assigned undergraduate psychology students into three groups, a mindfulness practice group, a dog interaction group without mindfulness practice, and a no intervention control group. This study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of two six-week interventions that owners can complete with their pet dogs from the safety and comfort of their homes, designed to enhance the wellbeing of both parties.

In conclusion, this study provides a demonstration of two easy to implement interventions: DAM and DI, that owners can complete with their dogs from the comfort of their homes. Theme frequencies were calculated by summing together the number of participants who endorsed a theme. As such, it was difficult to monitor progression overtime, as some of the activities elicited unique experiences, e. However, at the cessation of the study, all participants gained access to the tasks of the active intervention groups to complete in their own time if they wished. Outside Interactive Play: Participants were instructed to go outside with their dog and interact with them as they please.

The state of Victoria is separated into Metropolitan and Regional because at the study’s commencement Metropolitan Victoria was under stage 4 lockdown restrictions, and Regional Victoria was under stage 3 lockdown restrictions. Effects of a brief mindfulness meditation intervention on student stress and heart rate variability.

This often presents itself elsewhere down the line, such as the dog starting to become reactive towards other dogs because their presence is a precursor to feeling discomfort caused by the “anti-pull” harness, headcollar or neck collar. This is known as co-regulation when the nervous systems that are synching are in a positive emotional state and co-dis-regulation when the synching nervous systems are in a stressed state. In the DAM group, the ‘dog’s fur’ mindfulness focus was perceived to be enjoyable for the dog for 11% in week 1 and 23% in week 3: “my dog was in heaven”.When space is made and there is time to do nothing, the autonomic nervous system switches to ‘rest and digest’. Even if you’re not struggling with your executive function, those are a lot of responsibilities for any individual. Teaching dogs to teach themselves how to be relaxed is only going to be effective if the dog is set up to succeed by the owner providing for their needs within a predictable routine. Just don’t label yourself a failure if that method doesn’t work for you, and try not to cram yourself into a box.

They have written for LIVEKINDLY about a wide range of topics related to sustainability, lifestyle, house plant care, and food. Mindfulness can help you to notice the way you are feeling and help interrupt the stress response so that it is less likely to communicate down the lead and make things worse. The inclusion of a control group was an important strength of the study, as time effects are likely to be highly sensitive to an event such as a global pandemic. M Godding Books Ltd is an internet book business running from Wiltshire and sending books all over the world every working day.We cycle through productivity hacks, from the Pomodoro method to body-doubling to time blocking our calendars, or just working with a good old-fashioned to-do list. Similarly, some of the interactions were perceived to be more enjoyable for the dogs than others, with dogs displaying signs of restlessness during ‘picture time’ and ‘talk time’. Dog meditation – or at least teaching your dog to relax and chill - can be a great way of enriching the relationship you have with your furry friend and bring you closer together.