Slowing things down for you and your dog
We are always so busy in life- we have stuff to do and so many hours in the day to do it. Often our dog becomes part of this list of ‘things to get done’.
This isn’t good for you or your dog so here are my tops tips to change this mentality and slow things down for both of you…
1. Duration Over Distance
During walks, focus on duration of time spent with your dog instead of how far you go on your walk. For example, instead of rushing to get a specific route down or to get to the Cammo Estate and back in your lunch hour, spend an hour outside with your dog. If your dog wants to spend most of that hour sniffing Fettes Avenue and you don’t make it Inverleith Park , that’s ok! If you spend 10 minutes of your walk doing some training before you leave the house, that’s ok too!
It’s better to take your time and do things right, than to rush through your walk. Your dog will still appreciate it (maybe even more so!) and the mental exercise of training/sniffing is just as valuable, if not more valuable, than physical exercise.
2. Do Nothing Together
Practise doing nothing with your dog. This could be on a walk sitting on a bench together at Cramond and watching the other dogs on the beach. Or it could be sitting together cuddling on the sofa.
Spend some time being present with your dog. It’s really good for your dog to learn how to do nothing- it’s something humans find incredibly difficult!
3. Grooming Ritual
Make grooming your dog calm and enjoyable for both of you. Put on some relaxing music, get some tasty treats out for your dog and get comfy with them on the floor.
Take your time grooming them. Slow down your breathing and see if your dog relaxes with you.
4. Take Your Dog Off Your ‘To Do List’
Instead of seeing walks, feeding your dog, grooming, etc. as more things on your to do list, see them as a way to decompress with your dog and bond together. Try to make them fun for both you and your dog.
Slow it down and enjoy time with your dog- they won’t be here forever so appreciate them and spend some time in the present moment with them.
Need help with your dog’s training?
I specialise in 1-2-1 training in adolescent dogs and cover Edinburgh and surrounding areas.
