Puppy Talk
Puppy Talk offers advice and training tips for new puppy owners. We cover topics such as potty training, play biting, basic commands, behavior problems, and leash training. Dale has trained thousands of puppies, as well as raising several of his own own. If you enjoy this podcast, please follow. Be sure to check out our website at http://puppytalkpodcast.com. This podcast is sponsored by http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Puppy Talk
The Importance of Puppy Relaxation with Laura Donaldson
Laura Donaldson, is a PhD, CDBC, KPA CTP and the owner of Four Paws, Four Directions Dog Training & Behavior Consulting, LLC at https://fourpawsfourdirections.com
The episode will focuses on THE IMPORTANCE OF RELAXATION FOR PUPPIES (& ALL DOGS). Topics covered include mat training for puppies, calming enrichment activities and the cognitive as well as emotional underpinnings of the RELAXATION RESPONSE that we want to teach our puppies.
TEN WAYS TO HELP YOUR DOG LEARN TO “REALLY” RELAX ON A MAT!
1. Do not use a clicker or other excitatory marker with mat training – if you want to use a marker, use a CALMING one like “Niiiiice,” or “Gooooood,” said in almost a subliminal tone of voice.
2. Do the “Be Still/Reward Nothing” game on the mat. No movement, not even a wagging tail.
3. Every time you place a treat down on the mat (because we’re feeding the mat, not the dog), ask your dog to TAKE A DEEP BREATH. The sequence would be:
Calming Marker -- Ask the dog to TAB -- Place treat on the mat
4. Give your dog a LickiMat spread with baby food, squeeze cheese, xylitol-free yogurt or even an overripe banana on his/her mat. There is science & hard data backing up that calm repetitive licking induces both a physical & neurochemical “feel good” sensation that is very soothing.
5. Do some massage with your dog on the mat.
6. Do Tellington TTouch Ear Slides with your dog on the mat.
7. Give your dog a stuffed, frozen Kong on his/her mat.
8. Dogs use social mimicry to interpret their environment, so if the human stands by the mat and practices relaxed, deep breathing, dogs will often imitate what their human is doing.
9. Have your dog on their mat & plug in a pheromone dispenser nearby.
10. BE CALM & RELAXED YOURSELF AND CHANCES ARE THAT YOUR DOG WILL BE (MORE) CALM & RELAXED!!
Visit our website at http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Purchase "The Business of Dog Training" on Amazon
RESOURCES:
Podcast Website: http://puppytalkpodcast.com
Sponsor Website: http://www.topgundogtraining.com
Dale's books: https://www.amazon.com/author/dalebuchanan