Asheville veterinarian Dr. Laurel Davis offers “Stories from a holistic vet,” the blog of a holistic vet and “animal interpreter” with a clinic in Asheville, NC. Dr. Laurel also offers intuitive animal health, vaccination and lifestyle advice for animal companions and their human friends across the USA.
Have a question for Dr. Laurel? Send it in.
Want comprehensive or detailed dog or cat advice? Schedule an Ask Dr. Laurel™ phone or Skype consultation.
This is the first post in a series sharing ten ways to connect with your dog, by Dr. Laurel Davis, Asheville, NC-based holistic vet. Stay tuned after that for the top ten for cats!
Q: Is it really necessary to walk my dog every day?
Yes! Dogs thrive on a pack experience, and, in addition, they need exercise, just like all of us. If you don’t walk briskly with your dog every day (except in the case of slowed-down older or injured dogs), he or she can get bored and frustrated and turn into that creature we all would prefer to avoid: The Bad Dog.
Is a bad dog really a bad dog? One big reason dogs tear up furniture, disobey, race around chaotically or otherwise cause problems is…lack of walking together with their pack. That means you!
And by the way, it’s not just Fido that needs a walk. This is one of the best things our dogs teach us: if you’re tied to that computer all day, if you’re feeling irritable, hopeless, bored or frustrated, grab a leash and go for a good, brisk walk. Feel better?
There are many ways to walk or hike with your friend. You may choose a neighborhood ramble, urban tour, woods stroll, river walk or a hardcore hiking, running, or mountain biking experience with your animal friend.
Be perceptive. If you pay attention and tune into your pooch, you’ll become familiar with how much exercise they need. Don’t want your dog to act out or gain weight? Time to hit the trail.
Check out Dr. Laurel’s next post in this series: On-leash or Off-leash?
Shine on,
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Check out this guide to Asheville dog-friendly hiking trails. This lists just a few of them. Do you and your pooch have a favorite trail? Post it below, in the comments!
Dr. Laurel Davis is a holistic Asheville vet offering phone and Skype consultations for animal lovers everywhere.Call 828-254-2221 or order an Ask Dr. Laurel™ phone or Skype session or bring your dog or cat to her downtown Asheville, NC clinic. Read more patient stories.
Get to know Dr. Laurel by reading her blog.
Do you have a story about Dr. Laurel’s dog advice or how she helped your animal companion? Please post your comment on our Facebook page or write a Google Review.
