The benefits of “earthing” for dogs.
Bring a dog (or human) who is struggling with anxiety or emotionally / mentally in some way into the woods, and watch the burden and weight of it start to fall off. We begin to see a return to a sense of peace, balance, and ease. In returning to a more natural, instinctual world, we also return to a more natural, instinctual way of being. Senses reawaken and (re)connection happens. Humans return to who they are as "beings" (not "doings"), and dogs return to who they are as dogs.
Here in America, most dogs are struggling (as are we); and are living in a bit of an "identity crisis". A lot of confusion about who they are (as dogs), what their place in the world is, what's expected of them, where any boundaries may lie, what any rules are, and are being bombarded with a great deal of mixed signals and messages from humans.
One of the best things we can do for our dogs (and ourselves) is to simply go for a walk in the woods. Bring them back to Nature.
"Earthing", or "grounding", was actually a way of life way back when. Now that it's no longer a common practice, we've given it a label and a name; and have begun to measure its effects and impact on health and well-being. It is now a "scientifically proven therapeutic practice".
When a dog's paws (or a human's bare feet) make contact with the ground, there's an electromagnetic occurrence and exchange that takes place. You see, the Earth is a conduit, generator, and carrier of electrical energy, as are humans, animals and all other inhabitants; and as "hippie-dippie" or radical as it may seem, grounding is simple science. The benefits and effects of it are felt and are measurable.
"Earthing"/ "grounding" has been shown to combat inflammation, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease, muscle damage, chronic pain, and also boost the immune system, elevate mood, normalize biological rhythms, improve sleep, and far more.
Whether you're struggling with your dog's behavior or not, a simple walk in the woods~ replacing concrete and asphalt with dirt paths, swapping out buildings with trees, and returning to Nature- can do a world of good. This is a practice we always do with any Boarding School dogs. We see timid, shy dogs come out of their shell. We see more visual and reactive dogs start to use their noses. We see fearful dogs start become more curious and begin to explore. And dogs with any behavioral imbalance start to return to balance.
This is a practice I recommend to anyone and everyone with a dog and, especially, if you both live in the city. Of course, be wise re: on or off leash. Be aware of laws. We do not recommend allowing a dog off leash if there is little to no influence over the dog, if time and energy has not been expended in building a strong, reliable recall, and if the dog has a level of prey drive that has not been spoken to or worked with.
Aside from "training" and "doing", incorporate some forest-focused adventures into your days and weeks. Take your own shoes off. Walk on the grass. Bury your toes in the sand. Wade in the creek water. Reconnect. Decompress.... and witness transformation.
