Mindful Walking: Enhancing Your Dog’S Daily Stroll
Mindful walking is the practice of bringing awareness to the present moment during a walk. It involves focusing your attention on the sensations of walking, as well as being aware of your surroundings, your breathing, and your thoughts and feelings. The goal is to be fully present rather than getting lost in your head (https://www.mindful.org/6-ways-to-get-the-benefits-of-mindful-walking/).
There are many benefits to mindful walking, especially when done with your dog. It can reduce stress, improve mood, boost focus and concentration, and enhance the bond between you and your dog. Mindful walking allows you to be completely present with your dog, focusing on their needs, behaviors, and signals. It’s a chance to slow down and truly appreciate your time together.
Be Present
One of the key aspects of mindful dog walking is being fully present during your stroll. This means focusing your attention on the sights, sounds, and smells around you, rather than being distracted by your phone or other thoughts. Tune into your senses and observe the environment around you. Notice the trees rustling in the breeze, birds chirping overhead, or scents in the air. Pay attention to the feeling of the sun on your skin or the crunch of gravel under your feet. According to the article “5 Expert Tips To Walking More Mindfully With Your Dog” on the Country Living website, “Heading outside for regular walks with your dog has excellent health benefits, plus it’s a chance to practise mindfulness.”
Additionally, be attentive to your dog’s behavior and body language during the walk. Watch how they explore the environment, interact with other dogs or people, and respond to you. Are their ears perked up in curiosity, or are they anxiously looking for escape routes? Tune into your dog’s unique personality traits. The more present you can be with your dog on walks, the more you’ll strengthen your bond.
Go Slow
Going for a leisurely stroll allows you and your dog to fully take in the experience. Rushing through the walk prevents you both from reaping the full benefits. Walk at a relaxed pace that’s comfortable for your dog; don’t yank or pull them along. Going slowly gives your dog time to engage their senses and take in all the sights, sounds, and smells. It allows them to wander a bit, sniff around, and satisfy their curiosity. Slowing down also helps create a calmer, more relaxed state of mind for you and your dog. Focusing on putting one foot in front of the other prevents the busy thoughts that can preoccupy our minds. According to pet experts, walking meditatively with your dog can lower stress and provide mental health benefits for both human and canine.
Vary the Route
Taking your dog for a walk along a new route periodically brings excitement and mental stimulation. Dogs thrive on exploration, so walking different neighborhoods, parks, or trails allows your pet to experience new sights, sounds, and especially smells that captivate their senses (Dayton Daily News, 2023). Exposure to novel scents and environments provides enrichment and prevents boredom from always taking the exact same path every day. Altering the route even slightly, like crossing to the other side of the street, adds novelty and keeps walks engaging for you both. Aim to regularly explore nearby neighborhoods or trails you’ve yet to discover so you and your pup can benefit from a change of scenery.
Avoid Distractions
Distractions during walks can be dangerous for both you and your dog. According to research from AAOS, typing or reading texts while walking alters your gait, speed, and awareness. NSC notes teens are more susceptible to accidents from distracted walking. To stay safe:
Silence your phone before going on a walk. Set it to do not disturb so you aren’t tempted to look at notifications. Save checking messages for before or after your walk.
Avoid unnecessary conversations during the walk. If walking with someone, agree to enjoy a quiet stroll together, focusing on your surroundings rather than chitchat. If you need to take a call, step off the walkway and pause your walk briefly.
By eliminating distractions, you can devote your full attention to your dog and be aware of potential hazards. Your dog will feel more engaged with you as well.
Engage Your Senses
One of the best ways to reap the benefits of mindful walking is to engage your senses while on your stroll. Notice all of the sights, sounds, and smells around you. Observe colors, textures, movement, and other visual details in your surroundings. Pay attention to birds chirping, leaves rustling, or cars passing by. Inhale the scents of flowers, trees, rain, or fresh air. According to Mindful, opening our senses helps us connect to the present moment.
Also be mindful of the physical sensations in your own body. Feel the ground underneath your feet with each step. Notice the movement in your legs and the swinging of your arms. Pay attention to your breathing and the rise and fall of your chest. Tuning into these sensations keeps you grounded in the walk.
Let your dog’s senses engage as well. Allow them to sniff, look around, and experience the outdoors. Follow their lead sometimes when their nose takes them on an exciting trail. Seeing the walk through your dog’s eyes brings freshness and curiosity.
Focus on Your Dog
One of the best parts of walking your dog is getting to focus your attention on them. Take this time to observe your dog’s behavior and look for cues indicating their mood and energy level [1]. Notice if they seem energetic and excited or calm and peaceful. Paying close attention to your dog’s demeanor can strengthen your bond and help you understand their needs.
Make sure to provide plenty of praise and affection during your walk. Verbal praise, petting, and even an occasional treat are great ways to positively reinforce good leash manners. Your dog will appreciate the attention, and you’ll be rewarding polite walking behavior. Focusing on your dog demonstrates that they have your full care and consideration during this special one-on-one time.
Practice Gratitude
Walking with your dog provides many opportunities to pause, reflect, and feel grateful. Take a moment on your walk to express gratitude for the simple ability to move. Savor the fresh air and sights of nature around you. Appreciate the loyal companionship of your canine friend. Studies show that practicing gratitude boosts happiness and wellbeing in both humans and dogs.1 Pausing to give thanks transforms an ordinary stroll into a meaningful mindful walking meditation.
Stay Curious
One of the great benefits of walks for dogs is that it allows them to indulge their natural curiosity and explore the world through their powerful sense of smell. Let your dog sniff and engage with their surroundings as you walk. This provides mental stimulation and allows them to gather lots of information about other dogs, animals, and people in the neighborhood.
According to this article, giving your dog time to sniff on walks allows them to engage their mind and satisfy their curiosity in a way that supports calm behavior. It’s a key part of exercising their brain.
Rather than rushing to finish the walk or sticking to a set path, let your dog wander a bit and smell to their heart’s content. Pay attention to what captures their interest and allow them time to fully explore the things that spark their curiosity. This will make walks more enriching and enjoyable for your pup.
Conclusion
In summary, here are the key tips covered for mindful dog walking:
1. Be fully present during the walk by avoiding distractions like phones. Focus your attention on your dog and the surroundings.
2. Go at a slower pace and vary the route to keep things interesting for your dog.
3. Engage your senses while walking to take in sights, sounds, and smells. Your dog will pick up on your calm energy.
4. Make connecting with your dog the priority rather than getting exercise done. Stay curious about your environment together.
5. Practice gratitude for the simple joy of a walk with your pup.
In our busy lives, it’s easy to go on autopilot when walking our dogs. However, mindful walking enhances the experience for both you and your pup. Slowing down, appreciating the moment, and deepening your bond with your dog can make their daily walk so much more rewarding. Start implementing some of these tips and see the relaxing, centering benefits they can bring to your day.
