Train your dog to settle

One of the best “tricks” to train your dog to do is to “Settle” on command. See, this particular command is about a lot more than impressing your friends. A dog that can be calm on command is a more enjoyable dog to be around. Plus, if your dog suffers from separation anxiety or tends to get over excited (or even aggressive) when you have company, training your dog to settle will really help with those behaviors. (If your dog is genuinely aggressive, remember to consult a behavioral expert. It’s really important to nip a dangerous bad habit in the bud before your dog nips at your friends!)

To train your dog to settle, you’re going to need a lot of patience. That’s because it’s an observational command meaning you’re going to have to catch your dog in the act and then reward… So, first, give your dog plenty of exercise. A really, really long walk is your best bet.

Then, when you get home, put a bunch of cookies in your pocket and find a comfortable place for you and your dog to be where there aren’t any distractions. Put your dog’s bed on the floor, and get him or her settled in and laying down. Sit down beside your dog, and ignore him. I like to listen to my iPod when I’m training my dog to settle because it gives me something to do and keeps me from getting bored.

Now, because you’ve got cookies in your pocket, and because this is a new experience for your dog, it might be awhile before your dog actually relaxes. You’re looking for that sprawled out on the bed level of relaxation, and your dog shouldn’t be paying much (if any) attention to you. When your dog reaches this state (and for some dogs, it may take five minutes or longer–just be patient, and don’t give up. Eventually your dog will relax), say, “Settle,” and give a cookie. Keep the reward low key because we’re going to repeat it again a few more times.

So, stay sitting beside your dog and wait for your dog to relax again. When your dog does, say, “Settle” and give a cookie. Easy peasy! Do this at least three times at each training session, and never end a training session until you’ve given a cookie. After a few days, wait a little longer before you give the cookie. Work at your dog’s pace, but do work to stretch out the time between when your dog is nice and calm and when you give the cookie.

Build up to where you can tell your dog to settle and she calms down quickly all without distractions. Then, once your dog seems able to handle distractions, it’s time for advanced dog training… But that’ll take another article! For now, work on the basics of training your dog to settle and then, when your dog can settle on command, you’ll be ready for the advanced article.