Calm: A Battle of Wills

con·tent·ment

kənˈtentmənt/

noun

1. a state of happiness and satisfaction.

Does your dog have "Peace of Mind" Contentment? You know the kind when you are busy with some chore or relaxing yourself with a cup of tea and you look over at your dog and she is laying quietly? Or the serenity of her presence while sitting together out on the front porch (you are enjoying that rocking chair of course!). 

I can think of numerous images like that but mostly I hear about the dog that goes crazy, running zoomies all through the house, running over the furniture like it is a roller coaster, using the kitchen chair to climb on top of the table to eat the food left by the kids.  

I also hear about the dog that fights tooth and nail all the way; and just won't give in to let you do what you need to do! Be it a bath, nail trim or just a good old non-pulling walk.

 I don't believe that dogs try to be difficult on purpose. I think dogs that can't rest or settle haven't been shown the way or someone just hasn't gotten them through the "Battle of Discontentment". 

Contentment isn't achieved by just exercising the dog to death because at the end of the day, I may have a tired dog but I still have a  tired "Bad Dog". Besides I am tired too and I need to rest without feeling stressed. Two training methods that are very helpful in achieving dog contentment are Tethering and Sit on the Dog.

In the early phase of training during the day when dogs spend time with me in my kitchen, they are always tethered. I do not give them the opportunity to misbehave because their freedom has been removed. They stay tethered to eat their meals and wait while I eat mine. It does sound a bit like "Jail Time" but it is necessary to help set the expectation and show the dogs a new way to behave.

Every night when I have Overnight Boot Camp dogs, I do an exercise called "Sit on the Dog". No, I don't literally sit on the dog but I do keep the dog on a leash while I am sitting in my chair. I do not allow them to walk away but remain by me, on the floor to learn how to settle and relax. They are not allowed to climb into my lap or bother me in anyway. I do give them a comfy dog bed; so there's that!

Oh you wouldn't believe the tantrums I see! How some dogs struggle, wrestle and resist to "Give In"; It is a Battle of Wills! Perhaps the dogs do just wear themselves out but each time I tether them or do Sit on the Dog, they get to contentment much faster.  It is an up hill battle but we must stay the course. It is so important to not "Give Up" but go through until they "Give In".

These methods work because the dog chooses to relax; I can not make their minds at ease, they must do that for themselves. I know they get to that Place of Contentment when I hear the BIG Sigh of Relief! The Battle of Wills has been won without damage and both of us are at Peace.

My best,

Dru

Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net

Any Questions? Call Dru Therrian 440.286.9070