The dog is a sensitive animal that enjoys interacting with its environment. However, situations of stress, worry, or agitation can arise, caused by encounters, loud noises, sudden movements, or even smells. In an urban environment or at home, it can be crucial to have a quick solution to calm your dog to ensure its safety, well-being, and your own peace of mind. Easy to implement, the RELAX command is an effective technique that will allow you, once mastered, to calm your dog in just a few seconds.
Choosing the name of your command
Before getting started, it's important to choose a word that is easy to pronounce, pleasant to hear, and captures the dog's attention well. For this, simple, short words with a soft sound are welcome: "CALM", "QUIET", "PEACE", "RELAXATION", or even "REST", "RELAX", "ZEN", "HARMONY", etc. The key is to choose a word that is easy for the canine to remember and that is in line with the desired objective, which is to quickly calm your dog. Choosing a simple word to pronounce will help you to use it effectively during training. It's also advisable, of course, to choose a word different from those used in common commands to avoid confusion.
We will choose RELAX for this demonstration, as it is a word associated with relaxation and perfectly fits the purpose of the command, which is to calm your dog, and you as well in the process!
Preparation for the RELAX command
Establishing Solid Foundations
To ensure the success of the RELAX command, it is crucial to lay down solid foundations before starting. Indeed, conscientiously applying the advice that follows will enable you to achieve very good results. It is therefore important to take the time to master each step of the RELAX command before moving on to the next. Skipping steps may result in not achieving the desired results. This exercise is not only pleasant and relaxing for both you and your dog, but it also strengthens your bond by increasing your dog's trust in you. Remember, if you are stressed and rushed, it will be more difficult for your dog to relax.
Creating a Favorable Environment
To achieve the best results with the RELAX command, it is important to prepare an environment conducive to learning. Choose a quiet and isolated place to work, away from potential distractions. It may also be helpful to play soft music to help create a soothing atmosphere for you and your dog. If possible, ensure that the lighting is suitable for relaxation, neither too bright nor too dark. Lastly, it is important to be in a calm state of mind before attempting to convey this command to your dog. If you are not calm, neither will your dog be. Therefore, it is necessary to be aware of your own breathing, relax, and unwind to ensure that the session proceeds optimally.
Choosing the Right Time to Start and Being Patient
To achieve optimal results when teaching the RELAX command, it is essential to choose moments when your dog is already relaxed and calm. Starting training after a period of excitement is futile as it will lead to nothing. Once the command is well understood and integrated, it can be used in all situations. Also, be patient as it will take time for the learning process. Just like with common commands such as "HEEL", "SIT", "STOP", the RELAX command must be practiced daily and regularly to achieve truly effective results. As with other commands, if you want to keep the dog's attention, it is best to opt for short sessions.
Using Clicker Training to Speed up Learning
Using a clicker can greatly accelerate the learning of the RELAX command. Indeed, the neutral and distinct sound of a clicker quickly ingrains cognitive reflex in your pet in a positive manner, unlike using the voice which can convey emotions that make training more difficult. Regarding the rewards used to mark your dog's good behavior, it is important to choose treats that are not too stimulating at the beginning of the learning process, as this could excite your dog and make training more difficult. Therefore, choose rewards that are suitable, not too strong for the dog, but enticing enough to motivate him.
Practice Short and Frequent Training Sessions
As mentioned earlier, short training sessions, ranging from 1 to 2 minutes, will be more effective than longer ones. If you exceed this time, your dog may lose focus and become restless. It is better to practice many short sessions, which you can time with a timer to ensure you do not exceed 2 minutes, throughout the day to maintain your animal's attention. By adopting this method regularly, you can effectively and quickly calm your dog, bringing it to a state of optimal relaxation. During your outings, by sitting calmly, placing your hands on him, and saying "RELAX", he will calm down and become completely relaxed in just a few seconds!
