He was kept in a cage for up to eight hours, which is not good for his energetic breed, she said. Ho also thought that owning a dog would be a good way to increase her own activity levels. “I wanted something that would help me establish a routine for walking, for meals, but also a companion that would help me with my fitness, as well as my stress.” Ho and her mother, who is in her 70s, walked Max for about 90 minutes a day: once in the morning and a longer walk in the evening. Ho was amazed at how much this benefited her mother.
“One really annoying thing is that my mom is better than me,” she said. “I remember when we went to Banff and Jasper [in Alberta] together. She was more suited to hiking specific locations than I was. I had a hard time keeping up with her.” Leigh Vanderloo is the scientific director of ParticipAction, a non-profit organization that tracks the physical activity efforts of Canadians. Vanderloo reviewed international and Canadian studies and said people with dogs walk about four times a day and get, on average, 160 minutes of exercise a week — 10 minutes more than the recommended minimum. Leigh Vanderloo, 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. (Janis Lempera) “People who have pets are more active … and because of this increased activity, they are less likely to have problems related to diabetes, hypertension and even metabolic syndrome,” he said. According to a study published in 2016 in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, “walking dogs has been shown to promote engagement and adherence to regular physical activity.” This survey was published before the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Some Canadians say having a dog has been especially important in the past two years, helping them stay active while working from home.

Stay active while working from home

This was the case for Andrew Holland from Fredericton, NB. He has been working remotely since March 2020 and Gus’ golden retriever 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 patrols 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 the Golden Retriever has given him a reason to go out for daily walks. (Submitted by Andrew Holland) Having Gus helped replace some of the activities he would normally do at work. “When you’re in an office, you go to meetings, you walk, you heat up your lunch in the microwave, or you stretch your legs, or you make a tea or a coffee. Here at home, it’s hard to do that. , to put your steps in, so I typically try to get him out and around,” Holland said. That “random” movement we get when we leave our house and go to the office is a big part of what’s missing from many people’s lives, Vanderloo said. Having a dog to walk ties “your motivation to be active to something non-negotiable,” he said.

Pets are a powerful motivator

With the puppy boom, Dr. Philipp Schott, a veterinarian in Winnipeg, has also noticed an increase in people walking dogs. She said she’s heard from pet owners that it’s a good excuse to get out and explore the neighborhood, especially since it’s been difficult to travel. Schott echoed Vanderloo’s comments that dogs are a motivator to get outside and be active. Dr. Philipp Schott, a veterinarian in Winnipeg, says being looked at by a dog can be a “powerful motivator” to get up and go for a walk. (Marlon Evan) “Having that dog look at you…people feel a very strong sense of responsibility and guilt towards their pets. More than getting their spouses or children to exercise, exercising the dog…this is a powerful motivator for people,” he said. Dogs usually need about half an hour to an hour of exercise a day, and you don’t have to worry about overdoing it if you want to do more. “Most dogs are better athletes than most people. It’s the 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 has been his “four-legged exercise machine” throughout the pandemic. “We stopped our gym membership during COVID. We bought a spin bike and I haven’t been as disciplined about using it as my wife, and that worries me. But I’m still walking… with it.” This also happened in the case of Ho with her dog Max. “I think it’s kind of like when people really get into a sport. You date people who also do that sport, you dress differently, your lifestyle changes, how you sleep and how you eat,” she said. “I think it’s very similar 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: The Morning Edition – K-W7:17 Fit pet, healthy person: How dog ownership helped Canadians stay fit during the pandemic While some people packed on the pounds due to the pandemic, others found their dog put a spring in their step and their furry friend got them out to exercise. CBC producer Antonia Reed examines why every walk with your dog counts.