NEWS COPY
Four in ten dog owners admit they don't know how much exercise their pet needs, according to a poll.
And more than one in 10 are failing to meet the recommended exercise requirements for their four-legged friends.
A study of 2,000 dog owners found some of the most common reasons for avoiding the recommended one walk a day were unpredictable weather, a lack of time and being too tired.
The research comes as M&S Bank has announced all new dog insurance customers will receive a PitPat activity monitor, to support owners with the health and well-being of their dogs.
To develop a formula for canine happiness, M&S Bank also enlisted the help of celebrity dog therapist Nigel Reed, who has worked with names such as Derren Brown.
Reed notes there are four key elements required to make a dog happy, known as the ‘Pyramid of Dog Needs.’ He said: “These comprise a fine balance of physiological, safety, belonging and esteem needs. Regular exercise is an overarching factor, as it is a vital component of canine happiness.”
“It’s great to see activities such as walks in the park, cuddles and belly rubs feature so prominently in the research into what owners believe makes a happy dog.
“These aspects fit within the ‘belonging’ and ‘esteem’ components of the canine happiness formula, as they contribute to mental and physical health.
“The key to a happy dog is finding and maintaining a balance across all four elements. Regular exercise is a fundamental aspect to a dog’s well-being.”
The study found that a dog’s happiness can be boiled down into a simple formula of: Seeing its owner walk through the door + cuddles + treats + two walks in the park a day.
The research also showed more than a fifth of respondents believe their dog is overweight, and 48 per cent think their four-legged friend could do with more exercise.
Border collie owners were revealed to be the most diligent with walking their dogs, with six in 10 declaring their dogs get more than enough outdoor time.
Paul Stokes of M&S Bank said: “We’re renowned for being a nation of dog lovers who all want the best for our pets, but our research found that we’re often not giving our dogs enough exercise.
“It’s really important that we know how much exercise our dog needs and the difference it can make to both their physical and mental well-being.
“That’s why we want to encourage the nation’s dog owners to get out and about with their dogs as much as possible, helping to ensure they stay fit and healthy.
“We hope that, by giving new customers a PitPat - an easy-to-use activity monitoring device, we can help them do this. We’ve also created an easy-to-understand equation to illustrate the needs of our four-legged friends.”
TOP 20 WAYS TO KEEP A DOG HAPPY
1. Seeing me walk through the door
2. Cuddles
3. Belly rubs
4. Doggy treats
5. Playing in the park
6. Two or more walks a day
7. Daily exercise
8. Playing ball games
9. Seeing the lead
10. Sleeping on our bed
11. Playing with cuddly toys
12. Exploring a new location on a walk
13. Meeting other dogs
14. Eating people's leftovers
15. Playing in water
16. Sat by my feet
17. Chasing squirrels/birds
18. Sunbathing
19. Home cooked treat meals i.e. steak
20. Tickles
ENDS
