10 Ways Having A Dog Makes You A Better Person

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    More Exercise: Anything that helps you get more exercise into your daily routine is a good thing. According to a Canadian study, dog owners walk twice as much as people without dogs. Just think about how healthy you're getting next time your pup wants to go out at 6am.
    2/11 More Exercise: Anything that helps you get more exercise into your daily routine is a good thing. According to a Canadian study, dog owners walk twice as much as people without dogs. Just think about how healthy you're getting next time your pup wants to go out at 6am.
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    They Keep You Company: Almost everyone goes through a period of loneliness, particularly elderly people. Several studies have shown that people over the age of 60 tend to suffer less from depression when they own a dog.
    3/11 They Keep You Company: Almost everyone goes through a period of loneliness, particularly elderly people. Several studies have shown that people over the age of 60 tend to suffer less from depression when they own a dog.
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    Dogs Help Reduce Stress: Some companies allow dog owners to bring their pets to the office, and as it turns out, this could be a really good idea. According to the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, these people enjoy their jobs more and experience less stress. Maybe it's time to have a talk with your boss.
    4/11 Dogs Help Reduce Stress: Some companies allow dog owners to bring their pets to the office, and as it turns out, this could be a really good idea. According to the International Journal of Workplace Health Management, these people enjoy their jobs more and experience less stress. Maybe it's time to have a talk with your boss.
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    Improved Relationships: If you love your dog, chances are you will have an easier time loving other people, or so says a Tufts University study. This is particularly true for teenagers and young adults who had pets. The study also revealed that people with dogs tend to be more confident.
    5/11 Improved Relationships: If you love your dog, chances are you will have an easier time loving other people, or so says a Tufts University study. This is particularly true for teenagers and young adults who had pets. The study also revealed that people with dogs tend to be more confident.
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    They Can Teach About Bullying: Schools across America are using dogs to teach kids how to feel empathy for other people to prevent bullying, and it seems to be working. The kids are learning that you shouldn't be mean to other people because you would not be mean to your dog.
    6/11 They Can Teach About Bullying: Schools across America are using dogs to teach kids how to feel empathy for other people to prevent bullying, and it seems to be working. The kids are learning that you shouldn't be mean to other people because you would not be mean to your dog.
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    Dogs Keep You Warm: If you have ever slept in the same bed with your dog, you know just how warm their body heat can keep you. It is like having your own personal electric blanket or heating pad. Studies have even proven that the warmth some dogs provide when they snuggle up can help reduce pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
    7/11 Dogs Keep You Warm: If you have ever slept in the same bed with your dog, you know just how warm their body heat can keep you. It is like having your own personal electric blanket or heating pad. Studies have even proven that the warmth some dogs provide when they snuggle up can help reduce pain in patients with fibromyalgia.
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    Dogs Will Improve Your Social Life: If you tend to avoid social situations for any reason, having a dog might help snap you out of your funk. The British Medical Journal calls them "social catalysts." The idea is that your pup forces you to get out and interact with people more often than you normally would.
    8/11 Dogs Will Improve Your Social Life: If you tend to avoid social situations for any reason, having a dog might help snap you out of your funk. The British Medical Journal calls them "social catalysts." The idea is that your pup forces you to get out and interact with people more often than you normally would.
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    They Improve the Health of Babies: If you have a new baby in the house, you may want to consider getting a dog, too. Sure, you already have enough to be responsible for with the baby, but that little bit of extra work may be worth it if it will help ensure your baby grows up with a stronger immune system and fewer illnesses as many studies have shown.
    9/11 They Improve the Health of Babies: If you have a new baby in the house, you may want to consider getting a dog, too. Sure, you already have enough to be responsible for with the baby, but that little bit of extra work may be worth it if it will help ensure your baby grows up with a stronger immune system and fewer illnesses as many studies have shown.
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    They Can Detect Disease: Hopefully, you won't ever have to worry about this one, but if you do happen to contract cancer, your dog could be the one to save your life. Dogs seem to be extremely accurate in detecting lung and colorectal cancer in people who didn't know they were sick. They do it by sniffing your breath. Some can also detect seizures before they happen.
    10/11 They Can Detect Disease: Hopefully, you won't ever have to worry about this one, but if you do happen to contract cancer, your dog could be the one to save your life. Dogs seem to be extremely accurate in detecting lung and colorectal cancer in people who didn't know they were sick. They do it by sniffing your breath. Some can also detect seizures before they happen.
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    Dogs Improve Overall Happiness: If you find yourself having a bad day, the key to making it better may be a simple glance at your furry family member. According to a Japanese study from Azabu University, looking into your dog's eyes increases the level of the hormone that makes you happy, and the longer you look, the happier you feel.
    11/11 Dogs Improve Overall Happiness: If you find yourself having a bad day, the key to making it better may be a simple glance at your furry family member. According to a Japanese study from Azabu University, looking into your dog's eyes increases the level of the hormone that makes you happy, and the longer you look, the happier you feel.

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It's no surprise that dogs are called 'man's best friend'. They can make you happy, keep you fit, and even detect when you're sick. Find out why owning a dog makes life better here...