How To Capture Puppy Calmness
This blog may include affiliate links which pay a commission on eligible purchases
As a new puppy owner, you might often find yourself longing for those rare moments of calm amidst your puppy's hyperactive phases. The good news is, you can actually train your puppy to be calm! Want to know the easiest way to teach your puppy calmness?
By capturing and rewarding relaxed behaviour. Yes its that simple!
Noticing when your puppy is naturally calm and rewarding them for this calmness.
What You'll Need
Before you start, ensure you have the following on hand: high-value treats. You'll want to have your treats readily available but hidden from your puppy. Small treat pots scattered around your house can be a great way to reward your puppy for good behaviors spontaneously.
Step 1: Be Prepared
Choosing a calm environment with minimal distractions is key to capturing calmness. A quiet room or a serene corner of your garden can be ideal spots.
Once you've selected your spot, all you need to do is sit and watch your puppy as they go about their day. Keep an eye out for signs of calmness, such as lying down, passively chewing on a toy, or simply observing their surroundings.
Step 2: Reward the Calm
Now comes the rewarding part. The moment you see your puppy exhibiting calm behavior, calmly approach them and deliver a treat. Remember not to prompt them.
You can also gently praise them and introduce a cue like “Calm” or “Settle”.
After rewarding them, continue with your day. Your puppy might follow you expecting more treats, but don't encourage this. They will likely go back to what they were doing, and after a few more minutes, you can repeat the process.
Practice this calming exercise for 10-20 minutes a day. Sit with your puppy and reward them for calm behavior. This is a great and easy way to start your calmness training.
Bonus Tip:
For an extra boost in this training, reward your puppy and give them the settle cue anytime you see them being calm throughout the day. Aim for 20 moments of calmness to reward your puppy today.
Training your puppy to be calm is all about capturing and rewarding those moments of calmness. With time, patience, and consistency, you can help promote calmness in your home, making your puppy's (and your own) life much more peaceful and enjoyable.
