How to calm down a puppy after playtime?
Donald Walker
2025-05-22 13:56:26
Count answers: 5
I began by teaching Bones to sit first and, when he could sit when I asked him to, I used that as his first self-control exercise. For example, I would toss his ball for him with his leash on, letting him drag it as he played. After a few throws of the ball, I would gently take hold of the leash and then, using a treat as a cue, I asked him to sit. When he sat he got the treat, verbal praise, and some gentle slow petting. I used gentle and slow petting to calm him.
If, at some point during his play, he became over-stimulated, I stepped in and interrupted the play. I would give him a gentle massage, or just hold him, or I would put him in his crate for a time out. The time out isn’t punishment, but rather it’s a time for him to relax.
The first step to calming your dog is to calm yourself. If you are excited, frustrated, or angry, your dog will react to that. So calm yourself, take some deep breaths or even walk away for a few minutes.
Practice your dog’s obedience skills, especially sit, down, and stay. When your dog can do this, then, with a leash on him, interrupt play and ask him to down and stay in one of the spots. After a few minutes, release him and let him play again. The play becomes a reward for holding still.
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