Jazz-up and Settle Down

A dog that doesn’t settle down on command is going to be a pain to live with.  It can be very useful to train several  down positions, depending on how long you want them to stay down.

One of the biggest problems people have with older dogs is excessive energy.  The best way to practice settling your dog down on command is to practice getting them amped up.

If you want to have the ability to settle your dog down in any situation, you have to keep practicing this exercise lots of times, in lots of different places, with lots of different distractions.

If you lure your dog onto their side to settle down, it will be harder for them to get up quickly.

In order to teach your dog to “Stay” you must also teach them “Go Play” or “Free.”  If you tell them to stay indefinitely they’ll learn that the duration of a stay is up to them.

Walking through a new environment can be very stressful for a dog, especially if there are other dogs or strangers around.  Take time to settle down in unfamiliar places and reward your dog for acting calmly.