Using the RELAX Command in Practice
An Exercise for Your Dog's Progressive Relaxation
Accepting Being Touched in Steps
To fully benefit from the RELAX command, it is essential that your dog gets used to being touched on demand. Therefore, it is preferable to start the learning process in a "standing" position, as it will be easier for the dog to feel more confident and less vulnerable. Start with the least sensitive parts of its anatomy. To learn how to touch your dog appropriately, start with the chest, flanks, hind legs, front legs, then gradually move to the back and head. When you are calm, your dog will be too. Subsequently, when your dog is completely comfortable with the initial exercises, you can move on to the next step, which is the "lying down" position, positioning your dog in a relaxed manner, on its side, and repeating the same exercises. Remember to limit each session to a maximum of 2 minutes.
Promoting Dog Confidence through Positive Reinforcement
To reinforce the desired behavior, use a clicker to mark the moment when your dog behaves as desired, and immediately reward it with a treat or a pat. Start by using the back of your hand to pet your dog on the least sensitive parts of its body, such as its chest. If your dog remains calm and relaxed, click and reward it. If your dog is stressed or moves, do not click and try again later, clicking only when your dog is relaxed. This will allow you to validate only the good behaviors. With a progressive approach, start with easy-to-access areas for your pet. You will quickly notice your dog relaxing. If it is initially tense and frozen, apply gentle pressure by placing your hand on it and wait until you feel its relaxation before clicking and rewarding.
Gradually Increase Contact Time
Initially, if your dog does not allow itself to be touched, only stay in contact for a maximum of one second. Do not move on to the next step until your dog allows itself to be touched calmly. Some dogs are more restless and will need more time to get used to this exercise. Gradually extend the contact time by increasing it by one second each time until reaching 10 seconds. Training through positive clicker reinforcement is the ideal method to help your dog understand the RELAX command: I stay calm - we click - I get a reward. To reinforce this habit in the dog, I will gradually increase the contact time before clicking, aiming to increase its ability to allow itself to be touched calmly and relaxed.
Adapting to the Dog's Learning Speed
Repeat the same process with each part of the body, making sure not to pet your dog too abruptly or intrusively. If I notice the dog showing excitement or anxiety during the exercise, I revert to a shorter contact duration and reward the animal at each successful step. Positive reinforcement allows the dog to learn to relax naturally and without stress. Repeat the process with all parts of the body. Once your dog allows itself to be touched calmly and you have successfully petted it on the chest for 10 seconds calmly, move on to the flanks, then to the back and head. This will become more and more pleasant and comfortable for both of you.
Mastering the RELAX Command
Progress by touching all parts of your dog's body while it's lying down, gradually increasing the time before clicking. This step will allow you to achieve the goal of the RELAX command: By placing your hand on your dog, it will know what's coming and will have to relax to receive its reward. At the same time, you can increase the waiting time to extend the period of calm in your dog. To reinforce the RELAX command, as training progresses, the dog will respond instantly to the command through voice and touch. When you place your hand on it and say "RELAX," it will have to maintain the position for longer and longer periods. This will eventually allow you to reach durations longer than one minute.
Last Tips Before Practice!
It is essential to remember that the RELAX command should not be used as a miracle solution, although it is useful for quickly calming your dog in all situations. It is first necessary to understand the needs and emotions of your pet, and to work on the underlying causes of its stress or anxiety. It is also recommended to consult a canine behaviorist or a veterinarian if you encounter difficulties in implementing these techniques or if your dog has more significant behavioral issues.
Furthermore, it is important not to force the implementation of the RELAX command, and to respect each one's learning pace. It is also crucial not to forget to reward your dog regularly when it performs the command correctly. Finally, it is essential to remember that calming your dog in 15 seconds is a long-term goal, which can only be achieved after months of regular training and rigorous application of the techniques outlined in this article. But once understood, the RELAX command allows the dog to relax on demand.
This ability can be very useful in various situations such as grooming, visits to the veterinarian, when receiving visitors, or during walks. It is good to remember that you must be relaxed yourself during these training sessions to allow your dog to learn effectively. Also, by respecting each step, you allow enough time for your dog to assimilate the RELAX command properly. Once mastered, this command, a true moment of complicity, will become playful, soothing, and pleasant for your pet and for you!
