Why Get a Dog?

#AlphaDogTraining #dogtrainingsaltlakecity Why Get a Dog? Published by Alpha Dog Training https://www.alpha-dog-training-slc.com/ (801) 910-1700 Unconditional love. Devoted companionship. Constant entertainment. Most of us dog lovers know that life is better with a dog. But is that knowledge based on a feeling—or is there something else at work? There is: Science. Spending time with canine companions does wonders for your wellbeing. Recent research shows that owning a dog is good for you physically and emotionally. Dogs make us happier, healthier, and help us cope with a crisis—and can even help you get a date. 1. Dogs make us feel less alone. Dogs can be there for you even when people can’t. They offer unconditional love, emotional support, and constant cuddles that help stave off social isolation. 2. Dogs are good for your heart. Owning a dog can help you live longer. Dog owners have a lower risk of death. Studies suggest that dog owners have lower blood pressure levels and improved responses to stress. 3. Dogs help you stop stressing out. Your canine companion can offer comfort and ease your worries. Studies show that dogs and therapy dogs help alleviate stress and anxiety. 4. Dogs help us cope with crisis Dogs help us recover psychologically from a crisis. Military veterans with PTSD do better both physiologically and psychologically when they have a service dog. Veterans with a service dog had significantly fewer symptoms of PTSD and showed improved coping skills. 5. Dogs encourage you to move. Those long treks along sidewalks, trails, and paths add up. Dog owners are nearly four times more likely than non-dog owners to meet daily physical activity guidelines. 6. Dogs make you more attractive—even virtually. If you’re looking for a date, it might be time to get a dog. A dog’s presence may make people appear more likeable and attractive. Studies show men are more likely to get a woman’s phone number when they had a dog with them. In another study researchers asked individuals to rate people in photographs and found that people looked happier and more relaxed when they appeared with a dog. 7. Dogs make us more social. Walking with a canine companion can make us more approachable and give people a conversation starter. 8. Dogs are so adorable they make us love them There’s a reason why puppies are so irresistible: a dog’s facial features possess an “infant schema.” These “social releasers” trigger an innate caregiver response in humans. So, the next time you can’t stop watching that dog video, know those big eyes and floppy ears are scientifically appealing. 9. Dogs make us happier Just looking at a dog can lift your spirits: a 2009 study found that staring into your dog’s eyes raises your level of oxytocin, also known as the “love hormone.” Besides the general health benefits of owning a dog, they are natural mood boosters. 10. Dogs help seniors with cognitive function and social interaction. Studies exploring the effects of dogs on seniors found positive results. A four-footed best friend provides unconditional love and support, which is especially important during tough times. Though people may think we’re taking care of our canine companions, it’s mutual: Dogs take care of us, too.