Stephens' Solutions Dog Training

CULTIVATING CALMNESS
We teach our dogs all sorts of things, but maybe don’t realize that teaching “calm” is an important behaviour that has so many positive applications for both us and our dogs.

Calmness is the foundation that allows dogs to think, problem solve, cope and become more resilient to the world around them.

A dog that can settle, regulate their emotions and recover from excitement or stress is far better equipped to handle everyday challenges such as unexpected events, new environments, other dogs, visitors etc.

Calm behaviour supports emotional resilience, reduces anxiety, and lowers the risk of stress-related reactive or unwanted behaviour. It also supports physical health, as chronic arousal can contribute to a lowered immune system, gut or digestive issues and suppressed recovery.

When dogs are taught how to switch off, rest, and feel safe, the nervous system can function at its best.

Some ways to teach calmness:
Settle on a mat or in another place and capturing and rewarding calm behaviour –
The Calm Settle - for dogs and puppies – by Emily Larlham -Kikopup
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr1olzgidMw

Scenting, sniffing and foraging are very effective and simple way to promote relaxation. These activities lower the pulse rate and create feelings of wellbeing.

Chewing is another powerful relaxation tool. Dogs use chewing to relieve stress, frustration or anxiety. Chewing has a calming effect on the adrenal-pituitary axis in the brain which triggers the release of endorphins. It’s like self-medication for stress or anxiety.

Relaxing music that is specifically made for dogs can also work well, especially with dogs that get over excited in a car or have storm or firework fear.

When playing an exciting, high-energy game with your dog, take frequent breaks before starting up again to help your dog wind down and become calmer.

Aromatherapy, ear or other types of massage are other ways to help create calmness.
TTouch massage - A gentle way to calm & connect from HeartDog https://www.heartdogtrainers.com/blog/ttouch-for-dogs
Aromatherapy for dogs
By Jackie Gowland - BSc. Animal Science & Advanced Canine Nutritionist
https://bit.ly/3NKM7qQ

Cortisol holidays are also really important after a stressful event to prevent trigger stacking and allow cortisol levels to return to normal.

Calm is not something we can force our dogs to be, but it’s an invaluable life skill that needs to be taught, practiced and reinforced on a regular basis.

What if more is the actual problem?
We often plan with the best intentions.
Walks mapped out days in advance. Different places. Different routes. New experiences to keep things interesting.

For some dogs, that variety is enjoyable.
For others, constant change can add pressure.

Along the way, we can also start to micro manage.
Where to go.
What to do.
When to engage.
When to move on. Even how long something should last.

That level of direction doesn’t always leave much room for a dog to choose, pause, or decompress. New environments and expectations take processing, and when they're processing without enough downtime, that stress can build even when everything looks positive on the surface.

Sometimes more is just more and not what they actually need.

Don't fight against it, work with it!⚡
There is a zone.
It's not mystical or magical, it's neurological and simply the best time to teach.

The "perfect" technique means nothing if we don't respect just how a dog is feeling before we start.
This is a little tricky to explain and seems a bit contradictory to many, but good dog trainers simply won't persist to teach when a dog is not in a true learning state.
That does not mean we give up, it just means we change the conditions first.
We attempt again after we have used those little tricks we know to reduce over arousal, anxiety or we have figured out just what this dog needs.
Even then, we may only get a few golden moments of engagement in.

Then we wait for the next opening.
We see it's coming, we see that arousal settling or that confidence builds again and "bam" we will get another few minutes in.
That's when we can really make a difference.
Those little moments we had together become more frequent and that relationship is building for us both. Perfect!

Find those little moments.
Find what makes your dog "spark" in those moments.
But, respect that sometimes those moments may be few and far between when a dog is either hyper or hypo.

Another point here. This is individual.
It doesn't mean that dogs wont engage with you when they are in those extremes.
There are always dogs that will, and happily!

The zone is there, it just shifts for each individual dog.

Family Dog Manners Graduation! Congratulations to these wonderful handlers & dogs! Well done!