Mary Allen
Do you first go to the kitchen in the morning to switch on the coffee maker or to the bathroom to brush your teeth? Most people start their day with a ritual, a habitual sequence that we repeat every day. These habits dictate a specific process that gives us peace and security. But not only do we humans need these rituals to structure our environment, but also our dogs. Because rituals make it easier for humans and animals to live together.
Why You Should Also Introduce Rituals
Rituals have many positive qualities. On the one hand, they support us and our dogs in everyday life, but also in training or in special moments. The ritualized behavior runs automatically, so to speak, without our brain having to waste energy making decisions. For our everyday dog life, rituals are little helpers, familiar behaviors that are always there and happen the same way. They serve our dogs like beacons for orientation.
Once the dog has tried out what is worthwhile for him in certain situations and what works, he will show it again and again. The dog, therefore, acts efficiently in order to use as little energy as possible. Why bother looking for new solutions when the existing one works well for our dog?
We would like to give you a few example rituals that you can use in everyday dog life.
Relaxed and Harmonious Walk
The relaxed walk should start at home. Put your dog’s collar on and fill your jacket pocket with food and/or a toy. If your dog starts walking between your legs with joy, we recommend that you ignore this behavior and turn your attention to other things. Sit back on the sofa and have a sip of water or go to the bathroom to wash your hands. Wait for your dog to calm down. If you eliminate the excitement in the situation right at the beginning of the walk, you will start the walk much more relaxed.
Now leash your dog, walk him to the door and let him sit there. Direct your attention to the door, open it and give your dog a signal to get up. Then you let your dog sit again, this time outside the door, and calmly close the front door behind you. Only now do you go on a relaxed tour of discovery together?
Relaxed Alone
With rituals, staying alone becomes more pleasant for our four-legged friends. Here it is worth giving the dog feedback as to whether it can come with you or whether it should stay at home.
Pack your purse or backpack and put it by the door. Grab a few small treats and send your dog to its berth. This can be in the bedroom or living room. We recommend always placing the basket in a quiet place and not in front of a window. After all, your dog should be able to rest, even if you are not at home. Now put the food in his basket. Feel free to put it under its blanket or hide it in a food toy. So your dog can look for the food and is distracted. Now you give him the sign that he can look for the treats, turn around and walk to the door without comment, take your bag or backpack and go out the door without turning around again.
Many dog owners give their dogs one last look. However, we communicate with our dogs through eye contact and one or the other can understand this as an invitation to come outside. We, therefore, recommend distracting yourself with treats and leaving the apartment door without comment.
Evening Ritual for a Restful Sleep
Healthy sleep contributes to the health of our four-legged friends. Especially in stressful times, it makes sense to introduce rituals before going to bed. As a result, not only do we get a restful sleep, but so do our dogs.
Take 5 or 10 minutes. Sit next to your dog and start stroking his chest very gently and slowly. If your dog doesn’t want physical contact, let him go. Try again at a different time. Just sit next to him for 5 minutes and watch your breath. Breathe in deeply through your nose and out through your mouth. If your dog allows physical contact, then you are welcome to close your eyes and just feel. Touch his ears very lightly. You can massage them gently if your dog likes them. Continue stroking the spine. Feel vortex by vortex. Try not to take your hands off the dog’s body and pet them very slowly. This allows your dog to relax completely. Now your stroke over the thighs down over the hocks and over the hind paws. Then over the stomach, the shoulders, and the front legs over the front paws.
How does the fur feel? Do you feel the warmth and how soft the fur feels on your skin? Finally you stroke him very slowly over his head, over his back, and up to his tail. Then remain seated for 1 or 2 minutes. Let your breath flow and then go to bed.
Conclusion
Rituals offer us and our dogs structure, orientation, and security. They are our comfort zone in which we feel safe and secure. Especially nowadays it makes sense to have such anchors of intimacy and to use the rituals for a more intensive human-dog bond.