The holidays are here, and with them come the joy of gatherings, festivities, and the anticipation of guests. While we're busy prepping for parties and celebrations, it's equally important to ensure our furry friends have a successful and enjoyable visit. In this blog post, we'll show you how to manage your dog's over-excitement, allowing them to join in on the festivities without becoming overly hyper.
1. Brain Work: Let Them Sniff
Allowing your dog to engage in sniffing activities is an excellent way to stimulate their brain. It's remarkable how much a simple sniffing session can benefit your dog's mental well-being. We've witnessed incredible transformations in dogs when we provide them with enrichment opportunities. Watch our for our last article in the next couple of week that will be all about brain work!
2. A Calm Woof: Teaching Calmness
Many dogs need to learn what calmness feels like. This skill is valuable not just at home but also in various settings. While we'll delve into an exercise called "sit on the dog" next week, let's focus on introducing the "settle" command this week.
3. Set Them Up for Success: Practice Makes Perfect
The key to helping your dog remain calm during gatherings is practice. If the only time they practice calmness is when guests arrive, it can be challenging for them to succeed. Start by revisiting the doorbell desensitization process, which provides a great foundation.
Dogs don't generalize, so offering multiple experiences with the same process helps them understand what's expected of them. (Watch our replay here)
The Settle Command: Calm on Command
Introducing the "settle" command is a powerful tool to help your dog calm down on command. While it may take a bit of time to master, it's one of the most valuable commands you can teach your dog.
Watch this Video to Learn How to Teach Your Dog the Settle Command:
By incorporating these techniques and dedicating time to practice, you'll set your dog up for success during the holiday season. Together, you and your furry friend can enjoy the festivities with peace and harmony.
Stay tuned for our next article, where we'll delve deeper into the "sit on the dog" exercise. Until then, here's to a calm and joyful holiday season for you and your four-legged companion! 🐾🎉
PS Want more information on the settle command? Shoot me a reply and I'll send you some more videos!
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