How to calm a dog after playing?
Veronica Reinger
2025-05-22 13:04:59
Count answers: 3
To help your dog calm down after playing, reward relaxed behaviours. Sit quietly on a chair with your dog on the lead and a blanket on the floor. Drop tiny bite-size treats to your dog as a reward for settling down on the blanket. Gradually reward more relaxed behaviours. This will vary between dogs – some will automatically start lying down so you can quickly progress to rewarding your dog only for this behaviour. Then move on to reward specific signs of relaxing like sighing, weight shifting and head resting. Always make sure your dog is having a good time when settling, whether enjoying their toys, chews, or simply dozing and snoozing. Increase the time your dog must be settled before you reward them. Once your dog starts to get the hang of it and is shifting their weight so they’re comfortable and relaxed, you can start practising with them off lead.