Dog Meditation to Relax Your Dog and You

The world is a busy and stressful place. Things haven't gotten any more relaxing during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of us assumed that working at home would be more relaxing than going to the office, but it seems that there is plenty to stress us out at home as well. Just logging into social media or watching the news can be enough to induce a panic attack on any given day. 

Our pets are also dealing with new and different stressors at this time, so dog stress relief is important too. Dog meditation can be an excellent way to help you and your pet relax and be in the moment, no matter what is going on in the world around you.

Can Dogs Meditate?

To meditate means to deeply focus one's mind for a spiritual purpose or to relax. We can't know what our dogs are thinking, so we don't really know if they are focusing their minds, but it certainly seems that dogs have a special aptitude for being fully in the moment and for relaxing.

In fact, the chances are that your dog will be much better at meditation than you are. It is very hard for people to clear their minds and do nothing, but dogs take more naturally to relaxed inactivity.

How to Meditate with Your Dog

There is more than one way of canine meditation. The right technique for you and your dog may not be the best technique for somebody else. Try both of these tactics to find the best meditation for you and your dog. 

Try a method for at least a couple of weeks before switching or giving up. It takes some time for you and your dog to adjust to meditation and settle into a routine.

Resting Meditation

Have you ever watched your dog lie in the sun, fully awake, but also fully relaxed? This is the sort of resting meditation that you want to achieve. Encouraging this kind of meditation also provides valuable dog stress relief. 

Just because dogs naturally know how to relax doesn't mean that they do so often enough. Here is how to encourage your dog into resting meditation.

Meditate After Exercise

It will be easier for you and your dog to meditate if you have both gotten some of the jitters out first. It's best to try meditating after your dog has gone on a walk or had some time to play in the yard. 

Pick Somewhere Relaxing

Choose a relaxing place and settle down on the floor. You don't need to call your dog to you. They will probably come when you settle down on the floor. It doesn't matter whether your dog is touching you or not, as long as both of you are comfortable. 

Concentrate on Your Breathing

Be aware of your breathing without trying to change it. As you become more aware of your breathing, you will also be aware of your dog's breathing. 

Your breathing is unlikely to match up, since dogs generally breathe faster than we do. However, the combined sounds of your breathing help to establish a rhythm which will make achieving a meditative state easier.

Be Aware of Your Dog's Energy

Many meditation gurus advise meditating with a friend or in a group, since sharing each other's energy can help you to achieve a zen state. This is also true of meditating with your dog.

Consciously relax your own energy into a calm, positive state. Extend that energy towards your dog while being fully aware of your dog's energy. You don't need to look at your dog or touch them. Just fill yourself with the consciousness of your dog as you both become more and more relaxed and present in the moment. 

Walking Meditation

For many people and their dogs, walking meditation will be the most practical and easiest to fit into your routine. After all, you already walk your dog, so it would be nice if you could also fit meditation into this time. 

Walking meditation will be a bit more challenging since there are so many distractions on a walk. If you are working on training your dog on a walk, such as teaching them not to pull, not to bark at other dogs, etc, don't try walking meditation. 

Walking meditation is best for people and dogs who are already accustomed to calm walks. Here is how to practice walking meditation with your pup.

Center Yourself

Before you walk out the door, take a few moments to center yourself and calm your mind. Encourage your dog to calm themselves at this time too. It's best to ask for a sit or a down-stay before you open the door. 

Wait until your dog has their mouth closed and is looking at you calmly. When dogs close their mouths, they need to breathe through their noses, which can slow their heart rate and calm them. When both you and your dog are centered and calm, begin your walk.

Let Your Dog Lead

Your dog is your teacher on your meditation walk. Allow them to set the pace and even make choices about where you go. As you walk, be fully aware of what you are experiencing. 

Feel the leash in your hand. Is it coarse or smooth? Is there tension, or is your dog walking on a loose leash? Don't make any judgments. Instead, concentrate on being fully aware of being connected to your dog by the leash.

Share Your Dog's Experiences

You and your dog experience walks very differently. By tuning into the way that your dog experiences a walk, you will find yourself present in the moment. This makes it much easier to keep invasive thoughts out of your head. 

When your dog sniffs, smell the air as well. Don't name the smells, but let them move through you and experience them. Whenever your dog stops to sniff, close your eyes, breathe deeply, and experience the smells around you with your dog.

Find a Rhythm

Rhythm is one of the best ways to achieve a meditative state. That's why so many religions rely on chanting or tonal sounds to aid meditation. Rhythm can also be helpful in dog meditation, especially on a walk. 

Be aware of the way your feet land on the ground. Feel each step roll from your heel to your toe. Feel the muscles moving in your legs and throughout your body. Listen to the jangling of your dog's collar and both of your footsteps. Lose yourself in the rhythm of your walk and be fully present in it.

Start A Dog Meditation Routine Today

Meditation is an excellent way to calm dogs down, but it is also a great way to help you cope with the stresses of everyday life. Now, more than ever, keeping a calm state of mind and staying present in the moment is a challenge, but dog meditation can help. 

Looking for more tips on meditating with your dog? I'll be posting guided meditations to do with your dog very soon. If you're struggling to keep your self centered or having a hard time achieving a calm state with your dog, these guided meditations are designed to help.