TRAINING

applied behavior
QUESTION & ANSWER OF THE MONTH

Teaching Dogs to Settle and Relax

When I try to help owners Unless a dog is calm, settled, and relaxed, it is physiologic changes, such as slower respiration
unlikely to be able to learn something new. This and relaxed body postures and facial expressions.
teach an anxious dog to is especially true for anxious and frightened
dogs. An anxious dog focuses on the perceived Basic Ground Rules
respond calmly to its sur- threat—not on learning a new task. So the first
goal in trying to change an unwanted behavior is
The owner should pick a location to begin the
training. This could be a specific corner of a
to teach the pet to settle and relax on a verbal
roundings, I am unable to command. A calm, relaxed pet can be taught
room, or the dog’s bed or a rug, the latter of
which would allow for a “mobile” relaxation
many new things.
get very good results. What spot. For many dogs, the task can be facilitated
with a head collar and a leash. In the beginning,
This is not a simple obedience task. The goal is
can I suggest to help them? for the dog to be calm and quiet as evidenced by c o n t i n u e s

a p p l i e d b e h av i o r . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . N AV C c l i n i c i a n’s b r i e f. . . n ove m b e r. 2 0 0 6 . . . . . 5 7
applied behavior CONTINUED

training should take place in a quiet, distrac- command is given again. Over several repeti- a very noticeable way. Since the performance
tion-free environment. Food rewards usually tions, the dog learns not to wag its tail. Noncom- was excellent and will be hard to replicate, the
yield the best results, especially tasty ones, such pliance is ignored by either looking or walking training session should end for that day. Keep in
as people food. If the food makes the dog too away. mind that it is always best to end on a high note.
excited, the owner should use a less-palatable
treat or a toy. Food should be divided into very Between each repetition the dog is asked to get Once the dog is calm with the owner nearby, the
small pieces and always paired with a reward up and come to the owner, and then is brought owner could take a few steps away from the pet
phrase, such as “good dog.” back to the spot and placed in position once and then return. If the dog does not move or
again. Once the dog reliably keeps its tail still, change emotional state, the owner can begin to
How to Proceed the owner should begin to look for another sign add minor distractions, such as clapping the
Start by giving the dog a command, such as “sit” of relaxation to reward, such as relaxed ear hands or stamping the feet. Even at this stage,
or “down.” Ask the dog to remain in this posi- position or facial expression. training sessions should remain short so that the
tion and be calm. It can be useful to use a key dog is successful most of the time.
phrase, such as “easy” or “steady,” to help the Brevity & Jackpots
pet associate relaxation with sit/down and stay. Training sessions should be brief—probably Hitting the Target
Commands must only be given one time, not only about 5 minutes. This helps reduce frustra- Finally, the owner can use the relaxation tech-
repeated over and over. The owner must be able tion for both the owner and the pet. If a leash niques to begin desensitization exercises to
to gauge relaxation by watching facial expres- and head collar will be used in further training address the problematic target stimuli. To prop-
sions and body postures. The ears should be exercises, they should also be used during erly desensitize the dog, a target stimulus must
relaxed, the tail still, and the body relaxed and relaxation training. be kept at a low enough intensity so that the dog
loose—not stiff and tight. Pupils should be a can respond in a relaxed manner. This is
normal size, the eyes should not dart from side It is important for the owner to progress slowly accomplished by developing a stimulus gradient,
to side, and the brow should not be furrowed. and not to rush the training. In some instances, including all the relevant details of the stimulus,
the dog may let out a big sigh or put his head such as size, location, speed of approach, and
In most cases, it is necessary to watch the dog down, indicating total relaxation. It is essential noise level. With success, the target stimulus is
closely and reward small increments of relax- that the owner reward such behavior with a gradually intensified until the dog responds to it
ation. For example, if the dog is lying down but large reward, typically known as a “jackpot,” in a relaxed manner. ■
wagging its tail vigorously, no reward is given which could just be a handful of treats all at
until the dog stops wagging its tail. Then the once. A jackpot is used to mark the response in

COMING SOON
to these pages…
ª Patient Support: Total Parenteral Nutrition
ª Procedures Pro: Cesarean Section
ª Consultant on Call: Inapparent Oronasal Fistula
ª AAHA Practice Management: Peak Team Performance
ª Devices: Dental Radiology Units
ª Procedures Pro: The Avian Physical Examination
ª Make Your Diagnosis: Sudden Collapse
ª What’s the Take-Home? Ivermectin Toxicosis

Plus, of course, Applied Behavior, Capsules, Practice Hotline, Com-

5 8 . . . n ove m b e r. 2 0 0 6 . . . . . N AV C c l i n i c i a n’s b r i e f . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a p p l i e d b e h av i o r