Learning to Settle
This exercise is to help them settle and ‘switch off’ when they are in your company. Also in new environments including other houses and cafes.
Exercise
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Choose a mat that is suitable for taking with you to new spaces.
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Pop it by your couch to start and give them a filled kong.
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Keep it under your toe so it doesn’t roll away.
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We want them to stay in the one spot. Then drop the odd treat ‘from the sky’ so they are being rewarded ‘by the mat’ for chewing/licking and relaxing.
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This exercise is one that is not interactive with you but rather the opposite, we want them to be able to relax while you are not engaging with them.
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From this they will learn that if you both are not giving them attention then they will just lie down and relax.
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If they look up at you, look away and then drop the treat again once their nose has started to snuffle into the mat again.
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As they get more practised you can just give them a kong as and when you think he may need it, but they should learn to just relax on that mat with the odd treat coming their way.
This will help with their confidence for just chilling alone. If they know what to do in new environments that will help them relax and adjust. They will understand that relaxing is an option that is something that will work for they as they are being reinforced for just chilling out!
Take the mat away when finished.
Supporting video link from Dogs Trust below: