Enhance Your Mental Health with Dog Training: 5 Surprising Benefits

You might be wondering, “Mental health and dog training?” As someone who started his career as a trauma and family therapist, I can’t help but make this connection. To me, this makes perfect sense. If you’re reading this, you are likely familiar with the “rogue rover”—that dog in your life whom you adore but who has somehow become a source of stress, frustration, or even embarrassment. So, if an untrained dog can cause these issues, it stands to reason that the process of dog training can promote mental health, right?

Here are five mental health benefits of dog training that I’ve identified.

1. Confidence

Imagine this: it’s a warm, sunny day, and you are walking in the park. Your head is held high, soaking in the warmth of the sun. As you pay attention to the sounds of your steps, you’re not alone. You glance down, and your dog is right by your side, looking up at you with a smile. Strangers in the park smile at you, noticing the ease with which you walk, your loyal companion at your side.

Dog training is a learned skill. When you engage in the process of training a dog, especially with Morrow Dog Training as your guide, you can experience moments like this. Through diligence and daily effort, you will see your trust grow, not only in your dog’s reliability but also in yourself.

As a dog trainer, one of my favorite moments is seeing the lightbulb go off in your head when you realize that you can trust your dog. And all of this is because of your effort. This trust in yourself and your dog leads to an innate sense of confidence, a belief that you can overcome obstacles. In the therapy world, we call this self-efficacy. Through the process of dog training, you not only get to believe in your dog but also feel the power of believing in yourself.

2. Stress Relief

Given the “rogue rover” in your life, this might be hard to believe. But through the process of dog training and building self-efficacy, you will find that your stress levels start to lower. You will find that you trust your dog and it is no longer a worry in your life.

Additionally, because you are able to go on walks more confidently, you get to experience the mental health benefits associated with walking once again. Say goodbye to stressful walks and hello to the freedom and relief of walking with an animal companion.

3. Structure & Routine

The mental health benefits of structure and routine are well-known. The process of dog training often involves structure, routine, and consistency. When training a dog, especially a puppy, it is important to have a schedule and stick to it. Many people find that training a dog and sticking to a schedule has a grounding effect. You wake up each morning with something to work towards, guided by a clear plan.

Not only does this have a calming effect on your dog, but having that structure can calm you as well! As humans, we love predictability, and dog training can offer that to you.

4. Mindfulness

This is one of my favorites. Let me start by clarifying that I am defining mindfulness as “intentional awareness.” When dog training with me, I call your attention to things such as your posture, your vocal tone, your physical proximity to your dog, and your dog’s body language. This process of intentional awareness brings you to the here-and-now.

Not only can this improve your relationship with your dog, but also your mental health. By being in the present moment, you can be more present with your dog and also improve your overall well-being.

5. Fulfillment

Dog training is, by nature, engaging in something larger than yourself. You are investing in the betterment of another being. Many people find that training their dog gives them a sense of meaning and purpose because they get to better the life of another animal. Some take this experience further and engage in more animal welfare work, such as donating to their local humane society.

By training your dog, even for personal reasons, you are also investing in the life of another. Dog training is about more than just you; it’s about creating a harmonious relationship that benefits both you and your dog.

Conclusion

Dog training offers numerous mental health benefits, from boosting your confidence to providing stress relief, creating structure and routine, fostering mindfulness, and offering a sense of fulfillment. By training your dog, you not only improve their behavior but also enhance your own mental well-being. So, take the first step with Morrow Dog Training and experience these transformative benefits for yourself.