Dog Training Psychology for Dog Agility

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Calming Your Dog
Tips for helping a dog to relax

Tips on Calming Your Dog


1. Identify a TFI -- think and dwell on the goal, not the problem. (A TFI is a Target for Improvement.)

2. Help Your Dog Adapt.

3. Teach your dog to yawn

4. Play calming music

5. Give your dog a massage

6. Calm yourself! 

7. Try nutritional supplements and oils designed to calm yourself and your dog.

Now, let's discuss these topics in detail. 

Focus Targets for Improvement!



1. Identify a Target for Improvement.  (TFI) -- don't be forever talking about how your dog has a problem. Instead focus on solutions.  That mindset alone will be huge!  Remember, we get more of what we focus on. If you focus on how anxious your dog is, that is actually hurting your dog.  Think about your TFI and your mind will open  and new ideas and  insight will come to you.

2. Help Your Dog Adapt

Go to lots of Dog Agility Fun Matches,where there is no judging and the rules are more relaxed. You can do training in the ring and sometimes even use treats in the ring. This experience will go along ways toward helping your dog adapt so that by the time she goes to a real trial she will be ready to rock 'n roll. 


Magic Momo did that and for her very first trial she displayed awesome performance in both Jumpers and Standard AKC trials. She was ready to win 2 blue ribbons!

Momo coming out of a Tunnel at a Fun Match

Turn Ein Loose


A super energetic Corgi named "Ein" apparently didn't get to do many fun match before he went to dog agility trials. He was as nervous as a Border Collie just out of a bath for his first year of trialing. See "Turn Ein Loose" the video.



Seems hopeless, doesn't it? 


Does it look like Ein could be a successful competitor?

EIN After Adaptation



But now look at Ein go!  He won First place with this run in the  PWCCA National Specialty on 9/25/17


If your dog is having fear or nervousness, or excited issue. Don't worry. Just persist, offer lots of experiences to your dog,  and use some of the cool gambits in this article.  Miracles happen every day. Ein is a testament to that!

Explore the Dog Agility Venue

Arrive early and walk your dog all over the place. Let him get really familiar with the environment. This helps a lot! Let your dog meet and greet other dogs (if the owner allows it). Do lots of practice on the practice jumps. 


Also, look for other things nearby (outside of the official grounds) that might simulate obstacles in the ring -- like stairs. Run and play. Do lots of tugging or other games. 

Yawning

3. Teach Your Dog to Yawn

Dogs actually yawn to calm themselves. A good way to teach a dog a new behavior is to watch for them to exhibit the behavior on their own and then label it for them. For example, when you see your dog yawning, say, sweetly "Yawn for me!"


Another thing you can do is to place your hand gently on your dog's face near the jaw hinge and press gently. Your dog will then open his mouth. Label the behavior and offer a treat to reinforce yawning.  With repeated training your dog will yawn on cue.  Use this technique when you want to help your dog relax. 

Yawning also works for humans! Olympic athletes often yawn to destress. You can using yawning to an advantage yourself!

Learn more at DogBuddy.com


NOTE: this tutorial continues after a word from our sponsors.  -- scroll down continue.

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Play Calming Music

4. Play Calming Music for Your Dog

Your dog may respond to calming music. The tune Song for Daisy was especially composed to help Daisy chill out. And it seems to have worked for her and other dogs as well.  Give it a try. You can click the play button to listen now.  

One user said: "Both of my dogs were anxious-one about a storm, and one tearing up a toilet paper tube. I played this, and both are now peaceful, laying down and sleeping. I am impressed. I'm thinking of a nap myself."  (Remember this tune is for your dog, not you!)

5. Give Your Dog a Massage

A gentle massage is a great way to help your dog chill out. The video here gives you some great tips.

Watch the video and then try it!  Be sure to do it gently!

At dog agility trials, there is often a dog massage therapist available.

6. Calm Yourself to Help Your Dog Chill

Dogs have superpowers when it comes to  YOUR feelings.  If you are uptight, they can tell and will respond in kind. So calm yourself!
  • Learn and practice mental toughness
  • Learn deep relaxation therapy.
  • Learn speed sleeping
  • Meditate
  • Remember to breathe. Do simple breathing exercises.
  • Watch one of the many helpful calming videos on YouTube. 

Dog Calming Products

There are different dog and human calming products to choose from.  You can check them out by clicking the buttons here:

Dog Calming Products

Human Calming Products

Remember, dogs can pick up our feelings. If we are nervous our dog may become nervous too, in sympathy with us. Learn more by clicking the button below. 

Human Calming Products

Relax and Chill

Again, remember that dogs pick up your feelings. So relax and chill out yourself! Learn deep breathing exercises for yourself.  Do it now. It's that important.  Be patient. Magic Momo Superdog was once terrified at Fun Matches, but in time adapted and is now showing amazing skill at the highest levels of AKC Dog Agility. 
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