A Guide to Forest Bathing with Your Dog

There is a symbiosis between nature and the human body that is understood across cultures around the world. If you’ve ever gone for a walk after a bad day and felt yourself becoming calmer under the sky and amongst the trees, then you’ve experienced it. Forest bathing is an intentional way to access this peace while reaping a host of physical and mental benefits. Contrary to its name, forest bathing doesn’t require any sort of traditional bathing. Instead, it calls for bathing in the forest’s atmosphere through a mindful walk and an intentional connection to nature. It gets its name from Japan and is a direct translation of Shinrin-Yoku. 

When we forest bathe, we walk without a specific goal, destination, or step count, and we find a tranquility that’s often missed in everyday life. Through these walks, you can lower your blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels which means less stress and an overall improved sense of well-being. And the best part is you can bring your furry friend with you.

I love forest bathing with my dog, Jiggsy, an English Springer Spaniel who loves nature just as much as I do. Like us, our dogs spend more time inside than ever. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve been guilty of occasionally rushing their daily walk because of a particularly booked day or hectic schedule. This is why I love forest bathing with Jiggsy. It gives us both the opportunity to explore nature uninhibited. He’s able to stimulate his senses through the smell of fresh moss, the sound of insects, and the feel of leaves under his paws. As I de-stress, he does, too. In fact, studies suggest that our dogs’ cortisol levels drop after generous nature sessions, just as ours do. 

What to Consider When Forest Bathing with Your Dog?

How you forest bathe is up to you. It’s an experience that’s easily adaptable to fit into your life. Every person and every dog is different, so it’s essential to forest bathe in a way that works for you. Here’s what you’ll want to consider before you start: 

Choose Whether You’ll Do It Guided or Unguided

The first thing you’ll need to decide when forest bathing with your dog is whether you want a guide with you. Solo sessions can help encourage introspection and self-mediation, but guided forest bathing is an excellent way for beginners to learn the practice. Plus, studies show that guided forest therapy improves emotional and social well-being. Click here to book a guided forest bathing session with me – I’ll handle the logistics, so you don’t have to!

Prepare Your Dog for Forest Bathing

Ensuring your dog is comfortable on your walk will bring peace of mind and give both of you the best experience possible. I always bring water for both of us and a portable bowl for Jiggsy. I also pack snacks and treats to keep our energy levels up since forest bathing sometimes lasts hours. You can even hide your dog’s treats throughout the forest as you walk and encourage them to use their sense of smell. If you’d like, you can also bring your dog’s favorite toy, but be sure to choose one that won’t disrupt your experience. 

You’ll also need to bring your dog’s harness and leash. I prefer a harness as it doesn’t constrict my dog’s movement or create discomfort as we walk. I also like bringing both a short and long leash. This allows me to adjust depending on Jiggsy’s and my needs during our forest bathing session.

One last thing to consider is your dog’s energy level. A younger, high-energy dog may find it settling down into a slow walk difficult, and that’s completely fine! You can ease into forest bathing with your dog by focusing on nose-work and starting off with a purposeful 15-minute walk. Then, transition from this shorter walk into a more mindful session to reap the full benefits that forest bathing has to offer.

Turn Off Your Phone

One of the quickest ways to step out of your state of mindfulness while forest bathing is to be distracted by your phone’s notifications. While you may not be able to turn off your phone for whatever reason, it’s a good idea to at least mute it or to turn it on do n-ot-disturb. This will ensure that random texts or news updates don’t interrupt the atmosphere you and your dog are experiencing together. 

Pick the Right Location

Choose a place where you’ll be comfortable. It can be somewhere you’re familiar with or somewhere you’re not, but it’s best if it’s quiet and peaceful. Since you’ll be walking with your dog, it’s a good idea to choose a location that will also be calming to them. If you know your dog doesn’t enjoy being around other dogs, find a less populated spot. Or, if they get nervous around water, look for paths that avoid it. Think about the time you forest bathe as well, as certain spots will be less populous earlier in the day or later, and you may find it easier to stay in the moment when it’s just you and your dog. 

Here are my 5 favorite places for forest bathing with your dog  in the Twin Cities, Minnesota:

Forest bathing is a fantastic way to bond with your dog. Not only will your dog love the extra hours outdoors, but you’ll both benefit from the intentional time spent in nature. Join me for a group walk or book a private session with me today, and take the first step towards lowering your stress level and improving your mental and physical health!

Want to learn more? I highly suggest the book, Forest bathing with your dog, by Nadine Mazzola.

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