Be the Calm You Want Your Dog to Be

Photo by Eric Ward

Calm, cool and collected is how we want our dogs to be when meeting our friends, visiting the vet, or walking in the neighborhood.  Yet, we are living in stressful times with daily news flashes of doom and gloom and uncertain futures. Our external world is far from being calm at this point in human history.  

We need dogs NOW more than ever before. Dogs help us re-discover the calm, serene place within us that quiets our busy brains and soothes our nervous systems. Dogs are sensitive and pick up on everything even our scent. Our dogs survey every aspect of us, looking at our posture, listening to our voice, keeping tabs if we’re looking at them or turning away.

A great way to start is to reclaim your quiet and peace with your dog. Carve out quiet time with your dog even for ten minutes at a time.  Turn off all sound devices in the room, escape from social media and unplug from your cell.  Sit quietly close to your dog and focus your attention on every detail. 

Mindfully pet your dog with a purpose hitting four hot zones – ear flaps, side of neck, side of chest and the base of the tail. Take a deep, easy breath and feel how your body melts into relaxation. Your dog’s pituitary gland releases endorphins that calms, reduces stress and relieves soreness or pain. Equally this interaction will decrease the stress hormone cortisol in your system and lowers your blood pressure.

A powerful mantra I like to use throughout my day is “Calm is my Superpower.”  It helps to quiet my busy brain, soothe my nervous system and brings focus back to the still, empty place within me.

Ahhh….”your dog is so calm and happy!” I loved to hear those words as Django and I passed strangers in the park or along busy Austin streets. Django, a yellow Labrador retriever smiled from ear to ear at everyone he met and received many luscious head rubs and delicious treats as rewards.