settle...
This is very helpful when you just need your dog to calm down and relax. I like to use Settle with my dogs when we first enter a nursing home, or a new room that we are going into. Each building/room has its own “feeling”. The air temperature may be different, the flooring under their paws may be different, smells, etc. I like to stand in the doorway for a moment and work on Settle, helping my dog to acclimate themselves to the new environment.
Pet your dog in long, slow strokes, almost in slow motion. Talk to him in a calm, soothing voice. Repeat the word “Settle”. He does not have to sit or lay down, but sometimes it helps. This week when you practice Settle, do it when your dog is already relaxed. It will help them to associate the command with what they are doing at the moment. Dog school isn’t the best place to practice Settle ☺ Watch your dogs’ reactions and find out where he enjoys being pet the most. Most dogs don’t like it when you pat them on their forehead. Most dogs enjoy it when you rub their chest or belly…
his is very helpful when you just need your dog to calm down and relax. Examples – when they are playing with other dogs and play gets too rough, going to the vet, going to the groomer, coming to puppy class, etc. I use this with my own dogs when we are in the vet’s waiting room and when I have company over.
Pet your dog in long, slow strokes, almost in slow motion. Talk to him in a calm, soothing voice. Repeat the word “Settle”. He does not have to sit of lay down, but sometimes it helps. This week when you practice Settle, do it when your dog is already relaxed. It will help them to associate the command with what they are doing at the moment. Dog school isn’t the BEST place to practice “Settle”. Watch your dogs’ reactions and find out where he enjoys being pet the most. Most dogs don’t like it when you pat them on their forehead. Most dogs enjoy it when you rub their chest or belly …
If you have a wiggly puppy that does not want to be gently restrained, you will have to work HARDER on this command; it is really an invaluable command, so don’t give up! The last thing you want to do if your puppy is wiggling is let him go again; if you do this, your puppy will learn that if they throw a tantrum they get to do what THEY want to do (play and run!)
Week Two
Some dogs will need to go to the groomers; others will only need a bath a few times a year. When your dog goes to the vet, the vet will have to look in their ears, mouth, etc. At this point you should probably be clipping your puppies toenails about once every week or so. Whatever breed of dog you have, it is still good to get them used to being touched in different areas. Usually when we pet our dogs, we only pet them on the head, neck, back and belly. If your dog becomes used to being touched in different areas, then doing something that can be stressful, such as going to the vet, or groomer, will be much easier on him. Also, if you know what your dog looks like when he’s healthy, you will be able to spot infection or illness right away.
This week while working on settle, practice touching your dogs’ ears. If you have a dog with floppy ears it’s pretty safe to say he’ll get an ear infection sometimes during his life. If he is used to you touching his ears, putting medicine in them is going to be much easier. Also – If you clean your dog’s ears regularly you greatly reduce the chance for infection!
Touch his ears gently. Look inside them. By the end of the week, try cleaning them with a cloth dabbed in warm water. You can also buy special ear cleaning solution at pet stores.
Week Three
Practice Settle. Once your puppy is calm start to look in his ears, like we did last week. This week, in addition to looking at your dogs’ ears, try looking at their teeth. You may need to approach this one a little slower than the ears. Gently lift on lip up and look at their teeth. Talk to him quietly and tell them their being good. At home this week try touching their teeth and gums. If your dog is used to you touching them their, they won’t be as stressed out if something gets caught in their mouth and you need to physically take it out! This is also great to get them ready to have their teeth brushed! I have had 2 dogs that have needed teeth pulled. Because they were used to me looking in their mouths and touching around, I became aware of their problem before it was painful to them.
Week Four
Review looking at their ears and mouth. This week, start touching your dogs’ paws. Start off gradually, at their shoulder and slowly bring your hand down. When your dog is comfortable with you touching his paws, then lift up his paws and look under his pads. Press gently on his nails as though you were going to clip them. Remember to talk to your dog and tell him he’s doing good while you’re touching him.
If you have a puppy that is used to having their paws handled, when it is time to clip their nails it will be much easier for you, and much less stressful for them! I know a lot of owners just wait for their dog to go to the vet or groomer (or daycare!) to have their nails trimmed. This is pretty stressful for the dogs. If you just take a couple minutes a day or even a week, to practice clipping their nails, you are going to have a dog that will sit calmly for you for the rest of their lives!
