How to train your dog to be calm, relax and settle
Help them get used to quiet time by themselves For a happy family life, it’s important that dogs learn to relax and have time on their own. It’s especially important for them to do this when you’re busy at home – with guests, making dinner or cleaning, or outside with friends at the pub or a cafĂ©. It’s hard for your dog to learn how to settle when there are distractions, so it’s best to begin practicing somewhere quiet. To help you and your dog learn basic training techniques, it might be worth enrolling in some dog training lessons. Our Dog Schools give practical training to help you and your pooch understand each other better. Reward relaxed behaviours To begin with you may just need to reward your dog for any behaviour that doesn’t involve staring at you, pulling on the lead, or barking. Sit quietly on a chair with your dog on the lead and a blanket on the floor. Drop tiny bite-size treats to your dog as a reward for settling down on the blanket. Don’t say anything to yo...