My current in-training dog, Austin, is high energy. Not in the bounce off the walls kind of way, but more of the “I want to move all day” sort.
We had a DNA kit run on him early into his training. We wanted to get a better idea of genetics may be pulling the strings and affecting various aspects of training, and be able to devise a strategy that worked for him.
His results came back as a conglomeration of working breeds who want to move all day across the board.
Part of Austin’s integration into our household includes free time. These are time periods where he practices being off-leash in the house, respecting our rules, listening to us without a leash to reinforce, co-existing calmly with Robbie, and just being a dog.
It may surprise you to know that free time is something he struggles with. Not because he’s getting into trouble, but rather because he tends to get unsettled and restless without direction. It illuminates how overwhelming freedom to make their own choices and determine their own activities can be for some dogs.
In his active training sessions, Austin is learning Place (go to a specific spot and settle), Down, and public access Down (lying a certain way, in a certain spot). He hasn’t quite put two and tow together to use those skills in his own time, though.
I’m helping him learn how to settle and how to choose to settle with the following approaches:
- Keeping free time as a reward after a training session, and keeping it short
- Putting him on a leash tether that I’m holding and asking him to actively settle. I either wait for him to lay down and praise him, or actively tell him to lay down. He can lay how he likes, have a treat, take a nap, or watch the birds, but the tether keeps him from pacing.
Pacing or changing positions often can be a sign of restlessness. The more you let your dog practice pacing by doing it, you’re inadvertently teaching them, “Yes, please do this with your time and energy.”
It’s amazing how fast a leash and me settling down encourages him to settle down, too.
You may be thinking, oh that will never work on my dog, they’re too hyper. Any dog can learn to settle. How you do it may change, but the concept remains the same. All dogs need to learn how to settle because it helps them learn to relax and learn what to do with themselves when they are unsure or overwhelmed about something.
Using a leash helps set a energy level of calm, along with you yourself settling down to read a book, watch tv, or another activity. It’s easy to want to use treats, but throwing treats at your dog can accidentally infuse more energy into the exercise, which defeats your overall goal of “please calm down now.” Not every approach works the same for every dog or team. For more help, send me an email and let’s get you started training with Disabled Advantage.
As a service dog, Austin will need to have a mix of “go all day” and “settle down here for a bit.” He needs to channel his energy into either avenue equally as well.
If your dog sounds like Austin, try this tip to improve their day – and yours! For more help, schedule a training consult today!