Pet your dog in long, slow strokes, almost in slow motion. Talk to him in a calm, soothing voice. Repeat the word “Settle”. He does not have to sit of lay down, but sometimes it helps. This week when you practice Settle, do it when your dog is already relaxed. It will help them to associate the command with what they are doing at the moment. Dog school isn’t the BEST place to practice “Settle”. Watch your dogs’ reactions and find out where he enjoys being pet the most. Most dogs don’t like it when you pat them on their forehead. Most dogs enjoy it when you rub their chest or belly …
If you have a wiggly puppy that does not want to be gently restrained, you will have to work HARDER on this command; it is really an invaluable command, so don’t give up! The last thing you want to do if your puppy is wiggling is let him go again; if you do this, your puppy will learn that if they throw a tantrum they get to do what THEY want to do (play and run!)
Week Two
Some dogs will need to go to the groomers; others will only need a bath a few times a year. When your dog goes to the vet, the vet will have to look in their ears, mouth, etc. At this point you should probably be clipping your puppies toenails about once every week or so. Whatever breed of dog you have, it is still good to get them used to being touched in different areas. Usually when we pet our dogs, we only pet them on the head, neck, back and belly. If your dog becomes used to being touched in different areas, then doing something that can be stressful, such as going to the vet, or groomer, will be much easier on him. Also, if you know what your dog looks like when he’s healthy, you will be able to spot infection or illness right away.
This week while working on settle, practice touching your dogs’ ears. If you have a dog with floppy ears it’s pretty safe to say he’ll get an ear infection sometimes during his life. If he is used to you touching his ears, putting medicine in them is going to be much easier. Also – If you clean your dog’s ears regularly you greatly reduce the chance for infection!
Touch his ears gently. Look inside them. By the end of the week, try cleaning them with a cloth dabbed in warm water. You can also buy special ear cleaning solution at pet stores.
Week Three
Practice Settle. Once your puppy is calm start to look in his ears, like we did last week. This week, in addition to looking at your dogs’ ears, try looking at their teeth. You may need to approach this one a little slower than the ears. Gently lift on lip up and look at their teeth. Talk to him quietly and tell them their being good. At home this week try touching their teeth and gums. If your dog is used to you touching them their, they won’t be as stressed out if something gets caught in their mouth and you need to physically take it out! This is also great to get them ready to have their teeth brushed! I have had 2 dogs that have needed teeth pulled. Because they were used to me looking in their mouths and touching around, I became aware of their problem before it was painful to them.
Week Four
Review looking at their ears and mouth. This week, start touching your dogs’ paws. Start off gradually, at their shoulder and slowly bring your hand down. When your dog is comfortable with you touching his paws, then lift up his paws and look under his pads. Press gently on his nails as though you were going to clip them. Remember to talk to your dog and tell him he’s doing good while you’re touching him.
If you have a puppy that is used to having their paws handled, when it is time to clip their nails it will be much easier for you, and much less stressful for them! I know a lot of owners just wait for their dog to go to the vet or groomer (or daycare!) to have their nails trimmed. This is pretty stressful for the dogs. If you just take a couple minutes a day or even a week, to practice clipping their nails, you are going to have a dog that will sit calmly for you for the rest of their lives!
Giene Keyes
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
Giene Keyes is the owner of Moon Dog Training, LLC, providing positive in-home training, behavior consultations and group classes. After receiving “Best of Madison'' multiple years in a row, Giene sold her dog daycare to focus on her dog behavior work. Giene has been working with pets and their owners for over 30 years. She is a professional animal trainer and behavior specialist in Southern Wisconsin. Giene divides her time between teaching group classes and private lessons – Specializing in manners and aggression cases. Giene works with vets, rescue groups and shelters, evaluating dogs for adoption, developing Canine Aggression Management Programs, and educating staff on dog language and behaviors. She consults for dog daycares and training companies by educating staff on dog body language, cues, managing a pack, difficult dogs and much more. She provides behavior consultations for service dog organizations and rescue groups in the Midwest. She has been an Instructor with the American Red Cross in Pet CPR and First Aid, a Certified Canine Good Citizen Evaluator with the American Kennel Club, and a Licensed Judge with the WI Dept of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection. Giene is a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer. She routinely presents seminars on dog behavior and training, as well as chicken training seminars to promote team building. Giene has been a regular guest on popular Madison radio shows and evening newscasts. Giene has also been featured in numerous local magazines, including the cover for Wisconsin Woman. Giene is a published author (see her Chicken Training Book!) and loves demonstrating to people how clever dogs, chickens and pigs can be.
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