The Benefits of Dog Meditation

Kate Barrington
by Kate Barrington
We’re not talking about the “Downward Dog” position. Have you tried dog meditation – it not only relaxes you, but helps your dog focus and keep calm.


Dogs get excited by all kinds of things – food, the prospect of a walk, even just spending a few minutes playing with their favorite toy. It’s great to see your dog happy and active, but it isn’t healthy for your dog to be on high alert at all times. If your dog seems restless or nervous, it might be more than just excess energy – it could be stress or anxiety. Dog meditation could be answer.


While there are certainly medications that can help dogs with anxiety issues, natural remedies are the preferred method of treatment for most dog owners. If you’re looking for a natural and effective way to handle your dog’s stress and anxiety, consider dog meditation. Keep reading to learn more.


Related: How To Master The Art Of Dog Massage


What is Dog Meditation?


Meditation has been proven to provide a wide variety of benefits. In addition to reducing stress and anxiety levels, it can also lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation, and could protect you from chronic disease. Many of the benefits you receive from meditation can also work for your dog. That’s right, dog meditation is a thing.


Related: Doga Gives Yoga A Furry Makeover


Dog meditation is a great opportunity for you and your dog to strengthen your bond while also reducing your stress levels. There are sever different forms of dog meditation you can try – here is a quick overview of some of the most popular options:


  • Breathing exercises – Learning to control your breathing is an important part of meditation and simple breathing exercises are the easiest introduction to meditation for you and your dog.
  • Savasana yoga – In yoga terms, “savasana” means “corpse pose” and it is a great pose you and your dog can do together. You lie on your back with your heels spread apart, your palms facing up, and simple relax to release the tension in your body.
  • Walking meditation – If your dog doesn’t seem to want to sit still for meditation, walking meditation is another option. This is a form of mindfulness that can be beneficial for you while you are also meeting your dog’s needs for exercise.


Every dog is different, so your dog may respond to one form of meditation and not another. The key is to give each option a few tries to see whether it works for you and, if not, try another. Though meditation is simple in practice, it does take some time to get the hang of it so don’t give up!


Tips for Using Dog Meditation


The great thing about meditation in all its forms is that you can do it as much or as little as you like. You can spend 5 to 10 minutes meditating in the morning to get a good start on your day, or you can meditate for a full hour at lunch time. It’s up to you!


Here are some simple tips to get you started with dog meditation:


  • Practice breathing slowly, inhaling and exhaling over a count of several seconds.
  • Try to sync your breathing with your dog’s breathing – it may take some practice.
  • Play some soothing meditation music to help you feel calm – your dog will pick up on it and may calm down himself.
  • Try some simple yoga poses and let your dog sit or lie down next to you.
  • Practice mindfulness meditation while walking your dog – as you walk, be intentional about taking in all the sights, sounds, and smells around you.
  • Pay attention to your dog’s body language – try dog meditation when you notice that he is starting to become restless or nervous.


If you and your pooch are feeling particularly stressed, spending a little time doing dog meditation could help. Once you get the hang of it, spend 10 to 15 minutes a day doing dog meditation and see just how much it can benefit your stress and anxiety!

Kate Barrington
Kate Barrington

Kate Barrington is the loving owner of two cats (Bagel and Munchkin) and a noisy herd of guinea pigs. Having grown up with golden retrievers, Kate has a great deal of experience with dogs but labels herself a lover of all pets. Having received a Bachelor's degree in English, Kate has combined her love for pets and her passion for writing to create her own freelance writing business, specializing in the pet niche.

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