One of the most common questions us dog trainers get asked is, “how do I get my dog to chill out and relax?” Many dogs are perceived as “hyper” or “out of control” by their guardian; these dogs struggle with settling, particularly in environments and situations they perceive as busy or exciting (e.g. dinner parties, dog training classes, parks). Just as with people, some dogs need a little extra help in learning to process and relax around certain stimuli. While ruling out underlying medical issues, and meeting you dog’s exercise, enrichment, and other basic needs are key to helping our dogs feel more calm and settled, the good news is that relaxation is actually a skill that we can teach our dogs! When we teach our dogs what is expected of them, and give them clear communication and instruction, they are more relaxed and better equipped to navigate our human world calmly and comfortably. Read on to find out how you can teach your dog to settle and chill out!
Relaxation Protocols
A quick Google search on ‘how to calm a hyper dog” will bring up a number of different relaxation training techniques, or what we call “relaxation protocols”. The most famous and most-used protocol is Dr. Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol , which teaches the human to observe and reinforce the dog for calm behaviours during a series of tasks. The information below is loosely based on this protocol, as well as Leslie McDevitt’s guide to mat training in her Control Unleashed program.
Most relaxation training uses a mat, bed, or other “relaxation station” to help the dog settle. The mat provides a visual “target” or cue that they associate with settling: once your dog has learned to relax on a mat, you can bring it out when needed and your dog will understand it as a cue to lie down, relax, and calmly wait for further instructions. Think of the mat as a security blanket or “sacred space” for your dog: this is a place where they can safely observe and process the world around them without being disturbed by humans or other dogs. A relaxation station can help your dog in new situations after you’ve created a positive connection with that mat through training with rewards.
Remember, what we’re actually teaching a dog during matwork is how to process, relax, and feel safe. It is not the same as teaching “stay” or “wait”, although some of the training steps are similar.
How to Get Started
- choose a bed, mat, or towel for your dog to relax on. Set it up in front of you, between yourself and your dog
- Toss a treat away from you for your dog to get, so that they orient away from you
- When they finish eating the treat, they will turn back towards you and move towards the mat; be prepared to click and treat!
- Click and treat for your dog moving on the mat OR simply targeting it with a paw; make sure to click and treat for whatever nice behaviours they offer you; aim for 6-8 reps
- When your dog is reliably moving onto the mat and staying there for 1-2 seconds every time, you can add the cue “place” or “mat”; say your cue just before their paws hit the mat, then click and treat. Aim for 6-8 reps
Building Duration
Now it’s time to teach your dog to stay on the mat!
- Cue your dog onto the mat; click and treat on the mat
- Lure your dog into a down on the mat; this time, instead of clicking, give some soft praise and slowly feed several treats in position. It helps to place the treats directly on the mat. You can sit on the floor with your dog if that’s comfortable
- Gradually lengthen the amount of time in between treats: reinforce every few seconds at first, then every 5 seconds, then every 7, etc; make sure to vary the length of time by throwing in some shorter-duration reps as well!
Reinforce Relaxation and Disengagement
Now that your dog is able to stay on the mat in a down for several seconds, you will want to look for and reinforce signs of relaxation. These include: closed mouth and deep breaths (look for a nostril poof or flare as your dog exhales); weigh shifted onto one hip; soft, gentle body language (no tension); stillness; and a soft gaze. As you go through these steps, make sure to focus on your own relaxation: release tension from your shoulders and take slow, deep breaths.
- Cue dog onto the mat, click and treat
- Lure a down, softly praise and reinforce the down
- Now time your reinforcements to encourage relaxation: look for signs of relaxation such as the dog shifting weight onto one hip; gently mark and reward
- Now we can also look for disengagement from treats, and observation of the environment. Wait for your dog to look away from your treat hand, then deliver a treat on the mat. Build up your average time until your dog can comfortably wait for 10 seconds while observing the environment. Reinforce by placing a treat on the mat
Adding in Distractions
Now work on steps 2 and 3 (duration and relaxation/disengaging) while you add in some mild distractions. This could include you moving around the room; talking or making noises; or having another person present in the room.
You can also practice relaxation in different environments, such as in your yard or in a park. Remember to go at your dog’s pace and only raise the difficulty and distraction level when they are ready!If your dog is fidgeting or showing signs of discomfort or stress, cue them off the mat and give them a break.
Helpful Hints for Successful Mat Training
- Make sure your dog’s needs are met before doing relaxation work: a dog in an exercise or enrichment deficit will not be able to properly relax!
- Train mat work in a safe, low-distraction environment first (e.g. inside the home)
- Always put the mat away if you are not training or using it
- Avoid using the mat for ONLY stressful situation; this will poison the mat!
- Use a small bathmat, which is easy to wash and has a non-slip bottom. Choose one that is blue or yellow. (These are colours that dogs see well.)
- For maintenance ensure that you work on mat training 1x a week ongoing
Relaxation and mat training are important and valuable components of any training program- all dog-handler teams benefit from learning to relax together! So go ahead and try mat training with your dog- they will thank you for it!
About the author: Beth Dowbiggin is a professional dog trainer, a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner (KPA-CTP) and a Certified Family Dog Mediator (FDM) living and working in Prince Edward Island, Canada. She teaches puppy, basic manners, and advanced obedience classes through Spot On Dogs in Charlottetown.