An "Off" Switch - Blog to go along with the Vlog below.

This is a great skill to teach all dogs. You can teach it in many different ways; In this blog I discuss one way to start this very useful exercise which you can progress as shown in the Vlog below.

1. At the start set your dog up to succeed. I would suggest that you start at a time when your dog is not excited and already relatively calm.

2. I would also start with a leash on your dog, which I suggest you place under my foot, giving the dog about 2/3 foot of leash. This will also becomes a cue for your dog to settle and relax, so when you are out and about with your dog and need him to settle you can just drop the leash and step on it, this should cue your dog to chill.

3. Once the dog starts to relax you can drop a treat for them or provide the with an pre-stuffed chew toy.

4. You can then swap your dog for the chew toy back & remove your foot from under the leash. Let your dog know that you have finished the exercise & that they are free to move.

5. After a short while take the leash again and place under your foot as previously. Wait for some calm, relaxing behaviour and then drop a treat or provide a stuff chew toy again. Some times you may just remove your foot off and unclip the leash as soon as your dog settle, so they learn the sooner they chill the sooner they get to go play again.

6.Once your dog understands this game you can start to say "settle" BEFORE you place your foot on the leash. You dog will eventually learn to just chill when they hear the verbal cue and no leash will be needed.

7. As your dog is getting good at this start to practice when your dog is a little more excited until you can practice from very exciting activities and in different environments. Remember if you used a stuffed toy early on in your training your dog may have now learn’t to go find a toy and chill when asked to "settle"

8. In this video I watch Codys breathing and heart rate and wait for them to slow down as he relaxes before I reward him each time. You can also look for these small measures as your dog becomes more practiced.