Teach Your Dog Calm

When we think of our dogs, “calm” might not be the first word that comes to mind! For many dogs, calmness isn’t a natural state – it’s a skill that often needs to be taught. Let’s explore how to help your dog stay calm, and why the typical go-to solutions might not work as well as you’d think.

The Common Misconception: More Exercise = Calm Dog

Many of us think the answer to an energetic dog is more activity:

• More exercise

• Daily ball throws

• Running sessions

• Long hikes

• Doggie play dates

While these activities are excellent for physical health, they often boost your dog’s arousal levels. When overdone, they can actually lead to hyperactivity rather than calmness. Here’s a common pattern many dog owners experience:

1. Your dog is already a bit hyper, so you bring out a toy – arousal levels increase.

2. You go to a dog park or a play date – arousal levels increase further.

3. You throw the ball – now they’re even more revved up.

4. Later, a trigger appears (like a loud noise or another dog), and with their arousal levels so high, they react more intensely.

At this point, they’re overstimulated, making it hard to settle down.

The Secret to Calmness: Encourage Natural Calming Behaviors

Dogs have natural ways of calming themselves, like licking, chewing, and sniffing. These are soothing actions that help them relax. Here are some simple ways to encourage calmness in your dog:

• Balance Exciting Activities with Calming Ones: For every exciting activity, like a walk, introduce something calming. For example, let them sniff around rather than running or playing fetch.

• Help Them ‘Switch Off’: Sometimes, the best thing you can teach is simply doing nothing. This skill helps them unwind and avoid reaching hyper-arousal.

Practical Tips for a Calm Dog

1. Encourage Sniffing on Walks: Instead of power-walking, let your dog take their time to sniff around. This is mentally engaging and naturally calming.

2. Use a Lickimat or Chew During Social Situations: If friends are visiting, set up a Lickimat or give a chew to occupy them calmly. You can get them here.

3. Turn Excitement Into Calmness Before Walks: If your dog gets excited when you bring out the lead, try putting it on them and then giving them a Lickimat before you leave.

4. Teach Calmness in the Car: If car rides excite them, practice taking them to the car just to sit for a few minutes. This teaches them that the car doesn’t always mean high-energy activities.

5. Build Calmness on Walks: Take short walks and pause for a few minutes with your dog in a “sit” or “down” position. Slowly increase the duration to help them stay calm for longer periods.

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Reward the Calm Behaviour You Want

When your dog shows calm behaviour, reward it! Reinforce the behaviour you want to see more of, and avoid putting them in situations that may overwhelm them.

High arousal and hyperactivity can lead to “trigger stacking,” which can result in reactive behaviours. By focusing on calmness, you’ll help your dog develop self-control, making life more enjoyable for both of you.

Questions? I’m here to help! Drop me a message anytime if you want advice or have questions about teaching calmness to your dog.