As a guy who isn't particularly good looking and never smoked, many things have blown me away since adopting a dog in my early thirties a couple of years back.
Besides the obvious things such as exercising (I do forest runs)/ walking more regularly and often, a dog has had a calming and stress reducing effect on me I'd never have imagined possible.
I have ADHD and besides the impulsivity that comes with it, it was untreated until after I adopted my dog. Even prior to diagnosis, having a mammal besides you that you cannot talk to, but that is very reactive to your emotions has calmed me down significantly.
I experienced I can only interact calmly and trusting with my dog if I am, in fact, doing so being calm and trusting myself.
Also, dogs are amazing at executive functioning. They don't fret past mistakes, they try again. Seeing it physically in front of you every other day puts me in a different mental spot. Can't be depressed if I see it's possible.
And last but not least, I've never had so many positive random interactions with strangers ever in my entire adult life.
Both me approaching others when my dog is with me or being approached.
People just don't read you as a creep or threat if you present yourself as being able to interact well with a dog.
I have had fish and ants before, the mental and social effects don't ever compare.
Highly recommend adopting a dog if you're so inclined.
>I've never had so many positive random interactions with strangers ever in my entire adult life.
>Both me approaching others when my dog is with me or being approached.
That's great. But to others considering a dog... be aware that the opposite can be true also.
My dog is not friendly to strangers, so we have to take extra steps to avoid contact with them when we go out. I love the dog, but I feel like I'm missing out on random interactions with my community that used to happen on occasion.
My dog is really friendly but incredibly needy, and he hassles all of my guests endlessly or cries in his crate, so he makes having company stressful for me.
But for the purpose of say me wanting my dog to show a certain behavior or perform an action.
I can’t explain it in human terms.
Talking works if I have previously taught my dog my desired outcome in ways the dog understands.
So in order to be able to speak, you first need to learn how to think like a dog and break a certain outcome down into intermediate smaller learning steps.
It’s kinda similar to programming, but in the context of bringing emotions into the mix (how do I teach calmly, and handle when my dog cannot immediately follow my instructions), it has made me incredibly more empathic.
I've found having a regular conversation at your dog, or explaining some philosophical or technical concept to them, or reading to your dog, or composing a simple song about them and singing to them, very rewarding.
Besides the obvious things such as exercising (I do forest runs)/ walking more regularly and often, a dog has had a calming and stress reducing effect on me I'd never have imagined possible.
I have ADHD and besides the impulsivity that comes with it, it was untreated until after I adopted my dog. Even prior to diagnosis, having a mammal besides you that you cannot talk to, but that is very reactive to your emotions has calmed me down significantly.
I experienced I can only interact calmly and trusting with my dog if I am, in fact, doing so being calm and trusting myself.
Also, dogs are amazing at executive functioning. They don't fret past mistakes, they try again. Seeing it physically in front of you every other day puts me in a different mental spot. Can't be depressed if I see it's possible.
And last but not least, I've never had so many positive random interactions with strangers ever in my entire adult life.
Both me approaching others when my dog is with me or being approached.
People just don't read you as a creep or threat if you present yourself as being able to interact well with a dog.
I have had fish and ants before, the mental and social effects don't ever compare.
Highly recommend adopting a dog if you're so inclined.
It's awesome.