here are just a fews that dog play ground equipment can be used to support the total health and wellness of your dog.
Learning new skills
It’s often been said that old dogs are incapable of learning new tricks, and this is simply not true. Regular play can help senior dogs stay physically active and mentally sharp, and dog playground equipment can help keep aging dogs stimulated. Common dog park items such as dog hoops, crates, and obstacle courses help both young and old dogs sharpen their agility and problem solving guys in a fun, relaxed way.
A deeper bond
Just like any friendship or family relationship, the bond between a dog and its owner takes time to develop. Dog owners who regularly spend time playing with their dogs can forge a deeper bond with their dog, which provides a solid foundation for a healthy relationship. Both dogs and people are extremely social creatures, and spending time together doing new things helps to fulfill the need to socialize and engage. A strong bond between a dog and its owners also helps to support healthy training habits and a deeper sense of trust.
Fun exercise
Believe it or not, exercise can actually be a lot of fun! This is especially true for dogs, who naturally enjoy physical activity and become restless or irritable without it. But like people, dogs can grow bored of the same walk or same physical activity every single day. Dog playground equipment presents a fun, new, and exciting way for your dog to exercise and stay fit.