Today’s All Dogs Alchemy Activity du Jour is teaching your dog to relax. Yes, you can train “relaxation.” We have recommended Karen Overall’s Relaxation Protocol for years, and since you’re home with your dog every day (if you’re not working out of the house), this seems like the perfect time to tackle this 15-day project. It requires just a few minutes each day.
This program acclimates your dog to relaxing in a variety of circumstance ultimately leading to your dog lying down and relaxing even when the doorbell rings or someone knocks on the door. We recommend training this while your dog is lying down. And watch for increasing relaxation, such as lying on one hip. Once your dog is demonstrating relaxed body language, we add a cue such as “relax” at the start of each segment. That gives you the ability to have your dog not only relax, but do it on cue!
Click here for a PDF to the protocol.
We recommend downloading an MP3 file that guides you through the instructions in real time. That’s a great help! You’ll find the audio instructions here: https://championofmyheart.com/relaxation-protocol-mp3-files/
Send us pictures or videos of your dog relaxing!
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