Over 46 million households in the United States have dogs as family members. This is approximately 37% to 47% of American households. With all these dogs, there’s a lot of walks to be taken along with other types of exercise. And yes, this means a lot of dog poop bags are needed as well.
Puppy and Dog Exercise Basics
Even though they’re usually quite playful, puppies don’t need as much exercise as older dogs. In fact, dog breeders will recommend the “5-minute rule.” This basically translates as 5 minutes of exercise per month of age.
As your dog grows older, they will need more exercise. Experts state that when your dog is between 1.5 and 4 years old, they will require the most exercise. If you have a female dog, you may have noticed that she tends to be more active than her male counterparts. This is because the average female dog is usually 15% more active than the average male dog. Age does, however, play a part in all this.
Does your local park have an obstacle course dogs? When there are other pets having fun with an obstacle course dogs will usually want to join in. Dog park agility equipment can give your beloved pet a great workout. While you may need to take breaks when the weather is too hot, be sure to praise them when they become obstacle course dogs!
Dog Parks and Waste Stations
The Trust for Public Lands’ 2016 report indicated that there’s at least 1 dog park in every major city. Many cities have several dog parks, complete with waste dispenser systems. Some dog-friendly neighborhoods also have pet waste stations installed every few blocks, particularly in areas where humans tend to take their 4-legged family members out to do their business.
Dog Poop Basics
Dogs usually go poop twice a day. By the end of the week, this means roughly 14 piles of poop. Since 23 million fecal coliform bacteria can be living in a single gram of dog poop, this is a major reason why cleaning up after your dog is important.
Please Pick up Your Dog’s Poop
You may have noticed signs posted by neighbors and businesses to encourage people to use waste stations and otherwise pick up the poop. Were you aware that many dog owners don’t do this? This appears to be the case for around 40% of them.
Did you know that dog owners might be fined when they don’t pick up their dog’s poop? Most cities impose fines for this, particularly in public areas. In some cases, these fines may approach $750.00.
When you take your dog out for a walk, remember to bring those poop bags. This will make a difference in keeping sidewalks, dog parks, and other public areas free from waste.